ATV with fender storage compartment

Abstract

An all terrain vehicle is provided with one or more wheel fenders that double as storage compartments. The fenders define a hollow volume into which a variety of desired items can be placed for storage. An access opening provides access to the hollow volume. A door can be attached to releasably close the access opening. A door can be hinged such that it is readily accessible by a driver of the ATV while seated on the ATV.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An off-road vehicle fender comprising: 
 front and rear panels configured to a wheel opening contour, the front and rear panels spaced apart; and    first and second side panels connected to each of the front and rear panels, the first and second side panels cooperating with the front and rear panels to form a storage compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a top panel and a bottom panel, the at least one of a top panel and a bottom panel cooperating with the front and rear panels and the first and second side panels to form the storage compartment.  
     
     
         3 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front panel and the rear panel is curved.  
     
     
         4 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the front and rear panels, the first and second side panels and the at least one of a top panel and a bottom panel are formed from individual components.  
     
     
         5 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 4 , wherein the individual components are each formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, wood and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear panels and the first and second side panels are formed within a unitary molded component.  
     
     
         7 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 6 , wherein the unitary molded component comprises a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         8 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel and rear panel are spaced sufficiently far apart to provide a useful storage compartment.  
     
     
         9 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 8 , wherein the front panel and rear panel are spaced at least about one inch apart.  
     
     
         10 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , wherein the fender is adapted for use as a rear wheel fender.  
     
     
         11 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 1 , wherein the fender is adapted for use as a front wheel fender.  
     
     
         12 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 2 , further comprising an access opening positioned within a panel selected from the group consisting of the front panel, the rear panel, the first side panel, the second side panel and the at least one of a top panel and a bottom panel.  
     
     
         13 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 11 , further comprising an access door configured and positioned to releasably close the access opening.  
     
     
         14 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 13 , wherein the door is hingedly attached to the panel bearing the access opening.  
     
     
         15 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 13 , wherein the door is configured to snap into the access opening.  
     
     
         16 . The off-road vehicle fender of  claim 13 , wherein the access hole is configured to accept a door configured to screw into the access hole.  
     
     
         17 . An off-road vehicle comprising one or more of the fender of  claim 1.