Side panel for a recreational vehicle

Abstract

A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.

1 . A snowmobile comprising: 
 a frame including a tunnel;    an engine disposed on the frame;    a drive track disposed below and supported by the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile;    two skis disposed on the frame, each via a front suspension;    a straddle seat disposed on the tunnel above the drive track and rearward of the engine, and    a side panel mounted to the snowmobile, the side panel comprising 
 a body having at least one generally vertically-oriented side edge; and  
   at least one hinge affixed to the side panel along the at least one side edge, the panel being mounted to the snowmobile via the at least one hinge, whereby the side panel opens along a generally vertically-oriented axis.    
   
   
       2 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the generally vertically-oriented axis is defined by the generally vertically-oriented side edge  
   
   
       3 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one fairing including an opening adapted to receive the at least one hinge.    
   
   
       4 . The snowmobile of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one hinge further comprises a protrusion, the protrusion passing through the opening in the at least one fairing when the side panel is mounted to the snowmobile.  
   
   
       5 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , further comprising a lock adapted to connect with the protrusion to prevent the side panel separating from the fairing after the protrusion has been inserted through the opening in the fairing.  
   
   
       6 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion has a T-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       7 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion has a tubular cross section.  
   
   
       8 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , wherein the lock includes a locking bar, the locking bar having a C-shaped opening adapted to fit over the protrusion of the hinge to prevent the protrusion from passing through the opening in the fairing.  
   
   
       9 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , wherein the panel and the hinge including the protrusion are integrally molded.  
   
   
       10 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a hole defining at least one air vent whereby air passes therethrough.  
   
   
       11 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an airbox attached to an interior surface of the body of the side panel.    
   
   
       12 . The snowmobile of  claim 5 , wherein the locking bar slides over the protrusion and the locking bar further includes inwardly protruding pins to prevent the locking bar from sliding off the protrusion.  
   
   
       13 . The snowmobile of  claim 1  further comprising, a continuously variable transmission, the continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley and a driven pulley, wherein the side panel extends from the drive pulley to the driven pulley.  
   
   
       14 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the side panel is removable from the snowmobile.