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Concept

Oct 05, 2012 Posted by: David Sullivan
ATV/ Quadbike roll bar or roll over protective structures (ROPS)

The Quadbar is a small unobtrusive, hairpin shaped hoop mounted on the quadbike behind the rider designed to counter some of the risks associated with rollovers. The Quadbar acts as a Crush Protection Device (CPD) as opposed to the more commonly known roll over protective structures (ROPS). A typical ROPS would require a full cage and driver restraint, which are not feasible on a rider active vehicle such as a quadbike.

The Quadbar (aluminium tube) is mounted on the tow bar and is telescopically adjustable at the base. A support mount is attached to the rear rack, where the bar passes through sliding collars (bushes), which subsequently allow the suspension to move freely. The use of the tow bar is not affected by attachment of the Quadbar.The Quadbar is a device designed to reduce the risk of injury caused by quadbike rollovers. Research has identified injury caused by the pinning of the rider to be of particular concern. (ref: Risk and preventive factors for fatalities in All-terrain Vehicle Accidents in New Zealand, 2009. Boaz Shulruf, Andrew Balemi)

Also injuries from quadbike backflips are particularly common. (ref Coronial Inquest – Melb)

The Quadbar has been designed to help prevent the operator from being pinned beneath an overturned quadbike. It is also designed to reduce crushing and pinning injuries and fatalities in cases of quadbike back flip.

The Quadbar has particular application where usage is generally considered safe, and the rollover is inadvertent, such as work place environments like farms and forestry and some limited types of recreational use like touring.

The Quadbar cannot be fitted to the sports type bike where the operation is generally considered risky.

Side Roll

Testing has shown that the Quadbar can be effective in preventing a quadbike from rolling more than a ¼ roll. For example during testing, the Yamaha Moto 250 completed 2 full rolls on a 20degree or 36% slope without a Quadbar, but only ¼ of a roll with a Quadbar fitted. When the momentum is increased past the point when the Quadbar prevents more than a ¼ roll, the testing showed that the quadbike continued to roll past ½ roll, and in most cases ¾ roll to a full roll, which effectively reduces the chances of a quadbike pinning a rider. The momentum of the roll was also slowed and a space between the quadbike and the ground was maintained.

Backflip

The tests for the backflip (or pitch) on a 20degree or 36% slope, was set with considerable rearward momentum, enough to cause considerable handlebar and instrument damage and even bending to the steering columns. Forces of this magnitude have potential to cause serious or fatal injuries. The Quadbar was effective in arresting the backflip, with the quadbike rising on the hoop and falling to the side.

Pinning injuries include:

  • Death from asphyxiation - cutting of air supply.
  • Death from mechanical asphyxiation - inability to breathe due to forces (weight) on the body – can vary from minutes to hours.
  • Death caused by Crush syndrome - toxins entering the blood stream when the “crush” cause is removed and circulation is restored.
  • Death from drowning – often in shallow water, whilst being pinned.
  • Death from heart failure – there have been a number of cases of roll over and pinning where the cause of death has been identified as heart failure (conjecture whether heart failure pre or post rollover)
  • Loss or reduced capacity of limb(s) – due to lack of circulation.
Additional Design elements:

The designer of the Quadbar has sought to minimise any adverse effects of the PROPS including taking into consideration concerns of those opposed to any form of ROPS on quadbikes.

Height of the Quadbar – is typically below the riders head, reducing the chance of being caught on low hanging obstacles which should also cause little or no disruption to traditional usage patterns.

Weight distribution – the Quadbar is designed with a light aluminium upper and steel lower parts, resulting in a strong PROPS that has negligible and possibly no effect on the centre of gravity.

Position of the Quadbar – is at the rear of the quadbike, as far away from the operator as possible, reducing the chances of the operator coming in contact with the PROPS. Its position and narrow shape also allows as much as possible for the operator to “exit” the quadbike in an emergency dismount, without hindrance. This positioning also allows for normal, unhindered mounting and dismounting.

Padding and rounded shape – to reduce potential injury from inadvertent contact with the CPD and also allowing the point of contact to slide as opposed to digging in during contact with the ground.