U.S. patent application number 10/035815 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for golf cart screen.
Invention is credited to Goodstein, Ronald.
Application Number | 20020084669 10/035815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23949962 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020084669 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodstein, Ronald |
July 4, 2002 |
Golf cart screen
Abstract
A wind screen for a golf cart. The wind screen is comprised of a
frame which defines an opening and screen material is attached to
the frame so as to fill the opening. The screen material is
selected so as to allow air to travel therethrough while inhibiting
the passage of bugs, dust and debris. The wind screen is adapted to
be positioned adjacent a windshield of the golf cart such that the
passengers in the golf cart can be cooled by air travelling through
the wind screen but not have dirt, debris or insects hitting the
passengers in the face. In one embodiment, the wind screen is
attached to the golf cart through the use of hook and loop fastener
material.
Inventors: |
Goodstein, Ronald; (Palm
Desert, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
23949962 |
Appl. No.: |
10/035815 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10035815 |
Oct 16, 2001 |
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09490900 |
Jan 25, 2000 |
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6302440 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/77.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/00 20130101;
Y10S 280/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/77.1 |
International
Class: |
B60J 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An assembly for preventing particles and insects from entering
the occupant compartment of a golf cart having a front wind shield
which defines a wind shield area, the assembly comprising: a frame
having a first and a second side member and a top and a bottom
member wherein the top and the bottom members interconnect the
first and second side members such that the first and second side
members and the top and bottom member define an opening; a screen
having a plurality of openings formed therein wherein the screen is
attached to the frame so as to extend across the opening and
wherein the plurality of openings in the screen are sized so as to
permit air to flow therethrough while preventing particles and
insects from travelling through the opening in the frame; and an
attachment mechanism connected to the frame so as to permit the
frame to be mounted adjacent the wind shield of the golf cart to
thereby inhibit particles and insects from travelling through the
wind shield area of the golf cart into the faces of the occupants
of the golf cart.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/490,900 filed Jun. 25, 2000 entitled "Golf
Cart Screen."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to debris screening devices
and, more particularly, to a removable, diaphanous screen assembly
and attachment provision for golf carts and the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Golf is a recreational activity enjoyed by millions of
people around the world. Golf is an outdoor activity and involves
moving around on cut grass fields. Many golf courses are located in
areas with moderate to warm average temperatures and often have
trees and ponds as part of the landscaping. Golfers enjoy being
outdoors and being exposed to the sun and pleasant weather
conditions.
[0006] Golf requires the use of a set of golf clubs and other
accouterments that in aggregate are fairly heavy. To avoid the
burden of carrying the club set and other accessories around by
hand, many golfers use small wheeled vehicles called golf carts to
carry themselves and their equipment around the golf course. The
use of a golf cart also opens up the pleasures of golf to
individuals who might not otherwise be capable of walking around
the golf course and carrying their equipment because of physical
infirmity or advancing age.
[0007] As the vehicles are driven outdoors in varying weather
conditions, the vehicle and occupants are exposed to potentially
inclement weather. The vehicle and occupants are also exposed to
any ambient wind that may exist as well as the relative air motion
induced when the vehicle is underway. The vehicle and occupants are
also exposed to flying insects, falling leaves, and other airborne
debris. These insects and other debris are a constant irritant and
could enter the occupants' mouths or impact and injure their eyes.
In addition, the distraction to the driver from unimpeded airborne
objects could result in an accident.
[0008] In order to protect the occupants from wind and weather
intrusion and airborne debris while in motion, a typical golf cart
is fitted with a windshield assembly. This windshield is typically
a glass or transparent plastic assembly placed in front of the
passenger compartment. The windshield typically extends the full
width and height of the forward side of the passenger compartment,
providing total coverage for the driver and any passengers. The
windshield assembly is hinged at the bottom to allow the user to
fold the windshield forward. This allows the users to lower the
windshield and feel the wind in their face as they drive the
cart.
[0009] However, this type of windshield has several drawbacks. With
the typical windshield assembly the user has two options for use:
fold the screen completely forward or fold it up and secure it. The
drawback to using a golf cart with the windshield folded forward is
that, while permitting unrestricted airflow, such use offers the
driver and passenger no protection from flying debris or insects.
The drawback to using the golf cart with the windshield in the
upright position is that, while shielding the occupants from wind,
weather, and debris intrusion, the windshield blocks all airflow
from the forward direction. While safer, the golfers' pleasurable
experience of feeling the breeze as they drive is precluded with
the windshield in the upright position. While there may have been
some attempt to form windshield devices that allow some airflow
through while inhibiting entry of particulates and insects, these
devices have generally been relatively ineffective and obtrusive in
appearance.
[0010] Hence, there is a need for a golf cart screen that both
permits air to flow through to thereby cool the occupants while
still keeping bugs and particles away from the occupants' faces. To
this end, there is a need for an easily retrofitted assembly that
can accomplish these objectives which can be installed in a simple
manner that does not affect the overall appearance of the golf cart
or inhibit proper operation of the existing windshield.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the golf cart
screen of the present invention which, in a first aspect, is an
assembly for preventing particles and insects from entering the
occupant compartment of a golf cart having a front windshield which
defines a windshield area. The assembly comprises a frame having a
first and a second side member and a top and a bottom member. The
top and the bottom members interconnect the first and second side
members such that the first and second side members and the top and
bottom member together define an opening. The assembly also
comprises a screen having a plurality of openings formed therein
wherein the screen is attached to the frame so as to extend across
the opening. The plurality of openings in the screen are sized so
as to permit air to flow therethrough while preventing particles
and insects from travelling through the opening in the frame. The
assembly also includes an attachment mechanism connected to the
frame so as to permit the frame to be mounted adjacent the wind
shield of the golf cart to thereby inhibit particles and insects
from travelling through the wind shield area of the golf cart into
the faces of the occupants of the golf cart.
[0012] In one embodiment, the screen attaches to the golf cart by
first adhering one or more strips of hook and loop fastener to the
screen frame and adjacent the windshield area of the golf cart. The
screen assembly is then placed adjacent the windshield area of the
golf cart such that corresponding strips of the hook and loop
fastener mate together. The screen assembly is removed from the
golf cart by grasping the frame and pulling. The screen assembly
can be sized and positioned so as to shield the occupants' faces
from object intrusion, yet still allow some unimpeded airflow
around the periphery of the screen.
[0013] It will be appreciated that the golf cart screen effectively
protects the occupants from insect and debris intrusion while
allowing a comfortable flow of air to reach the occupants. The golf
cart screen provides for convenient attachment to and removal from
the golf cart, through the use of readily available and easily used
hook and loop fastener. The screen may be readily retrofitted to
existing golf carts and does not require elaborate tools or
techniques for installation. The screen minimally impacts the
overall appearance of the golf cart, because of its slim profile
and integration into the existing frame of a golf cart. The screen
can be mounted to the interior of the window frame posts such that
the screen does not interfere with the normal use of the
windshield, as the existing windshield may still be placed in
either of its normal use positions. These and other objects and
advantages will become more fully apparent from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A shows a typical installation of the golf cart screen
of the preferred embodiment on a golf cart;
[0015] FIG. 1B shows a close up view of the attachment of the golf
cart screen of FIG. 1 to a golf cart and, in particular, how the
golf cart screen is mounted in relation to the canopy frame of the
cart;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the assembled golf cart
screen of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3A shows a top or front view of the assembled golf cart
screen of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3B shows a side or edge-on view of the golf cart screen
of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a close up perspective view of the manner of
the preferred embodiment in which the golf cart screen of FIG. 1
attaches to the golf cart.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout. Referring to FIG. 1A, a
golf cart 100 is shown in a perspective view.
[0021] The golf cart 100 is a typical prior art wheeled, powered
vehicle that allows golfers to travel about a golf course without
walking. In particular, the golf cart 100 includes a body 101 that
houses a motor (not shown). The body 101 is attached to wheels 103
to permit rolling motion of the golf cart 100 over the ground. The
golf cart 100 also defines a passenger area 105 which is shaded by
a canopy assembly 107. The front face 109 of the canopy assembly
107 defines a windshield area 102 through which air can flow into
the passenger compartment 105 during movement of the golf cart
100.
[0022] The golf cart 100 comprises a left canopy upright 104 that
interconnects the body 101 of the golf cart 100 to the canopy
assembly 107. The left canopy upright 104 is located in the
windshield area 102 and is generally rectangular in shape and is
formed from closed metal channel that is generally square in
cross-section. The left canopy upright 104 serves as a mounting
surface for the wind screen of the preferred embodiment as will be
described in greater detail below.
[0023] The golf cart 100 also comprises a right canopy upright 106
that interconnects the body 101 of the golf cart 100 to the canopy
assembly 107 in the windshield area 102. The right canopy upright
106 is also located in the windshield area 102 and is generally
rectangular in shape and is formed from a closed metal channel that
is generally square in cross-section. The right canopy upright 106
also serves as a mounting surface for the wind screen of the
preferred embodiment as described in greater detail below.
[0024] The left canopy upright 104 and the right canopy upright 106
together define the outer lateral edges of the windshield area 102.
The windshield area 102 is, in this embodiment, an opening that is
rectangular in shape and is defined by the interstitial space
between the left canopy upright 104 and the right canopy upright
106, the golf cart body 101 and the canopy assembly 107. The
windshield area 102 defines the area of the golf cart 100 into
which the golf cart screen 120 of the preferred embodiment is
fitted.
[0025] The golf cart 100 also comprises a hinged windshield 114.
The hinged windshield 114 is rectangular in shape and is made of a
transparent glass or plastic material. The hinged windshield 114 is
provided with a fixed section 113 and a movable section 115 with a
hinge 117 interposed between the fixed section 113 and the hinged
section 115. The movable section 115 of the windshield 114 can be
rotated upwards so as to occupy the windshield area 102 and is
secured in this position in a well-known manner or folded downwards
or away from the windshield area 102. The hinged windshield 114
serves to shield the occupants of the golf cart 100 from wind,
weather, and flying debris.
[0026] A golf cart screen 120 of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 1A. The golf cart screen 120 is rectangular in shape and
comprises a frame 122 and a screen material 134 positioned within
the frame to be described in greater detail below. The golf cart
screen 120 attaches to the golf cart 100 in the windshield area 102
as shown in FIG. 1A. The method of attachment will be described in
greater detail below. The golf cart screen 120 serves to protect
the occupants of the golf cart 100 from airborne objects.
[0027] FIG. 1B shows in greater detail the relationship between the
golf cart 100 and the golf cart screen 120. FIG. 1B shows a close
up view of the left canopy upright 104. The left canopy upright 104
has an outer surface 110 as shown in FIG. 1B. It can be seen with
reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B that the hinged windshield 114
would contact the outer surface 110 of the left canopy upright 104
when the hinged windshield 114 is rotated to its upright position.
The golf cart screen 120 is preferably mounted to the inner surface
of the canopy uprights 104, 106 so as to not inhibit movement of
the windshield 114.
[0028] FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B illustrate the golf cart screen 120 in
more detail. The golf cart screen 120 comprises a frame 122. The
frame 122 is rectangular and approximately 40".times.16".times.1/4"
in dimensions. The frame 122 comprises a top member 124, a bottom
member 126, a left side member 130, and a right side member 132.
The top member 124, bottom member 126, left side member 130, and
right side member 132 are rectangular and in the preferred
embodiment are formed from light metal channel, such as aluminum.
The top member 124, bottom member 126, left side member 130, and
right side member 132 are interconnected to form the frame 122,
which defines an opening 123, in a manner well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0029] The golf cart screen 120 also includes a screen material 134
that is captured within the opening 123 defined by the frame 122.
The screen material 134 is a diaphanous membrane with a plurality
of openings, such as the typical window screen material known in
the art. The openings are sized so as to prevent passage through
the openings of insects and other particles. The screen material is
approximately 40".times.16" in dimension with enough additional
material to allow attachment to the frame 122 in a manner well
known to those skilled in the art.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a close up view of the left canopy upright 104
and the method of attaching the golf cart screen 120 to the golf
cart 100. It can be seen with reference to FIG. 4 that the left
canopy upright 104 has an inner surface 112 opposite the outer
surface 110 shown in FIG. 1B. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, hook and loop fastener 116 is attached along an
approximately 16" length of the inner surface 112 of the left
canopy upright 104. Similarly, hook and loop fastener 116 is
attached to the inner surface 112 of the right canopy upright
106.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
mating pieces of the hook and loop fastener 116 attached to the
inner surface 112 of the left canopy upright 104 and the right
canopy upright 106 are attached along the approximately 16" length
of the left side member 130 and the right side member 132 of the
frame 122. The mating pieces of the hook and loop fastener 116 must
be placed on the left side member 130 and the right side member 132
such that both pieces of hook and loop fastener 116 are on the same
side of the frame 122.
[0032] To attach the golf cart screen 120 to the golf cart 100 the
golf cart screen 120 is moved into the windshield area 102 in such
a way that the orientation of the golf cart screen 120 matches the
windshield area 102. The golf cart screen 120 must also be oriented
such that the hook and loop fastener 116 attached to the golf cart
screen 120 is adjacent the inner surface 112 of the left canopy
upright 104 and the right canopy upright 106. To effect the
attachment, the golf cart screen 120 must be brought into physical
contact with the inner surface 112 of the left canopy upright 104
and the right canopy upright 106 such that the mating pieces of the
hook and loop fastener 116 adhere to each other.
[0033] It can be seen that the golf cart screen 120 is easily
retrofitted onto a golf cart 100 through the use of hook and loop
fastener 116. The hook and loop fastener 116 requires no tools or
special skill to apply as it is readily available in self adhesive
strips that only need to be cut to the desired size and adhered in
place. The golf cart screen is easily installed and removed as it
attaches with hook and loop fastener 116 that requires no tools and
is reusable. While hook and loop fasteners are used in this
embodiment of the invent ion, it will be appreciated that other
fasteners can also be used without departing from the spirit of the
present invention.
[0034] The golf cart screen does not interfere with the normal use
of the hinged windshield 114 as the golf cart screen 120 attaches
to the inner surface 112 of the windshield area 102 and does not
contact the hinged windshield 114 when the hinged windshield 114 is
either of its normal positions. The golf cart screen 120 is
unobtrusive in use as the frame 122 conforms to the existing left
canopy upright 104 and the right canopy upright 106. Also the
screen material 134 used is of a diaphanous nature. The screen
material 134, when assembled into the golf cart screen 120
effectively prevents the passage of insects and other debris due to
the small size of the openings in the screen material 134. It can
also be appreciated that due to the openings in the screen material
134 air is able to pass through the golf cart screen 120 and also
provides the driver of the vehicle with an unobstructed view. Thus
the golf cart screen 120 protects the occupants of a golf cart 100
from insects and other airborne debris, yet still allows air to
pass freely into the golf cart 100.
[0035] Although the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention has shown, described, and
pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it
will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and
changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated
as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Consequently, the scope of the present invention should not be
limited to the foregoing discussions, but should be defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *