U.S. patent application number 09/769858 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for canopy rain cover for a golf cart.
Invention is credited to Harris, Richard Kenneth, Tyrer, Stephen Edward.
Application Number | 20020096908 09/769858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25086716 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020096908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tyrer, Stephen Edward ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
CANOPY RAIN COVER FOR A GOLF CART
Abstract
An improved canopy assembly for attaching a rearwardly extending
protective canopy to a motorized golf cart of the type having a top
covering the passenger seating area and an uncovered bag storage
area reward of the seating area that includes a golf bag support
bracket that prevents the golf bags from tipping over. The canopy
assembly includes a mounting channel secured to the rearward
portion of the top of the golf cart, a base member that attaches
directly to the golf bag support bracket, a frame that pivotally
attaches to the base member and a sheet of flexible water resistant
material attached to the channel and suspended over the frame. The
canopy assembly may be extended where the protective canopy
substantially covers the cart's golf bag storage area protecting
the bags from rainfall. The canopy assembly may be folded where the
protective canopy is moved out of the way allowing golf clubs to be
removed from the golf bags without hitting the canopy assembly.
Inventors: |
Tyrer, Stephen Edward;
(Centerport, NY) ; Harris, Richard Kenneth;
(Pinckney, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Timothy York
1511 Nathan's Trail
Chelsea
MI
48118
US
|
Family ID: |
25086716 |
Appl. No.: |
09/769858 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/100.11 ;
296/107.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/10 20130101; Y10S
280/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/100.11 ;
296/136 |
International
Class: |
B60P 007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A canopy assembly for attaching a rearwardly extending canopy to
a golf cart having a seating compartment, a golf bag compartment
located rearwardly of said seating compartment, a top assembly
including a top positioned over said seating compartment and
additionally including front and rear laterally spaced apart and
vertically extending frame members supporting said top, a golf bag
support bracket located rearwardly of said seating compartment
secured to said golf cart, said canopy assembly being moveable
between an extended first position where it at least partially
covers said golf bag compartment and a folded second position where
it is folded out of the way to allow access to said golf bag
compartment, said canopy assembly comprising: a canopy having a top
edge and a bottom edge; means for attaching said top edge of said
canopy to the upper rear portion of said top assembly; a frame
structure for supporting said canopy; a base member for supporting
said frame structure; means for securing said base member to said
golf bag support bracket; and means for pivotally attaching said
frame structure to said base member.
2. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 further comprising means
for attaching said frame structure to said canopy.
3. A canopy assembly according to claim 2 wherein said means for
attaching said frame structure to said canopy includes at least one
sleeve sewn into said canopy wherein at least a portion of said
frame structure passes through said sleeve.
4. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for
pivotally attaching said frame structure to said base member
includes assembling a first hole near a first end of said frame
structure and a second hole near a second end of said frame
structure onto mating bosses extending from said base member and
securing said frame structure on said bosses.
5. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for
attaching said top edge of said canopy to the upper rear portion of
said top assembly includes a channel secured to the upper rear
portion of said top assembly wherein said top edge is secured
within said channel.
6. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said frame
structure includes at least one rigid U-shaped bracket.
7. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said base member
is a molded plastic part.
8. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for
securing said base member to said golf bag support bracket includes
at least one U-bolt surrounding said golf bag support bracket with
the ends of said U-bolt passing through openings in said base
member and at least one threaded nut that is threaded onto at least
one threaded end of said U-bolt.
9. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for
securing said base member to said golf bag support bracket includes
at least one threaded fastener passing through said golf bag
support bracket and continuing into said base member.
10. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for
pivotally attaching said frame structure to said base member
includes at least one pivot arm pivotally secured to said base
member using means for securing said pivot arm to said base member
wherein at least one end of said frame structure is secured to said
pivot arm.
11. A canopy assembly according to claim 10 wherein said means for
securing said pivot arm to said base member includes assembling an
axis hole in said pivot arm onto a boss extending from said base
member and using a fastener for securing said pivot arm onto said
boss.
12. A canopy assembly according to claim 10 wherein said pivot arm
includes a mating face that contacts a corresponding surface on
said base member, whereby the friction between said mating face and
said surface on said base member resists rotation of said pivot arm
relative to said base member.
13. A canopy assembly for attaching a rearwardly extending canopy
to a golf cart having a front and a rear, a frame, a seating
compartment, a golf bag compartment located rearwardly of said
seating compartment, a top assembly including a top positioned over
said seating compartment and additionally including front and rear
laterally spaced apart and vertically extending frame members
supporting said top, a golf bag support bracket located rearwardly
of said seating compartment and secured to said frame members, said
canopy assembly being moveable between an extended first position
where it at least partially covers said golf bag compartment and a
folded second position where it is at least partially folded out of
the way to allow access to said golf bag compartment, said canopy
assembly comprising: a canopy having a top edge and a bottom edge;
means for attaching said top edge of said canopy to said top
assembly; at least one support beam for supporting said canopy,
said support beam having a first end and a second end; a base
member for supporting said support beam, said base member having at
least one mounting flange; means for securing said base member to
said golf bag support bracket; and means for pivotally attaching
said support beam to said base member.
14. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said means for
securing said base member to said golf bag support bracket includes
at least one U-bolt surrounding said golf bag support bracket with
the ends of said U-bolt passing through openings in said base
member and at least one threaded nut that is threaded onto a
corresponding threaded end of said U-bolt.
15. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said means for
securing said base member to said golf bag support bracket includes
at least one threaded fastener passing through said golf bag
support bracket and continuing into said base member.
16. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said means for
attaching said top edge of said canopy to said top assembly
includes a channel secured to said top assembly wherein said top
edge is secured within said channel.
17. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said means for
attaching said top edge of said canopy to said top assembly
includes a hook and loop fastener assembly including a hook strip
and a loop strip secured to said canopy and said top assembly.
18. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said means for
pivotally attaching said support beam to said base member includes
assembling a first hole near said first end and a second hole near
said second end of said support beam onto mating bosses extending
from said base member and securing said support beam on said
bosses.
19. A canopy assembly according to claim 13 wherein said support
beam for supporting said canopy includes a rigid U-shaped bottom
support beam and a rigid U-shaped mid-support beam that is
pivotally attached to said bottom support beam.
20. A canopy assembly for attaching a rearwardly extending canopy
to a golf cart having a front and a rear, a structural frame, a
seating compartment, a golf bag compartment located behind said
seating compartment, a top assembly including a top positioned over
said seating compartment and additionally including front and rear
laterally spaced apart and vertically extending frame members
supporting said top, a golf bag support bracket located behind said
seating compartment and secured to said structural frame of said
golf cart, said canopy assembly being moveable between an extended
first position where it at least partially covers said golf bag
compartment and a folded second position where it is at least
partially folded out of the way to allow access to said golf bag
compartment, said canopy assembly comprising: a canopy having a top
edge and a bottom edge; a channel; means for fastening said channel
to the rearward portion of said top assembly wherein said top edge
of said canopy is secured within said channel; a rigid U-shaped
support beam for supporting said canopy having a first end and a
second end , said support beam having a first hole near said first
end and a second hole near said second end; a base member for
supporting said support beam; at least one fastener for securing
said base member to said golf bag support bracket; a first boss and
a second boss extending from opposite ends of said base member
wherein said first hole is assembled onto said first boss and said
second hole is assembled onto said second boss; and fasteners for
securing said first end and said second end of said support beam
onto said first boss and said second boss, whereby said support
beam is pivotally attached to said base member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of golf cart
canopy covers, specifically to an improved canopy cover that
protects golf bags and clubs from rain.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Canopy covers in the past have been utilized to protect golf
bags and clubs located in the rear bag storage compartment of golf
carts from rain and damp weather conditions. It is well known in
the sport that wet golf club grips can hinder the performance of
the player and is undesirable.
[0003] Generally, canopy covers attach to the back of the cart's
top and to the cart's frame section that supports the top. The
connection to the top is typically made with an extruded channel
member that accepts the top edge of the canopy. The connection to
the cart's frame is made using a structural base member that serves
as a mounting base for a frame supporting the canopy. The base
member generally attaches directly to the frame of the cart.
However, different cart makes and models have different frame
structures making it necessary to change the canopy's base member's
geometry to properly mate with the cart's structural frame.
[0004] An example of a canopy cover to protect golf bags and clubs
is U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,037 to William T. Held. This canopy cover
discloses a cover that includes a channel that attaches to the back
of the cart's top, base members that attach to the frame of the
cart supporting the top of the cart and a canopy structure that
supports the flexible canopy and is pivotally attached to the base
member. As can be seen in the drawings and description of this
patent, the base members attached to the cart frame are
specifically designed for a particular style cart with a specific
frame. It can be easily understood that if the frame design was
substantially different as with another cart make or model the base
members of the canopy would likely need to be changed to enable
them to still attach to the frame. In fact, as detailed in the
description section in this patent, the base members utilize two
specific preexisting holes in the cart's frame that must be located
in a specific area in order for the canopy's base members to
attach. Additionally, it can be seen that the canopy assembly of
this device is complicated, requiring a number of different
processes to produce a relatively large number of parts and a
significant amount of assembly. This results in a relatively
expensive product making it burdensome for a perspective user to
purchase. The canopy assembly described in this patent cannot take
advantage of the ability to produce one canopy assembly for many
different types of golf carts since different canopy base members
would need to be designed in order to attach to a variety of
frames. In addition, the relatively large number of fasteners and
other components reduces the robustness and reliability of the
invention described in this patent, increasing the likelihood of a
loose fastener caused by normal cart usage.
[0005] Another example of a cover to protect golf bags and clubs is
U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,340 to Edwin H. Nuscher. This patent discloses
a cover that includes a L-shaped top extending rearwardly from the
top of the golf cart. In this patent the cover is supported by
L-shaped support bars that attach to the top assembly of the cart.
The cover is substantially elevated above the top of the cart to
allow access to the golf clubs in the golf bags. However, one can
easily see that this type of cover has several key disadvantages.
The substantial elevation of the cover above the cart's top would
severely limit the cart's usage in heavily wooded areas where it is
desirable for the cart to travel under low tree branches. The
branches could collide into the described cover causing damage to
both the cover and the tree. Additionally, wind could easily carry
rain on an angle from the sides of the cover into the bag storage
area getting the golf bags and clubs wet. The L-shaped cover would
also slow the cart's mobility when traveling against the wind since
the cover has a large face that is not aerodynamic allowing the
wind to hinder to cart's performance. The L-shaped roof is also not
aesthetically pleasing to the eye making its marketability
questionable.
[0006] Another example of an enclosure to protect golf bags and
clubs is U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,690 to Jerry M. Showalter. This patent
discloses an enclosure that includes a roof panel, a hem portion
coupled to the roof panel, a back cover coupled to the roof panel
and a second back cover coupled to the roof panel. The invention
described in this patent has several key disadvantages. The
enclosure includes a roof panel that overlays the existing roof on
the golf cart. This requires a lot of material that is relatively
expensive leading to a more expensive product. The enclosure lacks
a frame structure to suspend it substantially over the clubs
resulting in a cover that drapes over the clubs and bag. When the
cover is wet, the player must roll or fold it up to expose the golf
bags underneath. This action would likely result in the user
getting his or her hands wet. Additionally, the enclosure is not
aesthetically pleasing since it looks sloppy.
[0007] Another example of a cover to protect golf bags and clubs is
U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,325 to Charles A Hughes. This patent discloses
a cover that includes four panels that are sewn together along
their edges to form a large, rectangularly-shaped box that is
secured to the frame of the cart that supports the roof and to the
back of the roof covering the seating compartment. The back panel
of this cover contains a bag for storing the back panel after it
has been folded up. However, this type of cover has a number of
disadvantages. To access the covered clubs the player is forced to
unhook two hook and loop straps and roll the wet cover up. This is
far from convenient and would likely result in the player and
possibly the clubs getting wet from the wet cover. The procedure is
also slow requiring a significant amount of time. The player must
unhook the cover, roll it up and let the cover back down while the
player hits the ball. The procedure has to be repeated to return
the club back into the golf bag.
[0008] Another example of a roll-up type cover to protect golf bags
and clubs is U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,041 to Diane Sullivan. This patent
discloses a roll-up type cover that utilizes a shock cord to attach
the bottom of the cover to the cart and hooks to attach the top of
the cover to the back edge of the cart's top. This cover has
similar disadvantages as U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,325 in that the player
must bend over and unhook two shock cord hooks that extend from the
bottom edge of the cover to allow the player to roll the cover up.
Again, it is likely that the player will get wet during this
procedure and it is time consuming. Additionally, the cover lacks a
structural frame making it sloppy looking and not aesthetically
pleasing.
[0009] Another example of a roll-up cover to protect golf bags and
clubs is U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,018 to John Albert Simpson. This
patent discloses another roll-up type cover similar to U.S. Pat.
No. 5,741,041 and shares the same disadvantages.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an improved canopy assembly
for attachment onto a golf cart to protect golf bags and clubs
located in the back of the cart from rain. The invention allows the
user to quickly extend the canopy to protect clubs and bags from
rainfall and just as quickly fold up the cover to allow access to
the clubs. Additionally, the invention enables the user to quickly
attach and detach the canopy onto the cart's golf bag support
bracket on a variety of different golf cart makes and models since
the invention utilizes a versatile attachment method.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the preceding summary and
the following detailed description are intended to be exemplary and
explanatory and are intended to provide a further explanation of
the invention claimed. The invention will best be understood by
reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present
invention are:
[0013] (a) to provide a canopy rain cover assembly that mounts to a
variety of different golf cart types without the need for
additional or different parts;
[0014] (b) to provide a canopy rain cover assembly that is
inexpensive having substantially fewer parts than the currently
known covers that have canopy support frames that allow the canopy
to be folded-up;
[0015] (c) to provide a canopy rain cover assembly that is robust
and durable;
[0016] (d) to provide a canopy rain cover assembly that is simple
to manufacture requiring less processing steps than currently known
covers; and
[0017] (e) to provide a canopy rain cover assembly that can be
rapidly extended to protect the bag storage area from rainfall and
just as rapidly folded up to allow access to the bag storage
area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] These and other advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent as the following description is read in
conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a golf cart in which an
embodiment of the present invention may be used;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the golf cart with
canopy attachment members mounted to the cart;
[0021] FIG. 2A is an enlarged partial view of the channel attached
to the rear of the top;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the golf cart with an
embodiment of the present invention attached with the cover
extended to protect the golf bag and clubs from rain;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention attached to the cart's bag support bracket
without the cart present and with the cover extended;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a partial rear perspective view of the base member
secured to the bag support with the pivot arm and associated
hardware exploded, the canopy and cart are eliminated from
clarity;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the base member
including the pivot arms secured to the bag support without the
cart or the canopy present;
[0026] FIG. 6A is an enlarged partial view of the pivot arm mounted
on the base member;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the base member
only;
[0028] FIG. 7A is an enlarge partial view of the end of the base
member;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cart with an embodiment
of the present invention attached and the canopy folded up to allow
access to the golf clubs; and
[0030] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of alternative embodiment
of the present invention attached to the cart's bag support bracket
without the cart present and with the cover extended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motorized golf cart 10
to which an embodiment of a canopy attachment in accordance with
the present invention, generally indicated as a canopy assembly 34
in FIG. 3, can be attached. Cart 10 has a top 12 that is attached
to the upper ends of rear frame members 14A and 14B and the upper
portion of a front frame member 16 using fasteners. Top 12 is
preferably a molded plastic part and is used to protect passengers
sifting in a passenger compartment 22 from rain. The passengers sit
on a seat 18 with their back resting on a seat back 20. Behind seat
back 20 is a bag storage area 24.
[0032] With reference again to FIG. 1, bag storage area 24 is used
to store one or more golf bags 26 containing golf clubs 28. The
bottom of golf bag 26 rests on a bottom 30 of a cart body 36. The
upper portion of the golf bag is supported by a U-shaped bag
support 32 that prevents golf bag 26 from tipping over. Bag support
32 is preferably a molded plastic part with straps 54 attached to
it to secure the golf bag to the bag support. Bag support 32 is
mounted onto frame extensions 38A and 38B of cart 10 using
fastening means (not shown), as for example threaded bolts and
nuts. Frame extensions 38A and 38B are made of metal and attached
to rear frames 14A and 14B by fastening means, welding or are a
continuous extension of the rear frames.
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, bag storage area 24 is generally
formed as part of cart body 36 that opens toward the rear of the
cart. The bag storage area is defined by bottom 30, two opposite
sides 23,25 and seat back 20. Top 12 has a front edge 11 and a rear
edge 13 and is located above passenger compartment 22, The top does
not cover the bag storage area to allow the player to remove golf
clubs 28 from golf bag 26 without hitting the golf club on the
underside of top 12 while trying to lift the golf club out of the
golf bag. Therefore, the bag storage area and the golf bag are
exposed to rainfall. In order to protect bag storage area 24 it is
necessary to have a cover that can be folded out of the way so that
the player may remove the golf clubs without being hindered by a
covering directly above golf bag 26.
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 2A show the components necessary to mount an
embodiment of this invention referred to as a canopy assembly 34,
shown in FIG. 3, to cart 10. A channel 40 is secured to a rear face
42 of top 12 preferably using rivets 44. However, screws, bolts or
other fastening means could be used in place of rivets 44. A base
member 46 is a structural bracket that is attached to bag support
32 by U-bolts 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The U-bolts surround
the bag support and pass through holes 52 in flanges 58.
[0035] The channel, shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, is preferably one
continuous piece of extruded aluminum, however, extrude plastic
will also work. The channel is preferably elongated having a width
about equal to the width of face 42 on top 12. The channel has a
substantially C-shaped cross section with a rearward opening
92.
[0036] A canopy 84, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, has a rolled and a sewn
top edge 90 forming a sleeve 91 that a rod 93 is slid endwise into
until the end of rod 93 corresponds to the ends of the sleeve
forming rounded top edge 90. Rod 93 has a length about the same as
the length of channel 40. The sleeve and rod are sized to allow
them to be inserted as an assembly endwise into the C-shaped cross
section of channel 40. Top edge 90 has a diameter larger than
opening 92 in channel 40 preventing the top edge from passing
through opening 92, therefore, securing the top edge within channel
40. Rod 93 may be constructed of a rigid material as for example
plastic or metal.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, U-bolts 50 are used to secure
base member 46 to bag support 32 and are secured using washers 68
placed onto U-bolt ends 80 and threaded nuts 82 that thread onto
ends 80 of the U-bolts. When the nuts are tightened, flanges 58
contact the back face of bag support 32 clamping them together.
U-bolts 50 are preferably made from metal as for example steel.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 5, 7 and 7A, base member 46 is
preferably one continuous piece of high strength molded plastic, as
for example nylon, with a beam 56 spanning the upper portion and
two mounting flanges 58 extending from the bottom of the beam. The
width of the beam corresponds to the width of the bag storage area.
End faces 62A and 62B are located on opposite ends of beam 56. A
cylindrical inner boss 60 extends from each end face 62A and 62B to
form a mounting cylinder for a pivot arm 64, shown in FIG. 6A, to
mount onto. A cylindrical outer ring 61 also extends off of end
faces 62A and 62B surrounding inner boss 60. Both the inner boss
and the outer ring are formed as part of base member 46. The outer
ring provides a mating surface 63 that contacts a pivot face 65 on
pivot arm 64 when the pivot arm is assembled onto inner boss 60
using a screw 66. The surface to surface contact between surface 63
and pivot face 65 creates constant resistance to rotation of the
pivot arm due to friction between them. This resistance holds
canopy 84, shown in FIG. 8, in a folded position when the user
forces the canopy upward to allow access to golf clubs 28 and
prevents the weight of canopy 84 from rotating pivot arms 64
downward which would result in extending the canopy. Beam 56 has a
generally I-beam shaped cross section that provides structural
rigidity for the base member 46. Flanges 58 provide mounting
extensions of the beam that contact the back face of bag support
32, as previously described. The flanges contain holes 52 that the
ends of the U-bolts pass through. The flanges are formed as a
continuous part of beam 56.
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 6A, 7 and 7A, on each end of beam 56
are end faces 62A and 62B. Inner boss 60, formed as part of the
base member, contains a small diameter screw bore 86 in the center
of the boss. The bore has a diameter slightly smaller than the
outside diameter of the threads on screw 66 and is sized to allow
screw 66 to self-tap into the screw bore to secure pivot arm 64
onto inner boss 60 on each end of beam 56, as shown in FIG. 6.
Washer 68 is used to distribute the clamp force of screw 66 on
pivot arm 64 holding the pivot arm on the inner boss and keeping
mating surface 63 in contact with the pivot face 65, shown in FIG.
5, on pivot arm 64.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 5, 6A and 7A, pivot arm 64 is a
separately molded plastic part made from a high strength, molded
plastic, as for example nylon . The pivot arm contains a pivot hole
88 that has a diameter that is slightly larger than the outside
diameter of inner boss 60 allowing the pivot arm to rotate around
the inner boss when the pivot arm is slid over the boss and secured
in place by washer 68 and screw 66, as shown in FIG. 6A. Both the
screw and the washer are preferably made of steel. Pivot arm 64
extends outward from a cylindrical mounting end 74 and transitions
to a rectangular cross section receiving a end 70, shown in FIG.
6A, that has a hollowed rectangular socket 72, shown in FIG. 5,
that is sized to receive end 75 of a support bracket 76 as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0041] With reference again to FIGS. 4 and 5, support bracket 76 is
used to structurally support canopy 84 and is generally a U-shaped
continuous rigid support with opposite ends 75 that have a
rectangular cross section to facilitate insertion into socket 72.
In this way, the support bracket is pivotally connected to base
member 46. The length of support bracket 76 corresponds to the size
of bag storage area 24 to ensure that when the support bracket is
extended it covers the majority of the bag storage area. Near the
ends of the support bracket 76 are rivet holes 94 that align with
clearance holes 78 in the pivot arms to allow the insertion of
rivets 45. Rivets 45 secure ends 75 of support bracket 76 into
sockets 72 and prevent the ends of the support bracket from coming
out of sockets 72 because the rivets cannot slide through sockets
72.
[0042] With reference again to FIG. 3, canopy 84 is made from a
thin sheet of flexible water-resistant material like vinyl that is
sewn together. Canopy 84 is defined by a canopy top 85 and two
generally opposing canopy sides 87 and 89. The canopy has a bottom
edge 120, top edge 90 and a front canopy edge 122 that define the
limits of the canopy.
[0043] With reference again to FIG. 4, support bracket 76 and a
mid-support bracket 96 provide structural support for the canopy.
The mid-support bracket is generally a U-shaped continuous support
with opposite ends 95 that have rectangular cross sections. The
length of the mid-support bracket corresponds to the desired shape
of the canopy that it supports. Both the support bracket and the
mid-support bracket are made of a semi-rigid material like spring
steel or a high strength plastic, as for example nylon. Both the
support bracket and mid-support bracket pass through sewn channels
124A and 124B respectively in the canopy to locate them in the
desired position within canopy 84. In this way, the canopy is
attached to support bracket 76 and mid-support bracket 96. Support
bracket 76 has pin holes 98A that align with pin holes 98B in
mid-support bracket 96 to allow pins 100 to pass through, pivotally
connecting the support bracket and midsupport bracket together.
Lock pins 102 are assembled onto the ends of pins 100 to secure the
pins in position. In this way, the mid-support bracket is free to
pivot about pins 100 relative to support bracket 76. Support
bracket 76 and mid-support bracket 96 together makeup a frame
structure for supporting the canopy.
[0044] With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 4, canopy assembly 34 is
attached to cart 10 and is extended to protect golf bag 26 and golf
clubs 28 from adverse weather conditions like rainfall. In the
extended position shown, canopy 84 is pulled taunt from within
channel 40 and stretches over mid-support bracket 96 and down over
support bracket 76. Therefore, channel 40, mid-support bracket 96
and support bracket 76 cooperate to support canopy 84. In this way,
canopy 84 covers bag storage area 24 and remains in this position
due to the weight of the canopy, support bracket 76 and mid-support
bracket 96.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 8, canopy assembly 34 is attached to
cart 10 and is in a folded up position to allow access to golf bag
26 and golf clubs 28. Canopy 84 is folded up from the extended
position, as shown in FIG. 4, by gripping the bottom of canopy 84
near support bracket 76 and lifting the support bracket upwardly,
toward the back of top 12. The moment force created from this
lifting action causes pivot arms 64 to rotate around inner bosses
60. The mid-support bracket pivots relative to support bracket 76
around pins 100. At approximately the halfway point of folding up
the canopy support bracket 76 contacts mid-support bracket 96 with
the cover material folded in-between them and begins to rotate
upwardly toward the back of top 12. When the lifting action is
completed, as shown in FIG. 8, both support bracket 76 and
mid-support bracket 96 are substantially vertical and the user may
release the canopy. The friction between mating surfaces 63 on beam
56 and pivot face 65 on each pivot arm 64 prevents the canopy from
falling back into the extended position. Therefore, the canopy is
held in the folded position, as shown in FIG. 8, by the friction
between mating surface 63 and pivot face 65. If the weather
conditions improve and the player wishes to have the cover retained
in the folded position while driving the cart, he or she may choose
to fasten the cover in this position using the hook and loop
fastening method, shown in FIG. 8. A hook strap 104 is sewn to the
canopy on the outer face near top edge 90 and is wrapped around the
folded canopy and attached to a loop strap 106 that is sewn to the
inner face of the canopy near the top edge. The player may extend
the canopy by separating the hook strap from the loop strap and
pulling the bottom of canopy 84 near support bracket 76 downwardly
and toward the back of the cart. This will extend the cover over
bag storage area 24, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0046] In a second embodiment of this invention, shown in FIG. 9,
pivot arms 64 and rivet holes 94 are eliminated. Pivot holes 194
and assembled directly onto inner boss 60. In this embodiment, the
modified support bracket 176 is pivotally attached directly to base
member 46 in the same way as pivot arms 64, as previously
described.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION
[0047] Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that the
canopy rain cover of this invention can be used for rain protection
on a motorized golf cart easily and conveniently, can be installed
just as easily using simple tools and is aesthetically pleasing
when installed on the cart. Furthermore, this invention has the
additional advantages in that;
[0048] (a) it provides a canopy rain cover that mounts to the bag
support on a variety of different golf carts without having to
modify the design for each;
[0049] (b) it provides a canopy rain cover that is relatively
inexpensive having fewer and simpler parts than currently known
covers;
[0050] (c) it provides a rain cover that is robust and durable;
and
[0051] (d) it provides a rain cover that is made up of components
that are simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0052] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the
plastic molded base member 46 could be replaced with a steel or
wood base member; the base member could have a different shape or
be made an assembly of different parts; the U-bolts used to mount
the base member to the bag support could be replaced with another
fastening means like a threaded nut and bolt passing through the
bag support; screw 66 fastening pivot arms 64 onto inner boss 60
could be replaced be snap fitting pivot hole 88 over a
corresponding inner boss; one pivot arm 64 could be removed by only
attaching one end of support bracket 76 to base member 46; pivot
arm socket 72 could be eliminated with bracket 76 attaching another
way to the pivot arm; pivot arms 64 could be eliminated by
pivotally attaching support bracket 76 directly to base member 46;
mid-support bracket 96 could also be directly attached to base
member 46 or additional pivot arms 64 instead of attaching to the
mid section of support bracket 76; both the support bracket and the
mid-support bracket do not have to pass through sewn channels in
the canopy, they could be attached using other fastening means like
hook and loop straps; channel 40 could be replaced by another type
of fastening means to connect the canopy's top edge to top 12, as
for example, a hook strip attached to top 12 and a loop strip
attached to the top edge of the canopy; and sleeve rod 93 could be
eliminated by rolling and sowing top edge 90, etc.
[0053] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
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