U.S. patent number RE33,939 [Application Number 07/655,148] was granted by the patent office on 1992-05-26 for telescopic and collapsible golf cart.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Union Sports Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Alex Cheng.
United States Patent |
RE33,939 |
Cheng |
May 26, 1992 |
Telescopic and collapsible golf cart
Abstract
A telescopic and collapsible golf cart includes a longitudinal
frame member having ground supporting wheels, spaced bag cradle
with respective straps a support frame and a handle connected
thereto. The frame member is divided into three sections wherein a
first section and a second section are pivotally and laterally
interconnected by a hinge and adapted to be swung between a aligned
position and a position parallel to each other. A third section is
adapted to telescope within a hollow inner space of the second
section of the frame member.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Alex (Taipei,
TW) |
Assignee: |
Union Sports Co. Ltd. (Taipai,
TW)
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Family
ID: |
26988975 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/655,148 |
Filed: |
February 14, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
333965 |
Apr 6, 1989 |
04946186 |
Aug 7, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/646; 280/655;
280/DIG.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B
1/045 (20130101); B62B 2205/20 (20130101); B62B
2202/404 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62B
1/04 (20060101); B62B 1/00 (20060101); B62B
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/DIG.6,39,40,42,646,652,655 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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714363 |
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Aug 1954 |
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GB |
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870346 |
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Jun 1961 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Assistant Examiner: Johnson; Brian L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Furgang; Philip
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A telescopic and collapsible golf cart comprising:
(a) a longitudinal frame member including a first section, a second
section having a hollow inner space, and a third section
terminating in a handle and telescopically receivable within the
hollow inner space of the second section;
(b) a base frame means pivotally connected to a lower end of the
first section for swinging movement between a perpendicular
position and a parallel position with respect to the first
section;
(c) a bracket means secured to the first section and including
lateral wings, a side beam pivotally connected to each lateral
wing, and a wheel rotatably mounted on each side beam;
(d) a pair of spaced bag cradles secured to the first and second
sections, and each cradle including strap means;
(e) hinge means pivotally and laterally interconnecting an upper
end of the first section to a lower end of the second section for
permitting the first and second sections to be disposed in either a
longitudinally aligned position or a parallel position with respect
to each other, the hinge means including a first bracket secured to
an upper end of the first section and a second bracket secured to a
lower end of the second section, the first bracket including first
and second projectors extending laterally from opposite sides
thereof, the second bracket including a pair of parallel plates and
a hook, a pin member pivotally connecting the parallel plates to
the first projector, and first lock means including an arm having
one end pivotally connected to the second projector and a catch
frame secured to the arm for engaging the hook to lock the first
and second sections in the longitudinally aligned position and for
hanging the golf cart from a support means when the first and
second sections are disposed in the parallel position;
(f) a link member pivotally interconnecting each side beam to the
hinge means; and
(g) second lock means including a threaded bolt secured adjacent an
upper end of the second section for selectively locking the third
section in a desired telescopic position with respect to the second
section. .Iadd.
2. A golf cart of the type having two wheels, each wheel rotatably
mounted upon an axle, the cart intended to support thereon a golf
bag, the cart comprising:
a) at least first and second members; each of said members for
supporting a golf bag disposed thereon;
b) first golf bag supporting means secured to said first member and
second golf bag supporting means secured to said second member;
c) hinge means connected to and joining said first and second
members such that said first and second members may be pivotally
moved between a first position wherein said first and second
members are disposed to receive the golf bag upon said first and
second bag supporting means, and a second position, wherein said
first and second members are substantially parallel to one
another;
d) first lock means coupled to one member and engagable with the
other member for locking one end portion of each of said first and
second members into said first position;
e) at least two beams each pivotally connected at one end to said
first member and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to
one of the axles; and
f) at least two links each pivotally coupled at one end to said
second member and each pivotally connected at the other end thereof
to one of said beams..Iaddend. .Iadd.
3. A cart as recited in claim 2 wherein upon said first and second
members being in said first position, said members are
longitudinally aligned..Iaddend. .Iadd.
4. A cart as recited in claim 2 further comprising handle means
secured to said second member..Iaddend. .Iadd.
5. A cart as recited in claim 3 wherein said hinge means comprises
a hinge; one part of said hinge connected to said first member and
the other part of said hinge connected to said second member; said
members in said first position, the longitudinal axes of said
members are aligned and said links are connected to that part of
said hinge connected to said second member..Iaddend. .Iadd.
6. A cart as recited in claim 5 wherein said ends of each of said
links are connected to said hinge means..Iaddend. .Iadd.
7. A cart as recited in claim 6 further comprises a first member
bracket secured to said first member; said beams each being
pivotally connected to said bracket..Iaddend. .Iadd.
8. A cart as recited in claim 7 wherein said beams each comprise a
pair of rods each one of which is pivotally connected at one end to
said bracket and at the other end to the respective axles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.
9. A cart as recited in claim 8 further comprises at least two axle
brackets, each axle bracket is pivotally secured to said first and
second rods for connecting said rods to the wheels..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. A cart as recited in claim 9 wherein each pair of said
first and second rods are retained in substantially parallel
relationship to one another by said
first member bracket and axle bracket..Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A cart as
recited in claim 10 wherein each pair of said rods being pivotally
secured to said first member bracket..Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A cart as
recited in claim 11 wherein each of said first rods of each beam is
disposed between each of said second rods of each beam and said
hinge means; each said link is connected to one of said second
rods..Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A cart as recited in claim 12 wherein said
first and second members each have a substantially rectangular
cross-section and said links are disposed on
substantially opposed sides of said cross-section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. A cart as recited in claim 13 further comprises handle
means and wherein said second member is hollow; said handle means
comprises a handle
insertable within an end of said second member..Iaddend. .Iadd.15.
A cart as recited in claim 14 further comprises second lock means
connected to an end of said second member and engagable with said
handle to permit said handle to be releasably locked and
continuously positionable with respect to said second
member..Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A cart as recited in claim 15 wherein
said second lock means comprises a screw bolt and said second
member having a hole extending substantially perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis, said screw bolt engaging said second member and
said handle to releasably lock said handle in position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. A cart as recited in claim 16 with said cart in said
second position and said handle fully telescoped within said second
section, said handle being
in alignment with an end of said first member..Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A
cart as recited in claim 3 further comprises handle means in
cooperation with
said second member..Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A cart as recited in claim
12 wherein said second member is hollow; said handle means
comprises a
section inserted within an end of said second member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. A cart as recited in claim 19 further comprises second
lock means connected to said end of said second member which
receives said handle means and engagable with said handle to permit
said handle to be releasably locked and continuously positionable
with respect to said second member..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A cart as
recited in claim 20 wherein said second lock means comprises a
screw bolt, said second member having a hole extending
substantially perpendicular to the cart longitudinal axis, said
screw bolt engaging said second member and said handle to
releasably lock said handle in position..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A cart
as recited in claim 21 with said cart in said second position and
said handle within said second member, said handle being between
the wheels of the
cart..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A cart as recited in claim 19 wherein with
said members in said first position, the longitudinal axes of said
members are aligned..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A cart as recited in claim
23 wherein said hinge means comprises a hinge; one part of said
hinge connected to said first member and the other part of said
hinge connected to said second member; said members in said first
position, the longitudinal axes of said members are aligned and
said links are connected to that part of said hinge connected to
said second member..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the design and construction of a golf
cart for carrying a golf bag with clubs, and particularly to the
design and construction of a telescopic and collapsible golf
cart.
Currently, the golfer population is growing rapidly and golf carts
are widely used on golf courses.
A known golf cart, as shown in FIG. 1, mainly has an upright frame
member 11 of rectangular configuration. The lower end of the frame
member 11 terminates in a support member 18 which extends upwardly
from the frame member 11 for supporting a golf bag at the bottom. A
pair of spaced bag cradles 16, 17 having respective cradle straps
for tightening the golf bag thereon, are secured to the frame
member 11.
A bracket means 15 is secured to the frame member 11 at a mid
portion thereof. The bracket means 15 has lateral wings pivotally
connecting two side beams 13 having ends to which axles (not shown)
are mounted along a fixed transverse axis. Ground supporting wheels
14 are mounted to the axles for rotation about the fixed axis. A
rectangular bracket means 19 is secured to the frame member 11 at
an upper end and provided with a transverse pin across two opposed
side walls extending rearwardly thereof.
A pull bar 10 has an upper end terminating in a handle 101 and a
lower portion pivotally mounted on the transverse pin of the
bracket means 19 so that the pull bar 10 can be swung between a
pull position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the pull bar 10 can
further be locked in position by means of a slide lock 100, and a
folded position wherein the pull bar 10 is disposed under the frame
member 11. The slide lock 100, as shown in FIG. 1A, can be a slide
body which is slidably mounted on the upper end of the frame member
11 and adapted to slide through grooves in the lower end of the
pull bar 10 so as to lock the pull bar in pull position.
It is found disadvantageous that the known golf cart can only be
folded into a size that is not compact enough since the distance
between the spaced bag cradles 16, 17 of the frame member 11 must
be long enough to retain the .[.gold.]. .Iadd.golf .Iaddend.bag in
a stable manner. Moreover, the cart is not adjustable in height to
accommodate user preference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
telescopic and collapsible golf cart which is compact in telescoped
and collapsed condition for facilitating packing or storage.
It is another object of this invention to provide a telescopic and
collapsible golf cart which is adjustable in height to accommodate
user preference.
With these objects in view, a telescopic and collapsible golf cart
according to this invention includes a longitudinal frame member
having ground supporting wheels, spaced bag cradles with respective
cradle straps, a support frame and a handle connected thereto. The
frame member is divided into three sections wherein a first section
and a second section are pivotally and laterally interconnected by
means of a hinge means and adapted to be swung between an aligned
position and a position parallel to each other. A third section is
adapted to telescope within a hollow inner space of the second
section of the frame member.
It is a common requirement of the golfers to have a golf cart which
can be folded into a compact size and stored in a tiny locker,
closet, trunk of a car or hooked in a closet, garage, house, or
even conveniently carried along holiday trips by air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known golf cart;
FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the slide lock on the known golf
cart shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a
golf cart according to this invention and shown in an extended
condition;
FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the golf cart shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line A--A shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a hinge means of the
present invention shown in a connected and locked condition;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged top elevational view of the hinge means shown
in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the engaging means
shown in a disconnected and folded condition;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the golf cart of this
invention shown in a telescoped and collapsed condition; and
FIG. 9 is a diagramatic view of the golf cart shown telescoped,
folded and further hooked for storage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 2 & 3, a golf cart, which is gernerally
indicated at 2, has a frame member which is divided into three
sections 21, 22, 23. The first section 21 has a lower end
terminating with a curved supporter 211 for ground support and an
upper end connected with a lower end of the second section 22
through a hinge means 30. A first bag cradle 27 having cradle
straps, is secured to the first section 21 at a lower end portion
next to the ground supporter 211. A base plate or frame 28 has a
lower end pivotally mounted on the ground supporter 211 so that the
base frame 28 can be swung between an extended position, as shown
in FIG. 2, perpendicular to the frame member for supporting a golf
bag at a bottom thereof and a folded position, as shown in FIG.
8.
A bracket means 25 is secured to the first section 21 at an upper
end portion next to the hinge means 30. The bracket means 25 has
lateral wings pivotally connecting two side beams .Iadd.or rods
.Iaddend.243 to the ends of which axles (not shown) are mounted
along a fixed transverse axis. Ground supporting wheels 241 are
mounted to the axles for rotation about the fixed axis. A pair of
links 242 pivotally interconnect the hinge means 30 at the second
section 22 and respective beams 243 at mid portions thereof.
The second section 22 has a hollow inner space through the length
and a screw lock 40 mounted on the upper end. A second bag cradle
26 having cradle straps and spaced from the first bag cradle 27 is
secured to the second section 22 at an upper end portion next to
the screw lock 40.
The third section 23 terminates with a handle 231 and is adapted to
telescope within the second section 22. In addition, the third
section 23 can be locked at any selected distance with respect to
the second section 22 by means of the screw lock 40.
Referring to FIG. 4, the screw lock 40 includes a casing 41 secured
to the upper end of the second section 22 by means of rivets 42, an
inner threaded hole formed in a side wall of the casing 41 beyond
the second section 22, a T-head bolt 43 having a thread adapted to
be engaged with the inner thread of the hole so that the T-head
bolt can be screwed inwardly through the hole, and a slider 44
connected to the lower end of the third section 23 by means of a
rivet 45, sliding within the second section 22 in conjunction with
the third section 23 which is to be positioned at various heights
for user's preference as in usage by screwing inwardly the T-head
bolt 43 of which a flat bottom end abuts against the third section
23.
The hinge means 30, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 & 7, includes a
first bracket 32 secured to the upper end of the first section 21
by means of rivets or bolt and nut assemblies 320, one of which
fixes a female coupler 39, a second bracket 31 secured to the lower
end of the second section 22 by means of rivet and/or bolt and nut
assembly 310, which fixes a male coupler 38 which, in turn, serves
as a stopper for the slider 44, and a lock member generally
indicated at 35. The first bracket 32 is integrally formed with a
first projector 321 and a second projector 322 which are located in
opposite sides thereof and extend laterally. The second bracket 31
is integrally formed with a side clevis 311 that is formed by a
pair of parallel plates. A pin 33 pivotally connects the side
clevis 311 of the second bracket 31 to the first projector 321 of
the first bracket 32 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis
within an angle of at least 180 degrees.
The lock member 35 includes an arm 34 with one end pivotally
connected to the second projector 322 by means of a pin 331 and a
catch frame 36 made of wire with a lower cross beam pivotally and
transversely secured in the arm 34 and spaced from the pin 331. A
hook 37 is formed in a side wall of the second bracket 31 opposed
to the side clevis 311.
In operation, the first section 21 and the second section 22 can be
joined in aligned position through the engagement of the male and
female couplers 38, 39 and further locked in position by means of
the lock member 35 when the upper cross beam of the catch frame 36
is inserted in the hook 37 and the arm 34 is swung in a clockwise
direction about the pin 331 to draw back the catch frame 36
downwardly. On the contrary, the arm 34 can be swung
counterclockwise to release the catch frame 36 out of the hook 37,
thereby permitting the second section 22 to be swung
counterclockwise into a position parallel to the first section 21,
as shown in FIG. 7.
In folding the golf cart 2, the third section 23 of the frame
member is first telescoped into the second section 22 with the
handle 231 protruding therefrom. The second section 22 is then
folded into a position parallel to the first section 21 while the
wheels 241 are moved by the links 242 through the beams 243
simultaneously toward the lower portion of the first section 21 and
toward each other in the same way as in a known golf cart. Finally,
the base frame 28 is folded down towards the first section 21 and
further retained by the straps of the first bag cradle 27 into the
shape shown in FIG. 8. It will be noted that the telescoped and
folded golf cart can be hooked by means of the catch frame 36, as
shown in FIG. 9.
Various changes and modifications can be made in this construction
without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the
appended claims .
* * * * *