Power assisted adapter for pull type golf club bag carrying carts

[0002] This claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application No. 60/106,852 filed on Nov. 3, 1998. The complete specification of that provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention concerns a power assisted pull type cart useful for carrying a golf club bag. In a particular embodiment or subcombination, it concerns an electric motor power assisted adaptation for attachment to the pull type cart.

[0004] Among motorized golf carts, the individual pull cart type has several advantages over its larger, two-person-carrying cousin, among these being its ability for the individual golfer to move it only to where his ball is to be played, and not have to waste time going to where the other golfer must play his ball. Various motorized pull type carts are known. Among these are two-wheeled and one-wheeled cart adapters which convert the pull type cart into a motor-powered golf club cart. See generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,424; 5,685,385; 5,232,065; 5,167,389; 4,106,583; 4,063,612; 4,019,597; and the CART BUDDY pull cart adapter flier. Other motorized golf carts are also known. See, e.g., materials on CaddyMax cart; ClubRunner caddie; Dynamis caddy; Hill Billy trolley; Kangaroo Cadet motorcaddie; PowaKaddy cart; Pinehill caddy, including Ease-E-caddy cart; Robo-Kaddy cart. See also, materials on Robo-Cart robotic golf cart.

[0005] It would be desirable to improve upon the foregoing.

[0006] The present invention provides a motor power assisted pull cart adapter unit useful for converting a standard golf club bag pull cart into a motor power assisted golf club bag cart. In general, a vertical and a horizontal (lower) arm are secured, and may pivot, and an attached power unit can drive a set of drive wheels. Cart attachment is by upper and distal ends of the arms.

[0007] The invention is useful in enhancing the game of golf.

[0008] By the invention, the art of motor power assisted pull type golf club bag carrying carts is significantly advanced. The unit is strong, lightweight, adaptable to many varieties of pull type golf club bag carrying carts, and practical to make and use. It is, moreover, in a form convenient for easy shipping.

[0009] Numerous further advantages attend the invention.

[0010] The drawings form part of the specification hereof. With respect to the drawings, the following is briefly noted:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a motor power assisted pull type golf club bag carrying cart of the invention, composed of a standard pull type cart and a motor power assisted pull cart adapter unit hereof.

[0012] FIG. 1A is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention having its lower support bar of its adapter frame disposed in an elevated position.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cart ensemble of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of a clamping device of the adapter unit depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device depicted in detail in FIG. 3, taken along 4—4 of FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 4A is a sectional view of an alternate, preferred embodiment of the device depicted in detail in FIG. 3, also taken along 4—4, of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a vertical support bar found within the frame of the adapter unit depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of the frame of the adapter unit depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2.

[0019] FIG. 6A is a top view of a portion of the lower member of the frame depicted in FIG. 6, showing a clamp-fastened joint thereof.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a front view of the frame depicted in FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention, composed of a standard pull type cart and a more preferred motor power assisted pull cart adapter unit hereof.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of the cart ensemble of FIG. 8.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of an adapter unit as in FIGS. 8 & 9.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a top view of the adapter unit of FIG. 10, with certain of its components removed.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a rubber-coated U-bolt found in the cart as of FIGS. 8-11, taken along 12—12 in FIG. 13.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a front view of a top connector assembly of the cart as of FIGS. 8-11, taken, however, as a mirror image thereof.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a speed control mechanism found in the cart as of FIGS. 8-11.

[0028] The invention can be further understood by the present detail which may be read in view of the drawings. The same is to be taken in an illustrative and not necessarily limiting sense.

[0029] With respect to the drawings, central axis 9 is depicted (FIG. 2) about which motor power assisted pull type golf club bag carrying cart 10 is generally constructed. The cart 10 and its adapter (FIGS. 1, 1A & 2; and 8 & 9) and its components (FIGS. 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 6A & 7; and 10-14) can include the following features, even though all of the features listed are not necessarily found in every cart 10;

[0030] In general, the adapter of the invention as depicted is adjustable, and may be made to be further adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, the controller box 20 is pivotally mounted with pivoting bolt or pin 26, which, as indicated previously, can be swung from side to side to ease the attachment of the wires 24, 25. A series of holes from which one may select alternatives may be employed to effect adjustability, for example, such as the several holes 47, 53 and/or 154 (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6; 8 & 10). One or two sets of the lower holes 47 and three or so upper holes 53 are beneficially employed in a more preferred cart (FIGS. 8-13). Other holes and/or slots may be provided for sliding or alternative mounting locations. For example, the holes depicted on the cart-clamping end of the lower support bar 57 (FIGS. 1, 5 & 6) may be provided as a slot to provide for slidably adjusting of the lower support bar 57. The clamp(s) may pivot. For example, the clamp 55 may pivot to accommodate the cart having its frame 60. As well, for example, the lower support bar 57 may be made to be adjustable by providing it in two side-by-side pieces, one with a slot and the other with holes for insertion of a fastener such as a bolt of a nut and bolt combination. A preferred alternative, however, is provision of two side-by-side, slidable portions of the support bar, securely connectable at the desired length with a clamp (FIG. 6A). More preferable, however, is provision of the intermediate mounts 46 or 58 (FIGS. 8-11) attached to the vertical bar 52, and to which a pivotable lower arm or bar 57 is attached, advantageously with pins, bolts or the like through the holes 47. With an arrangement such as provided by employment of the intermediate mount 46, 57, the cart adapter unit when attached to a cart through its frame 60 is centered well, ameliorating or negating any side to side pull of the same when motive power is applied; the lower arm 57 can be employed as a battery support 42, and the adapter unit can be folded up compactly for shipment, say, in multiple units, or for storage.

[0031] Suitable fasteners such as threaded rods; screws; wing nuts; pins to include cotter pins, cotterless pins, straight pins, spring-and-ball pins for detent fixation; and so forth and the like may be employed in assembling the invention, as well as may be bending, cutting, welding, gluing, and so forth and the like. The provision of screws, hand-turnable handles, and cotter and cotterless pins is especially helpful in the assembly of the invention on site, for example, from a kit.

[0032] The adapter and its components can be made of any suitable material, to include metal. For example, the axle 31 may be made of steel rod; the vertical support bar 52 made of hollow aluminum box stock, and the lower (horizontal) support bar 57 may be made of solid aluminum bar stock, and the supports and clamps made of aluminum or steel. Beneficially, the adapter is made with arms 52, 57 and/or mounts 46/58 of square cross-section aluminum tubing, say, with arm 52 of 1¼-inch cross-section and arm and mounts 57, 58 of ¾-inch cross-section (FIGS. 8-13); therein, bushings or spacers 59 are typically employed to take up the net ½-inch space between the arm and mounts 57, 58. Suitable plastic and/or wood may be employed. The battery, controllers, wires, motor may be commercially obtained, as well as may be drive wheels, structural components, handles, fasteners to include clamps, screws, cotter and cotterless pins, and so forth and the like. A component of the invention which is not directly commercially obtainable can be made by methods known to any person skilled in the pertinent art. For example, the clamp outer housing 156 (FIG. 4) may be made of metal by stamping, and the preferred clamp outer housing 156′ (FIG. 4A) may be made readily from standard ⅞-inch square inside width metal box stock, cut to a suitable length, say, a 2-inch or so length, and cut to have an open, lengthwise slot or otherwise be provided with a suitable orifice for access for the threaded handle shaft of the clamp 50. Of course, in the latter case, the size of the plate 152 is changed accordingly to accommodate the housing 156′. As indicated previously, the clamps 55 may be in the form of clamp frame 157 and screw 158, and these may be purchased or made to be the same as the frame, screw clamp combination 17, 18. For example, the clamp frames 17, 157 and tips of screws 18, 158 may be rubber coated or the like to minimize scratching when engaged.

[0033] Assembly and operation of the invention can be accomplished by any person skilled in the art. As well, any of a number of substitutions for the constructs and materials referenced above can be made by the skilled artisan.

[0034] The present invention has numerous advantages, to include over known other art. A number of these are listed as follows:

[0035] The invention is readily adaptable to many commercially available golf pull carts, including ¾×¾-inch and 1¼×¾ inch squared tube frame varieties.

[0036] It is strong, lightweight and compact.

[0037] It is highly portable, and easily shippable.

[0038] Assembly and disassembly is readily carried out.

[0039] Assembled units can remain securely assembled.

[0040] Exposed chains and sprockets are avoided.

[0041] Operation of the assembled cart is easy.

[0042] Freewheeling operation can lessen drag from an inoperative motor, conserving a player's energy in such a situation.

[0043] It can be economically provided.

[0044] The present invention is thus provided. Various features, components, subcombinations and combinations may be practiced with or without reference to other features, components, subcombinations or combinations in the practice of the invention, and numerous adaptations and modifications can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim scope of which is particularly pointed out as follows.