DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FOLDING OPERATION OF GOLF CART

DISPOSITIF DE CONTROLE DE L'ACTION DE PLIAGE D'UNE VOITURETTE DE GOLF

English Abstract

A device for controlling the folding operation of a golf cart comprises
at least one first joint; at least one second joint which is rotatable and
movable along an axial direction with respect to the first joint; at least one
elastomer installed between the first joint and second joint; a spindle
passing through the first joint, the second joint and the elastomer; a
tightening element installed at a distal end of the spindle for pressing the
second joint to move axially toward the first joints and then tightly resist
against the first joints. The tightening element serves to give a pressure
to the second joint and the first joint. The elastomer is compressed and
thus store potential energy. When the tightening element is released, the
elastomers will eject the first joint and the second joints.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A device for controlling the folding operation of a golf cart
comprising:
at least one first joint;
at least one second joint which is rotatable and movable along an axial
direction with respect to the first joint;
at least one elastomer installed between the first joint and second joint;
a spindle passing through the first joint, the second joints and the
elastomer;
a tightening element installed at a distal end of the spindle for pressing
the second joint to move axially toward the first joint and then tightly
resist against the first joint;
wherein the tightening element serves to give a pressure to the second
joint and the first joint; the elastomer is compressed and thus store
potential energy; when the tightening element is released, the elastomers
will eject the first joint and the second joints.
2. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the first joint includes at least one combining
portion for combining with a golf cart body.
3. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the tightening element has an
eccentric hole for receiving the spindle and another end of the tightening
element has a control spanner.
4. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the first joint includes a left first joint and a
second joint.
5. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the second joint further includes at least one
combining portion for combining with a golf cart body.
6. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 5, wherein the combining portion has a through hole; an
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outer diameters of the through hole is larger than those of the cart rods.
7. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first joint and second joints has an
axial hole so that the spindle passes through the axial holes of the first
joint and second joints.
8. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer is a spring.
9. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein connecting surfaces of the first joint and the
second joints are formed with coarse surfaces, respectively.
10. The device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart as
claimed in claim 1, wherein a limiting means is located between the second
joint and the spindle; thereby, the spindle cannot rotate with respect to the
second joint.
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Description

CA 02457678 2004-02-13
DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FOLDING OPERATION OF
GOLF CART
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf carts, and particular to a device
for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart, by that, a golf cart body
can be folded for storage so as to be carried easily or stored with a smaller
volume.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, a gplf cart body has a rigid structure, that is, it is
unfoldable. However, in general, the cart body has a larger volume so
that it is tedious to store or carry the golf cart. Although some foldable
golf carts are developed for improving the defects in the prior art, but they
can not be operated easily and inconveniently, and the casts are high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a
device for controlling a folding operation of a golf cart, by that, a golf
cart
body can be folded for storage so as to be carried easily or stored with a
smaller volume.
To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a device for
controlling the folding of a golf cart comprises at least one first joint; at
least one second joint which is rotatable ands movable along an axial
direction with respect to the first joint; at least one elastomer installed
between the first joint and second joint; a spindle passing through the first
joint, second joints and the elastomer; a tightening element installed at a
distal end of the spindle for pressing the second joint to move axially
toward the first joint and then tightly resist against the first joint. The
tightening element serves to give a pressure to the second joint and the
first joint. The elastomer is compressed and thus store potential energy.

CA 02457678 2004-02-13
When the tightening element is released, the elastomers will eject the first
joint and the second joints.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be
more readily understood from the following detailed description when read
in conjunction with the appended drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO1~T OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device for controlling a
folding operation of a golf cart of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present
invention, wherein the first joint is an integrally-formed body.
Fig. 3 is an assembled cross section view of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present
invention, wherein the first joint is formed by a left first joint and a right
first joint.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the operation of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present
invention, a description will be described in 'the following in details.
However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to
cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and
characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the
scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the device for controlling the folding
of a golf cart of the present invention is illustrated. The device includes
at least one first joint 1 and a second joint 2 which are rotatable with
respect to one another are movable alongan axial direction.
and In the
illustrateddrawings, one first joint 1 tvvo second joints 2
and are
illustrated, which are usedin the descriptionof this embodiment.
The

CA 02457678 2004-02-13
second joints 2 are located at two outer sides of the first joint 1.
However, this is only one embodiment of the present invention, but not
used to confine the scope of the present invention. Other examples which
match the scope and spirit of the present invention described in the claims
are within the confinement of the present invention.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, two elastomers 3 is installed between
the first joint 1 and second joints 2. Preferably, the elastomer 3 is a
spring.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a spindle 4 passes through the first joint 1,
second joints 2 and the elastomers 3.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a tightening element 5 is installed at a
distal end of the spindle 4 for pressing the second joint 2 to move axially
toward the first joints 1 and then tightly resist against the first joints 1.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the first joint 1 further includes at least one
combining portion 10 for combining with a golf cart body 6. The shape
and structure of the combining portion 10 are made according to a card rod
& 1 of the golf cart body 6.
In the present invention, as shown in Fig. 4, the first joint 1 of the
present invention can be made integrally. Or as shown in Fig. 2, it can be
formed by a left first joint 12 and a right first joint 13. The way for
combining the first joint I may use screws 101, adhesive, or supersonic
waves, etc.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the second joints 2 have respective
combining portions 20 which can be combined to the cart rods 61 of the
golf cart body 6. Preferably, the combining portions 20 have respective
through holes 22. Outer diameters of two through holes 22 are larger
than those of the cart rods 61, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, in the present invention, the
connecting surfaces of the first joint 1 and the second joints 2 are formed
with coarse surfaces 14, and 23 respectively. Preferably, the coarse
surfaces 14 and 23 are teethed surfaces.
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CA 02457678 2004-02-13
Referring to Fig. 2, in the present invention, the first joint 1 has an
axial hole 11 and each of the second joint 2 has an axial hole 21 so that the
spindle 4 passes through the axial holes 11 and 21. A limiting means 41
is located between one of the two second joints 2 far away from the
S tightening element 5 and the spindle. Thereby, the spindle 4 cannot
rotate with respect to the second joint 2.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, one end of the tightening element 5
has an eccentric hole 51 for receiving the spindle 4. Another end of the
tightening element 5 has a control spanner 52 for controlling the rotation
IO of the tightening element 5.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, by above said elements, in the present
invention, the tightening element 5 serves to give a pressure to the second
joints 2 and the first joint I. The elastomers 3 are compressed and thus
store potential energy. When the tightening element 5 is released, the
15 elastomers 3 will eject the first joint 1 and the second joints 2. Thus,
the first joint 1 can rotate with respect to the second joints 2 for expanding
or folding the cart rod 61.
Thereby, by above mentioned device for controlling a folding
operation of a golf cart according to the present invention, a golf cart body
20 is folded for storage so as to be carried easily or stored with a smaller
volume.
The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the
same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded
as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all
25 such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
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Representative Drawing