Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDABLE GOLF BAG CART
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to accessories for golfers and
particularly
to methods for transporting golf bags used by golfers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Although the purists in the golf community insist that the only way to
properly
play golf is to carry the golf bag, either personally or through the use of a
caddy, many
golfers prefer to use carts to transport the golf bags and associated
equipment. While
riding carts are required by many courses, a great number of players desire to
gain the
exercise benefits of walking during the round, without carrying the bag and
equipment.
For this reason walking carts are popular.
[0003] For many years pull carts, usually two-wheeled, were the norm. However,
with
the introduction in 2000 of the SPEED CART three-wheeled push cart (US
Patents Nos.
6,698,789 and 7,128,333) from Sun Mountain Sports, Inc. the landscape changed.
Push
carts, particularly collapsible push carts, have become the most popular
versions.
[0004] Nonetheless, demand continues for more compact, more stable, more
convenient
and lighter golf bag carts.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved
collapsible golf bag cart for transporting a golf bag in a highly stable
manner.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a bag cart system which
transitions
by expansion and collapsing between a folded (storage) state and an expanded
(operational) state with great ease and rapidity.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a bag cart
system which is
very lightweight in comparison to prior art carts with similar features.
[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cart which expands
and
collapses with a minimal number of operational steps.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-position handle
arrangement
for the convenience of the golfer.
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[0010] Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is a golf
bag push cart
having a bag support frame, a four-wheeled carriage, and a handle. The cart is
pivotally
assembled in such a manner that it easily collapses into a compact storage
mode and
conversely unfolds into an expanded mode suitable for loading a golf bag for
transport.
The cooperation of a slider block on the bag support frame and a pair of
parallelogram
structures in the carriage facilitates the transitions.
[0011] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides great
stability with all
four wheels touching the ground in both expanded and collapsed modes.
[0012] Another advantage of the invention is that it has a wheelbase which is
greatly
expanded on two axes when expanded, thus provided excellent stability when
loaded with
a golf bag.
[0013] An additional advantage of the invention is that parallel alignment of
the wheels is
maintained in all orientations, including transitional.
[0014] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the tubular
construction and
lightweight materials result in a strong but lightweight cart which is easily
lifted and
handled by most golfers.
[0015] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it expands and
collapses is
an essentially seamless transition with a minimum of operator-assisted steps.
[0016] A still further advantage of the present collapsible golf bag cart
invention is that it
grasps and retains a golf bag without cumbersome fastener elements which can
dangle or
interfere with collapsing or storage.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become clear
to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently
known mode of
carrying out the invention and the industrial applicability of the preferred
embodiment as
described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The purposes and advantages of the present invention will be apparent
from the
following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings in
which:
[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the expanded mode of the present
invention, shown
with a typical golf bag carried thereon;
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[0020] Fig. 2. is a bottom plan view of the golf bag cart of the present
invention, shown
in the folded mode;
[0021] Fig. 3. is a front view of the invention in the expanded mode of the
invention;
[0022] Fig. 4. is a left side view of the expanded mode;
[0023] Fig. 5. is a rear plan of the expanded mode of the invention;
[0024] Figs. 6A through 6D are dynamic schematic views of the invention
showing the
transition between the folded mode and the expanded mode; and
[0025] Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a spring latch member.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention is collapsible golf bag cart used to transport
golf bags
loaded with golf clubs and accessories. The collapsible cart is referred to by
the general
reference character 10 in the drawings and description. The collapsible cart
10 may be
used with various golf bags and may exist in multiple embodiments.
[0027] In one preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the
collapsible
cart 10 is shown in a perspective view as transporting a typical golf bag 12,
in this case, a
golf bag from Sun Mountain Sports, Inc. of Missoula, Montana. The golf bag 12
is not a
part of the invention, but is shown to illustrate how the invention is
typically used. The
cart 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1 in an expanded mode 14, also known as the
"use" mode,
where it is capable of carrying and transporting the golf bag 12. The
invention is
illustrated in Fig. 2 in a folded mode 16 or "storage" mode where it is
collapsed into a
minimal volume configuration for compact storage in an auto trunk compartment
or
garage, for example. The transition between the folded mode 16 and the
expanded mode
14 (and back) is illustrated in Fig. 6 and discussed later herein.
[0028] One more recently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated
in Figs 1
and 4 through 7, while a previously preferred embodiment is shown in Figs. 2
and 3. The
embodiments are generally functionally identical and both are referred to as
the golf bag
cart 10.
[0029] Although the perspective view of Fig. 1 and the other views illustrated
in the
drawings show various components of the collapsible golf bag cart invention
10, the
discussion will focus primarily on the top front view of Fig. 3 and the side
and rear view
of Figs. 4 and 5. The preferred embodiments 10 are generally laterally
symmetrical about
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a vertical plane 17 with corresponding left and right components (or
components which
are bisected by the plane 17). The cart 10 may be thought of as having various
principal
assembles or subsystems which operate together in order to function as a
compact,
lightweight and extremely easy to use method of transporting a golf bag on the
rolling
surfaces of a golf course and in other locations such as parking lots and
storage facilities.
The primary subassemblies include a carriage 18, a bag support frame 20 and a
handle 22.
It is understood that some components of the invention are a part of more than
one of the
subassemblies.
[0030] The most obvious components of the carriage 18 are four wheels 24,
including a
front left wheel 26, a front right wheel 28, a left rear wheel 30 and a right
rear wheel 32.
The four wheels 24 provide stable rolling support for the cart 10 both in the
expanded
mode 14 and the folded mode 16. In the expanded mode 14 (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and
6D) the
rear wheels 30 and 32 are farther apart and rearward of the support frame 20
while in the
folded mode 16 (Figs. 2 and 6A), the rear wheels 30 and 32 are closer together
and
overlap the support frame 20. The progression of the rear wheels 30 and 32 is
illustrated
in the several sub-figures of Fig. 6. The front wheels 26 and 28 are fixed in
position on a
front axle tube 34. The rear wheels 30 and 32 have a greater diameter than the
front
wheels 26 and 28 in the preferred embodiment and the front wheels 26 and 28
are
maintained in a fixed separation throughout (narrower than the separation of
the rear
wheels 30 and 32 in the expanded mode 14).
[0031] The carriage 18 overlaps with the support frame 20, and the lower
portion of the
frame 20 also forms a portion of the carriage 18. A base frame structure 36 is
formed
(integrally in the preferred embodiment 10) of the front axle tube 34, a left
base tube 38
and a right base tube 40. The base tubes 38 and 40 are spaced apart and
parallel at the
portions removed from the front axle 34 but are bent outward nearer the front
axle to form
therewith a bag cradle 42. As may be seen and surmised from Fig. 1, the bag
cradle 42
receives and supports the bottom of the golf bag 12, with the front axle 34
preventing
downward sliding of the bag 12 and the base tubes 38 and 40 restricting
lateral sliding
and twisting. A bag bottom flap 44 (shown extended in Figs. 3 and 5 and
rotated inward
in Fig 2) provides additional support to the bottom surface of the golf bag
12. The bag
bottom flap 44 pivots about the front axle tube and is restricted to
rotational extremes as
shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
[0032] A rear suspension assembly 46 connects the rear wheels 30 and 32 to the
frame
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20, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The rear suspension 46 includes a pair (one
on each
side) of parallelogram structures 48, each including a heavy gauge load
bearing arm 50
and a lighter positioning arm 52. The arms 50 and 52 connect at their distal
ends to axle
pivot brackets 54. Each axle pivot bracket 54 includes an axle pin 56 upon
which the
associated rear wheel (30 or 32) is rotatably mounted. The other ends of the
arms 50 and
52 are pivotally connected to a central V bracket 58 (see Fig. 2). The V
bracket 58 is
mounted to and below the rear ends of the base tubes 38 and 40. The
parallelogram
structures 48 maintain the rear wheels in parallel relationship to one another
(including to
the front wheels) at all points of expansion or contraction (See Fig. 6).
[0033] As seen in Fig. 2, particularly, a pair of connector rods 60 extend
from the load
bearing arms 50 to a slider block 62 which is slidably mounted on the base
frame 36. The
slider block 62 (also shown in Fig. 3) slides upon the straight parallel
portions of the base
tubes 38 and 40.
[0034] The portion of the bag support frame 20 which is upright in the
expanded mode 14
is referred to herein as the torso frame 64. The torso frame 64 includes a
left torso tube
66 and a right torso tube 68 which are arrayed in parallel. Each torso tube 66
and 68 of
the torso frame 64 pivotally connects to the base frame 36 at a frame pivot
bracket 70
(see, esp. Figs. 4 and 5). The frame pivot bracket 70 has a raised rear edge
which
prevents the torso frame 64 from pivoting to a position farther than that
desired to achieve
the angle shown in the expanded mode 14.
[0035] The upper end of the torso frame 64 supports a bag top receiver 72. The
bag top
receiver includes a pair of flexible mandibles 74 extending forward therefrom.
In some
embodiments (see Fig. 3) the mandibles 74 include terminal grip ends 76. The
upper
portion of the golf bag 12 is forced between the mandibles 74 until the grip
ends 76 (or
the ends of the curved mandibles 74 themselves) hold the bag relatively firmly
(if
elastically) in position, with the bag bottom being already seated in the bag
cradle 42 (see
Fig. 1). In a deluxe embodiment (see, especially, Figs. 4 and 5) , no grip
ends 76 are
required and the mandibles 74 are hingedly attached with the tension on the
mandibles 74
being adjustably controlled by tension screws 77. The tension screws 77 (one
per
mandible 74) adjust the gripping tension of the mandibles 74 about the golf
bag 12 to a
desired level in order to firmly elastically grasp the particular golf bag 12
of the user, in a
manner described and claimed in US Patent No. 7,581,748 to inventor Reimers.
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[0036] A handle pivot 78 is also attached to the upper end of the torso frame
64 to
provide a pivotal attachment for the handle assembly 22. The handle pivot 78
extends
across between the upper ends of torso tubes 66 and 68.
[0037] Near the lower end of the torso frame 64 an attachment collar 80 is
secured to
each of the left torso tube 66 and the right torso tube 68. Each attachment
collar 64 is
pivotally connected to one end of a force extension 82 (see Figs. 3 and 4).
Each force
extension 80 is a rigid metal extension; an elongated flat plate in the
preferred
embodiment 10. The other end of each force extension is pivotally secured to
the slider
block 62 on the base frame 36. Pivotal rotation of the torso frame 64 on the
frame pivot
bracket 70 causes the force extensions 82 to slide the slider block 62 either
forward or
rearward along the base frame 36, depending on the direction of the pivot.
This
correspondingly causes the connector rods 60 to push or pull on the
parallelogram
structures 48 which causes the rear wheels 30 and 32 to move forward and
inward or
rearward and outward depending on the direction of pivot of the torso frame 64
(see Fig.
6). Thus pulling upward on the handle 22, and consequently the torso frame 64,
from the
folded mode 16 causes the cart 10 to smoothly transition to the expanded mode
14.
Conversely pushing forward and downward on the handle 22, and consequently the
torso
frame 64, results in the reverse transition, all without the necessity of
touching any other
part of the cart 10. The terminal and selected intermediate steps of the
reversible
transition are illustrated in the various subfigures of Fig. 6.
[0038] Gravity and minor friction act to retain the cart 10 in the folded mode
16 and
minor friction and the insertion of a golf bag 12 hold the cart in the
expanded mode 14.
However, it is desirable in some circumstances to provide physical locks to
improve
stability.
[0039] For maintenance of the fully extended rear suspension 46 desired for
the expanded
model 14, a cam buckle 84 is provided on the upper surface of the slider block
62. The
cam buckle 84, which is adjustable in length (preferably via a rotational
mount and a
screw extender), is adapted to engage a cam catch ledge 86 on the upper
surface of the V
bracket 58. When the slider block 62 is nearly adjacent to the V-block 58 in
the expanded
mode 14, the cam buckle 82 is engaged with the cam catch ledge 86 and a cam
lock
paddle 88 (see Fig. 5) is flipped forward to lock the engagement. This
prevents the slider
block 62 from moving and both maintains the rear suspension 46 in full
extension and
prevents the torso frame 64 from pivoting forward. The cam lock paddle 88 is
flipped
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backward to release the cam lock buckle 84 when it is desired to collapse the
cart 10. It is
noted that locking the cam buckle 84 also forces the torso frame 64 to remain
in the
expanded mode position, since the slider block 62 is immobilized and the force
extensions 82 consequently hold the torso frame 64 upright.
[0040] A spring latch 90, shown in detail in Fig. 7 and visible in Figs. 4 and
5, acts to
maintain the cart 10 in the folded mode 16 and also to hold the handle 22 in
the proper
rotational position for the user. The spring latch member 90 includes: a pivot
pin 91,
extending between the torso tubes 66 and 68, about which the latch 90 pivots;
a spring 92
connecting it to the bag top receiver 72 and providing anti-rotational
resilient force; a flip
projection 94 facilitating depression of one end to rotate the opposing end; a
high friction
surface 96 opposite the spring 92; a first grasping notch 98; and a second
grasping notch
100.
[0041] The handle pivot 78 includes a cross tube 102 (Fig. 5) which extends
across
between the torso tubes 66 and 68. When the handle 22 is fully folded and the
cart 10 is
in the folded mode 16, the latch 90 has the high friction surface 96 engaging
the cross
tube 102 in such a manner that movement is restricted and a touch on the flip
projection
94 is helpful to release the components for expansion.
[0042] The spring latch 90 also serves the purpose of holding the handle 22 in
position in
the expanded mode 14. The handle 22 includes a pair of shaped handle tubes 104
which
extend from the handle pivot 78 to a handlebar 106, having optional grips 108.
A pair of
rod collars 110 are affixed to the handle tubes 104 at a position slightly
removed from the
cross tube 102. A latch rod 112 extends across between the rod collars 110.
The latch
rod 112 is adapted to fit into and mate with the grasping notches 98 and 100
of the spring
latch 90. When the handle 22 is rotated to the extent that the latch rod 112
engages the
first grasping notch 98, the handle 22 is positioned at an intermediate height
for those
desiring a lower handle position (shown in phantom in Fig. 4). When the handle
22 is
rotated fully so that the latch rod 112 engages the second grasping notch 100,
the handle
is locked into a higher position as shown in the figures depicting the
expanded mode 14.
[0043] The handle subassembly 22 of the preferred embodiment 10 also includes
a
variety of convenience features (see Fig. 6A) for the use of a golfer during a
round of
golf. One such feature is a storage console 114 with a transparent lid 116
hingedly
attached thereto. The storage console 114 provides a compartment where the
golfer can
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place yardage books, golf balls, notes, a slim wallet or other items to which
occasional
access may be desired during the round. The transparent lid 116 includes a
ferromagnetic
plate 118 which mates with a pair of small but powerful cord-suspended magnets
120.
This magnetic combination is used to secure a scorecard against the surface of
the lid 116
for easy access and use. Tee apertures 122 and pencil apertures 124 are formed
in the
extended frame of the console to receive and store frequently accessed golf
tees and
pencils during the round. A pivotally mounted drink holder 126 is also mounted
between
the handle tubes 104 just below the storage console 114 in the embodiment of
Fig. 3 and
just below the handlebars 108 in Figs 1, 5 and 6, for the golfer to place a
cup, can or
bottle during the round. The drink holder 126 is pivotally mounted so that
gravity
maintains it in a nearly vertical poison to avoid spillage, regardless of the
vertical angle of
the handle 22. A ball marker depression 127 is also provided to receive a golf
ball, either
for temporary storage of to hold it in position for marking the ball with a
permanent
marker for easy identification as the player's own ball.
[0044] A hand brake 128 (see Figs. 1, 4 and 5 especially) is also provided on
the handle
22 to allow the golfer to provide extra security when using the cart 10 on a
sloping area.
Manipulation of the hand brake 128 causes a brake engagement structure 130
associated
with one of the rear wheels (the right rear wheel 32 as shown in the drawings)
where a
brake pin 132 will engage with one of a circumferentially arrayed series of
engagement
depressions or pin receiving holes 134 either on the interior of the a solidly
constructed
wheel hub (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3) or on a brake disc 136 in a spoke
version of the
rear wheel as shown in the remaining figures.
[0045] The preferred embodiment is primarily constructed of tubular anodized
aluminum
for light weight and durability. The wheels 24 are formed of lightweight
structural plastic
with cushioned traction surfaces and may either be provided with solid hubs or
spoke
hubs. In some embodiments rubberlike friction surfaces are also provided.
[0046] Many modifications to the above embodiment may be made without altering
the
nature of the invention. The dimensions and shapes of the components and the
construction materials may be modified for particular circumstances or types
of bags to
be carried.
[0047] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be
understood
that they have been presented by way of example only, and not as limitations.
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INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0048] The collapsible golf bag cart 10 of the present invention is intended
for use
primarily by golfers who desire maximum convenience and safety while
transporting a
golf bag on a walking round. The cart 10 is lightweight and is extremely
compact to
facilitate storage. It expands and folds with an absolute minimum of effort;
requiring
only two steps in folding and only a single movement step in expanding for
many uses.
The expanded mode 14 is very stable for rolling and supporting the golf bag 12
during the
round. The cart 10 also requires no straps or other fasteners to retain and
support the golf
bag, thus minimizing the amount of loose or dangling components and reducing
effort.
[0049] For typical use, the golf bag cart 10 will begin in the folded mode 16,
for storage.
In this mode it has only the effective height of the rear wheels (30 and 32)
and slightly
greater lateral extent than the width of the front wheels (26 and 28) so the
cart easily fits
into an automobile trunk or on a garage shelf. Even in collapsed mode 16,
however, the
wheels 24 are free and the cart 10 can be rolled to desired locations
(providing that the
hand brake 128 is not engaged).
[0050] When the golfer has moved the folded mode 16 cart to the desired
location [easily
done since it weighs only a bit more than 5 kilograms (12.5 lbs) unloaded] it
is time to
expand it and load a golf bag 12. To do this the golfer simply grasps the
handlebar 106,
tweaks the flip projection 94 (perhaps with a foot) to disengage the spring
latch 90, and
lifts up on the handle 22. As shown in the transition sequence of Fig. 6 (A-
D), the cart 10
unfolds smoothly from the storage mode 16 of Fig. 6A through the intermediate
positions
of Figs. 6B and 6C to the fully expanded mode 14 of Fig. 6D. The illustrations
of Fig. 6
presume that the first grasping notch 98 is bypassed and the handle 22 is
pulled upright all
the way to engage the latch rod 112 with the second grasping notch 100. When
this
engagement occurs, the spring latch 90 holds the handle 22 in position and the
expansion
is complete. The user may then desire to secure the expansion further by
engaging the
cam buckle 84 with the cam catch ledge 86 and locking the position by flipping
the cam
lock paddle 88. The bag bottom flap 44 is flipped from its storage location
(Figs. 2 and 6)
to a support position (Figs. 3 and 5).
[0051] The golf bag 12, ordinarily fully loaded with clubs, is then engaged
with the cart
by placing the bottom of the bag into the bag cradle 42 and gently forcing the
upper
end of the bag 12 into the bag top receiver 72. The mandibles 74 are elastic
enough to
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easily spread apart to accept the tops of most golf bags and once the softer
sides of the
golf bag 12 are engaged by the grip ends 76, the resilient force of the
mandibles 74 holds
the bag 12 firmly, if releasably in position. The user may wish to adjust the
force on the
mandibles 74 by use of the tension screws 77 to more firmly or loosely grasp a
particular
golf bag. The golfer is now ready to go out and enjoy the round, quite
possibly while
enjoying a beverage held in the gravity-centered drink holder 126.
[0052] During the round, the golfer may have occasions to prevent the cart 10
form
rolling. In such cases the brake engagement structure 130 is engaged by
rotating the hand
brake lever 128, which will cause the brake pin 132 to enter a depression or
receiving
hole 134 on the brake disc 136 (slight rotation of the wheel 32 may be
necessary in order
to line up the brake pin 132 with a receiving hole 134). Rotation of the hand
brake lever
128 back to its original position pulls the pin 132 and releases the brake
engagement 130.
[0053] When the round is over, the golfer simply: removes the bag 12 from the
cart 10;
flips the bag bottom flap 44 back over into the bag cradle 42; pops the cam
lock paddle 88
to release the cam lock buckle 84; depresses the flip projection 94 to release
the handle
22; and collapses the cart 10 back to the storage mode 16 by gravity and
folding the
handle 22 inward and forward.
[0054] The extreme convenience, ease of operation, compactness of storage
volume and
light weight of the inventive cart 10 make it a joy to own and use and a
desirable
accessory for any golfer who wishes to walk the course without carrying the
weight of the
bag.
[0055] For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the collapsible
golf bag cart
of the present invention will have widespread industrial applicability.
Therefore, it is
expected that the commercial utility of the present invention will be
extensive and long
lasting.
