CHARIOTS DE GOLF

TROLLEYS

Abrégé anglais

The present invention is an electrically powered golf trolley with a
battery 15 supplying electrical current for powering the trolley and an
electrical
connection interface 18 through which a separate portable electrical
component is electrically coupled to the battery. The electrical connection
interface is a plug or socket (such as a USB socket) to which a cooperating
part on the portable electrical component is connectable. The handle 16 of
the trolley may further comprise means to support the portable electrical
component whilst it is connected to the electrical connection interface. There
may be voltage or current alteration means between the battery and the
electrical connection interface to regulate the electrical output therefrom.

Revendications

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Claims
1. An electrically powered sports trolley, comprising a battery supplying
electrical current for powering the trolley and an electrical connection
interface
through which a separate portable electrical component may be electrically
coupled to the battery.
2. A trolley as claimed in claim 1, which is a golf trolley.
3. A trolley as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the electrical
connection interface is a plug or socket to which a cooperating part on the
portable electrical component is connectable.
4. A trolley as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical connection
interface is a USB socket.
5. A trolley as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further
comprises means to support the portable electrical component whilst
connected to the electrical connection interface.
6. A trolley as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further
comprise current and or voltage alteration means between the battery and the
electrical connection interface to regulate the electrical output therefrom.

Description

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TROLLEYS
The present invention relates to electrically powered sports trolleys.
It is known to use trolleys for the convenient transport of sporting
equipment before, during or after play. Such trolleys or carts are
collectively
herein referred to as sports trolleys. These may or may not also transport
people, but the present invention is particularly concerned with those that
are
not intended to carry people. A particular common example of this is golf
trolleys which are designed to assist in the transportation of golf bags and
golf
1o clubs as a player moves around a course. To assist in the movement of such
trolleys around a course it is well known for them to be provided with
electrical
motors adapted to drive the wheels. Batteries are provided in order to supply
the electric motor or motors with the necessary electrical current to operate.
It is increasingly common these days for sportsmen to use portable
electronic equipment either as part of the sport or simply personal use whilst
playing or during appropriate pauses. Such equipment may include for
example mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs and the like. In some sports,
particularly golf, equipment such as GPS receivers are used in order to
monitor a golfer's position on a course and provide useful data such as
distance to the hole.
It has been found that the batteries employed in powered such trolleys
have ample capacity to assist in powering portable peripheral devices when in
use. Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mechanism

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by which portable electronic devices may be powered from the trolley's power
source to ensure sufficient duration of operation.
Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided an
electrically powered sports trolley, comprising a battery supplying electrical
current for powering the trolley and an electrical connection interface
through
which a separate portable electrical component may be electrically coupled to
the battery.
The present invention may be applied to any situation in which a trolley
with electrical power is utilised in an appropriate sport. However, it is
1o particularly advantageous in respect of the sport of golf and therefore it
is
highly preferred that the trolley is a golf trolley. Such a golf trolley, in
addition
to the features previously mentioned, would be provided with a means to
support a golf bag. Further, one or more electric motor and appropriate
controllers may be provided to drive wheels on the trolley as is well known.
The electrical connection interface may be a plug or a socket to which
a co-operating part on the portable electrical component is connectable. It is
highly preferred that the electrical connection interface on the trolley
comprises a USB socket such that any portable device adapted to be charged
through a USB connection may be connected and charged and/or powered.
Preferably the trolley includes a handle and the electrical connection
interface is provided on or adjacent the handle for ease of connection.
In order that the portable electrical component can be safely located on
the trolley whilst connected to the electrical connection interface it is
preferred
that the trolley further comprises appropriate support means to support the

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component on the trolley. Such support means might simply take the form of
a surface upon which the item can be placed or a hook from which it could be
hung. In more preferred embodiments such support means might comprise
an appropriately configured bracket or recess into which the electrical
component may be securely located. This permits the component to be
placed on the trolley, connected to the electrical connection interface and
remain so whilst the trolley is moving over potentially uneven terrain.
Advantageously the electrical connection interface is provided closely
adjacent to any such support means. Potentially the electrical connection
1o means and support means may be configured such that location of an
electrical component within the support means automatically causes an
electrical connection between the electrical connection interface and the
component.
In addition to the electrical connection between the component and the
battery achieving the supply of power to the electrical component it is
possible
that the connection may also provide a control/data exchnage interface
between the portable component and any other constituent or device forming
part of the trolley. For example, if the portable electrical component is a
GPS
receiver it is possible that the interface with the trolley could be used to
control
the movement of the trolley as well as powering the trolley.
In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only,
an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more details
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

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Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of trolley according to
the present invention; and
Figure 2 is an enlarged underside view of the handle showing the
electrical connection interface.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of golf
trolley according to the present invention. The trolley generally comprises a
frame 10 supported by three wheels 11 which allow the trolley to roll over the
ground. A golf bag 13 is supported on the framework 10 and carries golf
clubs 14 for use whilst playing. The frame supports a battery pack 15 which
1o powers motors that drive the rear wheels 11. These rear wheels are
configured such that a separate motor drives each wheel therefore allowing
independent control of the two rear wheels and as a consequence the
direction of the trolley's movement.
At the upper end of the frame is a handle 16 which can be used to
manoeuvre the trolley. If appropriate, control mechanisms for the drive
motors may be located in the handle. On the underside of the handle (best
seen in Figure 2) there is an electrical connection interface in the form of a
universal serial bus (USB) type connector 18. This connector is provided on
the underside of the handle to ensure minimum visual impact when not in use
and to help protect it from adverse climatic conditions. A protective cap (not
shown) may also be provided to improve protection from the environment.
When a golfer wishes to connect a portable electronic component (not
shown) the golfer removes any the protective cap from the USB connector 18
and engages an interface lead (not shown) provided with the electrical

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component into the USB port at one end and the electrical component at the
other (if not permanently integrated). The electrical component is then
supported on the handle of the trolley. The support means to hold the
electrical component are not shown in the accompanying drawings. The
golfer may then manoeuvre the trolley normally whilst the electrical
component is supported and is powered and/or charged by electrical supply
from the battery pack 15.
Given that the battery pack could operate at a voltage, such as 12
volts, that may be different to the desired USB output voltage, suitable
1o regulatory electronic components are provided within the handle (and are
not
visible in the attached) in order to regulate the output from the USB port.
Wires extend within the frame from the battery pack to the USB port and or
regulatory components.

Dessin représentatif