Golf Cart Storage Device

• US 20070235482A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald Gilpin, Jacques Laborie, Thomas Laborie
• Original Assignee: Donald Gilpin, Jacques Laborie, Thomas Laborie
• Inventors: Laborie, Thomas, Gilpin, Donald, Laborie, Jacques
• Application Number:
  US11/278,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20070235482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like

Abstract

A storage unit for attachment to the rear support columns of the roof of a motorized golf cart is disclosed, comprising a generally rectangular construction, including a bottom shelf, side walls, one back wall, optionally one or more internal dividers, and a cover to enclose a storage space. The unit maybe insulated, and may additionally comprise a temperature adjustment means such as a heater or a refrigeration device. The unit is suitably dimensioned for attachment to any golf cart, and preferably includes a display device, such as a plasma or LCD screen attached to the back of the storage unit.

Claims

1. A golf cart storage unit which is adapted to be affixed to support columns fitted on a motorized golf cart having occupant seats, which golf cart storage unit comprises:

a storage unit support structure which support structure is operatively connectable to said support columns; and

a storage device comprising;

top, bottom and side surfaces, with said side surfaces being essentially upwardly disposed, generally perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces, and being joined at each end to said top or bottom surface;

a back surface, attached to at least one of a rear edge of said top, bottom or side wall surfaces, wherein said top, bottom, side and back surfaces define a storage space area; and

optionally, an internal divider located within said storage space area which internal divider separates said storage space area into a plurality of storage areas which storage areas are each adapted to receive one or more consumable items; and

wherein said golf cart storage unit is adapted to be fitted to said support columns so as to be located on said golf cart behind said occupant seats.

2. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said golf cart comprises a roof, and said support columns are fitted to said golf cart as roof support columns.

3. A storage unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support columns are rear roof support columns.

4. A storage unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said storage unit is located immediately under the roof of said golf cart.

5. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said storage device comprises essentially planar top, bottom, side and back surfaces.

6. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back surface comprises an inward surface facing inwards towards said storage area, and a outward surface facing outwards from said storage area.

7. A storage unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein said outward surface of said back surface comprises a display device.

8. A storage unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said display device comprises an electronic display device.

9. A storage unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein said display device is a plasma or LCD display screen.

10. A storage unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein said storage unit additionally comprises a shield device for shielding said display device from sun and/or rain.

11. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 comprising an internal divider located within said storage space area which internal divider separates said storage space area into a plurality of storage areas which storage areas are each adapted to receive one or more consumable items.

12. A storage unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said consumable items comprise food, drink, hats, clothes, or golf accessories.

13. A storage unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said internal divider establishes a plurality of separate modules.

14. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising removable or openable covers or lids which covers or lids are fitted to at least part of the front surface of the storage unit, so as to securely hold the food, drinks or accessories in said storage areas while said golf cart is in motion or while it is parked on an incline.

15. A storage unit as claimed in claim 14 additionally comprising temperature control means.

16. A storage unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said temperature control means is provided by a refrigeration unit or by a heater.

17. A storage unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said temperature control means is provided by insulation around said storage unit

18. A storage unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said temperature control means is powered by an electrical power system provided from said cart, or by a separate electrical system.

19. A storage unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said electrical power system comprises solar electric panels which have been fitted to the golf cart.

20. A golf cart storage unit as claimed in claim 1 for use on a golf cart having occupant seats and a roof attached to said golf cart by front and rear roof support columns, and which storage unit is adapted to be affixed to said rear, roof support columns, and comprises:

a storage unit support structure which support structure is operatively connectable to said rear, roof support columns;

a storage device comprising;

essentially planar top, bottom and side surfaces, with said side surfaces being essentially upwardly disposed and generally perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces, and said side surfaces being joined at each end to said top or bottom surface;

an essentially planar back surface, attached to at least one of a rear edge of said top, bottom or side wall surfaces, wherein said top, bottom, side and back surfaces define a storage space area, wherein said back surface of the golf cart storage unit has an inward surface facing inwards towards said storage area, and a outward surface facing outwards from said storage area, and wherein said outward surface comprises a display device;

removable or openable covers or lids which are fitted to the front surface of the storage unit so as to cover at least part of said storage space;

temperature control means for controlling the temperature within said storage space;

a shield device for shielding said display device from sun and/or rain; and

at least one internal divider located within said storage space area which internal divider separates said storage space area into a plurality of storage areas which storage areas are each adapted to receive one or more consumable items; and

wherein said golf cart storage unit is adapted to be fitted to said rear, roof support columns so as to be located on said golf cart immediately under the roof of said golf cart, and behind said occupant seats.