SUPPORT DEVICE FOR VEHICLES

• US 20090322114A1
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardy, David R., Newman, Duane E., Stewart, Geoff D., Lewis, Gary L.
• Application Number:
  US12/554,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322114A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/04 for cleaning balls apparatus for cleaning balls, as accessories for bowling- or table alleys A63D5/10
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0625 open

Abstract

A support device is for a vehicle having a body, a roof spaced above the body and a seat back. The support device includes a base or body connectable with the vehicle and having a mounting portion configured for attachment of the seat back and a recess providing a storage space. A roof support has a first end connected with the base and a second end connectable with the roof. The roof support is configured to retain the roof spaced generally above a remainder of the vehicle. Preferably, the roof support includes two struts extending between the base and the roof, the base transferring the weight of the roof from the struts and to the vehicle body. Preferably, the struts each include a fluid passage extending between the roof and the base, the passage being configured to discharge fluid beneath the vehicle body.

Claims

1. A support device for a vehicle, the vehicle having a seat back, the support device comprising:

a body connectable with the vehicle and having a mounting portion configured for attachment of the seat back and a recess providing a storage space.

2. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further has a body, a roof and at least one strut connected with the roof, and the body is connectable with the strut so as to connect the roof to the vehicle body.

3. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes:

a generally vertical front wall providing the seat mounting portion;

two spaced-apart, generally vertical side walls each extending rearwardly from the front wall; and

a generally horizontal wall extending rearwardly from the front wall and between the two side walls such that the storage space is defined between the four walls of the base, the horizontal wall providing a shelf for supporting an item placed within the storage space.

4. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a body and the support device body is connectable with the vehicle body, the support device body being configured to increase rigidity of the vehicle body when the support device is connected with the vehicle.

5. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the body has an accessory mounting portion configured to support one of a basket, a sand bottle, a bucket, a golf ball cleaner container, and an adapter bracket.

6. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the body has a ledge portion configured to support a golf bag.

7. The support device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a strap connected with the body and configured to retain a golf bag disposed proximal to the body.

8. The support device as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further has a roof and the support device further comprises a strut attached to the body and connectable with the roof, the strut being configured to at least partially retain the roof spaced generally above a remainder of the vehicle.

9. A support device for a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof and a seat back, the device comprising:

a base connectable with the vehicle and configured to support the seat back; and

a roof support having a first end connected with the base and a second end connectable with the roof, the support being configured to retain the roof spaced generally above a remainder of the vehicle.

10. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the vehicle has a body and the base is connectable with the vehicle body, the base being configured to increase rigidity of the body when the support device is connected with the vehicle.

11. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the base is configured to transfer at least a portion of the weight of the roof from the roof support and to the vehicle.

12. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the base has an accessory-mounting portion configured to support one of a basket, a sand bottle, a bucket, a golf ball cleaner container and an adapter bracket.

13. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the roof support is formed as a separate, tubular member connected with the base.

14. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the roof support has a passage extending between the first and second ends and providing a gutter for draining fluid from the roof.

15. The support device as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the base has an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending generally between the upper and lower ends; and

the roof support first end is disposed at least partially within the base opening such that a fluid entering the support member passage through the support second end flows into the base opening and discharges beneath the base lower surface.

16. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the base has a ledge portion configured to support at least one golf bag.

17. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the roof support includes two spaced-apart struts, each strut having a lower end connected with the base and an upper end connectable with the roof.

18. The support device as recited in claim 9, wherein the base includes:

a generally vertical front wall configured for attachment of the seat back;

two spaced-apart, generally vertical side walls each extending rearwardly from the front wall; and

a generally horizontal wall extending rearwardly from the front wall and between the two side walls such that a storage space is defined between the four walls of the base, the horizontal wall providing a shelf for supporting an item placed within the storage space.

19. The support device as recited in claim 18, wherein the base further includes a generally vertical rear wall spaced rearwardly from the front wall and extending between the two side walls such that the storage space is generally bounded by the four vertical walls and the horizontal wall.

20. A support device for a vehicle, the vehicle having a body the body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a roof spaced generally above the body, the support device comprising:

a base disposeable upon the vehicle body upper surface; and

two struts, each strut having a first end connected with the base, a second end connectable with the roof, and a fluid passage extending between the first and second ends, the passage being configured to discharge fluid beneath the vehicle body lower surface