GOLF CAR AND MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE INCORPORATED THEREIN

• US 20130193173A1
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Electric Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Perry H. Pierce
• Inventors: Bonito, Anthony P., PIERCE, PERRY H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,944,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position

Abstract

A golf car employs a mounting system to attach a display device to the golf car housing such that the display device is movable so as to facilitate viewing of a display screen of the display device by a user whether the user is located inside or outside the golf car. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a rigid base member, a swivel member and at least one extension member. The swivel member mechanically connects the display device to the rigid base member and facilitates rotation of the display device about a vertical axis in a range of 0 to about 360 degrees relative to an initial position of the display device. The extension member is connected to the rigid base member and facilitates upward and downward movement of the display device distally from at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

Claims

1. A golf car for use by a user, the golf car comprising:

a display device for displaying at least play-related information on a display screen thereof;

a golf car housing defining a compartment, the compartment including at least one seat to be occupied by the user; and

a mounting system for mounting the display device to the golf car housing such that the display device is movable when attached to the mounting system so as to facilitate viewing of the display screen by the user whether the user is located inside or outside the golf car.

2. The golf car of claim 1, wherein the mounting system comprises:

a rigid base member;

a swivel member mechanically connecting the display device to the rigid base member, the swivel member facilitating rotation of the display device in a range of 0 to about 360 degrees relative to an initial position of the display device; and

at least one extension member attached at one end to the rigid base member and at another end to the golf car housing, the at least one extension member facilitating movement of the display device distally from at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

3. The golf car of claim 2, wherein the at least one extension member comprises a pair of parallel extension members.

4. The golf car of claim 3, wherein the pair of parallel extension members comprises a pair of telescoping extension members.

5. The golf car of claim 3, further comprising at least one rigid support member attached to and separating the pair of parallel extension members, the rigid support member being positioned between the rigid base member and the at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

6. The golf car of claim 3, wherein the pair of parallel extension members extends upward at an angle toward a rear of the golf car.

7. The golf car of claim 2, wherein the at least one extension member comprises at least one telescoping extension member.

8. The golf car of claim 2, wherein the at least one extension member extends upward at an angle toward a rear of the golf car.

9. The golf car of claim 2, wherein the mounting system further comprises:

a handle connected to the rigid base member, wherein the handle is usable to extend and retract the at least one extension member and correspondingly raise and lower the display device.

10. A mounting system for use in a golf car to mount a display device to a housing of the golf car such that the display device is movable when attached to the mounting system so as to facilitate viewing of a display screen of the display device by a user whether the user is located inside or outside the golf car, the mounting system comprising:

a rigid base member;

a swivel member for mechanically connecting the display device to the rigid base member, the swivel member facilitating rotation of the display device in a range of 0 to about 360 degrees relative to an initial position of the display device; and

at least one extension member attached at one end to the rigid base member and attachable at another end to the golf car housing, the at least one extension member facilitating movement of the display device distally from at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

11. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one extension member comprises a pair of parallel extension members.

12. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the pair of parallel extension members comprises a pair of telescoping extension members.

13. The mounting system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one rigid support member attached to and separating the pair of parallel extension members, the rigid support member being positionable between the rigid base member and the at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

14. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the parallel extension members are extendable upward at an angle toward a rear of the golf car.

15. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one extension member comprises at least one telescoping extension member.

16. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one extension member is extendable upward at an angle toward a rear of the golf car.

17. The mounting system of claim 10, further comprising:

a handle connected to the rigid base member, wherein the handle is usable to extend and retract the at least one extension member and correspondingly raise and lower the display device.

18. A mounting system for use in a golf car to mount a display device to a housing of the golf car such that the display device is movable when attached to the mounting system so as to facilitate viewing of a display screen of the display device by a user whether the user is located inside or outside the golf car, the mounting system comprising:

a rigid base member;

a swivel member for mechanically connecting the display device to the rigid base member, the swivel member facilitating rotation of the display device in a range of 0 to about 360 degrees relative to an initial position of the display device; and

at least one telescoping extension member attached at one end to the rigid base member and attachable at another end to the golf car housing, the at least one telescoping extension member facilitating movement of the display device upward at an angle toward a rear of the golf car relative to at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

19. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein the at least one telescoping extension member comprises a pair of telescoping extension members.

20. The mounting system of claim 19, further comprising:

at least one rigid support member attached to and separating the pair of telescoping extension members, the rigid support member being positionable between the rigid base member and the at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.