Chariot type golf cart

• US 4,874,055 A
• Filed: 12/16/1987
• Issued: 10/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robin F.C. Beer
• Original Assignee: Robin F.C. Beer
• Inventors: Beer, Robin F. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US07/134,039
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 280/DIG. 5, 280/DIG. 6, 280/656, 280/87.04 B, 180/65.1, 180/19.1, 180/19.2, 180/19.3, 180/215, 180/181, D 8/DIG. 3, D34/15, D34/27
• US Class Current: 180/19.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/404 Golf articles, e.g. golfbags
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/08 Children's seats B62B3/14 takes precedence; Seats or supports for other persons
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2005/002 with adaptations to be used as golf carts
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/18 Connections between forks and handlebars or handlebar stems
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/002 without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/027 Motorcycles with three wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/05 Motorized golf carts

Abstract

A motorized golf cart has a frame that supports a platform upon which a golfer may stand while straddling a golf bag supported upon the platform along an incline. A U-shaped articulated steering bar is provided for adjustable positioning of a handle portion of the bar in forward and intermediate positions for control by a walking and riding golfer, respectively, and in a rear position for supporting the cart upendedly for storage.

Claims

1. A golf cart comprising:

a frame having a front end and a rear end;

a platform mounted to said frame upon which a golfer may stand;

a pair of rear wheels mounted to said frame substantially straddling said platform, said wheels having a common axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a fore and aft cart center line which extends centrally through said platform;

a front wheel steerably mounted adjacent said frame front end along said cart center line said front and rear wheels being tangent to a cart operative support plane;

drive means for driving at least one of said rear wheels;

bag support means for supporting a golf bag in a designated space upon said platform; and

means for steering and supporting the cart for storage in an upended position and which includes a bar steerably coupled with said front wheel and having an elongated handle portion, oriented substantially parallel to said common axis of said rear wheels, said bar being adjustably mounted to locate said handle portion in a first position above said frame for gripping by a golfer standing upon said platform, a second position forwardly of said frame for gripping by a golfer walking beside said cart and a third position adjacent said frame rear end said handle portion and said frame rear end being coextensive in a cart storage plane substantially perpendicular to said cart operative plane in said third position.

2. The golf cart of claim 1 wherein said handle portion in said third position is spaced from said frame rear end a distance to locate the cart center of gravity horizontally between said handle portion and said frame rear end with said cart in said upended storage orientation.

3. The golf cart of claim 2 wherein said bar handle portion is substantially vertically aligned with said frame rear end when said cart is in its upright operating orientation with said cart front and rear wheels supported on a substantially horizontal plane.

4. The golf cart of claim 1 wherein said bar is substantially U-shaped to have a pair of parallel arms and wherein one of said arms is coupled with said front wheel and the other one of said arms includes siad elongated handle portion, said bar extending about three sides of a space to receive a golf bag supported on said platform when said handle portion is in its third position.