Self propelled golf bag cart

• US 5,180,023 A
• Filed: 09/18/1991
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eric W. Reimers
• Original Assignee: Eric W. Reimers
• Inventors: Reimers, Eric W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Johnny D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZEENDER, FLORIAN M
• Application Number:
  US07/761,390
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 180/19.1, 180/19.2, 180/19.3, 180/167, 180/6.5, 280/DIG. 5, 446/454
• US Class Current: 180/19.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/605 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/61 motorised
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/60 using power supplied by batteries in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/002 convertible from a one-axled vehicle to a two-axled vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/042 foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/404 Golf articles, e.g. golfbags
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/004 in wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0069 Control
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0076 Remotely controlled
• 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 self propelled golf bag cart assembly (10) is provided to allow a golfer to walk during a round of golf while having the golf cart (12) and the contents carried by the cart (10). The bag cart (10) includes a plurality of cooperative subassemblies for performing specific functions. The bag cart (10) includes a frame subassembly (16), a first drive wheel subassembly (18), a second drive wheel subassembly (20), a caster subassembly (28), a handle subassembly (30), and a hand grip subassembly (32). Each of the drive wheel subassemblies (18, 20) includes a shoulder (22), a motor (26), and a wheel (24) subassembly. Power and control is provided by directly driving a motor (118) associated with each wheel (24) through an electrical subassembly (38). The electrical subassembly includes a battery (48) and a variety of controlling components situated in a manual control box (34), a main power unit (54) the hand grip (32), and an optional remote control unit (36). The bag cart (10) is primarily characterized by direct independent drive of the wheels, compactiblity from a use mode to a storage mode, and precise user control from the hand grip (32), or the remote control unit (36). The primary expected usage of the self propelled golf bag cart assembly (10) is by individual golfers on walking courses.

Claims

1. A self propelled golf bag cart assembly, comprising:

a carrying frame subassembly for supporting a golf bag in an orientation in which the contents thereof are accessible to a user;

a first drive wheel subassembly and a second drive wheel subassembly, opposingly mounted to the frame subassembly by associated shoulder subassemblies in such a manner that the drive wheel subassemblies in such a manner that the drive wheel subassemblies may be oriented in at least a use mode and a storage mode, said use mode being characterized as providing stable rolling support to the cart assembly, and said storage mode being characterized by being more compact than said use mode;

a caster subassembly mounted on the frame subassembly in a position so as to provide, with the first and second drive wheel so as to provide, with the first and second drive wheel subassemblies, tricycular rolling support for the bag cart assembly;

a handle subassembly mounted on the frame subassembly at a position opposite the caster subassembly; and

user controllable electrical means for causing the drive wheel subassemblies to propel the cart assembly at speeds and in directions selected by the user;

wherein the cart assembly is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal vertical plane, both in said use mode and said storage mode;

said use mode is further characterized by the first and second drive wheel subassemblies being commonly rotated on said shoulder subassemblies in a direction parallel to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to be separated longitudinally from the bottom portion of the frame subassembly, each of the wheel subassemblies being opposingly pivoted on said shoulder subassemblies in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to be displaced outward from said bottom portion, said caster subassembly being rotated in a direction parallel to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to be displaced from said bottom portion in a direction opposite to the direction of longitudinal displacement of the wheel subassemblies, and the handle subassembly being pivoted outward from the frame subassembly within said longitudinal vertical plane; and

said storage mode is characterized by the wheel subassemblies being rotated on said shoulder subassemblies so as to be aligned directly against the opposing sides of the frame subassembly, the caster subassembly is pivoted so as to be situated between the wheel subassemblies, and the handle subassembly is pivoted so as to lie longitudinally between the wheel subassemblies, but displaced above the wheel subassemblies, while not projecting longitudinally beyond the extent of the frame subassembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second drive wheel subassemblies includes:

wheel means for engaging a rolling surface, such as the terrain of a golf course; and

electrical motor means mounted in direct conjunction with said wheel means such that said motor means provides direct rotational force to said wheel means in response to signals from the user controllable electrical means.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the user controllable electrical means includes:

battery means for storing and delivering electrical power;

a power drive circuit including pulse width modulation means, independent motor power transistor means for delivering modulated electrical power to each said motor means, and switch means for selectively interrupting said power drive circuit; and

user controls, including speed control means for selectively controlling said pulse width modulation means, and turning control means and power activation means, each of said turning control means and said power activation means selectively controlling said switch means.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein

the carrying frame subassembly includes elongated frame members to support the sides of the golf bag and the caster subassembly includes at least a bag bottom support frame member to support the bottom of the golf bag.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein

the caster subassembly is pivotally attached to said elongated frame members so as to be at least partially retractable when not in use.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein

the first drive wheel subassembly and the second drive wheel subassembly each include motor means for rotating a tire member so as to propel the cart assembly in a desired direction at a desired speed, said motor means being independently connected to the electrical means such that the first drive wheel subassembly and the second drive wheel subassembly may be independently driven.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein

said storage mode is characterized by the first drive wheel subassembly and the second drive wheel subassembly being arrayed adjacent to the lateral sides of the carrying frame, the caster subassembly being rotated upward toward the bottom of the carrying frame and the handle subassembly being rotated downward toward the top of the carrying frame.

8. A golf bag cart assembly for powered transport of a loaded golf bag, comprising;

a folding frame structure which may be expanded to a use mode for use and compacted to a storage mode for storage and transport, the folding frame structure including a central frame for providing support to the side of a golf bag, a caster structure including a caster member pivotally mounted on said central frame and a caster wheel pivotally attached thereto, said caster structure providing bottom support for the golf bag, and a handle structure pivotally mounted upon said central frame, said handle structure including a hand grip member for grasping by a user;

a pair of opposing drive wheel structures mounted upon said central frame by shoulder structures permitting controlled rotation in at least two dimensions, each said pair of drive wheel structures including opposing wheel means and providing with said caster structure, tricycular rolling support for the cart assembly, and independently controlled motor means for providing rotational force to said opposing wheel means;

electrical power storage and delivery means; and

electrical controls mounted on the folding frame structure so as to be readily accessible to the user, the electrical controls including power activation control means, speed control means and directional control means, each of the electrical controls affecting the operation of said motor means;

wherein the cart assembly is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal vertical plane, both in said use mode and said storage mode;

said use mode is characterized by said wheel means being commonly rotated on said shoulder structures in a direction parallel to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to be separated longitudinally from the bottom portion of the folding frame structure, each of said wheel means being opposingly rotated on said shoulder structures in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to displaced outward from said bottom portion, said caster structure being rotated in a direction parallel to said longitudinal vertical plane so as to be displaced from said bottom portion in a direction opposite to the direction of longitudinal displacement of said wheel means, and said handle structure being pivoted outward from the central frame within said longitudinal vertical plane; and

said storage mode is characterized by said wheel means being rotated on said shoulder structure so as to be aligned directly against the opposing sides of the folding frame structure, said caster structure is pivoted so as to be situated between said wheel means, and said handle structure is pivoted so as to lie longitudinally between said wheel means, but displaced above said wheel means, while not projecting longitudinally beyond the extent of the folding frame structure.

9. The assembly of claim 8 and further including:

a remote control unit adapted to include additional user accessible electrical controls for affecting the operation of said motor means, said additional user accessible controls being analogous to those mounted on the folding frame, and further including independent power source means and electromagnetic transmitter means for generating signals in response to manipulation of said additional user accessible controls;

a remote control module mounted on the folding frame structure, said remote control module including receiver means for receiving said signals and further including analyzing and distribution means for analyzing said signals and distributing corresponding control signals to said motor means.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

said wheel means have a broad rolling width and are provided with pliable tire members such that the cart assembly may readily roll on golf course terrain without causing damage thereto under normal conditions.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

The electrical power storage and delivery means includes a storage battery and electrical wiring mounted on said central frame.

12. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the electrical controls include a main power on/off switch, an activation switch, a speed control and electrical steering controls.

13. The assembly of claim 12 and further including:

a timer control to activate said motor means for a selectable fixed interval.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein:

said activation switch is in the form of a button situated on said hand grip member and said speed control includes a speed control knob located on said hand grip member.

15. The assembly of claim 12 wherein:

said electrical steering controls are activated by rotating said handle grip to switchably alter electrical power delivery to said respective motor means.