Collapsible golf cart

• US 7,137,644 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin Kimberley
• Original Assignee: Kevin Kimberley
• Inventors: Kimberley, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/067,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20060192366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 280/DIG.5, 280/DIG.6, 280/646, 280/652, 280/38, 280/40, 280/654, 280/651, 280/62, 280/659, 280/639, 280/642
• US Class Current: 280/651
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/60 Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/404 Golf articles, e.g. golfbags
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/12 Collapsible wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/02 involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/12 characterised by three-wheeled construction
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/068 by sliding a bushing along a rod, e.g. like folding means of an umbrella
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/06 Wheeled golf club carriers

Abstract

A golf cart including a frame having a first portion and a second portion. A front wheel mount is pivotally connected to the first portion of the frame and is pivotable about a first axis. A front wheel is rotatably connected to the front wheel mount, allowing for rotation of the front wheel about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The front wheel mount further allows for arcuate movement of the front wheel about the first axis. There is a pair of rear wheel members, each rear wheel member having a first end and a second end, the first end of each rear wheel member is pivotally connected to the second portion of the frame. There is a pair of rear wheels, each rear wheel is rotatably connected to the second end of one of each of the rear wheel members. A handle is connected to the second portion of the frame. A collapsing mechanism is moveable between a first position and a second position. The collapsing mechanism is connected to the first portion of the frame and to the rear wheel members. The front wheel moves away from the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position, and the front wheel moves towards the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position. The rear wheels move away from the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position, and the rear wheels move towards the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position.

Claims

1. A collapsible golf cart comprising:

a frame having a first portion and a second portion;

a front wheel mount pivotally connected to the first portion of the frame, the front wheel mount being pivotable about a first axis;

a front wheel rotatably connected to the front wheel mount, allowing for rotation of the front wheel about a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis, the front wheel mount further allowing for arcuate movement of the front wheel about the first axis;

a pair of rear wheel members, each said rear wheel member having a first end and a second end, the first end of said each rear wheel member being pivotally connected to the second portion of the frame;

a pair rear wheels, each said rear wheel being rotatably connected to the second end of one of the said rear wheel members;

a handle connected to the second portion of the frame; and

a collapsing mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position, the collapsing mechanism being connected to the first portion of the frame and to the rear wheel members, the front wheel moving away from the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position and the front wheel moving towards the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position, the rear wheels moving away from the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position and the rear wheels moving towards the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position.

2. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart further includes a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism maintaining the cart in a first configuration when the collapsing mechanism is in the first position, and the locking mechanism maintaining the cart in a second configuration when the collapsing mechanism is in the second position.

3. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the frame is pivotally connected to the second portion of the frame, the first portion moving away from the second portion when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position, and the first portion moving towards the second portion when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position.

4. The cart as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion of the frame is substantially perpendicular to the second portion when the collapsing mechanism is in the first position, and the first portion of the frame is substantially parallel to the second portion when the collapsing mechanism is in the second position.

5. The cart as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cart further includes a first link rod, the first link rod connecting the collapsing mechanism to the first portion of the frame.

6. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart further includes a second locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism preventing pivoting of the front wheel mount and arcuate movement of the front wheel about the first axis when engaged.

7. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart further includes a second link rod, the second link rod connecting one of said rear wheel members the collapsing mechanism.

8. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said rear wheel member includes a first strut and a second strut, the first strut being longer than the second strut.

9. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collapsing mechanism is a sleeve, the collapsing member being slidable along the frame.

10. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is pivotally connected the frame.

11. The cart as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cart further includes a third locking mechanism, the third locking mechanism preventing the handle from pivoting when engaged.

12. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart further includes a cup holder, the cup holder being connected to the handle.

13. The cart as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cup holder is integral to the handle.

14. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart further includes a brake, the brake preventing the front wheel from rotating about the second axis when engaged.

15. The cart as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cart further includes a brake control, the brake control being located on the handle, the brake being engaged by the control.

16. A combination of a collapsing mechanism and a golf cart, the golf cart including a frame with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being pivotally connected to the second portion;

a front wheel being rotatably connected to the first portion of the frame;

a pair of rear wheel members being pivotally connected to the second portion of the frame;

a pair of rear wheels, each said rear wheel being rotatably mounted on one of the rear wheel members;

the collapsing mechanism comprising;

means for pivoting the first portion of the frame towards the second portion of the frame or away from the second portion of the frame, means for pivoting including a link rod, the link rod connecting the collapsing mechanism to the first portion of the frame, the link rod moving the first portion of the frame away from the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position, and the link rod moving the first portion of the frame towards the second portion of the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position; and

means for moving the rear wheels towards the frame or away from the frame.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 16, wherein the collapsing mechanism is moveable between a first position and a second position, the golf cart being in the first configuration when the collapsing mechanism is in the first position and the golf cart being in the second configuration when the collapsing mechanism is in the second position.

18. The combination as claimed in claim 16, wherein the means for moving the rear wheels towards the frame or away from the frame includes a second link rod, the second link rod connecting the collapsing mechanism to one of the rear wheel members, the second link rod moving said one of the rear wheel members away from the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the first position, and the second link rods moving said one of rear wheel members towards the frame when the collapsing mechanism is moved towards the second position.

19. The combination as claimed in claim 16, further including means for locking the golf cart in the first configuration or in the second configuration.