Universal accessory mounting system for golf cars and utility vehicles

• US 8,356,789 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2010
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardy, David R., Lewis, Gary L., Newman, Duane E., Stewart, Geoff D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLNER, MONICA E
• Application Number:
  US12/684,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20100133308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 248/200, 248/205.1, 248/207, 248/213.2, 248/223.41, 248/220.21, 248/224.7, 248/309.1, 248/558, 224/274, 224/545, 224/546, 224/547, 224/555, 224/557, 224/558
• US Class Current: 248/558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A golf accessory for attaching to an accessory mounting system of a golf car. The accessory mounting system including a bracket that is configured to connectably receive the golf accessory and a mount for attachment to the golf car and configured to connectably receive the bracket. The mount including a base that has a generally vertical surface, an aperture extending generally horizontally into the base from the vertical surface and configured to receive a portion of a fastener coupled with the bracket, and a slotted opening extending into the base and configured to receive a portion of the bracket. The base including a generally horizontal surface and the slotted opening extends generally vertically into the base from the horizontal surface. The golf accessory including a golf-related item, and means for connecting the golf-related item to the bracket.

Claims

1. A golf accessory for attaching to an accessory mounting system of a golf car, the accessory mounting system including a bracket configured to connectably receive the golf accessory, a mount for attachment to the golf car and configured to connectably receive the bracket, the mount including a base that has a generally vertical surface, an aperture extending generally horizontally into the base from the vertical surface and configured to receive a portion of a fastener coupled with the bracket, and a slotted opening extending into the base and configured to receive a portion of the bracket, wherein the base includes a generally horizontal surface and the slotted opening extends generally vertically into the base from the horizontal surface, the golf accessory comprising:

a golf-related item;

means for connecting the golf-related item to the bracket including a first latching tab and a second latching tab that frictionally engage a plate of the bracket; and

a mounting plate,

wherein the first latching tab is coupled to a proximal end of the mounting plate and the second mounting tab is coupled to a distal end of the mounting plate,

wherein the proximal end and distal end of the mounting plate align with proximal and distal ends of the plate of the bracket such that the first latching tab engages the proximal end of the plate of the bracket and the second latching tab engages the distal end of the plate of the bracket,

wherein the first latching tab is substantially rigid with respect to the mounting plate and hooks around the plate of the bracket, and

wherein the second latching tab is at least partially pivotable with respect to the mounting plate such that when the first latching tab is hooked about the plate of the bracket, the second latching tab can frictionally engage the plate of the bracket to substantially secure the golf accessory to the plate of the bracket.

2. The golf accessory of claim 1, wherein the means for connecting frictionally engage the bracket.

3. The golf accessory of claim 1, wherein the golf-related item is a sand bottle.

4. The golf accessory of claim 1, wherein the golf-related item is a container.

5. The golf accessory of claim 1, wherein the golf-related item is a golf equipment washer.

6. The golf accessory of claim 1, wherein the golf-related item is a cooler.

7. A golf accessory assembly for use with a golf car, the golf car including a mount including a base that has a generally vertical surface, an aperture extending generally horizontally into the base from the vertical surface, and a slotted opening extending into the base, wherein the base includes a generally horizontal surface and the slotted opening extends generally vertically into the base from the horizontal surface, the golf accessory assembly comprising:

a bracket adapted for connection to the mount of the golf car;

a container for holding a golf accessory, at least a portion of the golf accessory disposed within the container; and

means for connecting the container to the bracket;

wherein the bracket includes an engagement aperture with a generally trapezoidal profile, and the container includes a generally trapezoidal rearwardly facing portion with a generally T-shaped cross-section received within the engagement aperture of the bracket.

8. The golf accessory assembly of claim 7, wherein the container is one of a sand bottle container, a basket, a cooler, a golf equipment washer, and a sandbucket.

9. A golf accessory for attaching to an accessory mounting system of a golf car, the accessory mounting system including a bracket configured to connectably receive the golf accessory, a mount for attachment to the golf car and configured to connectably receive the bracket, the mount including a base that has a generally vertical surface, an aperture extending generally horizontally into the base from the vertical surface and configured to receive a portion of a fastener coupled with the bracket, and a slotted opening extending into the base and configured to receive a portion of the bracket, wherein the base includes a generally horizontal surface and the slotted opening extends generally vertically into the base from the horizontal surface, the golf accessory comprising:

a golf-related item;

means for connecting the golf-related item to the bracket including a first latching tab and a second latching tab that frictionally engage a plate of the bracket; and

a mounting plate,

wherein the first latching tab is coupled to a proximal end of the mounting plate and the second mounting tab is coupled to a distal end of the mounting plate,

wherein the proximal end and distal end of the mounting plate align with proximal and distal ends of the plate of the bracket such that the first latching tab engages the proximal end of the plate of the bracket and the second latching tab engages the distal end of the plate of the bracket,

wherein the mounting plate defines a horizontal surface and the first latching tab and the second latching tab extend downward from the horizontal surface, and the plate of the bracket is horizontally disposed such that the mounting plate rests on the plate of the bracket and the first latching tab and the second latching tab engage the plate of the bracket and extend below a lower surface of the plate of the bracket.

10. The golf accessory of claim 9, wherein the means for connecting frictionally engage the bracket.

11. The golf accessory of claim 9, wherein the golf-related item is a sand bottle.

12. The golf accessory of claim 9, wherein the golf-related item is a container.

13. The golf accessory of claim 9, wherein the golf-related item is a golf equipment washer.

14. The golf accessory of claim 9, wherein the golf-related item is a cooler.

15. A golf accessory for attaching to an accessory mounting system of a golf car, the accessory mounting system including a bracket configured to connectably receive the golf accessory, a mount for attachment to the golf car and configured to connectably receive the bracket, the mount including a base that has a generally vertical surface, an aperture extending generally horizontally into the base from the vertical surface and configured to receive a portion of a fastener coupled with the bracket, and a slotted opening extending into the base and configured to receive a portion of the bracket, wherein the base includes a generally horizontal surface and the slotted opening extends generally vertically into the base from the horizontal surface, the golf accessory comprising:

a golf-related item; and

means for connecting the golf-related item to the bracket;

wherein the means for connecting includes a connection that engages an engagement aperture of the bracket, the connection has a generally trapezoidal rearwardly facing portion with a generally T-shaped cross-section such that the connection is received within a hollow interior of the engagement aperture of the bracket.

16. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the golf accessory defines a height and the connection extends along substantially the entire height.

17. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the means for connecting frictionally engage the bracket.

18. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the golf-related item is a sand bottle.

19. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the golf-related item is a container.

20. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the golf-related item is a golf equipment washer.

21. The golf accessory of claim 15, wherein the golf-related item is a cooler.