Apparatus for holding an electronic device on a golf cart

• US 9,821,725 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2017
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen Tyrer
• Original Assignee: Stephen Tyrer
• Inventors: Tyrer, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): LARSON, JUSTIN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US15/414,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20170129416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 224274, 224276
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence

Abstract

A holder for an electronic device is mounted on a golf cart steering wheel. The holder preferably is rotatable relative to the golf cart steering wheel. The holder may include a weatherproof cover to protect the electronic device from the elements. The holder may also include a lock to releaseably secure the electronic device within the holder.

Claims

1. A steering wheel assembly for a golf cart comprising:

a steering wheel including a housing having a sidewall, and a top surface which is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane of the steering wheel;

an electronic device holder having a sidewall and a bottom wall, at least a portion of the bottom wall being positioned adjacent to the top surface of the housing of the steering wheel;

means for freely rotating the holder relative the steering wheel housing provided between the top surface of the housing and electronic device holder bottom wall, wherein the holder includes an opening adapted to receive an electronic device and a cover having an aperture to access the electronic device, the cover including a seal around the aperture to provide a weatherproof seal; and

wherein the housing and holder bottom wall each include an aligned central opening therein adapted to receive or access a portion of a steering shaft for attaching the steering wheel assembly to a golf cart steering shaft.

2. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tubular rivet extending through and mounted in the aligned central openings and being adapted to receive a steering shaft of a golf cart.

3. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for freely rotating the holder relative to the steering wheel housing comprises cooperating circumferential grooves in the holder and housing including a plurality of ball bearings provided therebetween.

4. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the holder is rotatable 360°

with respect to the steering wheel housing.

5. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal around the aperture is an elastomeric seal.

6. The steering wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric seal is an o-ring.

7. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a means for locking the cover to the holder.

8. The steering wheel assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking means comprises a standard locking cylinder with a key.

9. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic device holder is adapted to receive a computer tablet type device.

10. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is stationary relative to the steering wheel and wherein the steering wheel and housing are integrally formed.

11. A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel,

a holder for an electronic device coupled to the steering wheel, the holder comprising a lower housing and an upper housing, the lower housing having a top surface which engages a bottom surface the upper housing, and

means for freely rotating the upper housing of the holder relative to the lower housing of the holder, wherein the upper housing includes an opening for receiving an electronic device and further wherein the lower housing and upper housing each include an aligned central opening therein adapted to receive or access a portion of a steering shaft for attaching the steering wheel assembly to a vehicle.

12. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, further comprising a cover removably mounted to the upper housing, the cover including an aperture for viewing an electronic device provided in the upper housing.

13. The steering wheel assembly of claim 12, further comprising an elastomeric seal provided around the perimeter of the cover aperture.

14. The steering wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein the holder includes a means for locking the cover to the upper housing.

15. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the means for freely rotating the upper housing of the holder relative to the lower housing comprises cooperating grooves in the upper and lower housings adapted to receive ball bearings.

16. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the lower housing of the holder is stationary relative to the steering wheel.

17. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a smartphone or tablet.