Self-powered folding golf cart
AssigneeP. N. Associates, Inc.
InventorEdwin A. Nemeth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power-assisted manually operated golf bag carrying cart is disclosed. The cart features a foldable tricycle support frame having parallel drive wheels, which can be maintained in parallel over a range of adjustment, and independently-powered direct drive d.c. motors coupled to shock isolated wheels. A control scheme is described wherein a hand grip with a mechanically isolated continuously variable throttle provides control signals to a power-control circuit providing independent direct drive to each of the drive wheels. Power supplied by variable pulse width pulse train developing intermittent high peak torque yet low average torque in the normal duty cycle range drives the d.c. motors. The motor drive scheme provides an electrical limited slip differential which permits easy turning without undesirable power dissipation.
Claims7
In a foldable golf club carrying cart including a guide arm and a pair of laterally disposed drive wheels, the improvement comprising:
- a pair of d.c. drive motors each directly coupled to one of said drive wheels;
- a limited slip electric differential including a power control circuit operative to receive a control signal from an electric throttle and to communicate moderated power to both said independent drive motors in a controlled pulse train for providing independent power to said drive wheels, whereby said cart is easily turned without transfer of power between said drive wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.