US 4,538,696 A · Collapsible electric golf cart

Abstract

A battery powered golf club cart having an elongated handle which controls both the power applied to its rear wheels and a brake associated with its front wheel. When the handle is depressed an electric motor which rotates the rear wheels is actuated and the front brake is released. When the handle is raised, the electric motor is disabled and the front wheel is drawn into contact with a braking member. A full set of golf clubs are vertically held in a flat rack forming a part of the cart framework and, after removal of the battery, the cart may be collapsed into a thin flat package, convenient for transporting and storage, without need for removal of the golf clubs.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims14

Dependent claims

An electrically powered golf cart comprising:

a tricycle including
a single forward wheel, and first and second rear wheels,
axle means supporting said rear wheels,
a drive gear assembly for rotating said axle means;
a controllable electric motor for providing rotational power to said drive gear assembly;
a rack for supporting a plurality of golf clubs in vertical parallel spaced relation substantially over said foward wheel;
means for collapsing the golf cart into a flat, compact unit without removal of the golf clubs from said rack;
a pair of triangular frames forming the framework of said cart, each of said pair of frames being pivotally coupled to said axle means and to the top and bottom sides of said rack, said rack forming one leg of the triangular frame for each of said pair of frames;
a control handle movable substantially vertically within said framework for controlling the excitation of said motor and the braking of said forward wheel;
and
a frame for mounting a storage battery, said frame being supported by hooks removably attached to members of said framework and further supported by a linkage pivotally connected to said movable control handle, whereby the raising of said handle moves said frame toward the center of said framework.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,435 words

Summary821 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to electrically powered vehicles and more particularly to motorized golf carts.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings11 figures

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an electric golf cart in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view thereof taken along line 1--1 of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a plan view of the removable club carrier rack.

Detailed description1,435 words

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the golf cart and illustrates a flat golf club carrier rack 10 mounted to the front of the cart. The rack 10 is supported on a tricycle including a forward wheel 12, and a pair of spaced rear wheels 14 and 16. The rear wheels are supported on an rear axle 17 which can be rotated by a drive gear assembly 18 (see FIG. 2). The drive gear assembly 18 is actuated by the shaft of a D.C. motor 20 connected to a small storage battery 22 that is mounted on frame 24. As will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, frame 24 has its forward end coupled by a short link 26 to a vertical tubular control handle 28.

#When assembled for use, the framework of the golf cart comprises an identical pair of substantially right triangular frames with each leg of each pair being pivotable at its junction with adjacent legs. The rear legs 30 and 32 are pivotally connected to the rear axle 17 at their lower ends and to the side of the flat club storage rack 10 at their upper ends. Legs 30 and 32 can be pivoted at hinges 34 for collapsing the cart. The hinges 34 are located at points approximately 2/3 of the way up the length of legs 30 and 32. A pair of slide-bolts 35 prevent the legs 30 and 32 from pivoting on hinges 34 during use.

#Suitable cross members interconnect the legs 30 and 32 including a cross member 36 that is located above the hinge 34 and which provides support for the tubular handle 28 through a slidable tee fixture 38 that pivots on the cross member 36. Another cross member 40 between the legs 30 and 32 is positioned at a point slightly less than half the length of the legs from the rear axle 17 and provides a means for supporting a pivotable hooked hanger 42, the lower end of which supports the rear end sides of the battery frame 24.

Facts

Application

06/518,619Filed 29 Jul 1983

Granted

3 Sep 1985

Term ended

29 Jul 2003

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification12 codes

B62B 3/12
Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor: characterised by three-wheeled…
B62B 1/042
Involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible: foldable
B62B 5/0026
Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts: propulsion aids
B60L 2200/30
Type of vehicles: trolleys

Collapsible electric golf cart

Life of this patent

Collapsible electric golf cart

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims14

Description2,435 words

Drawings

Classification12 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,435 words