Electrically-powered ride-on portable golf cart

Abstract

A foldable golf cart comprising; a front frame 4 and rear frame 3 connected by a pivot joint (25, Fig. 9), a primary latch (5, Fig. 6) comprising two spring-loaded pins (15a, 15b, Fig. 6) that engage

Description

This invention relates to electrically-powered portable golf carts and the method of transporting the golfer and golf bag. Golf is a sport that requires travel over a distance of varied terrain whilst accompanied by a bag containing golf clubs and accessories. Golfers use a combination of different methods to traverse the golf course with their golf club bag, one of which is to use an electrically-powered golf cart on which the golfer can attach their bag and sit or stand on the cart to drive on and around the golf course. This capability has made the golf cart popular and sought-after, however certain drawbacks present a challenge to golfers and management of golf facilities. Storage and transport of golf carts is limited by their size and weight, posing a challenge to facility management and personal cart owners. This is further challenged by charging access where power supply must be present to charge the batteries. Personal owners typically travelling to the golf course in a conventional car can find the transport and assembly of portable golf carts to be time consuming and impractical. Golf carts are well-suited to golfers of limited mobility who are further challenged by transporting and appropriately setting up a golf cart for use. Preparing a golf cart for transport in a car can be complex and require additional loading and lifting equipment which adds cost and can take away the relaxed nature of participating in the activity of golf. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The objective of the invention is to provide a portable, electrically-powered rideable golf cart which can stably carry a single golfer and golf bag. As used herein the term “golfer / operator / user” is used to describe the person or persons performing any action of moving, riding or using the golf cart in the context of this description. A further objective of the invention is that the structure will consist primarily of non-separable front and rear frame sections which can be pivoted against each other under certain conditions to reduce the package size of the golf cart while maintaining functional stiffness and strength when in the rideable state. Another objective of the invention is that the golf cart can be unlatched from its rideable state by a single action, allowing it to be rotated into a folded position by a single operator sufficiently that a further latch will engage to secure the golf cart in its folded state without another action by the operator. Furthermore, an objective of the invention is to be able to be unlatched from its folded state by a single action, allowing it to be unfolded by a single operator sufficiently that a further latch will engage to secure the golf cart in its unfolded and rideable state without another action by the operator. Another objective of the inventions is that a golf bag can be secured to two bracket positions that are forward of the steering shaft and where both brackets can be rotated when the golf bag is not fitted, reducing the package size. Additionally, the objective of the invention is to have a step-on platform for the golfer to stand on which is unobstructed to the left hand and right hand side and designed such that the golfer has freedom of varied foot positions for the benefit of comfort and stability. Another objective is that the golf cart will have three points of contact with the ground; by means of wheels that are preferably surrounded by air-filled tyres. Two wheels will be positioned, preferably adjacent to each other, at the front of the cart and a single wheel positioned at the rear of the cart. A further objective of the invention is that the front wheels will be steered by means of pivoting hubs actuated by push-rods connected to a rotating steering shaft to which handlebars are attached, such that the operator can apply steering while maintaining a neutral position of their centre of mass between the contact patch of the wheels on level ground. In addition, the objective of the invention is to remain in a balanced position when folded and on flat ground and positioned horizontally with the ground contact points being the rear wheel and rear frame section, the cart will also remain in a balanced position when folded and on flat ground and positioned vertically with the ground contact points being the front wheels and rear frame section. Another objective of the invention is that when the golf cart is in its folded state with the front wheels on flat ground and no other components contacting the ground, and the golf cart is leant forwards such that the centre of mass is in front of the front wheels’ centre axis, the golf cart can be pulled or pushed or manoeuvred by means of the operator pushing, pulling or rotating the handlebars. A further objective of the invention is that the golf cart remains balanced when in its operable state and on flat ground and fitted with a golf bag securely attached to two positions on the front of the golf cart in front of the steering shaft. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a compact golf cart which is easy to transport and can access tight spaces on and around a golf course. A further advantage of the invention is that the golf cart can be folded quickly to reduce the package size and carried or manoeuvred easily by golfers with a wide range of physical capability. Another advantage of the invention is that the user can operate it while maintaining a neutral body position without needing to transfer bodyweight to steer and does not require the dynamic sports skill of turning with the user’s bodyweight which would be unfamiliar for most users. Additionally, an advantage of the invention is that when the golfer steps off the golf cart it will remain balanced upright without requiring a stand or additional action. A further advantage of the invention is that the golfer has flexibility in their foot positioning on the standing platform to allow easy alternating of positions to avoid strain from using the same position extensively during use. Another advantage of the invention is that the battery pack is removable for transport and charging, reducing the users’ need to move the golf cart and reducing complexity of facility owners’ storage location. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the golf cart in its unfolded and rideable state where all three wheels, standing platform, battery, bag attachment brackets and the general golf cart assembly are demonstrated, Figure 2 shows the golf cart in its unfolded and rideable state in a view such that the wheelbase, steering system, hubs, bag brackets, and the unobstructed aspects of the floor platform are visible, Figure 3 shows the embodiment of a golf cart in its unfolded state where the outer surface of the primary latch pin is visible within a slot in the front frame structure, Figure 4 shows the golf cart in a folded position where the primary latch has been disengaged and the secondary latch is retaining the golf cart in the folded state and the golf cart is stably positioned where the front wheels and rear frame are the only contact points with the ground, Figure 5 shows the golf cart in a folded and stable position where the rear wheel and rear frame are the only contact points with the ground, Figure 6 shows a section-cut image of the primary latch subassembly in its engaged position where it is preventing rotation of the rear frame structure relative to the front frame structure and thus securing the golf cart in its unfolded and rideable state, Figure 7 shows a section-cut image wherein the secondary latch in its engaged position where the latch pin is protruding past the outer surface of the indentation feature on the rear frame and subsequently preventing rotation of the rear frame relative to the front frame, Figure 8 shows the primary latch subassembly in a longitudinally-orientated section cut that aligns with the centre axis of the sliding pins and the pins are positioned such that they protrude through the slots in the front frame but do not protrude further outboard than the tab features positioned below them, Figure 9 shows a section cut image wherein the positions of the primary latch sliding pin, secondary latch, pivot pin, front frame and rear frame, with dotted lines showing the directional curve that the primary latch sliding pin and secondary latch travel relative to the front frame slots and the rear frame indentation feature, Figure 10 shows a front wheel hub and front frame pivot joint, and demonstrates an axis of rotation of the pivot joint where a dashed line represents the angle of the axis of rotation and a solid line represents the vertical axis, here the left hand instance is shown and the right hand instance is symmetrically opposite. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In figure 1, a golf cart 1 is shown with step-on platform 2 securely attached to the rear frame 3 which is rotationally linked to front frame 4 and constrained in the operable position with centre latch subassembly 5. The bag-supporting brackets 6a 6b are used to secure the golf bag by means of adjustable straps 29a 29b preferably secured to bracket 6a and front frame 4, where the brackets 6a 6b are both secured with some rotational freedom to front frame 4. Battery 27 is secured to front frame 4, preferably by means of linear-sliding interlocking slot and tab features in bracket 28. A tab feature 32 is part of the steering shaft 10 and provides a fixing position for push rods 11a 11b. In figure 2, the golf cart 1 is shown with both front wheels 7a and 7b, which protrude outboard of the front frame 4, and a single rear wheel 8 which is positioned preferably rearward of step-on platform 2. The handlebars 9 protrude outboard of the steered rotating shaft 10 but not outboard of the front wheels 7a 7b. Push rods 11a 11b connect the bottom bracket of steered shaft 10 to the front wheel hubs 12a 12b, by means of a pivoting joint that is limited in rotation by the flat surface on hubs 12a 12b, forming an adjustable-length connection. Step-on platform 2 is a continuous surface which is unobstructed from left-hand or right-hand access. Hubs 12a 12b are symmetrically opposite about the central longitudinal and vertical plane. In figure 3, the golf cart 1 is shown in an alternative embodiment whereby the primary latch subassembly 5 is securing the rotational freedom between the front frame 4 and rear frame 3. The axis of rotation of bag fixing brackets 6a 6b is normal to the view, axial and radial translation is prevented. Brackets 6a 6b are rotated to their folded position. In figure 4, the golf cart 1 is shown in its folded state whereby the secondary latch 13 is engaged with an indentation feature in rear frame 3 and subsequently preventing rotation into the rideable state. The centre of mass is positioned between the ground contact patch of front wheels 7a 7b and the rear frame 3. Over-rotation from the nominal folded position is prevented by contact between a soft surface feature on a grab handle 14. The bag-supporting brackets 6a 6b are shown rotated to further reduce the package size. The battery 27 is not fitted to its mounting bracket 28. In figure 5, the golf cart 1 is shown in its folded state whereby the contact patch with the ground is limited to the rear wheel 8 and rear frame 3, in which position the centre of mass is between these contact patches when set on level ground. The bag-supporting brackets 6a 6b are shown rotated to further reduce the package size. In figure 6, a vertically-orientated section cut view of golf cart 1 wherein the primary latch subassembly 5 consists of a pair of, preferably symmetrically opposite, latch arms 15a 15b which are limited in motion by two separate cotter pins 16a 16b and preferably a centrally positioned bracket 17. A spring device 18 applies continuous load in the outboard direction such that when a slot is aligned in the front frame 4 the latch is pushed into said slot. In figure 7, a vertically-oriented section cut view of golf cart 1 wherein the secondary latch subassembly 19, secured to front frame 4 preferably by means of threaded screw-in connection, consists partially of a single pin 20 which is continuously sprung such that when an indentation or slot is aligned in the rear frame 3 the pin 20 is pushed into said indentation or slot which subsequently limits the relative rotational freedom of front frame 4 and rear frame 3. Single pin 20 has a preferably widening shape that the user can pull outboard to disengage from the indentation or slot in rear frame 3. In figure 8, a longitudinally-orientated section cut view of golf cart 1 wherein the primary latch subassembly 5 consists of sliding latch pins 15a 15b which are constrained radially by bushings 22a 22b secured to rear frame 3 and axially limited by cotter pins 16a 16b contacting box sections 23a 23b of the rear frame structure in the outboard direction, and by bracket 17 in the inboard direction. Bracket 17 is preferably rigidly secured to rear frame 3. A continuous outboard load is applied to cotter pins 16a 16b and subsequently to sliding latch pins 21a 21b by a pair of spring devices, preferably coil extension springs of closely-matching spring load, that are fitted within the boundary of box sections 23a 23b which forms part of the rear frame 3 structure. Tabs 24a 24b on rear frame 3 protrude further outboard than the widest extremity of sliding latch pins 15a 15b such that a sliding contact between tab 24a and latch pin 15a and tab 24b and latch pin 15b starting from the widest point of tabs 24a 24b and translating to the nominal position where slots in front frame 4 align axially with latch pins 15a 15b will push the latch pins 21a 21b inboard until axial alignment is achieved at which position latch pins 15a 15b can extend outboard to the extent that they protrude outboard of outer surface of slots in front frame 4. In figure 9, the rotational relationship between latch pins 15a 15b and slots 26 in front frame 4 is shown where the centre of rotation is pivot pin 25. Pivot pin 25 radially constrains rear frame 3 to front frame 4. The rotational relationship between pin 20 and rear frame 3 is shown with a dashed line where the centre of rotation is pivot pin 25. Tabs 24a 24b on front frame 4 overlap the pitch circle diameter of latch pins 15a 15b. In figure 10, a further alternative embodiment in which the front frame 4 is joined to hub 12a by means of a pivoting joint, preferably with a pair of bearing units 30, wherein the axis of rotation is indicated by a dashed line, angled off from the vertical axis which is indicated by a solid line. Stub axle 31 is rigidly secured to the hub 12a.

Claims

Claim 1: An electrically-powered ride-on portable golf cart comprising;a frame structure, consisting primarily of a front frame and rear frame connected together by means of a pivot joint, which can be folded to reduce the cuboid bounding box dimensions; a primary latch to constrain the relative rotation of the front and rear frame in the golf cart’s rideable state, consisting of a pair of opposing outboard-sprung latch pins, radially constrained to the rear frame, sliding outboard into slot features in the front frame, and the latch can be disengaged with a single action by the operator that retracts both latch pins inboard to release the engagement with the front frame slot features;a secondary latch in which a single inboard-sprung pin is constrained radially to the front frame and nominally compressed by contact with a surface feature on the rear frame that is dimensioned such that when the front and rear frame are rotated inwards from the rideable state, until the point of contact between the rear grab handle and steering shaft, the inboard-sprung pin displaces inboard and overlaps the surface feature on the rear frame and subsequently locks the relative rotation of the front and rear frames;a method of disengaging the secondary latch by means of a single action by the operator in which they pull the sprung pin outboard and uncouple the overlap between the pin and surface feature of the rear frame, allowing rotation back to the unfolded rideable state; applying relative rotation of the front and rear frames from a partially folded state where neither latches are engaged, in the direction of the unfolded rideable state, will cause the primary latch pins to contact angled surfaces on the front frame which subsequently pushes both latch pins inboard until they are aligned with slot features in the front frame wherein the latch pins will extend by means of spring-loading until they are fitted through the slots and protruding outboard of the slot features;two front wheels secured by stub axles on hubs wherein the hubs are secured to the front frame with a pivoting joint of which the axis of rotation is angled greater than 10 degrees from the vertical axis;rotation of the hubs is actuated by push rods, connected at one end to the hubs by means of a pivoting joint wherein the joint has freedom of rotation in X Y and Z axis of maximum 45 degrees from the horizontal plane, and connected at the opposing end by means of a pivoting joint to a rotating steered shaft, wherein the push rods are adjustable in length;a handlebar, of which the maximum width is less than the maximum with of the front wheels, which is secured to the rotating steering shaft which is constrained axially and radially to the front frame;a single rear wheel which is electrically-driven and has a maximum tyre width of greater than 80mm;a floor platform with a single continuous upper surface which is unobstructed to the left hand, right hand, and vertical projections and is secured to the rear frame, wherein the maximum width of the platform is less than the distance between the ground contact patches of the front wheels, and the length of the platform is shorter than the overall wheelbase;the centre of mass of the golf cart is positioned, in the vertical projection, within the contact patch of the three wheels;two brackets secured by rotating joints to the front frame which are combined with two adjustable flexible straps to secure a golf bag to the front of the golf cart;a removable battery, secured to the front frame such that it can be removed from the frame with a single action by the operator.Claim 2: An electrically-powered ride-on portable golf cart according to claim 1, which in its folded state where the golf cart has the secondary latch engaged and the golf cart is positioned with ground contact on only the front wheels and rear frame, the rectangular package area in the vertical projection measuring to the extremities of the golf cart is between 15% and 30% of the rectangular package area in the vertical projection measuring to the extremities of the golf cart in its unfolded rideable state.Claim 3: An electrically-powered ride-on portable golf cart according to claim 1, which in its folded state, where the golf cart has the secondary latch engaged and the golf cart is positioned with ground contact on only the front wheels and rear frame, the centre of mass is positioned within the vertical projection of the points of ground contact.Claim 4: An electrically-powered ride-on portable golf cart according to any of the preceding claims, in which the golf cart can be folded into a compact and non-rideable state then positioned with both front wheels on level ground and angled such that the centre of mass is in front of the front wheel axis wherein there is no ground contact from other components.

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