Retractable Golf Cart Canopy via Wheeled Carriage Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf cart designs lack a practical and efficient solution for providing weather protection that can be easily retracted when not needed, particularly for the rear section of the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A retractable golf cart canopy with a non-fixed structure, utilizing a barrier and a carriage system with wheels that can deploy and retract along box tracks, mounted on support struts with commercially available hardware, allowing for easy deployment and storage on the golf cart roof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed canopy is installed on the golf cart to provide weather protection, then weather protection is improved, but the ability to retract or remove the canopy is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweather protectionVSAvoidretractability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the canopy from a fixed structure to a movable one. The canopy is mounted on a carriage system with wheels that can travel along box tracks, allowing it to be repositioned and retracted. This dynamic mounting system enables the canopy to provide weather protection when needed while allowing easy retraction when not required, resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a retractable canopy system is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like carriages, wheels, and box tracks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretractabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the canopy support structure into modular components: the canopy itself, the carriage system, the box tracks, and the mounting struts. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, installed, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while enabling the retractable functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The box tracks serve multiple functions: they guide the carriage movement, provide structural support for the canopy, and can be mounted on existing golf cart frames. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a non-fixed canopy with carriage and wheels is used, then ease of operation is improved, but weight increases due to additional mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment easeVSAvoidcanopy weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical deployment systems with a simpler wheeled carriage system that moves along guided box tracks. This substitution reduces the need for motors, actuators, or complex linkages, thereby minimizing weight increase while maintaining ease of operation. The mechanical advantage comes from the guided tracks rather than powered mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9969247B1Canopy for a golf cart storage area

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 HOUZE JR JOHN

AI summary

The golf cart canopy is adapted for use with a golf cart. The golf cart canopy is a non-fixed canopy that provides weather protection for passengers or items that are stored in the rear section of the golf cart. The golf cart canopy is retractable when weather protection is not desired. The golf cart canopy comprises a canopy, a first support, and a second support.