Technical field

The present invention relates to a golf cart for keeping golf clubs and preferably also other utensils.

Prior art and problem

A general problem by hitherto known golf carts is that they are bulky. This results often in logistic problems for example in connection with car transports when several golfers intend to travel together and when also other utensils than the golf equipment have to be brought with.

The above mentioned problems may primarily be derived from a today often used golf cart (preamble of claim 1) for keeping golf clubs and preferably also other utensils, comprising a bottom, a top and there between extending sides whereas the top comprises an opening area having delimiting element which divides said opening area in a number of neighbouring openings, with the least diagonal extension of which at least supersedes the usually maximal diagonal' extension of the cross-section of the grip of a golf club so that the grip and shaft of a golf club can be put in through such an opening to be kept in a golf cart, which consists of only one unit the sides of which make a cylinder shaped unit. Thus, the golf bag cannot be separated which makes it impossible to use the available storing space in different places. Further, circular (cylinder shaped) units are bulky as such and do not accordingly logistically have an optimal shape.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Solutions and advantages

A first object of the present invention is to bring about a golf cart which eliminates said disadvantages which can be found in connection with the use of the above mentioned known bags or carts.

Said objects are obtained by means of an arrangement according to present invention, which is characterized in that the cart in the preferred case comprises a plurality of elements which can be separated, whereby each such element has a cross-section which is not circular and comprises a limited number of such openings to be adapted for keeping a limited number of clubs preferably not exceeding ten clubs and tha the part of the cart extending between the bottom and the openings preferably has a configuration adapted for extrusion.

Thus, the bag in its preferred case is shaped in such a way that one can extrude a major part of it. There are several reasons that this shape is the most preferred. A heavy reason is that it is an optimal solution for production at great series, and as golf is already a popular sport which is in an expansive stage, there is reason for optimism what relates to the marketing potential and hence the size of the series. Further, extrusion can be carried out with materials which have good strength properties and corrosion properties such as plastics for example (PVC) and light metals (for example aluminium).

A further object of the invention is to bring about a golf cart which is easy to move and which in a practical way gives good access to the clubs so that the golfer in a clear way has good access to every single golf club. In the preferred embodiment it is intended that this can occur by

means of a cooperation between a wheels suspension and the elements included in the bag. It is further a preferred object of the invention that the bag element in an optimal way shall give storing space also for other utensils (draw- bar, wheels suspensions, balls etc. ) than golf clubs.

Description of the figures

The invention shall in the following be explained more in detail by means of embodiment examples and the attached drawings in which;

Fig. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a golf cart according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a bag element with preferred embodiment of the front and rear piece respectively belonging to that bag,

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a first activated position,

Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment as in fig. 3 but in a transporting position,

Fig. 5 shows a third alternative embodiment of a bag unit according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows a further possible embodiment,

Fig. 7 shows a first cross-section through two folded- up bag elements,

Fig. 8 shows a first alternative cross-section,

Fig. 9 shows a second alternative cross-section

Fig..10 shows a third alternative cross-section

Fig. 11 shows a person carrying a bag element according to the invention,

Fig. 12 shows how the draw-bar can be used to make the bag units standing upright,

Fig. 13 A, B, C and D shows a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention,

Fig. 14 A, B and C shows a further embodiment according to the invention,

Fig. 15 shows how a bag unit according to the invention can be complemented by a ball container and scorecard container, and

Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a bag unit according to the invention. The bag unit consists of two longitudinal ^* elements 3, 4 which are connected to each other at the lower ends via a hinge 10. The upper end 2 of each bag element is divided in a number of small neighbouring openings 25, which openings are intended for keeping golf clubs 5. In accordance with what is shown in the figure two bag elements 3, 4 are dividable by swinging around an axle 11, so that the openings 25 are separated from each other in a horizontal plane. This separating of the openings is brought about by the wheel suspension 7. The wheel suspension 7 comprises therefore an elongated element 75 which has an upper end 77 and a flange 76. The flange 76 is located at some distance from said upper end 77. The lower bag element 4 is equipped with a through- going hole 40 and the upper bag element 3 is arranged with

an abutting surface 30. In the preferred embodiment the bag elements are made in extruded aluminium and the abutting surface 30 does then not need to be particularly shaped. When the longitudinal element 75 is put through the hole 40 the lower bag element 4 will then rest on the flange 76 whereas the upper bag element 3 will rest on the upper end surface 77 of the elongated element. Thus, it is the gravitation that separates the two bag elements 3, 4 in accordance with fig. 1. Thanks to the bag elements 3, 4 being separated in this way it is simple to reach just the club one wishes to use.

A draw bar 6 is arranged in one of the lower hole spaces 26. This draw bar 6 can when being used be pulled out a certain distance so that the golfer shall get an ergonomically proper drawing position for the unit when the wheels 70 are mounted. The wheels 70 for this wheel unit is easily removable (not shown) at the elongated element 75.

A preferred alternative embodiment for attaching the draw bar 6 in its drawing position is to mount it (in a simple way) at the underside of the lower element 4. This gives a greater possibility for choosing of different pulling angles (draw bar 6/bag element 3, 4) and it means that the draw bar,6 is not an obstacle for reaching the clubs 5.

In connection with transporting the bag unit in for example the baggage space of a car, the elements 3, 4 are easily folded up. This occurs suitably by tipping up the unit a distance and when the wheels have been unloaded, drag out the two wheel units, and their elongated elements 75 whereafter the two bag elements 3, 4 can be folded up so that they are abutting against each other. Thereafter each wheel unit can be stored in a storing space 27 for each of the units in the lower bag element 4. The draw bar 6 is pushed into the hole space 26 adapted for it. The wheels 70

can, if desired, be released from the wheel shaft 71. The two bag elements 3, 4 form now a very compact unit which can be stowed in a not bulky way.

In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1 the two bag elements 3, 4 can also be separated in a simple way, namely by means of a hinge which at a certain opening angle approximately 90° makes it possible for detaching the two bag elements 3, 4. This construction makes it possible to obtain a still more optimal storage of the bag elements 3, 4 as one element can then be arranged independent of the other one. The elements 3, 4 can also due to this be used separately when playing.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a preferred bag element. The middle elongated element consists of an extruded box¬ like part 30 having a number of elongated hole spaces 31 which are separated by vertical partition walls 32. In the case shown the number of partition walls is seven. At the upper end there is an end element 20 having a number of circular openings 25. This end element is glued, screwed or attached in some other suitable way to the extruded part at the end. The rear end element 12 is a plate-shaped element at which there is a female part 101 of said hinge 10. As the rear, end element 12 is subjected to greater loads (torque moment ^' s through the hinge 10 and carrying the weight of the clubs), this requires that the end element 12 has a stronger attachment at the element 30. Fig. 2 shows further the rear element 13 which includes the male part 102 of the hinge 10 and which is intended to be attached at a second bag element (not shown).

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Here the carrying frame 75, 78 for the wheels 70 is turnably arranged at the second bag element 4 by means of two shaft elements 40 which are arranged in a hole 79 for each of

them in the element 75. Where the wheels 70 are arranged a transversal rod part 78 is also mounted which suitably is integrated with the other elements 75. This stabilizes the construction but also performs a protecting function which will be made clearer below.

Further in fig. 3 is shown that the end of the leg element 75 which is opposing the wheel is protruding a distance beyond said axle element 40. Besides that the other bag element 4 is in this case narrower than the first bag element 3. In this way the upper ends 77 of the leg element 75 will cooperate with the under surface of said upper bag element 3, so that when the legs are positioned transverse to the elements, as in fig. 3, the upper bag element will abut against the upper part 77 of the leg element 75, so that the wanted distance between the openings 25 in the two bag elements are made. Fig. 3 shows also that the draw bar 6 advantageously can be arranged at the under surface of the under bag element. In this way one avoids the complication to design a stop element in the cavity 26 for the draw bar in its pulled out (active) position 6.

Fig. 4 shows that the leg frame 78 during transport of the bag elements 3, 4 is tilted forwards receiving a parallel position with the elements. The two leg parts 75 at the sides will then make a protection for the clubs from the side and the transversally arranged leg part 78 will then be a protection for the clubs from the front side. The wheels 70 are in the preferred case arranged releasable.

In fig. 5 there is shown a third embodiment example where generally the same principle is used as already described in fig. 1, namely the one where the wheel expansion 7 comprises a protruding flange 76 at which the under bag element 4 rests and the upper bag element 3 rests against the upper end part 77 of an elongated part 75 of the wheel

suspension. Here, however, the elongated element is arranged through a single centrally located hole 42 in the under bag element. Otherwise the principle is the same as described earlier in connection with fig. 1. However, in the preferred embodiment according to fig. 5 the draw rod 6 is arranged with a cavity (not shown) which cooperates with a vertical shaft element (not shown) at said leg element 75 so that the drag rod 6 is positioned by means of the leg frame (the axle element in the cavity) in a projected position. Further the leg frame in this embodiment is suitably arranged in the great central hole cavity 26. in the lower bag element 4. The flange 76 can advantageously be replaced by two pipe parts attached at the transverse pipe element 78 (not shown) which converges against the position for the flange.

Fig. 6 shows a special embodiment where a parallel displacement of the bag elements occurs instead of an angular displacement as described earlier. The leg frame 75 for the wheels 70 is here integrated with the four hinge mechanism, so that the wheel frame is parallel with the bag elements 3, 4 in the most folded position. To fix the leg frame 75 in a certain active position the upper element 3 is arranged with a first stop element 39 and the under element 4 with a second stop element 49.

Fig. 7 shows two bag elements in cross-section according to a first embodiment. As appears the lower bag element 4 is arranged with six openings 25 for golf clubs. The reason therefore is that a starter set, i.e. the smallest required amount of clubs, consists of six clubs. It shall accordingly be possible for a starter to only buy one bag element 4, which completely satisfies his or her need. The second bag element has space for eight clubs which together with the six earlier make fourteen which also is the maximal number which is allowed to be used. The upper bag

element 3 is in this embodiment broader than the lower one and it has protruding flank parts 34 within which the lower bag element 4 is housed. The reason for the flank sides 34 is partly aesthetical, partly to minimize the forces which can arise in a plane comprising the hinge 10 when the two bag elements are displaced in relation to each other.

The approximate size of such a bag element is: a length corresponding to approx. 850 mm, a width corresponding to approx. 320 mm for the whole assembly and a height of approx. 80 mm for the whole assembly. The width of the flank part 34 is approx. 30 mm so that the leg element 75 can be housed therein. The middle space 26 for the grip is approx. 15 mm. According to this embodiment it is also shown that partition walls 32 are arranged between every intended storing opening. The surface that is formed of the cross-section of one unit with the above mentioned size, coincides very well with but is larger than the surface that the club heads form when a fourteen-club golfset is arranged so that the heads are tightly packed to each other.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment where the two bag elements 3, 4 have equal widths and where each bag element has exactly the same cross-section (that means the same extrusion tool). The number of partition walls has here been lowered to four, which means that several of the cavities are intended to house two shafts. The lower middle cavity is moreover intended to house the hand grip 6.

Fig. 9 shows a further alternative where the width of the under bag element has been reduced. This bag element is accordingly intended to be used in connection with a construction as shown i figs. 3 and 4. Some increased width than the pure net width may be necessary for housing the

attachment means and not to decrease the space for the outer clubs.

In fig. 10 a fourth embodiment example is shown where the cross-section of the bag element is intended to be adapted to a unit according to fig. 5.

Fig. 11 shows how the two bag elements (or one of them) is suitably moved when one does not want to or is not allowed to use wheels. A belt 80 is attached at the waist and a part 81 hanging from the belt is arranged with a tap 81 which can be inserted in the hole 40, which otherwise is used for the wheel frame 75 (or some other hole or slot). The axle tap is suitably grooved or shaped with some other friction increasing surface so that it does not slide out of the hole 40. The figure shows further that the belt 80 is provided with a bag 83. This bag is primarily intended to carry and keep utensils such as balls, rain coats etc. Further it is shown that this bag 83 has a wedge form. This makes it possible to use the bag 83 as a dividing means for the two bag elements 3, 4 when the unit is used together with wheels. The wheel unit 7 should then not any more have to act as dividing means as shown earlier. Moreover, this bag 83 could be used as a departing means when the bag unit is kept upright by means of the draw rod 6, as shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention where the bag consists of 3 units 3. 4 A and 4 B. These units are connected to each other around a transversal hinge 11 which is arranged close to the upper ends 2 of the bag from which the club heads 5 protrude. In fig. 13 A the bag has been placed in its using position. In fig. 13 B the bag is pulled by a user by means of the grip 6. A container 27 is provided at at least one of the bag elements. In fig. 13 C the bag is seen from the front side. It appears from the

figures that the middle bag element 3 in the using position normally forms an angle of 30 degrees to the other two bag elements, which form a stable three point support, by which the wheels 70 make two of these. It appears from fig. 13 C that the wheel shafts protrude substantially outside the bag to give it sufficient stability. This is preferably solved by means of telescopic wheel shaft 71, so that it in spite thereof becomes as compact as possible. From fig. 13 D it appears how a preferred bag element of this type is constructed, namely as having five holes 25 for clubs.

In fig. 14 a further embodiment is shown. Fig. 14 A shows it in a "parked" position, fig. 14 B when it is pulled and fig. 14 C is a front view. This embodiment consists of two bag units 3, 4, whereby one of them is united with the leg frame 75 for the wheels 70 and the other 4 makes a removable part 4. This part is intended to be carried separately and it can therefore also be a starter unit. When it is carried separately there is either a removable and attachable completing cloth part (not shown) or a permanent preferably not bulky protection at the bottom which in the example shown is within the bag 3. When being connected this removable part 4 can swing around a transversal hinge 11, so that the clubs 5 can be reached very simply. This is possible as the inner elements (not shown, preferably elongated pipes) make the club shafts for the upper row lying very close to its upper, outer wall surface and that the club shafts for the lower row lie very close to the lower, outer wall surface, that means a space for the ends of the club shafts of the lower row is formed. Moreover, this space should also be used for housing the wheels 70. To obtain space enough the distance A from the bottom to the hinge 11, must supersede or at least be equal to the double diameter of the wheel 70. The maximum thickness B of the bag element 4 should also be equal to the max. width of the wheel B so that this can be arranged

in a proper way. A suitable size for the wheel itself is 75 mm and a protrusion of about 30 mm at each side thereof, that is ca 135 mm totally. Extensions at opposing sides of the bag element could form guides for the protrusions of the wheels 70. Fig. 14 C shows that also in this embodiment the wheel shafts 71 are suitably telescopic so that stability and compactness can be obtained simultaneously. The leg frame 75 is pivotly arranged at the big bag element 3.

Fig. 15 shows the embodiment which has already been described in fig. 1, however, with the difference that here also a swingable element 27, 28 is arranged which partly is intended to function as a ball-keeper 27 and as a scorecard keeper 28. This latter part 27, 28 is suitably integrated with the front piece 20, the two parts being made in plastics and connected via a waist in a material which forms a hinge between them.

Fig. 16. shows a further embodiment of the invention. The bag elements 3, 4 consist here principally of two such ones which are shown in fig. 7. The flank parts are here somewhat wider for housing the leg frame 75, the free ends of which are intended to be inserted in the two openings 27 in the flank parts so that the frame in this position gives protection to the clubs 5. The leg frame is in this shown preferred case made in one piece, suitably as an extruded aluminium profile, which has been bent to a U-form. By using the two bag elements 3, 4 together with wheels 70 it is intended to insert this leg frame 75 with the transverse element closest to the bag element 4 into recesses 38 which are arranged in the flank parts of the upper bag element 3. The lower bag element 4 is as in earlier embodiments connected to the other element 3 by means of a hinge 10 at the rear edge. By means of a strap 9 (or a similar fastening means) the leg frame 75 is squeezed in the

recesses 38 between the two bag elements 3, 4. The recesses 38 are arranged in such a way that a suitable gap is obtained between the two bag elements 3, 4 and arranged at that distance from the edges or angled in such a way that the wheel pairs 70 get a location that balances the cart in an optimal way. This balanced location of the wheel pairs 70 shall of course be strived at in all the different embodiments.

In a preferred embodiment the hinge shown in fig. 16 which connects the two elements of the protruding shaft element 103 at each side which are arranged at the rear piece 13 (see fig. 2) consists of the lower bag element 4. The female element (not shown) is arranged at the rear element 12 for the upper element 3 and has upwardly-inwardly (in user position) open (semi)circle shaped female elements (not shown). This solution makes a rigid attachment possible for the two elements at each other when the fastening element 9 is fastened at the same time as if the fastening element 9 is detached the two elements 3, 4 can simply be separated from each other. If the shaft taps 103 are chamfered (=decreasing the diameter) at a certain place the mounting or the separation of the bag element can only occur at a certain mutual angle between the elements 3, 4 which is, decided by the location of the chamfering. The lower element 4 having space for six clubs, can in this embodiment simply be equipped with wheels at its protruding shaft taps 103. In a starter set neither the upper part 4 nor the leg frame 75 should accordingly have to be included but only the lower part 4 and the wheel 70. The draw rod 6 is as in other cases arranged at the lower part 4. It is also thinkable to shape the lower element 4 with special fastening means for the leg frame 75 so that the leg frame can be attached also with this.

For clarification it should be mentioned that the transversally extending means in claim 4, could for example be a rivet 79 (see fig. 4), the lower surface of the lower bag element 4 (see fig. 9) etc.

The invention is not limited to the above shown but can be varied within the scope of the following patent claims. Thus, the bag elements are not limited to having a rectangular shape and the shape can be a semi circle, semi ellipse etc. Extrusion has been mentioned as the most preferred embodiment but this is not necessary. A combinatipn of extrusion and assembling of standard produced components is thinkable. The preambles shown (see fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10) must not be regarded as limiting. Everything from no partition walls at all to the alternative where every space has a partition wall must for the man skilled in the art be a thinkable alternative. If a low number of partition walls are used it seems to be preferable to use reinforcements, that means inwardly directed extensions for satisfying the strength demands. In these also a screw attachment can be present. In the figures a bag unit has been shown which consists of two bag elements where the upper element is housing eight openings and the lower element six openings housing a maximal golf set. As already mentioned this division is preferred but it is in no way compulsory. It is for example possible to divide two elements comprising seven openings each, which openings also in the preferred embodiment also has space for the leg frames and draw rod. The draw rod and leg frame could in this case be upwardly open pipes, which have been arranged in the openings 25 and which in their turn house one golf club in each. The invention is further not limited to two bag elements and even an other number is thinkable, for example three elements having space for six golf clubs in two of them and space for two clubs and other utensils (draw rod, leg frame etc) in the third element. Other

possible modifications are to let the axles 103 be arranged at the upper element instead of at the lower one. It is further possible to broaden the wheel base if this is desirable. The tightening arrangement 9, which is shown in fig. 16 can also be placed between the hinge 10 and the leg frame 75, which should decrease the risk that the hinge 10 is subjected to a too large force. The use of a force limiting means in the tightening arrangement 9 is also possible.