BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to golf cars and golf pull carts. [0002] U.S. Patent No. 6,715, 774 discloses a motorized golf cart with a hitch for two detachable golf club carriers and is hereby incorporated by reference herein. [0003] U.S. Patent No. 6,705,624 discloses a hitch device frame with two battery- powered actuators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] An object of the present invention is to provide for assistance for attaching golf club carriers to a golf car. [0005] The present invention provides a golf car comprising: a hitch; a golf club carrier for a single set of golf clubs attachable and detachable to the hitch; and a foot actuator or winch or other aid for releasing, lowering or raising the golf club carrier off the ground when attached to the hitch. [0006] The hitch may be located on a frame fitted into the golf bag bay of the golf car.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the rear of a motorized golf car. [0008] Figure 2 shows a side view or the detachable golf club carrier in the fully stowed position above the ground. [0009] Figure 3 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier during unloading after the latch button has been depressed. [0010] Figure 4 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier as the rotation about axis A has continued until the wheel has contacted the ground. [0011] Figure 5 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier as the rotation of hitch bracket has continued to rotate clockwise about axis A. [0012] Figure 6 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier as the operator pulls the cart handle down and away from the golf car. [0013] Figure 7 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier as the operator continues to pull the cart handle away from the golf car. [0014] Figure 8 shows a rear isometric view of figure 2 with the golf club bag removed for clarity. [0015] Figure 9 shows a rear isometric view of figure 4 with the golf club bag 14 removed for clarity. [0016] Figure 10 shows a rear isometric view of the golf car with hitch frame connected with mounts in the bag bay. [0017] Figure 11 shows a front isometric view of the detachable golf club carrier with the golf club bag removed for clarity. [0018] Figures 12 and 13 show a second embodiment in which a stepping and pulling action are used to lower the detachable golf club carrier. [0019] Figures 14 and 15 show a third embodiment in which a hydraulic actuator is used to raise the detachable golf club carrier to a fully stowed position. [0020] Figures 16 and 17 show a fourth embodiment in which a winch actuator is used to raise the detachable golf club carrier to a fully stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0021] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the rear of a motorized golf car 1, with a hitch frame 50 installed in the bag bay. Mounted rotationally about axis A to hitch frame 50 are hitch brackets 60, 160. Mounted rotationally about axis B to hitch frame 50 are lift arms 51, 151 which respectively engage hitch brackets 60, 160 through a counter-rotating transmission. Mounted respectively to hitch brackets 60, 160 are detachable golf club carriers 10, 110.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a side view or the detachable golf club carrier 10 in the fully stowed position above the ground 2. Mounted to the detachable golf club carrier 10 is a detachable golf club bag 14. The detachable golf club carrier 10 possesses a carrier frame body 11. Attached to the carrier frame body 11 are wheels 15 and 35 (not shown). Attached to the carrier frame body 11 are also upper mount tube 13 and lower mount tube 12. The upper mount tube 13 and lower mount tube 12 engage the upper hitch jaw 61 and lower hitch bar 62 of hitch bracket 60. As shown in figure 1, hitch bracket 60 is mounted rotationally about axis A to hitch frame 50. A compression gas spring 70 is mounted at one end to the hitch frame 50 and at the other end to the hitch bracket 60 inducing a clockwise torque upon hitch bracket 60 about axis A ensuring that the hitch bracket 60 rotates fully during unloading. In addition, the gas spring 70 provides a damping effect controlling the rate of decent. Alternatively, but less preferred, the gas spring 70 could be removed or replaced with a damper or mechanical spring. Lift arm 51 possesses a step bar 52 and pull handle 53 and is rotationally mounted to hitch frame 50 about axis B. Arm gear 57 is rigidly mounted to lift arm 51 about axis B. Hitch gear 63 is rigidly mounted to hitch bracket 60 about axis A. Lift arm 51 is counter rotationally engaged to hitch bracket 60 through the arm gear 57 and hitch gear 63 transmission. The transmission shown could be replaced with various configurations of elliptical or non¬ linear cam gear sets, linkage mechanisms, gear belts/chains, ratchet/sprag clutch mechanisms (multiple strokes of lift arm/ratcheting motion), or cams to better distribute the provided energy or improve ergonomics through the lift motion. Lock latch 55 is rotationally connected to lift arm 51 about axis C. Rigidly connected to hitch frame 50 is latch pin 56. Rotation of the lift arm 51 about axis B is prevented in the stowed position by the interaction of lock latch 55 and latch pin 56. The rotation of hitch bracket 60 is consequently restricted through the gear transmission. Pushing the latch button 54 causes the lock latch 55 to disengage from latch pin 56 allowing rotation of lift arm 51 and consequently hitch bracket 60 initiating the unloading process. [0023] Figure 3 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 during unloading after the latch button 54 has been depressed. This causes the lock latch 55 to disengage from the latch pin 56 allowing rotation of lift arm 51. This allows the hitch bracket 60 to rotate clockwise: about axis A. The gas spring 70 provides a steady clockwise torque upon hitch bracket 60 about axis A. In addition, the gas spring 70 provides damping controlling the rate of decent of the detachable golf club carrier 10. The interaction of the arm gear 57 and hitch gear 63 causes the lift arm 51 to rotate counter-clockwise about axis B. [0024] Figure 4 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 as the rotation about axis A has continued until wheel 15 has contacted the ground 2. The gas spring 70 continues to provide rotational torque and speed control. As the hitch bracket 60 continues to rotate clockwise about axis A, the lift arm 51 continues to rotate counter¬ clockwise about axis B due to the interaction of the arm gear 57 and hitch gear 63. [0025] Figure 5 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 as the rotation of hitch bracket 60 has continued to rotate clockwise about axis A until hitch bracket 60 comes to a fully rotated lower position. The continued rotation coupled with the interaction between the wheel 15 and ground 2 has caused the detachable golf club carrier to rotate counter-clock. -wise about the upper mount tube 13. This counter-clockwise rotation has caused the lower mount tube 12 to disengage from the lower hitch bar 62. The gas spring 70 has continued to provide rotational torque and speed control to this position. [0026] Figure 6 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 as the operator pulls the cart handle 16 down and away from the golf car 1. This causes upper hitch tube 13 to disengage from upper hitch jaw 61. [0027] Figure 7 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 as the operator continues to pull the cart handle 16 away from the golf car 1. The detachable golfl club carrier is fully detached from the golf car 1. [0028] To reattach the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the golf car 1 , the operator would follow the operations of figure 6 and 7 in the reverse order. To lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the fully stowed position. The operator would step on step bar 52 and/or pull the pull handle 53 of lift arm 51. This would cause a clockwise rotation of lift arm 51 about axis B and consequently a counter-clockwise rotation of hitch bracket 60 about axis A which would lift the detachable golf club carrier 10. This motion would continue until the lock latch 55 engaged the latch pin 56 securing the detachable golf club carrier 10 in the fully stowed position of figure 2. [0029] Figure 8 shows a rear isometric view of figure 2 with the golf club bag 14 removed for clarity. The opposite side wheel 35 is shown. [0030] Figure 9 shows a rear isometric view of figure 4 with the golf club bag 14 removed for clarity. The opposite side upper mount tube 33 is shown engaged in opposite side upper hitch jaw 81 and the opposite side lower mount tube 32 is shown engaged to the opposite side lower hitch bar 82. [0031] Figure 10 shows a rear isometric view of the golf car 1 with hitch frame 50 connected with mounts 58 and 59 in bag bay 5. Hitch bracket 60 is rotational Iy mounted to hitch frame 50 about axis A. Lift arm 51 is rotationally mounted to hitch frame 50 about axis B. Arm gear 57 engages hitch gear 63 producing a counter rotational transmission between lift arm 51 and hitch bracket 60. [0032] Figure 11 shows a front isometric view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 with the golf club bag 14 removed for clarity. Bag support straps 25 and 26 are connected to the carrier frame body 11. [0033] Figures 12 and 13 show a second embodiment in which a stepping and pulling action are used to lower the detachable golf club carrier 10. A spring force is used to lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 back to a stowed position. [0034] Figure 12 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a second embodiment in the fully stowed position. In this embodiment, a hitch bracket 260 is mounted rotationally about axis G to hitch frame 250. The detachable golf club carrier 10 mounts in a similar fashion to the hitch bracket 260 as in the first embodiment. A lift arm 251 possessing a pull handle 253 and step bar 252 is rigidly connected to hitch bracket 260. A tension (traction) gas spring 270 is mounted at one end to the hitch frame 250 and at the other end to hitch bracket 260. The tension gas spring imparts a counter clockwise torque upon hitch bracket 260 about axis G providing sufficient torque to lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 or offer sufficient assistance for an operator to push the detachable golf club carrier 10 to a fully stowed position. [0035] Figure 13 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a second embodiment when the hitch bracket 260 has been rotated fully about axis G to a lower position. Lock latch 255 is rotationally connected to lift arm 251 about axis H. Latch pin 256 is rigidly connected to hitch frame 250. The engagement of the lock latch 255 and latch pin 256 prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the hitch bracket 260 locking the hitch frame in a detachment position. At this position, the detachable golf club carrier 10 can be removed in a similar fashion as that described in figures 6 and 7 of the first embodiment. [0036] To reattach the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the hitch bracket 260, a similar method as that shown in the first embodiment is used. To lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the fully stowed position as shown in figure 12, the operator will depress the latch button 254. This will cause the lock latch 255 to disengage from the latch pin 256 allowing for counter-clockwise rotation of hitch bracket 260 about axis G. The tension gas spring 270 will provide a controlled lifting torque lifting the detachable golf club carrier 10 until fully stowed. An additional latch pin could be added at the upper position to securely lock the detachable golf club carrier 10 in an upper stowed position instead of relying upon the force of the tension gas spring 270. Although the lift arm 251 and hitch bracket 260 is shown rigidly connected, similar transmissions as those described in the first embodiment could also be used for better distribution of energy and ergonomics. As with the first embodiment, a ratcheting mechanism could be used to allow for multiple strokes of the lift arm 251 to reduce the required input force. In addition, a mechanical spring could be used in place of the tension gas spring 270. [0037] Figures 14 and 15 show a third embodiment in which a hydraulic actuator is used to raise the detachable golf club carrier 10 to a fully stowed position. [0038] Figure 14 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a third embodiment in the fully stowed position. In this embodiment, a hitch bracket 360 is mounted rotationally about axis M to hitch frame 350. The detachable golf club carrier 10 mounts in a similar fashion to the hitch bracket 360 as in the first embodiment. A lift arm 351 possessing a pull handle 353 and step bar 352 is rotationally connected about axis M to hitch frame 350. A hydraulic pump 371 is connected at one end to lift arm 351 and at the other end to hitch frame 350. A hydraulic actuator 370 is connected at one end to the hitch frame 350 and at the other end to the hitch bracket 360. Hydraulic fluid lines connect the hydraulic pump 371 to the hydraulic 370. To lower the detachable golf club carrier 10 the operator depresses the hydraulic valve button 354. This allows the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator 370 to move into the hydraulic pump 371 or a fluid reservoir allowing hitch bracket 360 to rotate clockwise about axis M. [0039] Figure 15 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a third embodiment when the hitch bracket 360 has been rotated fully about axis M to a lower position. At this position, the detachable golf club carrier 10 can be removed in a similar fashion as that described in figures 6 and 7 of the first embodiment. An additional spring can be used in conjunction with the hydraulic actuator 370 to ensure that the hitch bracket 360 has rotated to the fully lowered position. [0040] To reattach the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the hitch bracket 360, a similar method as that shown in the first embodiment is used. To lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the fully stowed position as shown in figure 14, the operator will step on step bar 352 and/or pull the pull handle 353 of lift arm 351. This will cause the hydraulic pump 371 to pump the hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic actuator 370 imparting a counter-clockwise torque about axis M onto hitch bracket 360. This torque will lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 until fully stowed as shown in figure 14. [0041] Another version of the hydraulic embodiment would have a sufficiently strong spring inducing a counter-clockwise torque about axis M onto hitch bracket 360 so as to lift the detachable golf club carrier 10. The lift arm 351 and consequently the hydraulic actuator 370 would be actuated to lower the detachable golf club carrier 10 instead of raising it. As with the mechanical embodiments described in the first and second embodiments, both versions of the third embodiment could allow for multiple strokes of the lift arm 351 to raise or lower the load. This could be optimized to improve the energy distribution and ergonomics. A manually powered hydraulic system has been shown, but a battery powered hydraulic system could also be used. In addition a pneumatic (manual or powered) system could be used in place of the hydraulic system. [0042] Figures 16 and 17 show a fourth embodiment in which a winch actuator is used to raise the detachable golf club carrier 10 to a fully stowed position. [0043] Figure 16 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a fourth embodiment in the fully stowed position. In this embodiment, a hitch bracket 460 is mounted rotationally about axis P to hitch frame 450. The detachable golf club carrier 10 mounts in a similar fashion to the hitch bracket 460 as in the first embodiment. A winch actuator 471 possessing a winch handle 472, a winch cable 474, and a latch handle 473 is rigidly mounted to hitch frame 450. The opposite end of the winch cable 474 is connected to the hitch bracket 460. A gas spring 470 is connected at one end to the hitch frame 450 and at the other end to hitch bracket 460. This spring could be removed or replaced with a mechanical spring or damper. To lower the detachable golf club carrier 10, the operator actuates the latch handle 473 which allows the winch actuator 471 to release some length of winch cable 474. The gas spring 470 imparts a clockwise torque about axis P onto hitch bracket 460. In addition the gas spring 470 provides a damping force to control the rate of decent of the detachable golf club carrier 10. [0044] Figure 17 shows a side view of the detachable golf club carrier 10 in a fourth embodiment when the hitch bracket 460 has been rotated fully about axis P to a lower position. At this position, the detachable golf club earner 10 can be removed in a similar fashion as that described in figures 6 and 7 of the first embodiment. [0045] To reattach the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the hitch bracket 460, a similar method as that shown in the first embodiment is used. To lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 to the fully stowed position as shown in figure 16, the operator will rotate the winch handle 472 which will collect the winch cable 474 imparting a counter-clockwise torque about axis P onto hitch bracket 460. The operator will continue to rotate the winch handle 472 until the detachable golf club carrier 10 is in the fully stowed position as shown in figure 16. [0046] As with the previous embodiments shown, the use of a sufficiently strong spring to lift the detachable golf club carrier 10 can be used. This spring would induce a counter-clockwise torque about axis P onto hitch bracket 460 so as to lift the detachable golf club carrier 10. In this version, the winch handle 472 of winch actuator 471 would be rotated to lower the detachable golf club earner 10 instead of raising it. In this version, the winch cable 474 would be attached to the hitch bracket 460 so as to induce a clockwise torque about axis P onto hitch bracket 460. Actuation of the latch handle 473 would allow the spring to raise the detachable golf club carrier 10. A manually actuated winch actuator has been shown, but an electric/powered winch could also be used.

[0047] List of Elements

1 -Golf car 2 -Ground 5 -Bag bay

10 - First detachable golf club carrier 11 -Carrier frame body 12.32 - Lower mount tube 13.33 -Upper mount tube 14 -Golf club bag 16 -Cart handle 15,35 -Wheel 25, 26 -Bag support straps 50 -Hitch frame 51 -Lift arm 52 -Step bar 53 -Pull handle 54 -Latch button 55 -Lock latch 56 -Latch pin 57 - Arm gear 58, 59 -Mounts 60 -Hitch bracket 61,81 -Upper hitch jaw 62, 82 -Lower hitch bar 63 -Hitch gear 70 -Gas spring

110 -Second detachable golf club carrier 151 -Lift arm (Second golf club carrier) 160 - Hitch bracket (Second golf club carrier)

Specific to 2nd embodiment

250 -Hitch frame 251 -Lift arm 252 -Step bar 253 -Pull handle 254 -Latch button 255 -Lock latch 256 -Latch pin 260 -Hitch bracket 270 -Tension gas spring

Specific to 3rd embodiment 350 -Hitch frame 351 -Lift arm 352 -Step bar 353 -Pull handle 354 -Hydraulic valve button 360 -Hitch bracket 370 - Hydraulic actuator 371 -Hydraulic pump

Specific to 4th embodiment

450 -Hitch frame 460 -Hitch bracket 470 -Gas spring 471 -Winch actuator 472 -Winch handle 473 -Latch handle 474 -Winch cable