Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-04-24
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C296S216030, C296S216040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220657
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a manually actuated, telescoping cover system for a golf cart.
BACKGROUND ART
The use of roof covers and canopy tops have been described in prior art. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,555,942 issued Jun. 5, 1951 to Supplee; U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,182 issued May 14, 1996 to Aragon et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,395 issued May 23, 1989 to Lovaas, disclose truck bed covers which are intended to protect the cargo from the elements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,182, has one fixed panel, under (or over) which a plurality of other panels slide and has motor driven elements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,779 issued Mar. 30, 1993 to Mizuno et al. also discloses a telescoping roof with a stationary rear panel over which other panels slide; such sliding is motor driven.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,290 issued Jul. 4, 1995 to Greene Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,656 issued to Carroll Nov. 9, 1993, disclose golf cart covers intended to protect both the passengers and the cargo from the elements. These covers can be distinguished from the present invention in several ways. For example, the covers themselves are flexible—i.e., made from plastic or canvas thus they may be retracted differently. U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,656 describes a cover that rolls up when not in use, and is hidden from view by a shroud. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,290 describes a canopy which pivots on hinges to allow access to the cargo carrier.
Neither of the two golf cart covers has the improved telescoping cover system of this invention.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention discloses a plurality of sliding panels that when extended provide a roof cover and a storage item cover for a golf cart.
The invention accomplishes this by having overlapping sliding roof panels that telescope into each other such that a single panel is visible in the fully collapsed or retracted state. Alternatively, in the fully extended position with all panels deployed, a roof cover and an item storage cover is provided. The roof panels are positioned on the open top of the golf cart structure such that the roof panels are supported by four support beams or columns anchored in the chassis or body of the golf cart. The panels fit within a rectangular framework bounded lengthwise by grooved aluminum or plastic side rails that allow the panels to telescope one into the other with ease. To close the roof over the passenger area, the panels are moved by pulling on the grab-bar attached to the first (foremost) panel. In the fully extended position, the panels are held in place by an extruded rubber seal that runs horizontally across the top of the roof at the junction between one panel and the next. This seal allows for ease of movement and additionally protects the occupants from rain falling between the spaces between panels. To open the roof and allow in natural light, the grab-bar attachment is pushed back to retract the panels. The rearmost panel extends over a storage area for the golf clubs to protect the clubs from rain or the like. The rearmost panel can also be installed on a fixed roof golf cart as a separate addition.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to protect both the occupants and equipment in an improved golf cart during inclement weather.
Another object of this invention is an improved golf cart to allow the riders access to natural sunlight, when the weather is conducive to being outdoors by virtue of sliding panels that telescope one with respect to the other in the retracted position.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved solid roof cover with defined rooflines as opposed to a floppy canvas type cover.
An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved roof cover for a golf cart that is aesthetically pleasing and functionally versatile.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide a cover system for a cart having a passenger area, an item storage area and a roof framework defining an opening over at least one of the areas. The cover system has one stationary panel in a stationary relationship with respect to the roof framework and covering a portion of the opening, and a plurality of movable panels in telescoping relationship with the stationary panel, with at least one of the movable panels in telescoping relationship with the stationary panel, at least one of the movable panels being telescopingly movable in the opening with respect to the framework away from the stationary panel in one direction to cover at least a portion of the passenger area, and at least another of the movable panels being telescopingly movable with respect to the roof framework away from the stationary panel in another direction to cover at least a portion of the item storage area.
The cover system covers the golf cart and the item storage area which contains a bag of golf clubs. One of the movable panels, when in the fully extended position, is sufficiently large to protect the bag of golf clubs.
The cover system also has an extruded rubber seal which runs across the junction between panels such that rain or other wind borne items are prevented from entering from the roof area.
The cover system rests within a rectangular framework bounded horizontally or longitudinally by two grooved plastic composite material rails and bounded laterally by two grooved aluminum or plastic side rails.
The cover system as described is further supported by four support columns made of molded plastic composite material attached to the body of the golf cart by support brackets or manufactured as part of the cart.
More particularly, three panels rest within a rectangular framework bounded horizontally by two grooved plastic composite material rails, bounded laterally by two grooved aluminum or plastic side rails and supported by four support columns made of molded plastic composite material attached to the body of the golf cart by support brackets or manufactured as part of the cart.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 35757 (1998-03-01), Heavner
patent: 1826871 (1931-10-01), Ford
patent: 1831907 (1931-11-01), Hart
patent: 2122712 (1938-07-01), Bishop
patent: 2555942 (1951-06-01), Supplee
patent: 2602693 (1952-07-01), Murphy
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patent: 5259656 (1993-11-01), Carroll
patent: 5387010 (1995-02-01), Mohr
patent: 5429290 (1995-07-01), Greene, Jr.
patent: 5516182 (1996-05-01), Aragon et al.
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patent: 5816989 (1998-10-01), Marcum
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patent: 6012767 (2000-01-01), Farmont
patent: 6056352 (2000-05-01), Ewing et al.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Gutmas Hilary
Patent Holding Company
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