Land vehicles – Wheeled – Stable vehicles – handle-propelled
Utility Patent
1999-02-05
2001-01-02
Camby, Richard M. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Stable vehicles, handle-propelled
C280S659000, C280SDIG006
Utility Patent
active
06168174
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a golf bag cart which is used to transport golf clubs, and more particularly a light weight, foldable golf bag cart that is pushed by the golfer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many devices exist for the transport of golf clubs. Many of these are motorized, the most common being the four wheeled lead acid battery powered riding cart for the transport of not only the golf bag and its clubs but also the golfer. These carts weigh several hundred pounds. Other golf carts are designed to transport just the golf bag and its clubs but are also powered, for example Oakes (U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,731). This device has three wheels, is foldable but with a sizable and comparatively heavy frame structure to support the weight of the motor and its source of power. The electrically powered three wheeled golf cart by Rolland (U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,929) is designed to transport one rider and his or her golf bag and clubs. It is designed for easy disassembly for transport, however it also must have a strong frame and structure to support the motor and its power source. In addition, adding to its weight and bulk, the frame of this device has a provision to maintain the battery in an upright position irrespective of the orientation of the cart frame to reduce hazards during its transport.
Delserro (U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,006) describes a three wheeled riding cart with a pedal assembly that is mechanically coupled to a shaft to which a pair of spaced rear wheels are attached. A two wheeled unpowered golf cart by Bridges (U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,095) uses two wheel assemblies which are attached to the bottom portion of a semi-rigid golf bag. The cart, bags and clubs are pulled by a handle deployable from the open portion of the bag. In a similar matter, a leg can be deployed from the bottom of the bag for supporting the golf bag in an upright position when it is parked or stored.
In addition to the cart by Bridges an extensive variety of two wheel, unpowered golf bag carts exist, all of which are pulled by the golfer. With only two wheels, additional means must be provided to balance the carts when they are stopped and unattended. Typically they are fitted with one or two leg stands just behind the two wheels. Referring now to
FIG. 9
, in order to move the cart
100
to its next destination, the legs must be lifted above the terrain by tilting the cart back on its wheels
102
. Other carts integrate the wheels and leg stands with the golf bag. Because of the tilting and instability of two wheeled carts, means of attaching golf bags are required, usually a variety of clamps, straps, buckles and snaps.
All of these approaches have limitations and serious disadvantages for the golfer. The powered carts are heavy, expensive and not readily transportable. They also suffer from potential safety problems associated with their use of batteries and their massive weight. The golf bags
104
for two wheeled pulled carts must be strapped to the cart to prevent the bag from falling off during the pulling operation. In addition, placing two wheeled carts in the upright position is often a difficult balancing act and if done improperly, the cart and bag will fall. Doctors place much of the blame on back problems from pulling a golf cart. The traditional pull cart causes unusual strain on the shoulder and back because of the act of pulling weight from behind the body. The balance point of the pull cart with its two wheels is hard to locate and if the handle bar is not properly adjusted, has a tendency to fall handle down or want to return to a upright position causing further strain on your shoulders and arm. The bag over the two wheels has a tendency to fall off the cart causing constant adjustment problems.
More and more people are walking while they play golf. As shown in
FIG. 9
, all two wheeled carts on the market are designed to be pulled which exposes the golfer
108
to potentially serious, hurtful and damaging strain on his/her arms, torso and lower back. Physicians have realized for decades the potential and real hazards to backs, shoulders and arms caused by pulling objects. Harm to shoulders, backs and especially the back's lumbar area can be caused not only by pulling heavy objects but by pulling even relatively light objects at an uncomfortable, or awkward angle.
Furthermore, in initiating movement of two wheeled carts from their upright, standing position, the golfer is often exposed to unnatural, and potentially threatening, motions of his/her arms and torso. Further compounding the injury problem, most two wheel carts must be balanced at a precise angle while they are being pulled to avoid contact of the legs
110
with golf greens or fairways. This balancing process, also imposes arm
112
and torso
114
movements that place the golfer at risk of muscle strain. This difficult process also increases the effort required to move the cart and clubs, thus excessively fatiguing the golfer.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
The invention overcomes the shortcomings, limitations and potential hazards of prior art pulled golf carts. The invention provides a novel pushable cart to transport a golf bag and its golf clubs. The primary distinction and benefits of such a cart devolve from the fact that the cart is pushed rather than pulled. This design recognizes that people are better appreciating and understanding the health benefits of walking and thus are doing so more and more. This trend also applies to golfing on those golf courses where walking the course is permitted. The cart of this invention is logically and ergonomically designed to increase the comfort and decrease the risk of injury to a golfer while transporting his/her golf clubs. One cannot help but notice many other wheeled conveyance appliances such as grocery carts, wheel barrows, baby strollers, jogging strollers and wheel chairs (when the are not operated by the occupant), that are pushed rather than pulled.
The golf bag push cart of this invention is generally comprised of a light weight, rearwardly and upwardly inclined frame having means to support a golf bag. A plurality of large wheels are attached to the frame. A handle assembly with a handle bar connected to the frame to place the handle bar in a comfortable pushing position for the golfer. One feature of the invention is a handle assembly telescopically adjustable to provide the most comfortable and strain free pushing position for the golfer. Another feature is a lightweight foldable frame that can be carried in a flat bag. The design aesthetics of the cart are such that it presents an attractive, state of the art, “high tech” appearance.
Not only does the cart provide a variable height for the handle bar, but it is designed so that the golfer may push the cart from directly behind the handle bar, or from either side. This provides at least three fundamental positions from which the cart may be pushed to further reduce fatigue and the possibility of muscle strain or injury. In all of the pushing alternatives, the light weight cart moves easily and turns readily on its large wheels.
Having several alternative positions from which to push the cart provides additional ergonomic benefits to the golfer. Most frequently the golfer will push the cart from behind with his/her arms relaxed and slightly extended, and the hands lightly grasping the handle bar which can be padded. When pushing the cart up hills and grades, the arms are extended slightly more to the most comfortable position for the golfer. On level terrain, the freely turning cart wheels provide for nearly effortless movement of the cart. On downslopes, the cart is easily restrained by simply grasping the handle bar which limits the advance of the cart to the walking speed of the golfer.
The stability and balancing problems of two wheeled carts is overcome by this invention by having at least three, relatively large diameter wheels. Two widely spaced wheels (but sufficiently narrow to negotiate doorways) and a single or double front wheel on axle narrower than the rear axle are provided in
Camby Richard M.
Jacobs Marvin E.
MacDougall Alexander Stewart
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