Material or article handling – Traversing hoist type – Tow truck type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-05-29
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Traversing hoist type
Tow truck type
C280S402000, C280S500000, C280SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238171
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for towing. In particular the invention relates to a portable apparatus and method for towing a golf cart. More particularly the invention relates to a portable, golf cart mountable, apparatus for towing a disabled golf cart from a golf course and the method of use thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A golf course and clubhouse represent a considerable investment for the owners. The meticulously kept grounds that surround the golf course and clubhouse are one of the reasons why golfers frequent a particular golf course. Of course, the principle reason is to engage in or play a game of golf but the grounds and clubhouse serve to facilitate the golfer's interest.
The golf course itself is designed with the golfers' best interest in mind. The golf course is generally designed as a challenge for golfers and the aesthetics of the course are generally indicative of the cost of membership. Generally, the higher the cost of membership, the higher the aesthetics of the golf course and consequently, the higher the maintenance of the course. The maintenance of the golf course generally involves a vehicle of some type. Most golf courses are designed for a minimum of vehicle traffic. The primary vehicles found on a golf course are tractors for mowing the grass and golf carts for transporting golfers about the course.
If for any given reason, a golf cart becomes disabled while out on the golf course, it must be returned to a maintenance facility for repair. Removing the disabled golf cart from the interior of a golf course may very well be a challenge. If a standard truck-like wrecker is employed to tow the disabled golf cart back to the maintenance facility, the grounds of the course may suffer from the weight of the wrecker. The roads in the interior of the golf course are designed for golf cart traffic and do not easily accommodate truck traffic. If the grounds keeping tractor is used, it must first be transformed into a vehicle that can tow a golf cart. Simply attaching one end of a rope or chain to the tractor and the other end to the disabled golf cart is not feasible. Towing a disabled golf cart with a chain or rope up and down hills or inclines is inherently unsafe and may be destructive to both the tractor and the golf cart.
It would be desirable to have a towing system that could be easily assembled and portable. The towing system would also be of convenient size to enable mounting onto a standard golf cart. The golf cart would become a golf cart wrecker for towing disabled golf carts off the golf course to a maintenance facility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The golfing industry is well aware of the importance of the aesthetics of a golf course. They are also keenly aware of the cost of maintaining the grounds of the golf course and the equipment such as golf carts. Golf carts that become disabled for a variety of reasons need to be quickly removed from the golf course. Once the golf cart is removed from the course, it may be repaired in a maintenance facility. The economies of quickly removing a golf cart and repairing it are self-evident. When a golf cart is disabled, it cannot be rented to golfers who desire to be transported about the golf course.
The present invention provides a portable towing system that is delineated into three distinct subassemblies. The towing system when assembled forms an apparatus that converts an ordinary golf cart into a golf cart wrecker. The towing system may also be easily disassembled and stored when not in use.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first subassembly comprising at least one elongated vertical member is connected to at least one elongated horizontal member. The union of these two members forms an inverted T-shaped structure or member. The inverted T-shaped member may be positioned in the rear of the golf cart in the area normally provided for golf clubs. Straps may be employed to secure the inverted T-shaped member to at least one canopy support rod of the golf cart. An L-shape member is connected to the inverted T-shaped member and extends outward from the rear of the golf cart.
The second subassembly is a strut assembly that is pivotally connected along the aforementioned L-shaped member. The strut assembly extends outward from the L-shaped member thereby providing mechanical advantage to the inverted T-shaped member. A winch is mounted along the vertical member and is connected to the strut assembly by a cable and pulley arrangement.
The third subassembly of the towing system is a cross member assembly that is gimbally connected to the strut assembly. The gimbal cross member engages the disabled golf cart and provides stability and security to the cart while in route to a maintenance facility for repair. When the winch is engaged the strut assembly pivots the cross member arcuately. The arcuate motion of the cross member has the effect of raising or lowering the disabled golf cart. The gimbal motion of the cross member enables the golf cart under tow to be easily maneuvered over all types of terrain.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first subassembly comprising at least one elongated vertical member is connected to at least one elongated horizontal member. The union of these two members forms an inverted T-shaped structure or member. The inverted T-shaped member may be positioned in the rear of the golf cart in the area normally provided for golf clubs. At least one strap may be employed to secure the inverted T-shaped member to at least one canopy support rod of the cart. The inverted T-shaped member has an extension arm connected along its vertical member. The extension arm projects outwardly from the inverted T-shaped member. This outward projection by the extension arm provides the towing system with an extended mechanical advantage. An L-shape member is connected to the inverted T-shaped member below the extension arm and extends outward from the rear of the golf cart.
The second subassembly of the second embodiment is a strut assembly. The strut is pivotally connected to the L-shaped member of the inverted T-shaped member. The strut assembly extends outward from the L-shaped member thereby providing mechanical advantage to the inverted T-shaped member. A winch is mounted along the extension arm and is connect to the strut assembly by a cable and pulley arrangement.
The third subassembly of the towing system is a cross member assembly that is gimbally connected to the strut assembly. The gimbal cross member engages the disabled golf cart and provides stability and security to the cart while in route to a maintenance facility for repair. When the winch is engaged the strut assembly pivots the cross member arcuately. The arcuate motion of the cross member has the effect of raising and lowering the disabled golf cart. The gimbal motion of the cross member enables the golf cart under tow to be easily maneuvered over all types of terrain.
When taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims and reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1520194 (1924-12-01), Matthews
patent: 1690372 (1928-11-01), Livesay
patent: 1794148 (1931-02-01), Collins
patent: 2436000 (1948-02-01), Fleming
patent: 3539062 (1970-11-01), Allen
patent: 4406476 (1983-09-01), Brandschain
patent: 4600353 (1986-07-01), Phillips
patent: 4778333 (1988-10-01), Youmans et al.
patent: 4836737 (1989-06-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 4840543 (1989-06-01), Totty
patent: 5052880 (1991-10-01), Ross
patent: 5540540 (1996-07-01), Peterson
patent: 5573300 (1996-11-01), Simmons
patent: 5711543 (1998-01-01), Stokes
patent: 558525 (1932-09-01), None
patent: 687492 (1953-02-01), None
patent: 58-112838 (1983-07-01), None
McComas Richard C.
O'Connor Gerald J.
Olszewski Robert P.
Patent Focus, Inc.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for towing a vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for towing a vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for towing a vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2489106