Abstract:
A container for a golf car has a connector for connecting a golfing accessory to the container. The connector comprises a pair of notches formed in the container for receiving a pair of clips formed in the golf accessory. The golfing accessory is solely supported from the container by the connector and permits non-interfering use of the container and the golfing accessory when the golfing accessory is attached to the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to a golfing accessory that may be mounted to a golf car to provide convenience to the golfer and added functionality to the golf car. Specifically, the invention pertains to an improved design for a golfing accessory in the form of a container for a golf car which mounts to the golf car in a convenient location that does not detract from the overall visual appearance of the golf car. The container, which may be used as a divot mix container or a beverage cooler among other uses, is adapted to allow one or more other type of golfing accessories, such as ball washers, club washers, etc., to be mounted to the container to further increase the functionality of the golf car and convenience for the golfer. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     Golf cars have been equipped with various devices to hold and store a golfer&#39;s personal belongings and other items that a golfer may desire during the course of playing a round of golf. For example, these devices may include golf tee holders, golf ball holders, score card clips and various other baskets and containers to hold and store beverages, sweaters, and drinks. One such device that has been found to be a convenient item to place in a golf car is a divot mix container which is used to refill a divot hole with divot mix after a golfer takes a divot with his or her shot. One specific type of divot mix container has been disclosed in the inventor&#39;s previous patents and patent applications, including: U.S. Pat. Nos. D463,225 and D463,226; and Patent Applications US-2002/0041106-A1; US-2002/0027373-A1; and US-2002/033402-A1, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Devices of the type shown in these references have proven very useful because they are portable and releasably mounted to the golf car in convenient places so that they are readily accessible making them more apt to being used by the golfer. The devices of the type shown in these references serve three important functions: providing convenience to the golfer, added functionality to the golf car and providing a golf course with a means to assist in the maintenance of the golf course. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has continued his work and developed still another apparatus which accomplishes these three goals. The apparatus of the present invention is a container which has its own unique utility and which serves as a platform to allow other commonly used golfing accessories, such as ball washers and club washers, to be releasably attached to it in a customizable configuration. In this way, a combination or assembly of commonly used golfing accessories may be readily mounted to the golf car without detracting from the overall appearance of the golf car thereby providing added functionality to the golf car and convenience to a golfer. Additionally, for a golf course owning a fleet of golf cars, the golf course is able to customize its fleet of golf cars with the accessories it desires or finds most suitable for its course. 
     Among the aspects of the present invention is the provision of a container that attaches to the golf car. The container may serve as a stand-alone item or may be configured as desired to include any number of desired golfing accessories, such as a ball washer or club washer. As a stand alone item, the container may function as a container for holding divot mix or a cooler for storing beverages. The large flat surfaces of the container are ideal locations for positioning the other golfing accessory items. Thus, the invention provides a container that is adapted to allow a golfing accessory to be releasably attached to the container in a manner such that the golfing accessory is solely supported by the container and does not interfere with use of the container or the golfing accessory when the golfing accessory is attached. Preferably, the container is provided with a portion of a connector integrally formed with the container that interlocks with a complementing portion of a connector of the golfing accessory thereby allowing the golfing accessory to be mounted to the container as desired. 
     By providing multiple connector portions in different locations on the container, one or more golfing accessories may be selectively positioned on the container depending upon a desired method of customization of the golf car. Thus, the invention provides a flexible way of configuring needed golfing accessories of the golf car, which can be advantageous, for example, when deciding whether to position the container on the driver or passenger side of the golf car or in the center of the golf car. Additionally, depending upon the location of the container on the golf car relative to the rear golf bag storage compartment and relative to protective coverings installed on the golf car, the golfing accessory may be selectively positioned on the container to ensure minimal interference from these items. By providing a releasable attachment, the golfing accessory may be released or detached from the container and reattached in a new position, as necessary, if the container is moved or relocated on the golf car. Accordingly, the present invention allows for an infinite number of combinations and the ability for a golf car owner or golfer to customize his or her golf car in the manner desired, where the container by itself provides a platform or building block for these customized combinations. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a golfing accessory assembly having a container that attaches to the golf car and a golfing accessory that is adapted to be releasably attached to the container in a manner where the golfing accessory is solely supported by the container in a position that does not interfere with use of the container and the golfing accessory. Preferably, the container and the golfing accessory are attached together without the use of separate fasteners. More preferably, the container and the golfing accessory have a system of cooperating clips and notches that allow the container and the golfing accessory to be releasably attached or snapped together or separated as desired. In this way, the container and the golfing accessory can be joined together as an integral unit which is sufficiently rigid to allow the golfing accessory assembly to withstand the rigors of repeated use and abuse that is common for golfing accessories on a golf course, especially ones that are attached to a golf car which itself is driven over the bumpy terrain of the golf course. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a method comprising attaching a container to a golf car and releasably attaching a first golfing accessory to the container without the use of separate fasteners in a manner such that the first golfing accessory is solely supported by the container and does not interfere with use of the container or the first golfing accessory. To provide optimum utilization of the container, under this method, a second golfing accessory may be attached to the container in a manner such that the second golfing accessory is solely supported by the container and does not interfere with use of the container, or use of the first or second golfing accessories. In order to provide maximum utilization and customization opportunities, the first or second golfing accessories may be removed from the container and each may be selectively positioned on the container as desired or either one may be removed completely depending upon the desired configuration. 
     As will be seen from the description that follows, the present invention enhances the utility of a golf car and provides the golf car owner or golfer with several customization options which provide convenience and an increased enjoyment level when playing golf. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further objects and features of the invention are revealed in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and in the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right-side view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a golfing accessory of the present invention which may be releasably attached to the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a right-side view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 9  which may also be releasably attached to the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a right-side view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a rear view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the golfing accessory of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 21  shows one customization option or one embodiment of a golfing accessory assembly of the present invention where the embodiment of the golfing accessory of  FIGS. 9–14  and the embodiment of the golfing accessory of  FIGS. 15–20  is shown attached to the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a right-side view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a left-side view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a rear view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a bottom view of the golfing accessory assembly of  FIG. 21 ; and 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded partial perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  showing its attachment to a golf car. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the description that follows, the terms “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top” and “bottom” are used for the sake of convenience in referring to elements of the apparatus of the invention as those elements appear in the drawing figures. These terms are used to facilitate an understanding of the invention and the terms should not be viewed or construed as limiting the invention or the arrangement of the elements to the specific configuration and orientation recited. 
       FIGS. 1–8  show a general arrangement of a container  50  of the present invention. The container  50  has opposite front and back walls  52 , 54  spaced apart by left and right side walls  56 , 58  and a bottom wall  60  defining an interior volume of the container. A drain plug  62  is provided in the bottom wall  60  to allow the container to be emptied and to facilitate cleaning or rinsing. Preferably, the left and right side walls  56 , 58  have portions  64 , 66  which are obliquely angled to the front wall  56  to provide the container with a general trapezoidal shape as viewed in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . The obliquely angled portions  64 , 66  provide a preferred location for mounting additional golfing accessories, as mounting the accessories adjacent the obliquely angled portions reduces the effective width of the assembly, as will be seen from the drawings and the description that follows. Preferably, the left and right side walls  56 , 58  and the front wall  52  are tapered so that a tight compressive fit may be achieved when the golfing accessories are mounted or abutted to the walls, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the invention, the container  50  preferably functions as a container to hold a divot mix material, which may include any of the following, sand, grass seed, dirt, fertilizer. However, if desired, the first container may also function as a beverage cooler or have another purpose. Accordingly, the container is sized with these uses in mind, i.e. to hold six twelve ounce bottles or cans with room for ice, or a shovel to dispense divot mix, etc. To allow use of the container in many applications, the container is preferably made from a rigid plastic material which may have either solid or hollow walls for greater insulating effect. The material chosen for the first container is preferably of superior strength and resiliency, and weather resistant so that it will not fade in the sun and protect the contents of the container. The inventor has found that a carbon filled plastic commonly referred to as ABS plastic is well suited for the variety of possible uses to which the first container may be put and allows the first container to be produced in a relatively inexpensive molding process with relatively low material costs. ABS carbon-filled plastic is also preferred because it provides protection against environmental elements. 
     The container  50  preferably has a lid  68  to protect the contents of the container and hinges  70  are provided at the back wall  54  with a handle  72  for the lid positioned adjacent the front wall  52 . Preferably, the lid  68  is sloped toward the front wall  52  so that rain water may be directed away from the container and the interior of the golf car. The lid may also be transparent or translucent to allow viewing of the contents of the container. Preferably, the hinges  70  enable the lid to be readily detached from the container  50  by pivoting the lid to an extreme open position which will enable the lid to be detached from the container. 
     Preferably, the container  50  is attached to a golf car  80  at the back wall  54  such that the front wall  52  and side walls  56 , 58  are positioned in an area of the golf car which allows the golfer convenient access to the container. Generally, the golf car  80  has a canopy  82  above the passenger compartment  84  which is supported by vertical posts  86  that extend from the chassis of the golf car to the canopy. The vertical support posts  86  usually extend from a midsection of the golf car to a rear portion of the canopy  82 . As shown in  FIG. 28 , the container  50  is preferably attached to a rear vertical support post  86  such that first container is positioned to a side of the golf car between the passenger compartment  84  and a rear golf bag storage area  88  above a rear wheel well  90  of the golf car. Preferably, the container  50  is suspended above the rear wheel well  90  as it is supported by the vertical support post  86 . 
     Preferably, the back wall  54  is used as a location for attaching the container  50  to the golf car because doing so positions the front of the container in a location where there is typically no interference with the structure of the golf car. When the container  50  is configured to hold a divot mix material, the weight of the filled container may approach 40 to 45 pounds, depending upon the size of the container and the constituency of the divot mix. In order to provide a rigid connection between the container  50  and the golf car support post  86 , the back is formed with a recess  100  which receives a reinforcement plate  102  ( FIG. 28 ). Referring to  FIG. 8 , a lip  104  is formed around the edges of the recess  100  and mounting holes  106 , which may be tapped holes, are provided in the recess through the back wall. Preferably, the recess  100  has a generally triangular shape with tapered side walls and the lip  104  extends around the periphery of the recess. The reinforcement plate  102 , which is preferably metal, is fitted into the recess from the bottom of the container through a slot  108  in the bottom wall  60  formed from the recess  100  and the lip  104 . The reinforcement plate  102  may then be attached to the container with mechanical fasteners  110  directed through fastener holes  112  into the mounting holes  106 . The lip  104  provided around the periphery of the recess  100  captures the metal reinforcement plate  102  and holds it in place so that the reinforcement plate does not heel in a forward direction out from recess  100  and away from the container. The recess tapered side walls provide an interlocking fit against the plate  102  which enables the first container to remain tightly seated against the plate under the weight of the container due to the cooperating relationship of the engaging tapers of the recess and reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate  102  has a set of holes  114  that match a bracket  116  which may be wrapped around the vertical support post  86  of the golf car  80 , and with mechanical fasteners  118 , the plate  102  and thus, the container  50  may be attached to the golf car ( FIG. 28 ). 
     A top rim  120  is provided around the top of the container  50  and preferably extends around the side walls  54 ,  56 , the side wall obliquely angled portions  64 ,  66 , and the front wall  52 . The rim  120  is preferably formed to interlock with the lid  68  such that with the lid placed in the closed position, the lid  68  may be engaged with the container to prevent the lid from banging against the container as the golf car is operated, and with modest upward force, the lid may be disengaged from the container to provide access into the container, as desired. Other methods of holding the lid  68  stationary against the container  50  may also be used to ensure the lid remains in the closed position when the golf car is operated over the bumpy terrain commonly found on the golf course. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the bottom wall  60  of the container is provided with a bottom rim  122  which preferably extends around the entire bottom periphery of the container. The bottom rim  122  provides a resting surface for the container in the upright position when the container is removed from the golf cart for cleaning or maintenance. Preferably, the bottom rim  122  is sized to accommodate the drain plug  62  when the container is placed in its upright position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the container  50  is provided with a portion of connector  124  to allow a golfing accessory to be attached to the container. Preferably, the container connector portion  124  is integrally formed with the container and as shown in  FIG. 8 , the connector comprises two notches  126  in the top rim  120  on the portion of the rim that extends along the obliquely angled portions  64 , 66  of the side walls and a notch  128  in the bottom rim  122  adjacent the obliquely angled side walls portions  64 , 66 . Preferably, at least one, and more preferably, at least two connectors portions  124  are provided on the container, and preferably each is arranged on the container such that a golfing accessory may be positioned adjacent the obliquely angled side wall portions  64 , 66 . 
       FIGS. 9–14  show an embodiment of a golfing accessory  150  which may be attached to the container of  FIGS. 1–8 . The golfing accessory shown in  FIGS. 9–14  is a club washer, and for simplicity the details of the club washer have been omitted as these elements are known in the art. Being brief, the internals of the club washer essentially include a container of cleaning solution with a column of brushes vertically arranged inside. The golfer may insert a club head into the club washer to submerge the club head in the cleaning solution, and by moving the club head up and down, the brushes remove dirt and grass from the head of the club. The golfing accessory shown in  FIGS. 9–14  is also preferably made from an ABS, carbon-filled plastic material that will withstand the elements and be sufficiently strong to withstand repeated, vigorous use and abuse. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9–14 , the golfing accessory  150  is preferably provided with an arm  152  having a length that preferably corresponds to a vertical height of the obliquely angled side wall portions  64 , 66 . A web portion  154  is provided between the arm  152  and the golfing accessory  150  to space the golfing accessory sufficiently away from the arm such that the golfing accessory is in an optimum position relative to the container  50  when the golfing accessory is releasably attached to the container. Preferably, the arm  152  is provided with a portion of a connector that complements or releasably engages with the container connector portion  124 . Preferably, the golfing accessory connector portion comprises clips  156 , 158  at its opposite ends, and preferably the clips are biased toward each other to enable the golfing accessory to be securely attached to the container  50  at the top and bottom of the container. Preferably, the top arm clips  156  engage with the top rim notches  126  and the bottom arm clips  158  engage with the bottom rim notch  128  when the accessory is releasably attached to the container. Preferably, the clips  156 , 158  fit neatly within each of the rim notches  126 , 128  thereby providing a uniform appearance for each of the rims. In this way, the top arm clip  156  does not interfere with the engagement of lid  68  with the container in the closed position of the lid, and the bottom arm clip  158  does not interfere with the upright stability of the container. The clips  156 , 158  are preferably dimensioned such that they are flush with the rim when they are engaged with the rim thereby aligning with the profile of the container. Preferably, the arrangement of the clips  156 , 158  and the arm  152  allows the golfing accessory to be mounted to either one of the obliquely angled side wall portions  64 , 66 . 
     Preferably, the arm  152  has a flat bearing surface  160  which conforms to either of the obliquely angled side wall portions  64 , 66 . In order for the flat bearing surface  160  to conform to the tapered side walls or portions, the webbing  154  between the arm and the golfing accessory gradually increases towards the bottom of the arm. The cooperative abutment of the tapered side walls or portions and the arm bearing surface  160  provide a snug and secure fit for the golfing accessory  150  against the container  50  when it is releasably attached to the container. 
     In operation, the golfing accessory  150  may be attached to the container  50  by opening the lid  68  and aligning the top arms clips  156  with the top rim notches  126  and the bottom arm clip  158  with the bottom rim notch  128 . Preferably, the top arm clips  156  are engaged first and the golfing accessory arm  152  is rotated such that that the arm bearing surface  160  abuts the respective tapered obliquely angled side wall portion of the first container. The bottom arm clip  158  may be deflected outward to allow the clip to pass over the bottom rim notch  128  whereafter the clip may be released to secure the bottom clip in the bottom rim notch. When it is desired to remove the golfing accessory from the first container, either one of the bottom clip or top clips may be deflected outward and released from their notches in the respective rim. The golfing accessory  150  may then be pivoted away from the container to a position where the other clip(s) no longer engage(s) the notch in the rim thereby releasing the golfing accessory from the first container. 
       FIGS. 15–20  show an alternative embodiment of the golfing accessory of  FIGS. 9–14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15–20 , the golfing accessory  170  is a ball washer. For simplicity, the details of the ball washer have been omitted as these are known in the art. Being brief, the ball washer essentially comprises a cylindrically-shaped container having bristles positioned inside and a ball paddle adapted to move upwardly and downwardly adjacent the bristles. The container is filled with a cleaning solution and a ball may be placed in the paddle and repeatedly submersed in the cleaning solution. The upward and downward motion of the paddle rubs the ball against the bristles thereby removing any grass, dirt or scuffs on the golf ball. 
     In general, the golfing accessory  170  shown in  FIGS. 15–20  is similar in construction to the golfing accessory shown in  FIGS. 9–14  and like elements will be indicated with like reference characters. However, to interface the round, cylindrical shape of the ball washer with the relative flat sides of the first container, a plate  172  is provided in a perpendicular relationship to the web  154  at one end of the arm  152 . At opposite ends of the plate  172 , the golfing accessory connector portion is provided in the form of top clips  174  that are positioned to provide a secure connection between the golfing accessory  170  and the container  50 . The golfing accessory  170  may then be attached to the container in the manner described previously. Preferably, the spatial arrangement of the ball washer top clips  174  matches the spatial arrangement of the club washer top clips  156  to allow the two golfing accessories to be interchanged, as desired. 
       FIGS. 21–27  show one configuration for an assembly where two different golfing accessories, the ball washer  170  and the club washer  150 , are mounted to the container  50 . By positioning the ball washer  170  and club washer  150  on the obliquely-angled side wall portions  64 , 66 , the overall width of the golfing accessory assembly may be reduced, and the components may be positioned for more convenient access toward the front of the container. As shown in  FIGS. 21–27 , each of the golfing accessories  150 , 170  may be accessed without interference from the other of the golfing accessories or the container  50 . The container lid  68  may then be lifted to provide access to the interior of the container without interference from either of the golfing accessories  150 , 170 . The golfing accessories shown in  FIGS. 21–27  may be arranged in a number of alternate configurations where the club washer may be placed on the left side instead of the right side and the ball washer may be placed on the right side instead of the left side. Additionally, either one of the golfing accessories may be removed as desired depending upon whether the golfing accessory is installed on the driver or passenger side of the golf car or installed in another position on the golf car. 
     The golfing accessory of the present invention provides a flexible method of customizing a golf car with the components and features that add convenience for the golfer. Other accessories may be mounted as will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art by using a similar attachment mechanism and using the container as the mounting platform for these accessories. It is intended that these other types of golfing accessories to be mounted to the container are within the scope of the invention. 
     In the example shown herein, the container connector portion  124  comprises two top rim notches  126  and one bottom rim notch  128  with which two top arm clips  156  and one bottom arm clip  158  engage when releasably attaching the golfing accessory to the container. However, it should be appreciated that the matching and engagable portions of the connector on the container and golfing accessory may be formed in other arrangements, and the combinations of clips and notches can be varied depending on the expected manner of use of the golfing accessory. Thus, the clips and notches may be reversed between the container and the golfing accessory in a manner such that the connector on the container comprises clips instead of notches where the notches on the golfing accessory engage with the clips of the container when releasably attaching the golfing accessory to the container. Further, the clips and notches may be provided in other locations on the container and golfing accessory, such as on the side wall of the container and on the midsection of the golfing accessory arm. Or, the container connector portion may be formed on another location on the container which may be more convenient depending upon the shape and manner of use of the golfing accessory. Further, another type or system of connectors may be used on the container and golfing accessory to releasably attach the golfing accessory to the container, such as a tab and sheath connector system where a portion of the container and golfing accessory may be deflected toward or away from the other to engage or disengage the two portions of the connector together. These variations are intended to be within the scope of the invention. 
     Various other changes may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein. However, those changes and modifications should be considered as part of the invention which is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents.