Golf cart locking system

A locking system for a golf cart and the like vehicle having a brake pedal and a speed control pedal located at a floor area is disclosed which comprises a moveable locking device adapted for installation at said floor area of said vehicle having a lock position and an unlock position. The locking device has a locking rod for maintaining the brake pedal down in a braking position, and which maintains the control pedal up in an inoperable position in the locked position, when installed, to disable the operation of the golf cart. The locking rod can be moved to the unlocked position when installed allowing said brake pedal to rise and become operable, and said control pedal to be moved downward rendering the vehicle operable. The vehicle is disabled in the locked position to prevent unauthorized use and theft of the vehicle.

The invention relates to a manual system for locking a golf cart and the like vehicles to prevent unauthorized use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of golf carts and other four wheel vehicles built on similar chassis have become increasingly popular both for golf and other recreation and transportation uses. The vehicles have been dressed up with additional seats, tops, sides and other luxuries. The vehicles are used for recreation and transportation at resorts and communities, and even in neighborhoods, where permitted. The use of the vehicles is typically controlled by a key switch. However, the key switch is often left in the vehicles when they are in use and when left unattended for periods of time. Even when the vehicles are parked with the key removed, it is relatively easy to wire the vehicles to start. Immobilizing systems have been provided to render the vehicle inoperable when not in use. Electrical and mechanical systems have been proposed for disabling a golf cart and similar vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,904 discloses a golf cart anti-theft device for locking the brake pedal in the depressed position, including a solenoid member which extends to wedge the brake pedal in an inoperable position. However, the electrical systems are susceptible to the same problem as the key switch, that is, they can be disabled by manipulating the wiring, and mechanical systems have typically been relatively complicated.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a manual locking system which is simple and easy to use to prevent the unauthorized use of a golf cart type vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliable mechanical locking system for a golf cart and the like vehicle which can be added as an aftermarket system, or provided on new vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a locking system for a golf cart and the like vehicle which includes a brake pedal and a speed control pedal, and may include a key switch locking panel with optional storage compartments. The system includes a moveable locking device carried on a floor area of the golf cart having a lock position and an unlock position. The system may also include a flip-panel locking mechanism to prevent unwanted access to the key switch.

The locking device preferably includes a locking rod having a first section which extends over the brake pedal to maintain the brake pedal in a braking position, and a second section which extends under the control pedal to prevent downward movement of the control pedal in the locked position to disable the operation of the golf cart. The locking device can be moved to the unlocked position so that the brake pedal can be released from the braking position and become operable, and the control pedal is released so that it can moved downward and become operable. In this manner, the golf cart is disabled in the locked position to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the golf cart. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device includes a first pivot disposed adjacent the brake pedal and a second pivot disposed adjacent said control pedal, and further includes a locking rod having a first arm carried by the first pivot and a second arm carried by the second pivot whereby the locking device may be pivoted between the locked and unlocked positions. The locking rod has a first leg on a first end of said rod and a second leg on a second end of said rod, wherein the first and second arms are integral with said first and second legs and carried by said first and second pivots, respectively. First and second brackets are affixed to the floor area of the vehicle to support the first pivot and second pivot. A lock tab may be affixed to the locking device, and a complementary lock member may be affixed on the first bracket whereby the lock tab and lock member may be locked together to prevent movement of the locking device.

The optional key switch locking mechanism preferably includes a bracket affixed to the dashboard of the vehicle, directly over the key switch with an opening allowing access to the key switch. A front panel is affixed to the bracket using a hinge or other suitable mechanism allowing the panel to flip open or closed with relation to the bracket. The key switch locking mechanism includes a locking means; preferably, a locking tab affixed to the bracket and a slot present on the front panel. A padlock, or similar locking means, can be inserted through the locking tab to secure the front panel in the closed, locked position, thereby preventing access to the key switch. When the front panel is in the open, unlocked position, the key switch is accessible for operation of the vehicle.

Another embodiment of the key switch locking mechanism may further include a housing with a front facing opening positioned over the key switch, allowing for storage compartments on either or both sides of the key switch. In a preferred embodiment, the housing is divided into three compartments such that a center compartment allows full access to the key switch, and the compartments on either side of the key switch may include a front cover permanently affixed to the front facing edge of the housing, the cover extending upward from the bottom edge, partially enclosing the compartments. A front panel may be affixed to the front edge of the housing using a hinge or other suitable mechanism, allowing the panel to flip open or closed with relation to the housing. This front panel may fully enclose the housing when in the closed position, allowing for the secure storage of personal items or the like.

The housing includes a locking means; preferably, a locking tab affixed to one of the partial front covers and a slot present on the front panel. A padlock, or similar locking means, can be inserted through the locking tab to secure the front panel in the closed, locked position. When in the open, unlocked position, the key switch is accessible, and one may place items to be stored in the compartments. When in the closed position, the front panel may be locked thereby blocking access to the key switch and securing possessions in the compartments.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in more detail.

Referring toFIG. 1, golf cart10is illustrated as incorporating a manual golf cart locking system, designated generally as A, constructed according to the present invention. A typical golf cart includes a brake pedal12and a gas or electric control pedal14below the steering wheel16at the driver position.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, it can best be seen that the locking system A includes a first attachment bracket20attached to a floor area including floor19and floor wall18of the vehicle, and a second bracket22secured to the floor area. A locking device24includes a locking rod26having a first section28lying over the brake pedal12and a second section29underlying control pedal14. Locking device24includes a first arm30integral with rod26terminating in an inwardly bent arm32. First bracket20includes a bent L-shaped flange34having a pivot opening36which receives bent arm32. Similarly, a second arm38is integral with the locking rod which terminates in an inwardly bent arm40. Bracket22includes a bent, L-shaped flange42having a pivot opening44which receives bent arm40. Thus, the locking device pivots between the locked position and unlocked positions (FIGS. 2 and 3).

As can best be seen inFIGS. 2 and 4, when the golf cart locking system is not used locking rod26is pivoted up against floor wall18of the cart, and the brake pedal12is raised up from the floor wall for driving while the locking rod is rotated out of the way. When the golf cart locking system is in the unlocked position for driving, the brake pedal is up. The locking rod rotates out of the way and rests on the floor wall of the golf cart. In the unlocked position, the brake release12ais released allowing the brake pedal to rise in order to drive. In the locked position ofFIGS. 3 and 5, locking rod26extends over brake pedal12and it cannot be released. The locking rod extends under the control pedal14so it cannot be pressed down. Rod26pivots down from the unlocked position to overlie the brake pedal that has been pressed down, and under the gas pedal so that it cannot be pressed down. In the locked position, a means for securing the locking rod in position may be provided by a padlock46. In this case, a locking tab48is affixed by welding or other suitable means to bent arm32of the locking rod. When the locking rod is pivoted downward to the locked position, the locking tab48includes a lock opening50which aligns with a lock opening52in the bracket flange34. With the lock openings50and52aligned, the padlock may be inserted through the openings and locked to prevent upward movement of the locking rod. The padlock may also be used to lock the locking device in the unlocked position by inserting the padlock into lock opening52only.

Referring toFIG. 6, the optional key switch locking mechanism60preferably includes a bracket61affixed to the dashboard62of the vehicle, directly over the key switch63with an opening64allowing access to the key switch63. A front panel65is affixed to the bracket61using a hinge66or other suitable mechanism allowing the panel65to flip open or closed with relation to the bracket61. A locking tab67is affixed to the bracket61by welding or other suitable means, while a slot68is present on the front panel65.

As illustrated byFIG. 7, when the key switch locking mechanism60is in the closed, locked position, the front panel65is flipped up to come in contact with the bracket61; whereby, the locking tab67of the bracket61is aligned and inserted into the slot68of the front panel65. A padlock69, or similar locking means, can be inserted through the locking tab67to secure the front panel65in the closed, locked position, thereby preventing access to the key switch63.

Referring toFIG. 8, the optional key switch locking mechanism60may include an open-faced housing70positioned over the key switch63and affixed to the dashboard62of the vehicle, the housing having a rear panel71with a circular opening64allowing access to the key switch63. A preferred embodiment may include side panels72dividing the housing into multiple compartments.FIG. 8shows a housing70with three compartments, such that the center compartment allows access to the key switch63, and the compartments on either side of the key switch63include a front cover73permanently affixed to the front facing edge74of the housing70, extending upward from the bottom edge, thereby partially enclosing the housing and forming storage compartments on either or both sides of the key switch63. A front panel65may be affixed to the front facing edge of the housing using a hinge66or other suitable mechanism, allowing the panel65to flip open or closed with relation to the housing70. A locking tab67is affixed to the partial front cover by welding or other suitable means, while a slot68is present on the front panel65.

It is to be understood that different embodiments of the housing are possible and may include variations in the number and arrangement of compartments. The housing may include one large compartment or a plurality of compartments. The housing and/or compartment(s) may be partially enclosed, fully open faced, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, when the key switch locking mechanism60is in the closed, locked position, the front panel65is flipped up to come in contact with the front facing edge of the housing70. In this position, the locking tab67on the front cover of the storage compartment is aligned and inserted into the slot68of the front panel65. A padlock69, or similar locking means, can be inserted through the locking tab67to secure the front panel65in the closed, locked position, thereby preventing access to the key switch63and securing possessions in the compartments.