Golf cart enclosure

A golf cart enclosure system for a golf cart having a passenger cabin, a roof mounted on a frame for covering the passenger cabin and a front windshield. The system comprises a guide rail secured to the frame proximate the roof and a panel of a length sufficient to extend from the guide rail to the golf cart passenger cabin below. A plurality of swivel rollers is provided, wherein a first end of the swivel roller rollably engages the guide rail and wherein a second end of the swivel roller is fastened to the panel. The panel slidably moves along the guide rail from a closed position where the panel is fully extended to an open position where the panel is retracted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf cart enclosure, and more particularly, to a sliding panel golf cart enclosure to be used during inclement weather to protect persons within the enclosure from such weather. Specifically, the present invention relates to a sliding panel golf cart enclosure wherein the golf cart is equipped with panel mounting rails where each rail is adapted to slidably carry a panel through a swivel fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf carts are generally designed to carry two persons (golfers) within a cabin portion of the cart while a platform positioned behind the cabin portion carries each person's golf bag and golf clubs. Many golf carts are further outfitted with a roof and a windshield. Golf carts, however, are generally designed to have no doors or other impediments along the sides of the cart. This lack of doors is intentional as it allows for quick and easy ingress into and egress from the cabin while playing a round of golf. One drawback to this open design, however, is the inability to control or limit golfer exposure to inclement weather and/or insects. Thus, numerous systems exist in the art which retrofit golf carts to be more weather/insect repellant. Each of these systems, unfortunately, suffers from a number of setbacks.

One example of a system for weather- and/or insect-proofing a golf cart includes the provision of a roll-up barrier. These roll-up systems generally include a vinyl or other clear plastic panel fixedly secured to the frame structure of the golf cart which supports the roof. When in use, the panel drapes downwardly to cover the open sides of the golf cart passenger cabin. When not in use, the panels are rolled upwardly to be collected and secured to the roof frame so as to allow quick and easy access to the passenger cabin. A significant drawback to these roll-up systems, however, is the entrapment of moisture within the panel when in the rolled condition. This moisture leads to the buildup of mildew.

Alternative systems have been developed to overcome the mildew problems associated with roll-up panels. These alternative systems generally employ one or more panels which slide horizontally along a track situated above, and in some cases below, the side openings of the golf cart's passenger cabin. When not in use, these panels slide laterally towards the back of the golf cart where they are then secured from closing unintentionally. One example of a horizontally sliding enclosure includes clear panels constructed of relatively thick plastic. This example can be thought of as being similar to conventional shower doors where a first panel passes in front of (or behind) a second panel. Another similar example of a sliding enclosure includes a generally thin panel of clear plastic. This example is generally similar to a conventional shower curtain which can be displaced laterally by bunching the plastic panel together. In each of these examples, however, ease of admission to the passenger cabin of the golf cart is restricted by the presence of the panel when the panel is not in use. One attempt to alleviate the bunching of a thin panel has been to split the panel into thin strips with successive strips splined together via rigid vertical members. In this manner, the constructed panel is able to fold compactly so as to minimize obstruction of the cabin opening. However, when in an extended position, such as during inclement weather, the vertical members obstruct the view of the cart driver and pose a safety hazard. Further, the provision of the vertical members and spline increases cost of production while increasing points of possible enclosure failure through stress and wear.

As such, there is a need for a golf cart enclosure which provides protection from the elements when needed but that also retracts to a generally compact bundle when not in use. There is a need for a golf cart enclosure that provides maximum viewability to the occupants of the golf cart when the enclosure is being employed but that also retracts compactly so as not to hinder ingress into or egress from the golf cart passenger cabin when the enclosure is unneeded.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, one embodiment the present invention is directed to a golf cart enclosure that provides a barrier along the sides and back of a golf cart passenger cabin. The golf cart enclosure generally consists of a number of clear plastic panels which drape from a support structure situated proximate the roof frame of the golf cart. In further embodiments, the enclosure may consist of a number of two-part panels wherein the lower portion of each panel is constructed of a durable fabric, such as marine grade canvas while the upper portion is constructed of a clear plastic material such as polyethylene or vinyl sheeting. The enclosure is selectively retractable along the support structure such that one or more panels can be withdrawn from covering the door opening to the passenger cabin and/or the back “window” above the seat bench. The panels are mounted to the support structure by swiveling rollers such that the retracted panel does not impede ingress into or egress from the passenger cabin.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a golf cart enclosure system for a golf cart having a passenger cabin, a roof mounted on a frame for covering the passenger cabin and a front windshield is disclosed. The system comprises a guide rail secured to the frame proximate the roof and a panel of a length sufficient to extend from the guide rail to the golf cart passenger cabin below. A plurality of swivel rollers is provided, wherein a first end of the swivel roller rollably engages the guide rail and wherein a second end of the swivel roller is fastened to the panel. The panel slidably moves along the guide rail from a closed position where the panel is fully extended to an open position where the panel is retracted.

The embodiments of the present invention are well-suited to provide protection from inclement weather and/or insects when deployed while also compactly stowing when not in use so as not to hinder access to the golf cart passenger cabin.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically toFIGS. 1-3, a golf cart10is equipped with an embodiment of a golf cart enclosure100in accordance with the present invention. Golf cart10generally includes a passenger compartment20equipped with a bench for seating of passengers, as well as operational controls (steering wheel, brake pedal, acceleration pedal, etc.) to operate the golf cart. To the rear of the passenger compartment20is a platform area40for securing a golf bag and clubs for use during a round of golf. Optionally, platform area40may include a further bench to provide additional passenger seating. Many golf carts also include a frame12for mounting a roof50(seeFIGS. 5-7). Further included may be a windshield30mounted to frame units12.

As explained above, golf carts are not typically constructed to have an enclosed passenger compartment, but are rather open-sided and open-backed. Thus, during inclement weather, or should insects be particularly bothersome, passengers in the passenger compartment20are left open to the adverse environment. Golf cart enclosure100is designed and mounted so as to minimize, if not eliminate altogether, the negative effects of poor environmental conditions.

Golf cart enclosure100is generally comprised of one or more panels110,120,130which have sufficient length to extend from the roof to the body of the golf cart. As shown in perspective, side panel110generally covers the left hand side of the cart and may incorporate rear panel120to form a continuous single panel unit. Similarly, and not referenced by a reference numeral, a right side panel generally covers the right hand side of the cart and may incorporate rear panel130into a single panel unit. Panel unit110A may also be included to compensate for the angle created by the forward frame while creating a generally perpendicular rear edge with respect to the roofline/cart floor. An optional canopy150may also be included which is intended to cover the hardware associated with the golf cart enclosure which will be discussed in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5-7.

As can be seen byFIGS. 1 and 2, side panel110is configured to cover the left hand side of golf cart10. When in a closed position (FIG. 1) side panel110extends generally from rear frame member12forward to the perpendicular edge created by panel110A. Retraction of side panel110(FIG. 2) exposes passenger compartment20allowing for efficient ingress into or egress out of the compartment. When retracted, side panel110may be releasably secured by fastener112. Fastener112may be any suitable fastener, such as clips, snaps, hook and loop material, and is preferably a tie-back strap or toggle strap. As further shown inFIG. 2, side panel110may be manufactured as a two piece construction. The two piece construction includes a generally clear plastic top portion110′ and a robust fabric bottom portion110″. Top portion110′ is preferably a clear plastic such as vinyl or polyethylene. Bottom portion110″ is preferably a marine grade canvas material which would resist tearing and puncturing such as from multiple retractions and extensions of the panel or from abuse from passengers, such as from golf spikes or driving the cart through wooded areas were limbs may impinge upon the panel.

With reference toFIG. 3, rear panel120is shown in a retracted position. As discussed above with regard to side panel110, rear panel120may be secured in an open position by any suitable fastener, such a toggle strap122. Rear panel120is also provided with one or more fasteners125which mate with fastener135of rear panel130. Thus, when both rear panels120and130are in a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) the mating fasteners125/135serve to secure to two panels together. Examples of suitable fasteners include respective male and female counterparts of clips, snaps, buttons, hook and loop, and zippers, with said fasteners preferably being hook and loop fasteners. As described above, rear panel120may be incorporated with side panel110to form one continuous panel unit. Rear panel130may similarly form a continuous panel with the right side panel (not enumerated). Alternatively, rear panels120and130may each be distinct panel units apart from the side panels, or further, rear panels120and130may be manufactured as a single continuous rear panel thereby obviating the need for mating fasteners125/135.

FIG. 4is a representative view of a mechanism for mounting the forward edge of panel110A to a golf cart frame unit12. Panel110A is equipped with a fastener115which removably mounts the panel to the frame. In a preferred embodiment, fastener115is a double D-ring strap having a first strap with D-rings fixedly secured to the panel110A. A second strap is similarly secured to the panel with its free end passing through and around the two D-rings so as to cinch the panel to the frame. While preferably a double D-strap fastener, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any suitable fastener may be employed. It should also be stated, for purposes of clarification, that fastener115is generally located on the lower portion of the panel and is meant to prevent lifting of the panel from the bottom. The top portion of each panel is secured to a guide rail as will be discussed in greater detail with regard toFIGS. 5-7. Also, while shown and described as mounting panel110A to a front frame member12, similar fasteners are positioned at suitable locations on the remainder of the panels as desired or required.

FIG. 5shows an expanded view of the mounting of the forward end of a guide rail160utilized in the golf cart enclosure100of the present invention. Guide rail160is generally mounted proximate roof50of the golf cart. Roof50is typically mounted to frame unit12through roof strap55. Bent bracket170is secured to frame member12, preferably by bolts or lag screws171. Bent bracket170is configured to have a flat portion170′ which rests against and is secured to frame member12. A generally perpendicular bend portion170″ extends outwardly from frame member12and is selected to have a length equal to or slightly larger than the width of guide rail160. Finally, bent bracket170includes a further portion170″′ which extends upwardly in a plane generally parallel with flat portion170′ but displaced outwardly from frame member12by the length of170″. In this manner, guide rail160is constrained in the x-direction between bent bracket portion170″ and roof150and between bent bracket portion170″′ and frame unit12in the z-direction. Travel in the y-direction is prevented through friction between the guide rail and the bent bracket170. Optionally, guide rail160may be secured in the z-direction by fastening it to the bent bracket or frame unit by a suitable fastener, such as a screw or bolt. Side panel110A is mounted within the guide rail and allowed to drape downwardly as shown inFIGS. 1-3. In an alternate embodiment,172is omitted and the bars160and162are attached to each other directly

FIGS. 6 and 7are detailed views of the guide rails used for retracting and extending the panels. As can be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, by way of example, with such discussion meant to encompass each guide rail employed by the present invention, guide rail162has a generally square c-shaped cross section. Guide rail162has generally parallel opposing sides162′ and bottom members162″ and162″′ forming a groove163therebetween. Swivel rollers180are rotatably secured within the guide rail162and include a portion which extends through groove163, with such portion fastened to a panel110/120/130.

Further shown inFIGS. 6 and 7is a mounting bracket172used to secure guide rails160and162to the golf cart at a rear frame member12. Mounting bracket172is a generally T-shaped bracket wherein a portion of one horizontal arm of the T is bent at a generally 90° angle. The vertical portion of the T-shaped mounting bracket172is secured to the frame member12. As shown, the left hand horizontal arm of the T-shaped bracket extends into the interior opening of guide rail160where the arm secures the guide rail against the frame member12. The bent portion173of the right hand horizontal arm secures guide rail162to the frame. Bracket172is positioned on the frame member12such that bent portion173engages the open portion of guide rail162and impinges a side wall162′ against frame member12, thereby constraining movement in the y-direction. The width of the horizontal arms of bracket172is selected to be slightly smaller than the width W of guide rail162such that bracket172fits snugly within the guide rail. This snug fit, in conjunction with the roof50, prevent guide rail displacement in the x-direction. While not shown or described, the opposing side of the golf cart is similarly equipped with guide rails and brackets as discussed with above with regard toFIGS. 5-7. Thus, the two rear T-shaped brackets, in combination serve to prevent movement of the guide rail162in the z-direction. Panels110/120/130are draped from the guide rails by swivel rollers180. Optional canopy150is mounted to the roof and serves to hide or obscure the guide rails and swivel rollers180from casual view.

Turning now also toFIGS. 8A and 8B, swivel rollers180of the present invention generally comprise a tab182having a top end182′ and a bottom end182″. A pair of roller bearings184′ and184″ is rotatably mounted on an axle183. Axle183extends through the tab182proximate the top end182′ with roller bearing184′ situated on one side of the tab182and roller bearing184″ located on the other side of tab182. Swivel member185is situated below the tab182with the swivel member185being attached to the tab by way of a tang185′. Swivel member185further includes a tang185″ which is attached to a respective panel110/120/130. Preferably, each tang185″ may be attached to its respective tab or panel through use of a rivet186, for example. The number and location of swivel rollers180positioned along the top of a panel may vary and is selected to control the size of the bundled panel when in the open position as well as the width of each fold of that bundle. More swivel rollers leads to a shorter width of each fold but a wider resultant bundled panel.

Roller bearings184′ and184″ rest upon and are rotatably moveable across the inner surface of guide rail bottom members162″′ and162″, respectively. Ideally, the total width of roller bearings184′,184″, axle183and tab182is such that lateral movement of the swivel roller in the y-direction is minimized. The roller bearings minimize friction to ensure quiet and essentially effortless sliding of a panel between an open or closed position requiring the use of only a single finger to slide it along. Swivel member185allows the panel to swivel with respect to the roller elements and further allows the panel to compact into a tight bundle when the panel is retracted to an open condition allowing golfer ingress and egress to and from the cart. This compact bundle afforded by the swivel member provides greater accessibility to the passenger cabin20when a side panel is open as compared to panels generally known in the art.

FIGS. 9-14are simplified views illustrating alternate embodiments of guide rails “R” and associated sliding mechanisms “SM” which may be attached to the panels.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain aspects thereof, other versions are possible. For example, and not by way of limitation, the framework which attaches to the cart may be modified as desired. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the aspects contained herein.