Lightning protection device

A new Lightning Protection Device for providing protection to individuals against lightning strikes. The inventive device includes a plurality of electrically conducting bands being spaced apart and extending outwardly and downwardly either from a center post over the canopy support frame of a golf cart or from a plurality of spaced apart ribs radiating outwardly from the ferrule of an umbrella. The electrically conducting bands extend downwardly in an elongated configuration to terminate at or near ground level. The electrically conducting bands together with the center post or the ferrule form an electrically conducting cage or envelope to surround the user within an electrically protected volume of space in the event of a lightning strike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to lightning protection devices and more 
particularly pertains to a new Lightning Protection Device for providing 
protection to individuals against lightning strikes. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of lightning protection devices is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, lightning protection devices heretofore devised and utilized 
are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious 
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs 
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the 
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
Known prior art lightning protection devices include U.S. Pat. No. 
3,894,608 to Laenle; U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,527 to Carpenter, Jr.; U.S. Pat. 
No. Des. 326,422 to Heary; U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,398 to Briet; U.S. Pat. No. 
5,052,604 to Tourangeau and U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,785 to Kittredge, Jr. and 
Wagner. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Lightning 
Protection Device. The inventive device includes a plurality of 
electrically conducting bands being spaced apart and extending outwardly 
and downwardly either from a center post over the canopy support frame of 
a golf cart or from a plurality of spaced apart ribs radiating outwardly 
from the ferrule of an umbrella. The electrically conducting bands extend 
downwardly in an elongated configuration to terminate at or near ground 
level. The electrically conducting bands together with the center post or 
the ferrule form an electrically conducting cage or envelope to surround 
the user within an electrically protected volume of space in the event of 
a lightning strike. 
In these respects, the Lightning Protection Device according to the present 
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs 
of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily 
developed for the purpose of providing protection to individuals against 
lightning strikes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention sets out to provide equipment which diminishes the 
risk from lightning strikes. 
Every year there are a number of fatalities on golf courses due to 
lightning strikes, since golf is typically played in generally open spaces 
and under weather conditions such that thunderstorms can from time to time 
be encountered. Also, the golfer can be some distance from effective 
shelter and is still in danger if he shelters from rain under a tree or 
uses a golf umbrella. 
Often, the golfer uses a motorized cart or buggy to transport himself and 
his clubs about the course. This can provide shelter from rain, but once 
again as an isolated upstanding unit, it can be a focus for a lightning 
strike. This is especially true if the golf cart is at all warm, to create 
a rising stream of relatively warmer air. The perceived risk of lightning 
strikes is not only unpleasant for golfers, but also for golf course 
owners and operators. 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
lightning protection devices now present in the prior art, the present 
invention provides a new Lightning Protection Device construction wherein 
the same can be utilized for providing protection to individuals against 
lightning strikes. 
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new Lightning Protection 
Device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the 
lightning protection devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features 
that result in a new Lightning Protection Device which is not anticipated, 
rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art 
lightning protection devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of 
electrically conducting bands being spaced apart and extending outwardly 
and downwardly either from a center post over the canopy support frame of 
a golf cart or from a plurality of spaced apart ribs radiating outwardly 
from the ferrule of an umbrella. The electrically conducting bands extend 
downwardly in an elongated configuration to terminate at or near ground 
level. The electrically conducting bands together with the center post or 
the ferrule form an electrically conducting cage or envelope to surround 
the user within an electrically protected volume of space in the event of 
a lightning strike. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional 
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which 
will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new 
Lightning Protection Device apparatus and method which has many of the 
advantages of the lightning protection devices mentioned heretofore and 
many novel features that result in a new Lightning Protection Device which 
is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of 
the prior art lightning protection devices, either alone or in any 
combination thereof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new Lightning 
Protection Device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and 
marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new Lightning 
Protection Device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Lightning Protection Device which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such Lightning Protection Device economically available to the 
buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Lightning Protection Device which provides in the apparatuses and methods 
of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously 
overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Lightning 
Protection Device for providing protection to individuals against 
lightning strikes. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Lightning 
Protection Device which includes a plurality of electrically conducting 
bands being spaced apart and extending outwardly and downwardly either 
from a center post over the canopy support frame of a golf cart or from a 
plurality of spaced apart ribs radiating outwardly from the ferrule of an 
umbrella. The electrically conducting bands extend downwardly in an 
elongated configuration to terminate at or near ground level. The 
electrically conducting bands together with the center post or the ferrule 
form an electrically conducting cage or envelope to surround the user 
within an electrically protected volume of space in the event of a 
lightning strike. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Lightning Protection Device that protects golfers using golf carts from 
lightning strikes on golf courses. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Lightning Protection Device that provides shelter from rain while 
protecting against lightning strikes. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 
thereof, a new Lightning Protection Device embodying the principles and 
concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the 
reference numeral 10 will be described. 
More specifically, it will be noted that the Lightning Protection Device 10 
comprises an electrically conducting cage 20 formed by a plurality of 
electrically conducting bands 22 extending outwardly and downwardly from 
an upwardly extending center post 36 which is attached to the canopy 
support means 62 of a golf cart 60. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, it can be shown that there are 
two basic embodiments of the lightning protection device 10 on either a 
golf cart 60 as shown by FIG. 1 or an umbrella as shown by FIG. 4. 
In the first embodiment, as shown by FIG. 1, the lightning protection 
device 10 is designed for use on a golf cart 60. The golf cart 60 is of 
conventional design having tires 64 and a passenger or seating area 65. 
The golf cart also includes a canopy support frame 62 extending over the 
passenger area 65. The canopy support frame 62 acts as a support means for 
the lightning protection device 10 over the golf cart 60. Typically, such 
carts have a canopy (not pictured) attached to the canopy support frame 62 
to give protection from the sun and wet weather. The canopy may also 
include roll-down blinds (not pictured) that hang down from the canopy 
support frame 62 from the end and/or sides, to give further protection in 
wet weather. The motive power, operation and steering of such a golf cart 
60 can be conventional and forms no part of the present invention. 
As shown in FIG. 1, a center post 36 is attached to the canopy support 
frame 62. A plurality of electrically conductive bands 22 extend outwardly 
and downwardly from the center post 36 to terminate either touching the 
ground 68 or close to the ground 68. The electrically conducting bands 22 
are attached to the center post 36 either directly or by a mounting 
bracket 30. The mounting bracket 30 is preferable to direct attachment to 
the center post 36 because it allows quick removal of the lightning 
protection device 10 from the golf cart 60. 
FIG. 2 shows the electrically conducting bands 22 attached to the center 
post 36 by the mounting bracket 30. The mounting bracket 30 is attached to 
the center post 36 by inserting the center post 36 into the center post 
mounting hole 31 which is located at the center of the mounting bracket 
30. The mounting bracket 30 also has a plurality of band attachment slots 
32 around its outer periphery. The electrically conducting bands 22 are 
attached to the mounting bracket 30 by inserting one end of each 
electrically conducting band 22 into a separate band attachment slot 32. 
The exact nature of the electrically conducting bands 22 can vary as long 
as they are electrically continuous and are spaced apart in use. They can 
be flexible metal, or heavily metallized strips, or metal chains. They can 
also be jointed metal bars, in two, three or more sections. They can also 
be ganged together for use in groups. Preferably, the electrically 
conductive bands 22 are lightweight and flexible so that they be easily 
folded away or rolled up when not use. Therefore, ideally, the 
electrically conducting bands 22 should be made from a flexible and woven 
metal or metallized material. This allows the electrically conductive 
bands 22 to be associated into or with roll-down rain blinds at the sides 
or rear of the golf cart 60. 
The number of such electrically conducting bands 22 will vary with the 
exact design of support. Typically there will usually be from six to 
twenty of such electrically conducting bands 22 in the lightning 
protection device 10. From eight to sixteen electrically conducting bands 
22 is preferable, and FIG. 2 shows sixteen electrically conducting bands 
22 by way of example. The spacing of the electrically conducting bands 22 
may also vary. Typically, a spacing of from 20 cm to 40 cm will be usable. 
The cross-sectional area of the electrically conducting bands 22 depends 
on their material of construction, their internal configuration, the 
number used, and their length; exact limits can be calculated by the 
skilled engineer without exercise of inventive skill. 
The center post 36 can either be flush with the top surface of the canopy 
support frame 62 or be upstanding and extending upwards from the canopy 
support frame 62. The function of the center post 36 is to provide a focus 
in the event of a lightning strike, and then to distribute the charge 
among the respective electrically conducting bands 22 so that such charge 
is conveyed around the golf cart 60 and into the ground 68. Clearly, the 
center post 36 should fulfill its function of providing a focus for 
lightning, but should not actually increase the possibility of such a 
lightning strike. For that reason, the center post 36 should not usually 
extend unduly above the electrically conducting bands 22 although a short 
upward spike may be provided if desired. 
As depicted in FIG. 1, the lower ends of the electrically conducting bands 
22 touch the ground 68. Optionally, the lower ends of the electrically 
conducting bands 22 may end above but still near the ground 68 rather than 
touching it. The lower ends of the electrically conducting bands 22 may 
terminate above ground level 68 because the lightning's charge will jump a 
small gap even if distributed among ten or twelve electrically conducting 
bands 22. Alternatively, if the electrically conducting bands 22 are 
suitably flexible, or flexibly arranged, or at least terminate in such 
flexible arrangements, they can rest on the ground 68 and accommodate by 
their flexibility any irregularities in the surface of the ground 68. 
While the Applicant does not intend to be bound by any theory as to the 
operation of such a structure, it is believed that in the space within the 
golf cart 60, that is, within the electrically conducting cage or envelope 
20 defined by the electrically conducting bands 22, a person in the 
passenger area 65 of the golf cart 60 member is electrically protected 
from the charge passing so that the lightning will not arc to or pass 
through the body of the person within the electrically conducting cage 20 
but would take the more readily conductive course to the ground 68 to 
earth. 
FIG. 4 shows the umbrella embodiment of the lightning protection device 10. 
In the umbrella embodiment, the same optional and preferred features apply 
as in the description of the golf cart embodiment. 
The umbrella 70 is of standard umbrella construction that is commonly found 
in use on golf courses and beaches. While it is not necessary for the 
invention to function properly, the shaft 76 may be inserted into the 
ground 68 to hold the umbrella 70 upright while in use as shown in FIG. 4. 
The umbrella 70 has a plurality of ribs 72 spaced apart and radiating 
outwardly from the ferrule 78 at the top end of the shaft 76. The ribs 72 
are electrically conductive. The ribs support the canopy 74 which protects 
that area underneath the umbrella 70 from the sun and precipitation. The 
ribs 72 also act as a support means for the electrically conductive bands 
22. Like the center post 36 for the golf cart embodiment, the ferrule 78 
may extend above the ribs 72. It is recommended that the ferrule 78 is 
electrically conductive as well so that the ferrule 78 serves the same 
function as the center post 36. For added safety, it is recommended that 
the shaft 76 be constructed from a material that is a poor electrical 
conductor. 
Downwardly depending from outer end of each of the ribs 72 is an 
electrically conducting band 22. Each of the electrically conducting bands 
22 is attached to its corresponding rib 72 by an attachment ring 40 which 
is inserted through both the mounting ring hole 34 on the electrically 
conducting band 22 and the mounting ring hole 73 on the rib 72 as shown in 
FIG. 5. Together, the ribs 72 and the electrically conducting bands 22 
form a electrically conducting cage 20 protecting individuals underneath 
the umbrella 70. 
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the 
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and 
operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.