Abstract:
The golf cart signal flag system comprises a base which engages golf cart structure and which mounts thereto a chosen plurality of pivotable signal flags, each of which is identifiable as indicating a particular need, want or condition of players on the course to golf course personnel and/or other players. One or more flags may be raised simultaneously. If desired, the system may be created as part of a roof of a golf cart.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a signal flag system for use on a golf cart. More particularly, the flag system includes structure for pivotably mounting any chosen plurality of flag bearing poles onto a golf cart. Each flag will symbolize a need or want of the players and, when raised, will elicit an appropriate response from course personnel. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Heretofore, various apparatus including a flag for signalling or indicating something have been proposed. 
     Most of these apparatus typically have included a single flag on a short pole which is either fixed in position or positionable. 
     However a system for providing the capability of sending one or more recognized signals to golf course personnel simultaneously has not been previously proposed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly there is provided a signal flag system for a golf cart comprising at least one flag mounted to a pole having a free end which is mechanically engaged to the golf cart in a manner to rotate between a locked vertical position elevating the flag above the golf cart and a horizontal nonelevated position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf cart showing the golf cart signal flag system made in accordance with the teachings herein removably mounted to a lip area of a roof of the cart. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective of the golf cart signal flag system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of a golf cart incorporating a roof support post and shows the golf cart signal flag system having a secondary embodiment of a base thereof for mounting the golf cart signal flag system to the post. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the base of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through an area of the golf cart signal flag system where one flag pole is rotatably mounted. 
     FIG. 6 is a front end view of a golf cart provided with the signal flag system and showing a further embodiment of the base incorporated into the roof of the cart. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of the system of FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated therein a golf cart  10  incorporating a golf cart signal flag system made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and generally identified by the reference numeral  12 . 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the system  12  is shown which includes a three sided base  14  having a channel  16  therein which is engageable to a lip  18  of a roof  20  of the golf cart  10 . 
     Extending upwardly from the base  14  is a plurality of flag poles  22 , each bearing a flag  24 . The flag poles  22  are rotatable relative to the base  14  so that the flags  24  may be locked into an upright position or may be horizontally rested upon the roof  20 . If desired, the flag poles  22  may be telescopic so that the flags  24  are clearly visible to golf course personnel, as well as other players. 
     Attachment of the base  14  to the roof lip  18  can be accomplished by any suitable means. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of pressure plates  26  may be threadedly disposed through one side  25  of the base  14  to rest within the channel  16 . The pressure plate  26  has a threaded shaft  27  which extends through a port  28  in the side  25  of the base  14 , with the shaft  27  having a winged opposite end  30 , with rotation of the winged end  30  causing the plate  26  to move within and across the channel  16 , locking the lip  18  of the roof  20  between the plate  26  and a side  32  of the base  14  opposed to the plate  26 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated therein a further embodiment of the system  12  which allows for engagement of the system  12  to an upright element of the golf cart  10 , such as to a roof support  35 . 
     Here, the base  34  also has a channel  36  therein, but the channel  36  now extends vertically through the base  34  and a cover plate  38  is provided which engages over the channel  36 , to trap the roof support  35  frictionally within the channel  36 . 
     Extending upwardly from the base  34  is an extension rod  40  which engages an end cap  42  of a support rod  44  to which the flag poles  22  are rotatably mounted in all embodiments. 
     The support rod  44  carries the plurality of rotatably engaged flags  24  in a manner allowing the flag poles  22  to be locked upright or to be lowered to a horizontal position as desired. 
     Although a maximum of four flags  24  are shown in the drawings, this is for purposes of illustration and brevity only and should not be construed as limiting. 
     Each flag pole  22  engages either removably or fixedly, a ring like collar  48  rotatably positioned about the support rod  44 . 
     It will be understood that each flag pole  22  must lock into an upright position and such locking may be accomplished in any suitable manner. 
     For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5 the support rod  44  includes a spring biased pin  50  seated within a slot  52  therein which engages within a cooperating slot  54  provided in an interior surface  56  of the collar  48  at a radial position which is only engageable when the flag pole  22  is upright. In the embodiment shown, the biased pin  50  is downwardly disposed and the slot  54  is positioned directly across from the pole  22 . When it is desired to lower the flag  24 , rotational pressure applied against the collar  48  will cause a curved head  60  of the pin  50  to slide upwardly and out of the slot  54  riding along the interior surface  56  of the collar  48  until again aligned with and engaged within the cooperating slot  54 . 
     A similar type of engagement is proposed for securing a removable embodiment of flag pole  22  within an opening  62  in the collar  48  provided for receiving a free end  64  of the flag pole  22  therein. Although not shown, it will be understood that a biased pin or nub extends into the opening  62  and engages within a cooperating slot  70  for same created in the pole  22  when the pole  22  is seated in desired rotational position within the opening  62  to maintain the flags  24  substantially parallel to one another. 
     Such releasable engagement between the pole  22  and the opening  62  in the collar  48  not only keeps the pole mounted flag  24  from being blown away by wind but also allows for a choice of flags  24  to be displayed. 
     In this respect, each of the flags  24  is indicative of a particular condition or action required from golf course personnel when locked in the upright position. Indicia such as color and/or marking for each flag  24  will be indicative of a service desired, or condition. 
     For example, a red flag  24  could be raised for signalling an emergency situation, a blue flag  24  could be raised to signal that beverages are desired, a further flag  24  could be raised to indicate the presence of a physically challenged player on the course, and so on. Thus, any number of flags  24  can be raised, singly or in various combinations, to produce desired results. 
     Obviously, when the desired result is obtained, the corresponding flag  24  will be lowered until needed again. 
     Although releasable mounting of the system  12  may be preferable, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the system  12  may also be incorporated into and formed as part of the roof  20  of the golf cart  10 . Also, if desired to create a lower profile, the roof  20  may incorporate an undercut area  80 , as shown in FIG. 7, to allow the rings  48  to rotate about the rod  44  while being partially set below the level of the top  82  of the roof  20 . 
     As described above, the golf cart signal flag system  12  provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.