Abstract:
A three wheeled golf cart for receiving and supporting a golf bag which comprises a lower frame and an upper frame which are perpendicularly mounted with respect to each other, quick disconnect wheels, and a generally U-shaped bag receiving cradle extending rearwardly of the upper frame to receive and support an upper portion of the golf bag, the upper frame extending upwardly at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the lower frame. The golf cart provides a very secure platform and with large wheels, requires little effort to propel.

Description:
This appln claims benefit of Provisional No. 68/089,017 filed Jun. 12, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a golf cart. 
     The use of golf carts is well known in the art and many different types have been proposed and are currently available on the market. Generally, golf carts fall into two distinct categories—those for the rental market and those which are intended to be sold to the individual golfer. 
     The rental market golf carts are typically purchased by the golf course and rented out to the golfer. Such units typically will have a body portion designed to receive the golf bag and a handle portion which is detachable. For ease of use, the golf course will store the carts in available outside space and retain the handles within, the handles being given to the renter upon payment of the required fee. Thus, the prime consideration for such carts is the removability of the handle. 
     For the retail market wherein the cart is purchased by the user, the key consideration is the compactness of the cart such that it may be transported by the golfer to the golf course. Typically, such carts have consisted of bi-wheel arrangements which can be readily folded and placed in the trunk of a car. 
     A well known type of cart, both for retail and rental markets, consists of a two-wheel golf cart which is generally designed to be pulled behind the golfer. While it can be pushed ahead of the golfer, such an arrangement is somewhat awkward and as a result, the golfer will normally walk with one arm extended rearwardly pulling the two wheeled cart. Some golfers have noted that this arrangement leaves them somewhat fatigued at the end of a round of golf and in particular, sore shoulders have been encountered. Pushing a golf cart, on the other hand, generally requires that more body muscles be used and therefore the work is spread over a larger muscle mass and the golfer will suffer less fatigue. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf cart which may be pushed by the golfer and which provides a stable platform for a golf bag. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three-wheeled golf cart which may be folded to a compact position for transport by the golfer. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a three-wheeled golf cart which may be used as a rental cart and which may be quickly and efficiently stored. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf cart for receiving and supporting a golf bag, the golf cart comprising a lower frame having a front end and a rear end; a front wheel mounted at the front end of the lower frame; first and second rear wheels mounted at opposite sides of the lower frame proximate the rear end of the lower frame; an upper frame extending upwardly from the lower frame adjacent the rear end of the lower frame, means for hingedly securing the upper frame to the lower frame, the upper frame forming an angle with respect to a generally horizontal plane of the lower frame of less than 90 degrees; a bag receiving cradle extending rearwardly of the upper frame from an upper end thereof to receive and support an upper portion of the golf bag; and handle means, the handle means including means for securing the handle to the upper frame. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf cart for receiving and supporting a golf bag, the golf cart comprising a lower frame having a front end and a rear end; a front wheel mounted at the front end of the lower frame; first and second rear wheels mounted at opposite sides of the lower frame proximate the rear end of the lower frame; an upper frame extending upwardly from the lower frame adjacent the rear end of the lower frame, the upper frame being hingedly secured to the lower frame; a generally U-shaped bag receiving cradle extending rearwardly of the upper frame to receive and support an upper portion of the golf bag; retaining means for retaining the upper frame in a generally vertical orientation, the upper frame folding downwardly to lie adjacent the lower frame such that the generally U-shaped bag receiving cradle extends about the front wheel when in a folded position. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf cart storage arrangement comprising a storage rack and a plurality of golf carts, the storage rack having a longitudinally extending storage rack base; a plurality of aligned stop means spaced along the longitudinally extending storage rack base; an upwardly extending storage rack support member; a plurality of the golf carts mounted on the storage rack, each golf cart having a lower frame with a front end and a rear end, a front wheel mounted at the front end of the lower frame, first and second rear wheels mounted at opposite sides of the lower frame proximate the rear end of the lower frame, an upper frame extending upwardly from the lower frame adjacent the rear end of the lower frame, means for hingedly securing the upper frame to the lower frame such that the upper frame in a storage position lies in a generally co-planar relationship with the lower frame, and a bag receiving cradle extending rearwardly of the upper frame from an upper end thereof to receive and support an upper portion of the golf bag; the golf carts being stored on the storage rack while in a storage position such that the first and second rear wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the longitudinally extending member, and the front wheel is supported by the upwardly extending storage rack support member, the lower frame and the folded upper frame lying at an angle with respect to a vertical plane and being prevented from movement by action of a stop member on the frame. 
     In greater detail, the golf cart is one which is both suitable for both the rental market and for the retail market—one wherein the golfer buys the cart and transports it to and from the golf course. 
     Particularly in the embodiment wherein the cart is designed for transport back and forth to the golf course, both the front wheel and rear wheel are preferably attached by means of a quick release or quick dismount connection. Several such connections are known to those skilled in the art and are used on other wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and the like. 
     As will be appreciated, a three wheeled golf cart can roll at any moment when on an incline and therefore the golf cart preferably includes a brake member. Many known brake members exist and generally, the brake member is preferably mounted on the upper frame proximate one of the rear wheels. The brake member will include a wheel contacting member moveable into and out of a contacting position with the wheel. To do so, there may be provided a handle which may be operated by either the hand or foot of the user. 
     The golf cart, as aforementioned, includes a bag receiving cradle which extends rearwardly from the upper frame. In a preferred embodiment, the rearwardly extending cradle is formed integrally with the upper frame as a tubular member which is bent into the desired configuration. As such, the rearwardly extending cradle may have a somewhat U-shaped configuration with a rear portion and a pair of side arms designed to engage the upper portion of a golf bag. In such an embodiment, preferably the side arms (and optionally the rear portion) will include padding to cushion the golf bag. 
     The lower frame may be formed in many different configurations. In one particular embodiment, there is provided a first lower frame member which extends from proximate the first rear wheel to proximate a first side of the front wheel with a second lower frame member extending from proximate the second rear wheel to proximate the second side of the front wheel, and with a plurality of transverse lower frame members extending between the first and second lower frame members. In this embodiment, one or more of the transversely extending frame members may be adapted to receive and support a bottom end of the golf bag. For this purpose, the transverse lower frame member may be configured to support and retain the golf bag and/or may have padding thereon. 
     The lower frame, as aforementioned, may have a specific bag receiving portion which can be of many different configurations. In order to further provide a compact golf cart, the lower frame could be formed to have a telescoping configuration. 
     The handle portion of the golf cart can have many different configurations ranging from a U-shaped handle to a T-shaped handle, etc. In the embodiment wherein the golf cart is designed for transport back and forth to a golf course, the handle is preferably pivotably connected so that it may be folded to a position adjacent the upper frame. In the case of a golf cart for the rental market, the handle is preferably removeable and to this end, many suitable mechanisms may be provided for locking the handle to the cart. 
     The wheels of the golf cart are preferably of a substantially identical size and designed to provide as smooth a ride as possible. To this end, the wheels are preferably of a relatively large diameter—i.e. 30-40 centimeters. The wheels may be molded of a soft cushion material to provide a desirable feel to the ride. 
     The mounting of the wheels may be any conventional although a particularly preferred one is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein the wheel is mounted using a removeable or insertable bearing assembly. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bearing unit which is self contained is utilized in the mounting of the wheels. This provides for easy manufacture of the cart. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf cart according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the folding of the handle; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the folding of the upper frame to a storage position; 
     FIG. 7 is a detail view illustrating the retaining member for maintaining the upper frame in an operative position; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the folding motion shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a bearing unit for the wheel; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the bearing unit; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the bearing unit; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the wheel hub; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view, partially in cross section, of a wheel hub receiving the bearing unit; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway view of the hub and bearing; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a storage device for use with the golf cart of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view thereof, and 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevational view thereof showing placement of a cart thereon. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a golf cart which is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Golf cart  10  includes a somewhat triangularly shaped lower frame portion generally designated by reference numeral  12 . 
     Lower frame portion  12  includes a pair of lower frame side members  14  and  16  which, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, extend somewhat inwardly from a rear end generally designated by reference numeral  15  to a front end generally designated by reference numeral  17 . A plurality of transverse bars  18 ,  20  and  22  extend between side members  14  and  16 . Transverse bar  20  includes a padding  24  thereon. At rear end  15 , there is a further rear transverse bar  26 . 
     Golf cart  10  includes an upper frame generally designated by reference numeral  30  and which includes a first leg  32  and a second leg  34  which are substantially parallel to each other. At their upper end, first leg  32  and second leg  34  merge with a U-shaped cradle portion generally designated by reference numeral  36  and which is comprised of a first arm  38  having a padding  38 ′ thereon, a second aim  40  having padding  40 ′ thereon, and a base  42 . 
     Extending rearwardly from first leg  32  and second leg  34  are stub arms  44  and  46  respectively. Stub aims  44 ,  46  are designed to receive a U-shaped handle generally designated by reference numeral  48  and which handle includes a base  50  and a pair of parallel arms  52  and  54 . A suitable padding  55  may be provided on U-shaped handle  48 . Locking devices  60  and  62  are provided for adjustably retaining U-shaped handle  48  in the desired position. 
     Mounted at front end  17  of lower frame  12  is a front wheel  64 , which is mounted on an axle  66  extending between the front distal ends of lower frame side members  14  and  16 . A quick release device  68  is provided for locking front wheel  64  in position on axle  66  while also permitting the release thereof for storage purposes. 
     Rear wheels  70  and  72  are mounted on stub axles  78  and  80  respectively and which axles are an extension of rear transverse bar  26 . Quick release mechanisms  74 ,  76  are associated with each of rear wheels  70 ,  72  respectively. 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a brake mechanism  82  may be provided for engaging rear wheel  72  when it is desired to maintain the golf cart stationary. 
     First and second retaining members  86  and  88  are provided for maintaining upper frame  30  in an upright position. As both retaining members  86 ,  88  are substantially identical, only one will be described herein. As may be best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, leg  32  is pivotable about a pin  84  extending through retaining member  86 , leg  32  and lower frame side member  14 . Retaining member  86  is designed to receive an end of leg  32  within a body portion  90 . Retaining member  88  includes a tongue  92  which defines a recess  94 . Recess  94  is sized to receive stub axle  78  and the opening to recess  94  is sized such that a slight force is exerted upon entry or exit of stub axle  78  into recess  94 . Retaining member  88  is made of a somewhat flexible resilient material having an elastic memory. 
     In use, a golf bag B is placed such that a bottom thereof engages padding  24  on transverse bar  20  while an upper portion rests in cradle  36  and more particularly, is cushioned by means of padding  38 ′ and  40 ′. For maintaining a proper balance, legs  32  and  34  extend upwardly from lower frame  12  at an angle which is equal to or slightly less than the perpendicular. Preferably, the angle formed between lower frame  12  and legs  32 ,  34  is between 84-89 degrees. 
     For storage purposes, when the golf bag has been removed, handle  48  may be folded downwardly as indicated by arrow  96  to lie substantially adjacent to upper frame  30 . In turn, a forward pressure on upper frame  30  will cause the release of retaining members  86  and  88  as shown in FIG. 8 whereby upper frame  30  may be then folded as indicated by arrow  98  to lie substantially adjacent lower frame  12 . 
     In this arrangement, the cart folds down to a vary compact size. For even more compactness, quick release devices  68 ,  74  and  76  may be operated to remove wheels  64 ,  70  and  72  respectively. With such an arrangement, it is possible to fit a number of such golf carts in the storage portion of a vehicle such as an automobile. 
     In an alternative arrangement, and wherein the golf cart might be used as a rental cart by the golf course, it would not be necessary to use quick release mechanisms on the wheel. Rather, they may be mounted in a more permanent fashion as is conventional. Similarly, instead of providing for locking devices  60  and  62  for U-shaped handle  48 , the handle may be insertable into stub arms  44  and  46  and a retaining mechanism be provided. By so doing, the cart would be maintained outside with only the handle portion being maintained inside and rented. 
     As shown in FIGS. 9 to  14 , there is preferably provided a bearing unit generally designated by reference numeral  100  and which bearing unit  100  includes three locating prongs  102 . As seen in FIG. 12, wheel  70  has a hub  104  having spokes  105  emanating therefrom. Extending inwardly of hub  104  are three tabs  108  each having an aperture  110  associated therewith. 
     When mounted, bearing unit  100  fits within hub  104  with locating prongs  102  engaging apertures  110  of tabs  108 . 
     As previously discussed, a storage device for use with rental carts is highly desirable and such a storage device is illustrated in FIGS. 15 to  17  and will now be referred to. 
     A storage device or storage rack is generally designated by reference numeral  118  and includes a longitudinally extending base member  120  which may be a metallic bar. Extending upwardly from one end of longitudinally extending base member  120  is an upwardly extending support member  122 . In turn, a horizontal base  124  stabilizes and supports storage rack  118  in conjunction with a downwardly extending leg  126  from longitudinally extending base member  120 . 
     Located on an upper surface of longitudinally extending base member  120  are a plurality of stop members  128 . Located on an upper portion of upwardly extending support member  122  is a wheel support  130 . In use, as may be best seen in FIG. 17, a cart  10  may be placed in a stored position with front wheel  64  being supported by wheel support  130  and stop member  128  engaging the lower frame. The carts can then be placed in an end to end relationship. 
     If desired, the storage rack  118  may be extended by means of extension members generally designated by reference numeral  132 . 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.