Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6550790B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-03-20 10:20:35
Document Index: 135172210

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'ART 82', 'ART 82', 'ART 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'arts\n1999']

US6550790B1 - Cart for a golf bag, and method for using - Google Patents
Cart for a golf bag, and method for using Download PDF
US6550790B1
US6550790B1 US09/362,821 US36282199A US6550790B1 US 6550790 B1 US6550790 B1 US 6550790B1 US 36282199 A US36282199 A US 36282199A US 6550790 B1 US6550790 B1 US 6550790B1
US09/362,821
Kevin Smeallie
AKRON FOUNDATION, University of
1999-07-28 Application filed by Kevin Smeallie filed Critical Kevin Smeallie
1999-07-28 Priority to US09/362,821 priority Critical patent/US6550790B1/en
2003-04-22 Publication of US6550790B1 publication Critical patent/US6550790B1/en
2009-09-18 Assigned to THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON FOUNDATION reassignment THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON FOUNDATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SMEALLIE, KEVIN
A cart for a golf bag. The cart includes a spine having a top portion and a bottom portion. The cart includes a handle connected to the vertical spine and extending from the top portion forward of the spine. The handle has a stable height from ground. The cart includes a support mechanism connected to and extending from the bottom portion. The support mechanism is able to support the spine and the golf bag in a standing position. The support mechanism is able to roll along ground to facilitate the movement of the spine and golf bag, wherein the support mechanism together with the spine and the handle define a center of gravity over the support mechanism and behind the spine when the spine-is tilted forward and the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height.
The present invention is related to golf carts. More specifically, the present invention is related to golf carts having a center of gravity behind its wheel base when there is a golf bag on the cart regardless of the cart's position (standing or pulling).
Standard pull carts are designed to mount a golf bag on an angle. The handle of a standard pull cart is mounted on a parallel angle to the golf bag and extends higher than the golf bag. Positioning a golf bag at an angle less than 80° or more than 100° makes club removal difficult. Extending the pull cart handle beyond the top of the golf bag on a similar angle and plain with the golf bag adds to the difficulty of club removal. The cart of the present invention eliminates this problem by mounting the golf bag in an absolute vertical position, between 80-100°, and by positioning the handle away from the golf bag at a location equal to or less than the top of the golf bag. Secondly, standard pull carts generally fall forward on occasion, causing clubs to fall out of the golf bag. This happens due to the center of gravity of the golf bag being positioned in a location close to the pivot point of the pull cart when the cart is in the standing position. The cart of the present invention locates the center of gravity centrally between the supports, (wheels and stabilizer) well behind the pivot point, when the cart is in the standing position. The stabilizer bar of the cart of the present invention allows for central positioning of the center of gravity, which in turn allows for the vertical positioning of the golf bag on the pull cart, and stops the motion of the cart after being released to the somewhat automatic standing position from the pulling position. The term somewhat automatically means that because the center of gravity remains behind the pull cart pivot point in the pulling position, (when the handle is between 27 inches and 36 inches from the ground while pulling—this will occur for most players), when the handle is released, the cart of the present invention will return to a standing position without any influence from the golfer.
The present invention pertains to a cart for a golf bag. The cart comprises a spine having a top portion and a bottom portion. The cart comprises a handle connected to the spine and extending from the top portion forward of the spine. The handle pivot has a stable height from ground. The cart comprises a support mechanism connected to and extending from the bottom portion. The support mechanism is able to support the spine and the golf bag in a standing position. The support mechanism is able to roll along the ground to facilitate the movement of the spine and golf bag, wherein the support mechanism together with the spine and the handle define a center of gravity over the support mechanism and behind the spine when the spine is tilted forward and the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height.
Differences between the cart, and a standard prior art cart (hereinafter “standard”).
FIGS. 1a-1 e are schematic representations of a side, front, overhead section X—X, and section B—B view, respectively, of a cart of the present invention and portions of the cart.
FIGS. 2a-2 d are schematic representations of a front, side, overhead and section A—A view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a cart of the present invention and portions of the alternative embodiment of the cart.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to FIGS. 1a-1 e thereof, there is shown a cart 82 for a golf bag 90. The cart 82 comprises a spine 50 having a top portion 94 and a bottom portion 96. The cart 82 comprises a handle 28 connected to the spine 50 and extending from the top portion 94 forward of the spine 50. The handle 28 has a stable height 92 from ground 98. The cart 82 comprises a support mechanism 100 connected to and extending from the bottom portion 96. The support mechanism 100 is able to support the spine 50 and the golf bag 90 in a standing position. The support mechanism 100 is able to roll along ground 98 to facilitate the movement of the spine 50 and golf bag 90, wherein the support mechanism 100 together with the spine 50 and the handle 28 define a center of gravity 106 over the support mechanism 100 and behind the spine 50 when the spine 50 is tilted forward and the handle 28 is at least eight inches below its stable height 92.
The handle 28 preferably will automatically return to its stable position from at least 8 inches below its stable position with only gravity acting on the handle 28. Preferably, the handle 28 extends at an angle theta of less than 90° from the spine 50. Preferably, the handle 28 is adjustable. Preferably, the handle 28 is adjustable so that the center of gravity 106 remains positioned behind the wheel base 62 for at least 8 inches of forward tilt.
The spine 50 is preferably at an angle between 80°-100° with ground 98. Preferably, the spine 50 and golf bag 90 are perpendicular to the ground 98 in the standing position. Club removal from the bag 90 is preferably facilitated by the vertical mounting of the golf bag 90 on the cart 82 and the position of the handle 28 relative to the spine 50. Preferably, the spine 50 has a handle pivot frame 42 attached to the top portion 94, and including a handle screw 40 trapped to the handle pivot frame 42, as shown in FIGS. 4a, 4 b and 5 a-5 e.
The present invention pertains to a method for moving a golf bag 90. The method comprises the steps of grabbing a handle 28 of a cart 82 holding the golf bag 90. Then there is the step of tilting the handle 28 of the cart 82 forward wherein the center of gravity 106 of the cart 82 is behind the wheel base 62 of the cart 82 and the handle 28 is at least 8 inches below a stable height 92. Next there is the step of pulling the cart 82 along the ground 98. Then there is the step of releasing the cart 82 without applying any force to it, wherein the cart 82 under only force of gravity moves to a stable position with the golf bag 90 essentially vertical from the ground 98 and the handle 28 returning to its stable height 92. Preferably, after the releasing step, there is the step of lifting a golf club essentially vertically upwards out of the bag 90.
10 INDICATES CENTER OF GRAVITY 106 OF 8″, 9″, OR 10″
12 INDICATES CENTER OF GRAVITY 106 OF 8″, 9″, OR 10″
14 INDICATES CENTER OF GRAVITY 106 OF 8″, 9″, OR 10″
16 INDICATES MAXIMUM FORWARD TILT POSITION OF
18 INDICATES MAXIMUM FORWARD TILT POSITION OF
20 DIAMETER OF A 10.5″ BAG 90 SITTING ON THE CART 82
22 DIAMETER OF A 9″ BAG 90 SITTING ON THE CART 82
24 DIAMETER OF AN 8″ BAG 90 SITTING ON THE CART 82
26 LOCK SPRING
30 LOCK PIVOT PIN
32 LOCK PIN
34 STABILIZER BAR LOCK
36 COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE NYLON STRAP WITH
38 UPPER FRAME
40 HANDLE SCREW
42 HANDLE PIVOT FRAME
44 STABILIZER HANDLE PIVOT ARM
46 HANDLE PIVOT PIN
48 WHEEL PIVOT ROD
50 SPINE
54 STABILIZER FOOT
56 STABILIZER BAR
58 COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WHEEL
60 LOWER WHEEL PIVOT LEG
62 WHEEL BASE
64 WHEEL PIVOT FRAME AND BRACE
66 UPPER WHEEL PIVOT LEG
68 WHEEL CONNECTING FRAME AND OPPOSITE HAND
70 10 DEGREE ANGLE TO STABILIZE VERTICAL MOUNTING
72 45 DEGREE ALLOWS FOR ELEVATED WHEEL PIVOT
74 20.50″ FOR BAG 90 STABILITY
76 20.50″ FOR BAG 90 STABILITY OF ANY SIZE GOLF BAG 90,
78 10 DEGREES KEEPS HANDLE AWAY FROM CLUBS 88 AND
80 17.25″ IN RETRACTED PULLING POSITION
82 CART OF EMBODIMENT 1
84 THREADED ROD STAINLESS STEEL
86 HELICOIL
92 STABLE HEIGHT
96 BOTTOM PORTION
100 SUPPORT MECHANISM
102 CLASP
106 CENTER OF GRAVITY
108 FIRST SIDE
110 SECOND SIDE
112 FIRST FOOT
114 SECOND FOOT
116 THIRD FOOT
122 SPRING RETAINER
128 KNOB RETAINER
130 UPPER SUPPORT FRAME
132 LOWER SUPPORT FRAME
134 CART OF EMBODIMENT 2
136 STEEL PIPE FRAME
140 PLASTIC LEVER
142 314″ SHOULDER BOLT
Stabilizer bar 56 and lock
Automatic stand-up feature when the handle 28 is released within range shown on FIG. 1a.
Handle screw 40 trapped in handle pivot frame 42 (FIGS. 4a and 4 b).
The stabilizer bar 56 is used to support a golf bag 90 on the pull cart 82 perpendicular to the ground 98. The stabilizer bar 56 is positioned 90° to the pull cart 82 spine 50 and is adjustable to three positions. These positions are relative to the size of the golf bag 90 connected to the pull cart 82. A golf bag 90 having an opening of approximately 8 inches and of slight stature would use the first stabilizer bar 56 setting. This position utilizes the shortest possible operating stabilizer bar 56 length. A golf bag 90 with a 9-inch opening and of larger size would use the middle stabilizer bar 56 setting. In this position, the stabilizer bar 56 is extended longer than for a smaller bag 90. A golf bag 90 with a 10½-inch opening, the largest golf bag 90, would require the stabilizer bar 56 to be positioned in the fully extended location or the third position.
The reason for the stabilizer design is to mount a golf bag 90 vertically on the cart 82 and to have the cart 82 stand up when the handle 28 is released. For purposes herein, vertical means approximately 90°. However, vertical as defined herein, more specifically means a position between 80°-100°. The reasons that vertical mounting is the ideal position of a golf bag 90 on a cart 82 are as follows:
Center of Gravity 106 Variations
The center of gravity 106 is shown as an 8-inch circle and not as a dot in FIG. 1a for the following reasons.
The stabilizer bar 56 of embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1a is made from aluminum and plastic molded parts. The handle arm 44 is made from rectangular aluminum coupled to an injection molded plastic handle 28 at one end and an injection molded plastic handle pivot frame 42 with locking handle screw 40 at the other. The hand screw 40 consists of an injection molded knob, a threaded stainless steel rod and an injection molded plastic knob retainer 128 that traps the knob 40 in the handle pivot frame 42 whether or not the handle arm 44 is folded or opened. When the pull cart 82 is opened (unfolded), the handle arm 44 attaches to the spine 50. The spine 50 is made from rectangular aluminum coupled to an injection molded plastic upper frame 38 at the top, an injection molded wheel pivot frame 64 below the center, and an injection molded plastic stabilizer frame 52 at the bottom. The plastic upper frame 38 provides a threaded connection for coupling with the handle 28 knob and houses the nylon straps 36 used to attach a golf bag 90 to the pull cart 82. The wheel pivot frame 64 houses the upper and lower pivot legs for the wheels 58. The upper and lower pivot legs are attached to the handle 28 arm by two stainless steel rods. This connection allows the handle 28 arm and pivot legs to open and fold together. The plastic stabilizer frame 52 houses nylon straps 36 used to hold the golf bag 90 on the pull cart 82. The frame 52 supports the golf bag 90, and houses the stabilizer bar 56 and stabilizer bar lock 34. The stabilizer bar 56 is made from rectangular aluminum coupled to an injection molded plastic shoe 54. The shoe 54 connects the stabilizer bar 56 to the ground 98. The stabilizer bar 56 slides toward the wheels 58 or away from the wheels 58 depending upon whether or not the stabilizer bar 56 is stored or in use. In the operating position, the stabilizer bar 56 is held in place by the stabilizing bar lock 34. The stabilizing bar lock 34 is a combination of an injection molded plastic lever 140, a stainless steel pin 30, and a stainless steel torsion spring 26. The plastic lever 140 pivots against the lock spring 26 to lock and unlock. The pull cart 82 stands on three points. The stabilizer foot 54 and two wheels 58. The wheels 58 are coupled to the wheel legs via opposite hand injection molded plastic wheel connecting frames 68. The commercially available wheels 58 attach to the wheel connecting frames 68 via ¾″ shoulder bolts 142.
a golf bag with contents including golf clubs, golf balls and accessories;
a spine having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a top side and an underside, said spine having a support frame which extends from the top side away from the underside and is disposed about the golf bag to support and hold the golf bag with the spine in a position between 80°-100° with ground, the spine having an angle between 80°-100° with ground when the cart is in a standing position;
a handle connected to the spine and extending from the top portion forward of the spine, said handle having a stable height from ground; and
a support mechanism connected to and extending from the bottom portion, said support mechanism able to support the spine and the golf bag in the standing position, said support mechanism having a wheel mechanism with wheel legs cut at compound angles with respect to each other on which the support mechanism rolls along ground to facilitate the movement of the spine and golf bag, the support mechanism together with the golf bag, the spine and the handle define a center of gravity over the support mechanism and behind the spine when the spine is tilted forward and the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height causing the spine and golf bag to return to the standing position when the handle is released after the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height, the cart having no additional weights added to it besides the golf bag with contents to make the cart automatically stand up when the handle is released after the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height at the standing position.
2. A cart as described in claim 1 wherein the handle being adjustable to a desired position so that whatever the desired position the handle has been adjusted to, the spine and golf bag returning to the standing position when the handle is released after the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height.
a spine having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a top side and an underside, said spine having a support frame which extends from the top side away from the underside and are positioned about the golf bag to support the golf bag with the spine in a position between 80°-100° with ground, the spine having an angle between 80°-100° with ground when the cart is in a standing position;
a handle connected to the spine and extending from the top portion forward of the spine, said handle having a stable height from ground, the handle being adjustable to a desired position; and
a support mechanism connected to and extending from the bottom portion, said support mechanism able to support the spine and the golf bag in the standing position, said support mechanism having a wheel mechanism with wheel legs cut at compound angles with respect to each other on which the support mechanism rolls along ground to facilitate the movement of the spine and golf bag, the support mechanism together with the golf bag, the spine and the handle define a center of gravity over the support mechanism and behind the spine when the spine is tilted forward and the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height whatever the desired position the handle has been adjusted to causing the spine and golf bag to return to the standing position when the handle is released after the handle is at least eight inches below its stable height at the standing position.
14. A cart as described in claim 13 wherein the support mechanism includes a 3-foot support.
placing the golf bag on a golf cart having a spine between 80°-100° with ground when the cart is in a standing position so the golf bag is at an angle of 80°-100° with ground;
grabbing a handle of the cart holding the golf bag;
tilting the handle of the cart holding the golf bag forward wherein the center of gravity of the cart with the golf bag is behind the wheel base of the cart and the handle is at least 8 inches below a stable height;
pulling the cart along the ground; and
releasing the cart without applying any force to it, wherein the cart under only force of gravity moves to a standing position with the golf bag essentially vertical from the ground and the handle returning to its stable height at the standing position.
27. A method as described in claim 26 including after the releasing step there is the step of lifting a golf club essentially vertically upwards out of the bag.
US09/362,821 1999-07-28 1999-07-28 Cart for a golf bag, and method for using Expired - Fee Related US6550790B1 (en)
US09/362,821 US6550790B1 (en) 1999-07-28 1999-07-28 Cart for a golf bag, and method for using
US6550790B1 true US6550790B1 (en) 2003-04-22
ID=23427675
US09/362,821 Expired - Fee Related US6550790B1 (en) 1999-07-28 1999-07-28 Cart for a golf bag, and method for using
US (1) US6550790B1 (en)
US2523893A (en) * 1948-12-06 1950-09-26 Norman B Williamson Cart for transporting golf bags
US3753473A (en) * 1971-08-03 1973-08-21 R Hollis Golf cart with outboard power unit
US5826764A (en) * 1996-08-30 1998-10-27 Beckham; Cedric E. Extension bar with golf ball dispenser for hand-drawn golf carts
1999-07-28 US US09/362,821 patent/US6550790B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
US20030192741A1 (en) 2003-10-16 Adjustable tree stand
Owner name: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON FOUNDATION, OHIO
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SMEALLIE, KEVIN;REEL/FRAME:023245/0929