Abstract:
Disclosed is a self contained portable fan assembly for use with golf carts strategically positioned directly behind the seating area of a conventional golf cart. The portable fan assembly may include rechargeable batteries that can be charged within the assembly from an AC source or recharge directly from the golf cart batteries. The portable housing is constructed and arranged to span the stanchions of a conventional golf cart roof support employing an upper area of the seating area to provide housing support. Flexible straps permit ease of installation and removal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,202, entitled “GOLF CART ACCESSORY FAN”, filed Aug. 9, 2012. The contents of which the above referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is related to the golf industry and, in particular, to an accessory fan positionable on a golf cart for cooling of the occupants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The game of golf is a most enjoyable sport played by millions of golf enthusiasts. Golf is played on a course having separate tee/fairway/green combinations with the course averaging between 5,500 yards to over 7,000 yards, not including the distance between a green and the following tee. Golf is a sport in which the golfer advances a golf ball from a tee to a green in as few of strokes as possible. One of the most interesting aspects of the game is that every course has its own unique architecture with each golf course designer attempting to outdo other designers. 
         [0004]    Golf is a sport that can be played anywhere that outdoor conditions allow. Golfing in the northern section of South America, Central America, and the lower section of North America is year round. However, golfing in those areas presents unique problems associated with heat. For instance, parts of Arizona can reach temperatures of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit wherein overheated golf enthusiasts can place themselves in a dangerous situation should they be subjected to a heat stroke. Southern Florida, parts of Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and the like tropical areas have conditions where heat can combine with humidity to create an intolerable condition. In such areas a golf course can lose revenue when a round of golf is cancelled as the golfer seeks an endeavor that is more pleasurable. In addition, tropical areas including southern Florida, mosquitoes, no see-ums, flies and the like insect populations can affect a round of golf leading to cancellations. Even the upper section of North America including Canada face similar heat and bug problems during certain months of the year. 
         [0005]    With the variance of golf courses and environments, most golf enthusiasts are not capable of walking an  18  hole golf course and carry the required golf clubs used in the sport. In this regard, the adaptation of an electric vehicle in the form of a golf cart has become widely accepted. The golf cart is specifically designed for use on a golf course allowing the occupants to move effortlessly between golf shots together with their golf clubs. The golf cart advances the speed of play as the golfers can move quickly from location to location and opens up the sport to numerous golf enthusiasts who would otherwise have difficulty in walking the course due to its length, conditions, or even temperature. 
         [0006]    The introduction of the golf cart has made the game of golf more enjoyable as the cart includes a top for sunshade and basic conveniences. Unfortunately, the previously mentioned environmental conditions still exist and the temperature that the golf cart occupants are subjected to can remain intolerable and, in some conditions, dangerous. 
         [0007]    One method of cooling the occupant of a golf cart is the placement of a fan within the cart. It is known in the art to attach a fan to one of the roof support stanchions, only along the inner surface of the roof so as to provide cooling conditions to the occupants. 
         [0008]    The use of fans in connection with golf carts is known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,944 discloses a fan system for directing a flow of air at the occupants of the golf cart. The fan is powered by the use of a portable power pack, which consumer must carry in addition to the fan. The consumer must accommodate multiple wires to deal with, as well as a fan structure attachment, to effect operation. Additionally the clamping mechanism of the fan is prone to sliding down the roof support stanchion so that the flow of air no longer is directed at the occupant of the golf cart. Other known cooling devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,547,343; 4,850,804; 4,799,850; 6,435,292; 6,325,362; 6,202,394; 6,158,140; 5,613,371; 4,899,931; and 5,112,535. 
         [0009]    Thus, what is needed in the art is a fan system that is strategically positioned behind the occupants so as to cause the movement of air across the upper back, neck, and head of the individual effectively lowering the temperature of the individual by use of a self contained and rechargeable battery pack. The fan system creates a current flow of air keeping mosquitoes, no see-ums or the like pesky insects away from the golf cart occupants. The system is portable and can be installed for only a short time, but while installed it is stable and secure in the golf cart. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Disclosed is an improved fan system for use with golf carts. The fan system consists of a housing constructed and arranged to span the distance between the roof support stanchions on a conventional golf cart. The fan system consists of two fans placed in a side by side position so as to cause direct air movement to the upper back, neck and head of the individuals seating in the golf cart, the fans positioned close to the individual allowing the use of smaller fans thereby lessening the need for a large battery pack. The fan system includes a self contained battery pack which is rechargeable by plugging into an AC adapter. The self contained batteries allow fan operation without degrading the length of the golf cart&#39;s main batteries that most prior art fan systems rely upon. In an alternative embodiment the fan system is portable and can be easily installed and removed to address those situations where fans are not necessary, such as in cool weather conditions. Alternatively the fan can be powered directly by the golf cart batteries when the fan system is installed in a more permanent situation. 
         [0011]    An objective of the invention is to provide a self contained fan system for use with golf carts that can be strategically positioned directly behind the occupants of the golf cart to reduce fan size and accompanying energy consumption. 
         [0012]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a self contained fan system having rechargeable batteries to eliminate drawing upon the main batteries of the golf cart. 
         [0013]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a fan system that can be connected directly to the golf cart batteries for use in a more permanent situation. 
         [0014]    Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a switching mechanism that allows for the combined or individual operation of fans. 
         [0015]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide fan operation than can be controlled by the use of pressure sensors mounted to the seat or back rest of a golf cart seat allowing operation only when the seat is occupied. 
         [0016]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a housing structure having angle brackets that allow for permanent attachment to the golf cart. 
         [0017]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a housing structure having the use of hook and loop adjustment straps that allow transfer of the fan assembly between golf carts without damaging, modifying, or otherwise altering the golf cart. 
         [0018]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a golf cart with the fan assembly of the instant invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front plane view of the fan assembly; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top cross sectional view of the fan assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Now referring to the figures in general, set forth is a conventional golf cart  100  having a body  102  with an occupant seating area  104  positioned directly behind the steering wheel  106 . The seating area consists of a seat cushion  108  and a back rear cushion  110 . A roof structure  112  is supported by a right front stanchion  113  and a left front stanchion  114 . Right rear stanchion  116  and left rear stanchion  118  provide rear support of the roof structure  112 . The fan assembly  10  of the instant invention consists of a housing  11  having a height defined by a top  12  and bottom  14 , and a width defined by a first edge  16  and a second edge  18 . The housing  11  is substantially rectangular in shape having an upper right extension tab  19  and lower right extension tab  20  located along the first edge  16 , and an upper left extension tab  22  and lower left extension tab  24  located along the second edge  18 . The extension tabs are constructed and arranged to be placed over right rear stanchion  116  and left rear stanchion  118  allowing for ease of securement by use of a flexible strap at each extension tab. One end of strap  26  is attached to extension tab  19  by use of fastener  34 ; similarly one end of strap  28  is attached to extension tab  20 . One end of strap  30  is attached to extension tab  22  by use of fastener  33 ; similarly one end of strap  32  is attached to extension tab  24 . Each strap preferably made of flexible material having a hook and loop (Velcro) fastener. By way of example, strap  26  has a proximal end  35  attached to the extension tab  19  and is wrapped around right rear stanchion  116  with distal end  36  secured along the length of the strap  26  wherein an outer surface  38  of the strap  26  is of a loop material and an inner surface  40  of the distal end  36  is of a hook material which allows ease of installation and removal. 
         [0023]    The housing  11  is of a width so as to bridge the rear stanchions  116 , 118  and in one embodiment can include a hinge  42  along the center of the housing  11  which allows for altering of the width. Alternatively the housing  11  can be made adjustable in width wherein a first side portion  44  can slide over a second side portion  46  thereby adjusting the distance between the first edge  16  and second edge  18  as needed for attachment to various spacing between stanchions from different golf cart manufacturers. The housing  11  employs rechargeable batteries  50  that are preferably introduced through the rear of the fan housing  11 . The batteries  50  are sized to work in conjunction with the right fan  52  and left fan  54  to provide continuous operation of the fans for a period of time that will match a typical round of golf that is about four hours. The positioning of the housing  11  is directly behind the occupant seating area  104  and in close proximity to the back of the occupants, which allows for the use of high efficiency, low flow production fans  52 , 54 . The fans  52 , 54  need not move extremely high volumes of air due to the close proximity of the fans to the back of the seating area  104 . This close proximity allows for the use of higher efficiency magnetic drive fans thereby reducing the amount of battery power required or otherwise allowing the use of smaller batteries  50  within the housing  11 . The fan assembly  10  may also be connected directly to the golf cart batteries, not shown, for use in a more permanent situation, the higher efficiency fans  52 , 54  will not drain the golf cart batteries significantly and the fans  52 , 54  could be turned on and off by the use of pressure sensitive switches or proximity sensors. 
         [0024]    In the primary embodiment, the batteries  50  can be recharged by an A/C adapter  60  having a male plug  62  for receipt by a female plug  64 . The adapter  60  is secured to a conventional A/C power supply adapter, not shown, for conversion to D.C. current and voltage monitoring at the female plug  64 . The female plug  64  is connected to a battery charger, not shown, for recharging the batteries  50  between uses, or as an alternate power source during operation. Each fan  52 , 54  can be operated independently by a power switch  66  for operation of fan  52 , and a separate power switch  68  for operation of fan  54 . Each switch preferably has an off, low, and high position. Alternatively, the operation can be controlled by use of a pressure sensitive, or proximity sensor, switch  70  located on the seat cushion  108 , or a pressure sensitive, or proximity sensor, switch  72  located on back rear cushion  110 . The use of a pressure sensitive, or a proximity sensor, switch allows operation of the fan only when an individual is either seated in the golf cart  100  on the seat cushion  108  or leaning against the back rear cushion  110 . For example, when an individual is moving, the individual may wish to disable the fan and can lean forward if the pressure sensitive, or proximity sensor, switch  72  is mounted on the back rear cushion  110 . This is of benefit when the golfer is moving at a high rate of speed wherein the fan is not necessary thereby extending the life of the batteries  50 . If the pressure sensitive, or proximity sensor, switch  70  is placed on the seat cushion  108 , then the fan is operated every time the individual sits within the golf cart  100 , and the fan will turn off whenever the individual leaves the golf cart  100  to play. Without a pressure sensitive switch, or a proximity sensor switch, the individual would need to activate either power switch  66  or  68 , or both, as necessary to provide proper cooling. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is a top cross sectional view of the fan assembly  10 , showing the housing  11  with fans  52  and  54  placed within a screened vent  80  and  82 , with extension tab  19  along the first edge  16  and extension tab  22  located along the second edge  18 . The extension tabs may alternatively be in the form of a right angle bracket  84 , wherein an outer edge  86  of the bracket  84  may be placed on the inner edge on  117  of the right rear stanchion  116 , or alternatively, the inner edge  88  of the bracket  84  can be placed on an outer edge  119  of the right rear stanchion  116 . The brackets  84  can be formed integral with the housing  11  for ease of mounting, or used in combination with the extension tabs  19 , 20 , 22 , 24 . The portability of the fan assembly  10  allows for adaptability to the various types of golf carts  100  when the individual chooses to transfer the fan assembly  10  from cart to cart, where an individual changes carts due to courses, or even if the golf course has different style carts within their fleet. Further, including a handle, not shown, on the top  12  of the housing  11 , either formed integrally to the housing  11  or alternately a strap along the top  12  of the housing  11 , allows an individual to easily transport the fan assembly  10  from one golf cart  100  to another. The angle bracket  84  further allows for this flexibility as well as provides a means for permanently mounting the housing  11  should the consumer desire. The angle bracket  84  is most preferable for instances of permanent installation or concealment of the fasteners can be readily performed by side access versus frontal, or rear, access. 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment, the housing  11  has the bottom  14 , which sits along an upper edge  120  of the back rear cushion  110  of the seating area  104 . This allows the use of the flexible Velcro attachment straps as the housing  11  can rest on the top of the back rear cushion  110  of the seating area  104  so that no vertical movement occurs while the golf cart  100  is being moved from one location to another. It is well known that golf carts traverse in a relatively rough environment with the occupants driving on grass or transitioning from grass to gravel, causing items in the golf cart  100  to shift. The shocks on the golf cart  100  provide only basic cushioning of the ride thus the placement of the housing  11  on top of the back rear cushion  110  provides the necessary support despite the roughest operating conditions. The position of the housing  11  not only provides cooling directly behind the occupant&#39;s upper back, neck, and head area, but further takes advantage of the supportability of the seating area  104 . In addition, the close positioning of the fan assembly  10  to the seating area  104  allows the use of very low power consuming type fans that need not rotate excessively to produce the desired result. 
         [0027]    Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0028]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0029]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.