CA2736166A1 - Trolleys - Google Patents

Trolleys Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2736166A1
CA2736166A1 CA2736166A CA2736166A CA2736166A1 CA 2736166 A1 CA2736166 A1 CA 2736166A1 CA 2736166 A CA2736166 A CA 2736166A CA 2736166 A CA2736166 A CA 2736166A CA 2736166 A1 CA2736166 A1 CA 2736166A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
trolley
connection interface
electrical
electrical connection
battery
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA2736166A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Antony John Webb
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Motocaddy Ltd
Original Assignee
Motocaddy Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Motocaddy Ltd filed Critical Motocaddy Ltd
Priority to CA2736166A priority Critical patent/CA2736166A1/en
Publication of CA2736166A1 publication Critical patent/CA2736166A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B55/00Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
    • A63B55/60Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
    • A63B55/61Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags motorised
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60LPROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/006Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to power outlets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60LPROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/12Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by three-wheeled construction
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/0026Propulsion aids
    • B62B5/0033Electric motors
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/0026Propulsion aids
    • B62B5/0069Control
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60LPROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/30Trolleys
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2202/00Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
    • B62B2202/40Sport articles
    • B62B2202/404Golf articles, e.g. golfbags
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02TCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is an electrically powered golf trolley with a battery 15 supplying electrical current for powering the trolley and an electrical connection interface 18 through which a separate portable electrical component is electrically coupled to the battery. The electrical connection interface is a plug or socket (such as a USB socket) to which a cooperating part on the portable electrical component is connectable. The handle 16 of the trolley may further comprise means to support the portable electrical component whilst it is connected to the electrical connection interface. There may be voltage or current alteration means between the battery and the electrical connection interface to regulate the electrical output therefrom.

Description

TROLLEYS
The present invention relates to electrically powered sports trolleys.

It is known to use trolleys for the convenient transport of sporting equipment before, during or after play. Such trolleys or carts are collectively herein referred to as sports trolleys. These may or may not also transport people, but the present invention is particularly concerned with those that are not intended to carry people. A particular common example of this is golf trolleys which are designed to assist in the transportation of golf bags and golf 1o clubs as a player moves around a course. To assist in the movement of such trolleys around a course it is well known for them to be provided with electrical motors adapted to drive the wheels. Batteries are provided in order to supply the electric motor or motors with the necessary electrical current to operate.

It is increasingly common these days for sportsmen to use portable electronic equipment either as part of the sport or simply personal use whilst playing or during appropriate pauses. Such equipment may include for example mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs and the like. In some sports, particularly golf, equipment such as GPS receivers are used in order to monitor a golfer's position on a course and provide useful data such as distance to the hole.

It has been found that the batteries employed in powered such trolleys have ample capacity to assist in powering portable peripheral devices when in use. Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mechanism
-2-by which portable electronic devices may be powered from the trolley's power source to ensure sufficient duration of operation.

Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided an electrically powered sports trolley, comprising a battery supplying electrical current for powering the trolley and an electrical connection interface through which a separate portable electrical component may be electrically coupled to the battery.

The present invention may be applied to any situation in which a trolley with electrical power is utilised in an appropriate sport. However, it is 1o particularly advantageous in respect of the sport of golf and therefore it is highly preferred that the trolley is a golf trolley. Such a golf trolley, in addition to the features previously mentioned, would be provided with a means to support a golf bag. Further, one or more electric motor and appropriate controllers may be provided to drive wheels on the trolley as is well known.

The electrical connection interface may be a plug or a socket to which a co-operating part on the portable electrical component is connectable. It is highly preferred that the electrical connection interface on the trolley comprises a USB socket such that any portable device adapted to be charged through a USB connection may be connected and charged and/or powered.

Preferably the trolley includes a handle and the electrical connection interface is provided on or adjacent the handle for ease of connection.

In order that the portable electrical component can be safely located on the trolley whilst connected to the electrical connection interface it is preferred that the trolley further comprises appropriate support means to support the
-3-component on the trolley. Such support means might simply take the form of a surface upon which the item can be placed or a hook from which it could be hung. In more preferred embodiments such support means might comprise an appropriately configured bracket or recess into which the electrical component may be securely located. This permits the component to be placed on the trolley, connected to the electrical connection interface and remain so whilst the trolley is moving over potentially uneven terrain.
Advantageously the electrical connection interface is provided closely adjacent to any such support means. Potentially the electrical connection 1o means and support means may be configured such that location of an electrical component within the support means automatically causes an electrical connection between the electrical connection interface and the component.

In addition to the electrical connection between the component and the battery achieving the supply of power to the electrical component it is possible that the connection may also provide a control/data exchnage interface between the portable component and any other constituent or device forming part of the trolley. For example, if the portable electrical component is a GPS
receiver it is possible that the interface with the trolley could be used to control the movement of the trolley as well as powering the trolley.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-4-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of trolley according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged underside view of the handle showing the electrical connection interface.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of golf trolley according to the present invention. The trolley generally comprises a frame 10 supported by three wheels 11 which allow the trolley to roll over the ground. A golf bag 13 is supported on the framework 10 and carries golf clubs 14 for use whilst playing. The frame supports a battery pack 15 which 1o powers motors that drive the rear wheels 11. These rear wheels are configured such that a separate motor drives each wheel therefore allowing independent control of the two rear wheels and as a consequence the direction of the trolley's movement.

At the upper end of the frame is a handle 16 which can be used to manoeuvre the trolley. If appropriate, control mechanisms for the drive motors may be located in the handle. On the underside of the handle (best seen in Figure 2) there is an electrical connection interface in the form of a universal serial bus (USB) type connector 18. This connector is provided on the underside of the handle to ensure minimum visual impact when not in use and to help protect it from adverse climatic conditions. A protective cap (not shown) may also be provided to improve protection from the environment.
When a golfer wishes to connect a portable electronic component (not shown) the golfer removes any the protective cap from the USB connector 18 and engages an interface lead (not shown) provided with the electrical
-5-component into the USB port at one end and the electrical component at the other (if not permanently integrated). The electrical component is then supported on the handle of the trolley. The support means to hold the electrical component are not shown in the accompanying drawings. The golfer may then manoeuvre the trolley normally whilst the electrical component is supported and is powered and/or charged by electrical supply from the battery pack 15.

Given that the battery pack could operate at a voltage, such as 12 volts, that may be different to the desired USB output voltage, suitable 1o regulatory electronic components are provided within the handle (and are not visible in the attached) in order to regulate the output from the USB port.
Wires extend within the frame from the battery pack to the USB port and or regulatory components.

Claims (6)

Claims
1. An electrically powered sports trolley, comprising a battery supplying electrical current for powering the trolley and an electrical connection interface through which a separate portable electrical component may be electrically coupled to the battery.
2. A trolley as claimed in claim 1, which is a golf trolley.
3. A trolley as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the electrical connection interface is a plug or socket to which a cooperating part on the portable electrical component is connectable.
4. A trolley as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical connection interface is a USB socket.
5. A trolley as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further comprises means to support the portable electrical component whilst connected to the electrical connection interface.
6. A trolley as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further comprise current and or voltage alteration means between the battery and the electrical connection interface to regulate the electrical output therefrom.
CA2736166A 2011-03-30 2011-03-30 Trolleys Abandoned CA2736166A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2736166A CA2736166A1 (en) 2011-03-30 2011-03-30 Trolleys

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2736166A CA2736166A1 (en) 2011-03-30 2011-03-30 Trolleys

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2736166A1 true CA2736166A1 (en) 2012-09-30

Family

ID=46964758

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2736166A Abandoned CA2736166A1 (en) 2011-03-30 2011-03-30 Trolleys

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2736166A1 (en)

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request

Effective date: 20160329

FZDE Dead

Effective date: 20190607