EP2870050A1

EP2870050A1 - Motorised three-wheeled golf trolley

Info

Publication number: EP2870050A1
Application number: EP13730614.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ralf Kleinknecht
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-09
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Also published as: WO2014009143A1; DE202012105019U1; DE202012102516U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorised three-wheeled golf trolley (1) having a frame (2) comprising a base frame (21) and a steering arm (20) and which supports a steerable front wheel (4) and two motorised rear wheels (5). A user-friendly design is obtained by virtue of the fact that, in the rear region of the base frame (21), located behind the middle as seen with respect to the straight ahead travel direction, the base frame (21) supports a standing platform (230) and/or a seat for transporting a user and that, in the region of the standing platform (230), a track-width adjustment device for reducing the track width of the rear wheels (5) in the out-of-use state and increasing the track width in the in-use state is disposed.

Description

Motorized three-wheeled golf trolley

The invention relates to a motorized three-wheeled golf trolley with a bottom frame and a steering linkage having a chassis carrying a steerable front wheel and two motor-driven rear wheels.

A motorized golf trolley (golf cart, caddy cart) of this type is disclosed in DE 103 53 521 A1. In this known golf trolley, a leading support wheel are arranged on the front of a floor frame and two rear wheels driven on the rear of an axle. Furthermore, a collapsible support column is articulated in the surrounding area of the rear wheel axle, which forms a trailer for an obliquely forward folded golf bag and in the non-use state is folded down to the front on the floor frame. To move the golf Trolieys the user only needs to operate the actuating means for engine operation and to steer the Troliey via a mounted on the support column handlebar, but he goes behind the golf trolley and often has to travel long distances. This can be difficult for some people. Another three-wheeled golf Troiley with motor drive, which is steered by a trailing user is shown in DE 20 2005 017 020 U1.

In DE 38 77 526 T2 (German part of the European patent EP 0 317 309 B1) a collapsible three-wheeled golf trolley made of extruded Fahrgestellteniien is shown.

DE 60 2005 005 707 T2 shows a drive unit for driving two wheels of a golf cart with an electric motor.

In addition, golf carts are also known, which are designed for the transport of people, such. For example, a trolley called Scoover (Internet address www.scoover.eu). These are four-wheeled and relatively complex. A similar four-wheeled golf trolley with standing platform for a user is shown in DE 20 2009 013 273. In DE 20 201 1 004 903 U1 it is proposed to make the length and inclination of the golf bag carrier axle adjustable for the transport of the user. This can lead to difficulties in maneuverability. The present invention has for its object to provide a golf trolley of the type mentioned above, which offers increased ease of use.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. In this case, it is provided that the floor frame carries a standing platform and / or a seat for transporting a user in its longitudinal direction extending in the direction of straight travel behind the middle rear area and that in the area of the standing platform a gage adjustment device for reducing the track width of - -

Rear wheels when not in use and increasing the track width in use is arranged.

This design of the golf Troyys results in a structurally advantageous space-saving construction with good handling including production of the transport function.

Advantageous embodiments are that the bottom frame is provided with an adjustment device and extendable by means of this for extending in the longitudinal direction of the trolley and that the Verstelivorrichtung is designed for adjusting by hand or with an adjustment drive for automatic adjustment after triggering an adjustment by the user is provided. The automatic adjustment using the Versteilantriebs can be done easily at the touch of a button and automatic control of the adjustment drive.

In this case, an advantageous embodiment is that the Verstelivorrichtung for the adjustment has a lying in straight direction of travel, especially in the vertical central longitudinal plane lifting unit. Advantageous embodiments of the Verstelivorrichtung be formed by the fact that the lifting unit has at least one adjusting spindle, a rack, a pneumatic or hydraulically operable in reciprocating piston / cylinder arrangement or a linear motor. Further advantageous for the use Ausgestaitungsmerkmale are that by means of the track width adjustment, the track width of the two rear wheels when extending the bottom frame widened and when pushing together Bottom frame is reduced or that the track on the one hand and the bottom frame in the longitudinal direction on the other hand are independently adjustable.

In this case, an embodiment which is advantageous for the construction consists in that the track width adjustment device has an adjusting mechanism which is designed to adjust the standing platform and at the two lateral end portions of which the rear wheels are attached.

Further advantages for the structure and function result from the fact that the two rear wheels are provided with separately assigned electrically driven wheel motors, in particular hub motors.

An advantageous embodiment for the operation is that for operating the wheel motors, an electrical energy source and for driving the wheel motors, a control device is present.

Different Ausgestaitungsvarianten for an advantageous Versteilunktion are that the standing platform has a plurality of sub-plates, which are adjustable by means of the adjustment horizontally or vertically relative to each other.

An advantageous construction is achieved in that the floor frame is T-shaped and comprises a divisible longitudinal traverse, in particular in the vertical central longitudinal plane, as well as with this directly or via intermediate links connected supporting parts of the track width adjustment device.

In this case, it is advantageously provided for the mode of operation and the construction that the carrying parts are at least partially movably mounted relative to the longitudinal traverse. - -

For a simple adjustability with a stable structure further contribute to the measures that the adjustment mechanism has a cooperating with the supporting parts deflection mechanism by means of which the standing platform is spatially adjustable from a track width direction and longitudinal direction horizontal spanned x-y-ground plane out.

An advantageous embodiment also results from the measures that at least by means of some of the supporting parts, a platform support unit carrying the standing platform is formed, which is configured with a plurality of support elements articulated in vertical pivot axes, which are pivotable relative to one another in a horizontal ground plane.

For the construction and the function, the measures are also advantageous in that the standing platform is articulated to the platform support unit and to the longitudinal traverse via horizontal horizontal articulation axes directed parallel to the longitudinal extent.

For the accommodation or transport of the golf trolley when not in use is advantageous that the steering linkage has an obliquely backward upward steering column in the operating condition with attached steering rod, wherein the steering column is folded towards the bottom frame.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1A is a motorized golf trolley in a schematic side view with pushed together bottom frame and hinterhergehendem user, 1 B shows the golf trolley according to FIG. 1A with the floor frame pulled out and with the user transported on a standing platform, FIG.

1 C, the Golf Troliey of Figure 1A with the floor frame pulled out and on a seat mittransportiertem user,

2A the golf trolley of FIG. 1A in the collapsed state in an enlarged side view,

2B, the golf trolley of Figure 2A in plan view of the floor assembly with wheels and floor frame.

3A, the golf trolley of Figure 2A in the extended state,

3B shows the golf Troliey of Figure 3A in plan view of the floor assembly with extended bottom frame and track extension in the rear wheels,

FIGS. 4A and 4B

Side views of another embodiment of a golf trolley in a collapsed and exploded with respect to the longitudinal direction,

Figs. 5A and 5B

Top views of the trolley according to FIGS. 4A and 4B in the collapsed and extended state, 6A is an enlarged view of the golf trolley of FIG. 5B,

6B shows a top view of the golf trolley in a further embodiment in the longitudinal and in the gauged state,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the golf trolley of Fig. 6B obliquely from behind and above in the exploded state, Fig. 8 shows a further perspective view of the golf trolley after

Fig. 6B more from the back,

Fig. 9 shows a further perspective view of the golf trolley after

6B from below and obliquely behind,

10 is another perspective view of the golf trolley from the bottom more from the back,

Fig. 11 is a further perspective view of the golf trolley after

Fig. 6B from the front,

Fig. 12 is a further perspective view of the golf trolley after

Fig. 6B from the rear, Fig. 13 is a further perspective view of the golf trolley after

Fig. 6B, but in the contracted state obliquely from behind and above. FIG. 14 the golf trolley according to FIG. 3 in perspective from above, FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the Go! F trolley according to FIG. 13 in perspective from below, laterally,

Fig. 16, the golf trolley of FIG. 13 in perspective from below, more from the front and

FIG. 17 shows a further perspective view of the golfing wheel according to FIG

13 from the rear side.

Fig. 1A shows a golf trolley 1 with a chassis 2 comprising a floor assembly with three wheels coupled to a floor frame 21, namely a steered front wheel 4 (e.g., formed of two small pitch gears) and two laterally relative thereto a Mitteilängsachse pointing in the direction of straight-ahead driving arranged rear wheels 5, of which as a result of the lateral representation, only the viewer facing rear wheel can be seen. In the front area of the floor frame 21, a steering linkage 20 is coupled with a steering column 201 directed obliquely backwards upwards with a handlebar 202 to be handled by the user in the upper area. The steering column 201, at the lower portion of a suspension for the front wheel 4 is mounted, also serves to accommodate a accessory bag 3 for the golf equipment. The retractable bottom frame 21 is pushed together in the state shown in Fig. 1A, so that the handlebar 202 via a (imaginary) pointing in the direction of gravity vertical in the longitudinal direction on the rear wheels 5 which projects rearwardly or over or at least slightly before the vertical over the rear wheels 5 is located so that the user can bring the Golf Troliey while walking comfortably in front of him. To easily move the Golf Trolleys 1 is driven by means of a motor 7 (see Fig. 6), which preferably acts on the rear wheels 5 and z. B. in the region of a rear axle between the rear wheels 5 or in the wheels itself is arranged as a hub motor. As further shown in FIG. 1A, the floor assembly is provided with a standing platform 230 supported on the floor frame 21.

FIG. 1 B shows the extended state of the golf trolley 1, wherein the floor frame is extended to the rear so far that the user sits comfortably on the standing platform form 230 with its center of gravity slightly in front of the rear axle 50 or possibly above it on the floor -Trolley 1 ride and maneuver this. The steering linkage 20 may be formed correspondingly höhenversteilbar in the region of the longitudinal column 201 and / or the steering rod 202. The position of the rear wheels 5 in the collapsed state is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 B.

As shown in FIG. 1C, instead of or in addition to the standing platform 230 in the region of the rear axle, advantageously with the center of gravity just before the same, a seat 6 for the user z. B. releasably mounted and be supported on the bottom frame 21, so that the user sitting on the golf trolley 1 can ride.

Fig. 2A shows the golf trolley 1 in the collapsed state of the bottom frame 21 in an enlarged side view, while Fig. 2B is a plan view of the bottom group of the golf trolley 1 with the bottom frame 21 and the three wheels, namely the steered front wheel 4 and both right and left with respect to the central longitudinal axis and vertical central longitudinal plane disposed rear wheels 5 shows. The bottom frame 21 has substantially the shape of an isosceles, forward narrowing trapezoid or, alternatively, an isosceles itself leading to the front narrowing triangle, wherein the angle of the two side legs with respect to the central longitudinal axis is the same, as shown in Fig. 2B. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two rear wheels 5 are coupled to one another via a (in plan view) at right angles to the central longitudinal axis extending physical rear axle 50. The rear ends of the side legs of the bottom frame 21 are z. B. articulated and / or mechanically buffered by means of an elastic member attached to the rear axle 50. The standing platform 230 is located largely in front of the rear axle 50 and is shown in the Fig. Transparent. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the longitudinal column 201 is coupled to the bottom frame 21 via a joint part 200 for steering the front wheel. Further, the steering linkage 20 may be formed hinged to the steering column 201 to the bottom frame 21 out, the embodiment having a correspondingly formed Abklappmechanik.

An essential design feature of the present golf trolley 1 is the extensibility or adjustability of the floor panel to the rear, as already mentioned in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B. For ease of adjustment, the bottom assembly is provided with an adjustment device 220, as further shown in Figures 2A and 2B, and also in Figures 3A and 3B. The adjusting device 220 is in the illustrated Ausführungsbeispie! arranged in the region of the central longitudinal plane in the region of a longitudinal cross-piece and has a lifting unit with an adjusting part 221 and an adjusting drive 222 acting on this. The adjustment part 221 includes z. As an adjusting spindle or rack, while the Verstettantrieb 222 is advantageously an electric motor. Alternatively, as adjustment also z. As a pneumatically or hydraulically operated piston / cylinder unit or a linear electric motor be installed. - -

The adjusting part 221 and / or the adjusting drive 222 may be encapsulated by a housing.

In the embodiment shown, the two side legs of the bottom frame 21 are also composed with at least two relatively movable side parts, namely a front side part 210 and a telescopically displaceable relative to this rear side part 211, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B more clearly. Another particular embodiment of the golf trolley 1 is that the track width of the rear wheels in the extended state is increased. In the exemplary embodiment shown, an adjusting unit 51 with a motor-driven drive unit 52 is provided for this purpose in the region of the rear axle 50 in or outside thereof. The track extension significantly contributes to the stabilization of the tipping and driving safety during the transport of the user.

In the embodiment shown, the angle between the side parts of the bottom frame 21 is rigidly predetermined by z. B. the two front side parts 210 are fixedly attached to each other and to a support member of the floor assembly. When the bottom frame 21 is withdrawn or adjusted to the rear, the track width is thereby automatically increased when the rear wheels 5 or the rear axle 50 are coupled to the rear ends of the side legs, and when the track is pushed together, the track width is reduced. It can be dispensed with a separate drive unit 52 between the rear wheels 5. A steepening unit 51 with a correspondingly configured mechanism can thereby contribute to a smooth, reliable gage adjustment. - -

Figs. 4A to 6A show another Ausführungsbetspiel for the construction of a golf trolley 1 in a side view (Figures 4A and 4B) and in plan view of the bottom group (Figures 5A, 5B and 6A), wherein corresponding parts as in the previously described Ausführungsbeäspiel are provided with the same reference numerals.

As shown in particular by the plan views according to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6A, the bottom frame is formed from the central longitudinal cross-section lying in the vertical central longitudinal plane and an axle unit lying at right angles thereto, at whose ends the rear wheels 5 are arranged symmetrically to the central longitudinal axis. In this case, the longitudinal trajectory is constructed telescopically from a plurality of longitudinal segments, which are assembled by means of the adjusting device 220 with adjusting part 221 and adjusting drive 222 so that they can be pulled apart and pushed together. In this case too, the adjusting device 220 can have one or more adjusting spindles, one or more toothed racks or at least one piston / cylinder unit with pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. As particularly shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 6A, the longitudinal beam is stably mounted on the axle unit, wherein the axle unit in turn comprises a plurality of telescopically adjustable axle segments, whereby the track width adjustment of the rear wheels 5 described above is made possible. The Versteilantrieb 222 may be disposed either in the rear region of the longitudinal beam or in the front region of the longitudinal beam, for example in the vicinity of the connection point of the steering linkage 20.

The adjustment of the gauge is carried out either via the adjusting drive 222 and a coupling mechanism with deflection gear, the transmission parts 53 includes. Alternatively, the gage adjustment can be made via a separate drive unit 52, as described in connection with the preceding embodiment. wrote. The adjustment unit 51 has for the gage adjustment in both cases adjustment means such. B. adjusting spindles on.

As can also be seen from FIG. 6A, a motor 7, which acts on the rear wheels 5 via a telescopically adjustable drive axle, is arranged in the axle unit. In the axle unit also a Differenzialget ebe is arranged so that the Golf Trolley 1 can easily perform steering maneuvers. Instead of a motor 7 in the axle unit, the rear wheels 5 can also be provided with hub motors, which can be activated by means of the control device. The motor 7 is preferably designed as an electric motor and is powered by a battery or a rechargeable battery, including z. B. a charge can be provided via photovoltaic elements.

The standing platform 230 may, for. B. have two parts and have two superimposed sliding plate parts, so that they widened or narrowed with the gage adjustment accordingly.

Fig. 6B shows a further embodiment of the Golf Trolieys. In this case, the standing platform 230 is also designed in several parts, with a right sub-platform 230a and on the left side a left sub-platform 230b are stably coupled by means of fastening elements to the rear portion of the longitudinal beam on the (right side). The right and left sub-platforms 230a, 230b are in turn each formed of a first Teiiplatte 231 lying to the longitudinal beam and a remote from the longitudinal cross second Teiiplatte 232, along their facing facing longitudinally edges over a horizontal, parallel to the central longitudinal plane of the Gulf -Trollenys extending hinge axis 233 are hinged together. Furthermore, the first two are part - -

plates 231 'hingedly coupled to the rear portion of the longitudinal beam via a further, parallel to the vertical longitudinal plane of the golf trolley running horizontal hinge axis 233. This hinge axis 233 'is mounted for stabilization in a displaceable on the penultimate telescopic portion of the longitudinal beam support bearing in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the outer lateral edges of the second sub-panel 232, which are remote from the longitudinal cross-member, are articulated via an additional joint axis 233 "extending parallel to the central longitudinal plane on a platform support unit 240 (see Fig. 7ff) receiving the standing platform 230. The rear wheels 5 are on side supports 241 of the platform support unit 240 rotatably mounted and equipped with wheel motors, in particular hub motors, which are individually controlled but controlled by the control means under supply from an electrical power source or regulated.

As FIGS. 7 to 17 further show, the platform support unit 240 has, in addition to the side supports 241, further coupling arms coupled thereto via vertical articulation axes 246 and articulated for pivoting in the horizontal xy plane, namely front coupling supports 242 and rear coupling supports 245 In turn, the rear coupling carriers 245 are composed of coupling carrier parts 243, 244 which are also connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of vertical articulation axes 246. At their end regions remote from the side supports 241 and pointing towards the longitudinal traverse, the front and rear coupling supports 242, 245 are connected in a stable manner via further vertical Geienkachsen 246 at the rear portion of the longitudinal beam, so that high weight forces can be absorbed. The side support 241, coupling support 242, 245 or coupling support members 243, 244 are made of particularly stable in the vertical direction, ie for large weight-bearing profiles produced as U-profiles, in which the U-web is oriented in the vertical direction, C-profiles or rectangular profiles or profiles with quadratic ratischem or round cross-section, wherein the profiles are preferably formed as hollow profiles. The relatively longitudinally displaceable or telescopable sections of the longitudinal traverse consist of profiles of high load capacity for accommodating even heavy persons, with good displaceability being ensured.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6B to 17, the first and second sub-panels 231, 232 of the two sub-platforms 230a, 230b are movable relative to a horizontal xy plane (spanned in the longitudinal direction and track width direction of the golf trolley) in the vertical direction (z). Direction) about the horizontal hinge axis 233 connecting them up. This is done by means of the relative to the longitudinal beam pivotable front and rear coupling carrier 242 and 245, which also take the side support 241. For this purpose, in the present exemplary embodiment, two-part rear coupling carrier 245 formed from the coupling carrier parts 243, 244 are stably fastened with their ends facing the longitudinal traverse in the rear region of the last section of the longitudinal traverse via the relevant vertical joint axes 246. The integral in the present embodiment, the front coupling support 242, however, are stably fixed with their longitudinal beam facing ends on the respective vertical Geienkachsen 246 at the rear end region of the second last section of the longitudinal beam. The two ends of the front and rear coupling supports 242, 245 directed away from the longitudinal cross-piece are articulated to the side supports 241 running laterally in the longitudinal direction of the golf trolley. If now the longitudinal beam z. B. pushed together by means of the adjusting drive 222, and the rear and the penultimate section of the longitudinal beam with the attached thereto vertical pivot axes 246 and thus the respective ends of the front and rear - -

Coupling support 242 and 245 pushed together, causing the front coupling carrier 242 and rear coupling carrier 245 to pivot toward the longitudinal beam and accordingly the side support 241 with the rear wheels 5 in the manner of a Parallelogrammviergelenksystems (with the special feature that the rear coupling carrier 245 from two coupling carrier parts 243, 244) are moved inwardly in the direction of the longitudinal beam. At the same time, the two Teilpiattformen 230a and 230b with the respective first and second Teiipiatte 231, 232 pivoted with connecting them to the horizontal hinge axis 233 upwards as this z. For example, Fig. 11 (or 12) can be clearly seen in the extended operating condition and Fig. 17 in the collapsed condition.

With the adjustment mechanism of the gauge adjustment thus formed results in a stable, well-functioning structure for high payloads. In order to favor the erection process of the sub-plates 231, 232, a short run-on slope or a run-on pin or the like can be arranged underneath, which initiates the swiveling movement when the sections of the longitudinal traverse are pushed together.

It should be noted that the two sub-platforms 230a, 230b may also be formed of more than two sub-plates. The adjustment mechanism with the coupling carriers is then adjusted accordingly.

For a simple operation of the adjusting device 220 by means of the adjusting drive 222 and / or the adjusting unit 51 by means of the drive unit 52, a (not shown) electrical control unit is provided, via which the adjustment when pulling or pushing together by the user z. B. by pressing a button can be solved. The control unit may form part of the aforementioned control device.

It is also conceivable to carry out the adjusting device 220 or the adjusting unit 51 as a manually operable adjusting mechanism.

Claims

An engineered three-wheeled golf trolley (1) comprising a chassis (2) comprising a floor frame (21) and a steering linkage (20) which carries a steerable front wheel (4) and two motor-driven rear wheels (5),

characterized,

that the floor frame (21) in its longitudinal direction extending in the straight-ahead direction behind the middle rear area carries a standing platform (230) and / or a seat (6) for transporting a user and that in the area of the standing platform (230) a gauging device for reducing the Track of the rear wheels (5) is arranged in the non-use state and increasing the track width in use.

2. Golf trolley according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the bottom frame (21) is provided with an Verstelivorrichtung (220) and extendable by means of this extendable in the longitudinal straightener of the trolley, and

in that the adjusting device (220) is designed for manual adjustment or is provided with an adjusting drive (222) for automatic adjustment after triggering of an adjusting function by the user.

3. Golf trolley according to claim 2,

characterized,

in that the adjusting device (220) has a lifting unit lying in straight traveling direction, in particular in the vertical central longitudinal plane.

4. Golf trolley according to claim 3,

characterized,

the lifting unit has at least one adjusting spindle, a toothed rack, an ollow / cylinder arrangement which can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically in the reciprocating device, or a linear motor.

5. Golf Troiley according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that, by means of the track width adjustment device, the track width of the two rear wheels (5) can be reduced when the bottom frame (21) is pulled out and can be reduced when the bottom frame (21) is pushed together or

that the track on the one hand and the bottom frame (21) in Längsnchtung on the other hand are independently adjustable.

6. Golf Troiley according to claim 5,

characterized,

in that the gage adjustment device has an adjusting mechanism which is designed to adjust the standing platform (230) and at whose two lateral end sections the rear wheels (5) are mounted.

7. Golf trolley according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

the two rear wheels (5) are provided with electrically driven wheel motors, in particular hub motors, assigned to them separately.

8. Golf trolley according to claim 7,

characterized, in that for operating the wheel motors an electrical energy source and for controlling the wheel motors a control device is provided.

9. Golf trolley according to one of claims 6 to 8,

characterized,

in that the standing platform (230) has a plurality of partial plates (231, 232) which can be adjusted horizontally or vertically relative to one another by means of the adjusting mechanism. 0. Golf trolley according to one of claims 6 to 9,

characterized,

in that the floor frame (21) is T-shaped and comprises a divertable longitudinal traverse, in particular in the vertical center plane, as well as supporting parts of the track width adjusting device which are connected directly or via intermediate links.

11. Golf trolley according to claim 10,

characterized,

in that the supporting parts are at least partially movably mounted relative to the longitudinal traverse.

12. Golf Troiley according to claim 10 or 11,

characterized,

in that the adjusting mechanism has a deflection mechanism cooperating with the supporting parts, by means of which the standing platform (230) can be spatially adjusted upwards out of a xy ground plane spanned horizontally in the track width direction and longitudinal extension direction. Golf trolley according to one of claims 10 to 12,

characterized,

in that at least some of the supporting parts form a platform support unit (240) supporting the standing platform (230), which is configured with a plurality of support elements articulated in vertical articulation axes (246) which are pivotable relative to one another in a horizontal ground plane.

Golf trolley according to claim 13,

characterized,

in that the standing platform (230) is articulated to the platform support unit (240) and to the longitudinal traverse via horizontal horizontal articulation axes (233 ', 233 ") directed parallel to the longitudinal extent

Golf trolley according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the steering linkage (20) has a steering column (201) directed obliquely backwards in the operating state with the steering rod (202) attached thereto, wherein the steering column (201) can be folded in toward the floor frame (21).