GB2292122A

GB2292122A - Golf trolley handle

Info

Publication number: GB2292122A
Application number: GB9415983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Covell Collier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-08
Filing date: 1994-08-08
Publication date: 1996-02-14
Also published as: GB9415983D0

Abstract

The handle comprises a sleeve 6 installed on the handle 2 of the trolley that is free to rotate around the handle but is prevented from sliding off by plug 4. The construction enables the golfer to quickly locate the position where the least effort is required to pull the trolley, and to change this position to match frequent changes in ground conditions that affect the direction and magnitude of the forces required to pull the trolley. In another embodiment, the sleeve (7, Fig. 2 not shown) is held between the two legs (11, 12) of a generally "U" shaped handle. <IMAGE>

Description

GOLF EQUIPMENT This invention refers to a golf trolley, and in particular to a device installed on the handle of a golf trolley to reduce the energy expended by a golfer when pulling a laden trolley arqund a golf course.

Golf trolleys are well known vehicles used by golfers to transport their equipment around golf courses. They comprise of a two wheeled metal chassis onto which a bag containing the golfer's equipment is mounted.

One end of the central column of the chassis is extended and a handle provided by which the golfer pulls the trolley.

The handle may comprise of one or more mouldings, or a plastic sleeve shaped to be conveniently gripped in a persons hand firmly installed on a metal handle, but friction between the handle, or sleeve when installed, and the the hand by which the golfer pulls the trolley impairs his sensitivity to changes affecting the forward motion of the trolley, resulting in the delayed application or omission of corrective actions, thus causing the trolley to be propelled in an inefficient manner, with the consequent unnecessary expenditure of energy by the golfer. Friction in this location can also impede the forward swinging movement of the golfer's arm and prevent the momentum of a laden trolley being converted into useful forward motion.

According to this invention, there is provided a device to reduce the energy expended by a golfer when pulling a laden golf trolley around a golf course, comprising a sleeve installed on the handle of the trolley that is free to rotate around the handle, whilst retaining its lateral position on the handle.

This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a rotatable sleeve installed on a handle formed by bending the extended portion of the central column through 900.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a rotatable sleeve installed between the flanges of a moulding attached to the central column of the trolley.

Figures 3,4,5,6,7, and 8 show sketches depicting a golfer pulling a laden trolley.

Referring to figure 1 there is shown a sectional view of a rotatable sleeve linstalled on handle 2 of a golf trolley. The inside diameter of sleeve 1 is larger than the outside diameter of handle 2, enabling sleeve 1 to rotate freely around handle 2. One end of sleeve 1 has an annular flange 3 with an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of handle 2, thus limiting the lateral movement of sleeve 1 along handle 2.

Plug 4 is of a known form moulded from a resilient plastic, with annular ribs creating a tight fit when pushed into a hole of suitable diameter, and ensuring this position is retained under normal conditions of use.

Plug 4 is inserted through the hole formed by annular flange 3 and pushed into the end of handle 2 to a depth where flange 5 limits the lateral movements of sleeve 1, but provides sufficient clearance between flange 5 and annular flange 3 and the end of handle 2 to enable sleeve 1 to rotate freely on handle 2.

In a further embodiment of this invention the outside of sleeve 1 can be moulded to any shape or size suitable for being gripped in a person's hand.

In a further embodiment of this invention an outer sleeve 6 preferably moulded from a cellular plastic material is firmly installed on sleeve 1, providing a rotatable cushioned grip to reduce the tiring effects of shock loads and vibrations being transmitted to the golfer via the handle, particularly when the trolley is pulled over uneven ground at a fast speed and the wheels leave the ground as the trolley bounces along.

Referring to figure 2, an example of a further embodiment of this invention is shown, the rotatable plastic sleeve 7 is symmetrical with with an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the shaft 8.

The ends of which are firmly installed in holes 9 and 10 in flanges 11 and 12 of a forked shaped moulding attached to the central column of the trolley 13. Thus providing a sleeve that is free to rotate around shaft 8 with the sleeves lateral movement being restricted by flanges 11 and 12.

Figures 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 are diagrams showing a typical sequence of actions that occur when a golfer pulls a laden golf trolley, by for example a handle with a rotatable sleeve installed, as shown in figure 1.

A similar sequence of actions would occur if a handle with a rotatable sleeve as shown in figure 2 was fitted.

Figure 3 shows an ideal set of conditions with the golfer pulling the laden trolley along a portion of flat ground by applying a constant force to the handle, with his arm trailing behind his body at an angle where he feels the most comfortable due to the least stress being applied to the muscles in his wrist, arm and shoulder. The free rotation of the sleeve on the handle enables him to locate this preferred position easily and quickly.

Figure 4 shows the wheels have encountered an obstruction that has caused the trolley to decelerate resulting in his arm being pulled back to for example an angle of 350 from his body, sensing the discomfort of this arm position, he tightens his grip on the rotatable sleeve and pulls harder, causing the trolley to accelerate.

Figure 5 shows the wheels have now reached the crest of the ridge and the angle between the golfer's arm and his body has been reduced, indicating the trolley is now travelling faster than the golfer. He reacts to this change of arm position by reducing the pulling force being applied to the handle.

Figure 6 shows the wheels rolling down the ridge and the angle between the golfer's arm and his body continuing to reduce, indicating the trolley is still moving forward faster than the golfer is walking, and gathering momentum as it rolls down the ridge.

Because the handle is free to rotate inside the sleeve the golfer is gripping, the momentum of the laden trolley is converted into useful forward motion by the golfer allowing his arm to be swung forward to the position shown in figure 7.

As its momentum is expended the trolley decelerates and the golfer moves forward to the position shown in figure 8 by allowing his arm to swing back towards the preferred pulling position as shown in figure 3.

The sequence of actions described above cover a simple example of a laden golf trolley being pulled over one ridge, in practise the wheels encounter many obstructions or changes in ground conditions that affect the speed of the trolley and/or the force required to pull it along, for example ridges, ruts,undulation's, or any unevenness of the ground caused by tufts of grass or other vegetation. Any of these conditions can also effect the speed or posture of the golfer as he pulls the trolley, resulting in the frequent occurrence of various combinations of conditions affecting the motions of the trolley and the golfer. It is therefore only on rare occasions that the ideal conditions covered in the description of figure 3 occur thus enabling the golfer to pull the trolley by applying a constant force to the handle. The major portion of the trolleys forward motion is generated by intermittent pulling forces being applied to the handle, causing acceleration's, overuns and decelerations of varying magnitude's, similar to the sequence of actions shown in figures 4,5,6,7 and 8, resulting in frequent changes in the angle formed by the golfer's arm and the central column of the trolley, these changes being facilitated by the free rotation of the handle of the trolley inside the sleeve gripped in the golfer's hand, without creating stresses in his hand or wrist which would impair his sensitivity to the rapidly changing conditions, and therefore delay the timing, and reduce the effectiveness of any corrective actions necessary to minimise the energy expended by a golfer when pulling a laden golf trolley around a golf course.

It will be appreciated that many variants of the embodiment's described are possible to provide a sleeve installed on the handle of a golf trolley that is free to rotate around the handle whilst retaining its lateral position on the handle, it is therefore understood they also fall within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A device to reduce the energy expended by a golfer when pulling a laden golf trolley around a golf course, comprising a sleeve installed on the handle of the trolley that is free to rotate around the handle, whilst retaining its lateral position on the handle

2. A device to reduce the energy expended by a golfer when pulling a laden golf trolley around a golf course, substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings..