GB2328415A

GB2328415A - Golf buggy

Info

Publication number: GB2328415A
Application number: GB9711713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-07
Publication date: 1999-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-07
Also published as: GB9711713D0; GB2328415B

Abstract

A golf buggy includes roller means 9,10 positioned towards the front and rear of the vehicle chassis and rotatable about axes which lie generally parallel to the axes of rotation of front 2 and rear 3 wheels of the vehicle. Means are provided for selectively moving either the roller means or the wheels into and out of engagement with the ground over which the vehicle is to travel. The length of each roller means is preferably equal to at least one half of the width of the vehicle chassis. The vehicle may have three or four wheels. The wheels and roller means may be independently steered and/or driven. Thus, two steering and drive assemblies may be provided, one for the front wheel or wheels and the other for the front roller means.

Description

POWERED VEHICLES This invention relates to powered vehicles capable of achieving traction over a variety of different ground conditions with relatively minimal effect when travelling over soft surfaces such as lawns, greens and other grassed areas. One example of such a powered vehicle is a powered buggy for transporting golfers and their clubs around golf courses.

Golf courses include a combination of greens, fairways, rough and prepared tracks of concrete, gravel or the like. Golf buggies must be able to operate safely on all these surfaces. Conventional powered buggies have a tendency to damage fairways and greens especially in wet weather conditions. This is primarily because their wheels have a tendency to leave imprints and ruts in fairways and greens to the irritation of other golfers and green-keepers alike. Because of these problems there is an increasing tendency for the use of powered buggies to be restricted to the specially prepared tracks which generally run along one or both sides of a fairway.

This restriction causes golfers to walk with their clubs from buggy to ball and back again when playing strokes. This significantly reduces both the value and purpose of golf buggies.

Similar problems occur with other species of powered vehicles which are required to achieve traction over both hard and relatively soft surfaces without damage to the latter.

Hitherto, light weight golf buggies and similar vehicles have been proposed, these generally being wide enough only to accommodate the vehicle driver. These relatively narrow and light vehicles are clearly less stable than wider more conventional vehicles, particularly over uneven ground.

It is an object of this invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, the disadvantages referred to above. Additionally the invention would enable partially disabled persons to play golf without detriment to other golfers.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided a powered wheeled vehicle which includes roller means positioned towards the front and rear of the vehicle chassis and rotatable about axes which lie generally parallel to the axes of rotation of front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and means for selectively moving either the roller means or the wheels into and out of engagement with the ground over which the vehicle is to travel, the length of each roller means being equal to at least one half of the width of the vehicle chassis.

By "roller means" is meant either a rotatable load bearing traction member whose width is significantly greater than that of a conventional load bearing wheel or an assembly or rotatable members whose collective width is significantly greater than that of a conventional wheel.

The term "chassis" includes a frame-like structure for a wheeled vehicle.

The vehicle may have three or four wheels. The wheels and roller means may be independently steered and/or driven. Thus, two steering and drive assemblies may be provided, one for the front wheel or wheels and the other for the front roller means.

Either the roller means or the wheels may be fixed relative to the vehicle chassis, the wheels or roller means respectively being movable between their ground engaging and raised positions. If the roller means are movable, then when the roller means are in their lowered positions, the front and rear wheels of the vehicle are preferably out of contact with the ground.

If the front and rear wheels are movable, then when the wheels are in their lowered positions, the roller means are out of contact with the ground.

One or both roller means may comprise a single roller or a plurality of spaced or abutting wheels or rollers. The ground engaging surfaces of the rollers are preferably produced from a rigid material, e.g. plastics or metal or the like. The ground engaging surfaces of the wheels may comprise conventional pneumatic tyres. Other conventional wheel surfaces may however be employed.

Each assembly of roller means or wheels and respective steering and drive means may be supported from a yoke movable upwardly and downwardly by an activator connected to raise or lower a rod, worm gear or the like. The activator may be electrically or hydraulically operated.

Alternatively, it may be manually operated.

One or more roller means may include spring-loaded retractable spikes. Each such spike may be movable between a retracted position in which it is housed within the roller means and an extended position in which it protrudes generally radially from the periphery of the roller means.

Displaceable cams may be provided to move the spikes selectively between their retracted and extended positions.

In another aspect there is provided a vehicle comprising front and rear wheels, means operable to impart drive to the front and/or rear wheels of the vehicle, front and rear transverse roller means positioned respectively between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and means for moving the roller means selectively into and out of engagement with the ground surface over which the vehicle is to move, the length of each roller means being greater than one half of the width of the chassis of the vehicle.

In a further aspect, the invention provides traction enhancing apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a wheel or roller whose ground engaging surface is formed with a plurality of openings through each of which can protrude a spring loaded spike, each spike being movable radially into the wheel or roller against the action of the respective spring through point contact with a ground surface which imposes a resistance to penetration greater than the resistance of the spring.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are side views of golf buggies in accordance with the invention in different operating modes; Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the buggy shown in Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are respectively schematic front and partial side views of a buggy in accordance with the invention in the operating mode shown in Figure 1; Figures 6 and 7 are respectively schematic front and partial side views of a buggy in accordance with the invention in the operating mode shown in Figure 2; Figures 8 and 9 are partial side views of features of alternative buggies in accordance with the invention in different operating modes; Figures 10 and 11 are front views respectively of the buggies shown in Figures 8 and 9; Figure 12 is a plan view from above of the buggy illustrated in Figure 10, Figures 1 3 and 14 are end views in section of a roller or part thereof of a buggy in accordance with the invention in two different operating modes; Figures 1 5 and 16 are cross sections taken through the rollers illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 respectively; Figure 17 is an end view in section of an alternative roller or part thereof of a buggy in accordance with the invention; Figure 1 8 is a section taken through the roller of Figure 17; and Figure 1 9 illustrates an alternative roller in accordance with the invention.

For the sake of simplicity, the invention will be described in the context of golf buggies. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to golf buggies and is equally applicable to other powered vehicles.

The vehicles illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 each comprise a lightweight frame or chassis 1 of metal or other suitable material supported on front and rear wheels 2, 3 respectively, a cabin 4 and a golf bag holder 5. The bodywork of the buggy may be produced from sheet or moulded plastics or metal. A roll bar may be provided for enhanced protection to the driver and any passenger. In Figure 1 the holder 5 is positioned at the rear of the buggy and stands substantially vertically and in Figures 2 and 3 it is inclined to provide improved accessibility. Other arrangements for carrying golf bags and other equipment may of course be adopted. A removable canopy 6 is positioned above the cabin 4. Alternatively or additionally, a safety cage may be provided. Thus the canopy may itself comprise or form part of such a cage. The wheels 2, 3 may have conventionally treaded pneumatic tyres and their size, width and type will be selected by reference to the performance required for the vehicle.

The rear wheels 3 are driven by an electric motor powered by one or more storage batteries supported within one or more compartments to the rear of the vehicle. Other propulsion means could alternatively or additionally be provided. Thus, power to drive the vehicle may be provided by a petrol or gas driven engine, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like, or via a hybrid of an electric motor and another form or forms of propulsion. Each vehicle is steered through a handlebar 7 mounted on a column 8. Alternative steering controls may be employed with hand or foot controls for traction and braking.

Positioned between the front wheels 2 and extending across the width of each buggy are two spaced elongate rollers 9. The ground engaging surfaces of the rollers may be produced from plastics or metal and may be fitted with mud scrapers. Positioned between the rear wheels 3 is a single elongate roller 10 which again extends widthwise of the vehicle. As indicated by broken line in Figures 1 and 2, the rollers 9 and 10 are selectively movable between the raised positions shown in Figure 1 in which they are out of contact with the ground and the lowered positions shown in Figure 2 in which they are in ground-engaging contact, the wheels 2, 3 then being elevated to position out of contact with the ground. In these positions, the wheels act as outriders providing additional stability to and important safety features of the buggy. The combined length of the front rollers 9 and the length of the rear roller 10 each approaches 90% of the width of the buggy. As a general rule, these lengths will be at least 50% of the vehicle width.

In an alternative arrangement, the rollers 9, 10 are fixed and the wheels 2, 3 are capable of being raised and lowered to the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The drive assembly may be via a fixed suspension direct to the chassis 1 or may be connected via any conventional means depending on the operation and speed required. Forward and reverse drives may be provided.

The lengths and dispositions of the front wheels 2 and rollers 9 in their elevated and ground-engaging positions can be seen more clearly in Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings. As shown, the diameter of each roller 9 is less than that of the wheels 2. This enables the rollers to be retained in the raised positions shown in Figures 4 and 5. Other roller diameters could however be employed. Thus, the diameter of each roller may be the same as that for each wheel or greater than the wheel diameter. The rollers 9 are carried by a yoke 11 connected to an electrically or hydraulically operated activator 1 2 which operates to move the yoke 11 between the positions shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, 7. The steering column 8 is connectable through separate linkages to the rollers, the spacing between the rollers enabling rollers to be steered in tandem. Thus, steering of the vehicle can be activated via the handlebar 7 to either the wheels 2 or the rollers 9.

Alternatively, a single steering assembly may be employed to steer either the wheels 2 or the rollers 9. Independent springs may be provided for each wheel and roller for purposes of enhanced suspension.

For travel over normal road or prepared surfaces the rollers 9, 10 are raised, the buggy then being supported by and steered through the wheels 2, 3. When travelling over a fairway or green however, the rollers are lowered thereby elevating the wheels 2, 3 and reducing or eliminating the likelihood of surface damage occurring because of the increased load bearing area in contact with the ground. In their lowered positions, the rollers are locked in place. For safety reasons, raising and lowering of the rollers to effect traction changes are carried out with the vehicle stationary. Such changes may be effected manually or via electric, hydraulic actuators or the like.

An identical or very similar mechanism is provided to raise and lower the rear roller.

The vehicle could, of course, be of a size to accommodate one or two golfers. The seating is set low to achieve a low centre of gravity and side and head supports may be provided. To achieve minimum width of buggy with maximum stability seating for two would be tandem. As mentioned previously, in their raised positions the wheels act as out riders thereby providing enhanced safety when travelling over inclined or uneven surfaces.

An alternative system for raising and lowering the rollers 9, 10 is shown in Figures 8 to 1 2. In this arrangement each roller is supported by a pair of arms 20 (only one of which is shown) rotatable about pivots 21 driven by a motor 24 through belts or chains 22 by an electric motor 23 to raise or lower rollers. The motor 24 may be the battery-powered drive motor for imparting drive to the driven wheels of the buggy or may comprise a separate drive means. As shown, drive is effected via a pulley and belt.

A separate pulley and belt system operated by a controlled jockey wheel is employed to impart drive through the motor 24 to the driven rollers of the buggy.

Other means for raising and lowering the rollers (or the wheels) may be provided. These means may be manually operated.

The rollers 9, 10 may be provided with a series of circumferential apertures through which spikes may selectively protrude to impart positive traction to the rollers. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 3 to 16, each roller includes an integral or separable end section 25 which abuts against one or each end of the roller and is mounted for rotation on the drive shaft 26 of the roller or an extension thereof through a suitable coupling. A cam 27 is mounted on the shaft 26 and is movable axially into and out of engagement with a series of cam followers 28 each supported on spindles 29 between brackets 30 of a housing of a spring-loaded spike unit 31. Each unit 31 includes a pair of side-by-side spring loaded spike units 32 having protruding spikes 33. When the cam 27 is in the position shown in Figures 13 and 15, the spikes 33 which are individually spring loaded remain within the confines of the respective roller section 25. However, when the cam 27 is moved axially into engagement with the cam followers 28 as shown in Figures 14 and 16 so the spikes 33 are moved in a reciprocating fashion radially outwardly of their roller section to impart positive traction to the rollers. Each spike or aperture may be fitted with an 'O' ring to prevent ingress of moisture. When not in use, the spikes rest flush with the roller surface. Damaged spikes may be removed and replaced without a need to dismantle the entire unit.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, the cam 27 is replaced by a disc 34 which is again movable into and out of engagement with cam followers 28 of four-spike units 31. In this arrangement, however, all spikes are either protruding from the roller or surface or are housed within the confines of the roller section.

The spikes - when extended - assist the vehicle to achieve positive drive in slippery surface conditions over relatively soft prepared surfaces such as greens, fairways and lawns. However the spikes individually retract temporarily when they make contact with hard surfaces.

As shown in Figure 19, each roller may be formed as a single unit or may comprise a multiplicity of adjoining or spaced roller segments 35.

Spoke units 25 may be incorporated at each roller end.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A powered wheeled vehicle which includes roller means positioned towards the front and rear of the vehicle chassis and rotatable about axes which lie generally parallel to the axes of rotation of front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and means for selectively moving either the roller means or the wheels into and out of engagement with the ground over which the vehicle is to travel.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of each roller means is equal to at least one half of the width of the vehicle chassis.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wheels and roller means are independently steered and/or driven.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein two steering and drive assemblies are provided, one for the front wheel or wheels and the other for the front roller means.

5. A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein either - the roller means or the wheels are fixed relative to the vehicle chassis, the wheels or roller means respectively being movable between their ground engaging and raised positions.

6. A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or both roller means comprise a single roller or a plurality of spaced or abutting wheels or rollers.

7. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein each assembly of roller means or wheels and respective steering and drive means are supported from a yoke movable upwardly and downwardly by an activator connected to raise or lower a rod.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the activator is electrically or hydraulically operated.

9. A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more roller means includes spring-loaded retractable spikes.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein each spike is movable between a retracted position in which it is housed within the roller means and an extended position in which it protrudes generally radially from the periphery of the roller means.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein displaceable cams are provided to move the spikes selectively between their retracted and extended positions.

1 2. A vehicle comprising front and rear wheels, means operable to impart drive to the front and/or rear wheels of the vehicle, front and rear transverse roller means positioned respectively between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and means for moving the roller means selectively into and out of engagement with the ground surface over which the vehicle is to move, the length of each roller means being greater than one half of the width of the chassis of the vehicle.

1 3. Traction enhancing apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a wheel or roller whose ground engaging surface is formed with a plurality of openings through each of which can protrude a spring loaded spike, each spike being movable radially into the wheel or roller against the action of the respective spring through point contact with a ground surface which imposes a resistance to penetration greater than the resistance of the spring.

14. A vehicle substantially as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.