GB2496124A

GB2496124A - A wheel seat for pivoting attachment to a golf trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2496124A
Application number: GB1118738.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham James Ellis
Original assignee: GILMORE SPORTS Ltd
Current assignee: GILMORE SPORTS Ltd
Priority date: 2011-10-31
Filing date: 2011-10-31
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-31
Also published as: GB2496124B; GB201118738D0

Abstract

A wheeled seat system comprising a support structure with a seat 20, a pair of wheels 24 and an attachment bar 14 connected to it wherein the attachment bar has a coupling 16 on it to allow it to be attached to the frame of a golf trolley 1 such that the attachment bar 14 can be pivoted upwardly with respect to the trolley 1. The attachment 14 bar may also have a hinge 18 along its length to allow it to fold to a collapsed position. The adjustment bar 14 may have an adjustable length and the seat may be mounted on an adjustable and pivoting support column 22. The device may include an electric motor and combine with power and control units on an attached trolley. There may also be means to hold the seat in a raised position.

Description

TITLE

Wheeled attachment systems for golf trolleys

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wheeled attachment systems that can be connected to golf trolleys, and in particular to wheeled attachment systems that include a scat.

Back.zround Art Golf trolleys are used by golfers to carry their golf bags around a golf course. They can either be manual (i.e. pushed or pulled by the golfer) or motorised.

With reference to Figure 1, a motorised golf trolley 1 typically has a tubular triangular-shaped frame 2 with a pair of rear wheels 4 (only one of which is shown in the drawing) and a single front wheel 6. The frame includes upper and lower supports 8a, Sb which are shaped to receive a golf bag (not shown). The rear wheels 4 are mounted on an axle that is driven to rotate by an electric motor (not shown). The electric motor is powered by a rechargeable battery (not shown) that is carried on the golf trolley, typically on a support plate mounted between a lower part 2a of the frame 2. A control unit (not shown) associated with the electric motor can be used to vary the speed of the golf trolley 1 and includes some sort of user-operated control means located on a handle 10 of the trolley.

The frame 2 is normally foldable or collapsible for easy storage or transport to and from the golf course.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a wheeled attachment system to be connected to a golf trolley having a frame, the wheeled attachment system comprising: a seating unit including: a support structure; a pair of wheels mounted to the support structure; an attachment bar mounted to the support structure; and a seat body on which a user can sit mounted to the support structure; and a coupling adapted to rclcasably connect the attachment bar to the frame of the golf trolley and that allows the attachment bar to pivot upwardly relative to the frame of the golf trolley so that, when connected behind the golf trolley in use, the seating unit can be moved between a first (or towed/driving) position where the wheels are in contact with the ground and a second (or stowed) position where the wheels are spaced off the ground.

It will be rcadily appreciated that the seating unit provides a useful seat oa which a user can sit while thc golf trolley is stationary or moving.

The attachment bar may include a hinge element and preferably is folded about the hinge element when the seating unit is in the second position. The hinge element is preferably selectively lockable to fixedly secure the attachment bar in a particular orientation. In a typical arrangement the hinge element will divide the attachment bar into first and second sections that are pivotally connected together by the hinge element and, when the seating unit is in the first position and is being towed or is being used to drive the golf trolley, the first and second sections are substantially axially aligned and are fixedly secured together by the locked hinge element in that orientation to define a substantially rigid elongate member. The hinge element may also optionally be used to fixedly secure together the first and second sections in a folded orientation, for example when the seating unit is in the second position and is conveniently stowed away in the space underneath a handle of the golf trolley.

Alternatively, the attachment bar may be formed as a single-piece, substantially rigid elongate member without a hinge element.

The coupling may be a one-part coupling that is releasably connected to the frame of the golf trolley, or which remains connected to the frame of the golf trolley and is releasably connected to the end of the attachment bar, every time the wheeled attachment system is used. Alternatively, the coupling may be a suitable two-part coupling with a first part that remains connected to the frame of the golf trolley -but which can still optionally be removed from the frame -and a second, cooperating, part connected to the end of the attachment bar. Such a two-part coupling incorporating suitable quick fit' locking connectors or the like would allow the seating unit to be quickly and easily attached to, and detached from, the golf trolley.

The one-or two-part coupling can include two or more sections that allow the ends of the coupling that are connected to the attachment bar and the golf trolley frame, respectively, in use, to move relative to each other. For example, the sections can be pivotally connected together so that the attachment bar can pivot upwardly relative to the frame. The end of the attachment bar can be fixedly or releasably connected to the coupling by any suitable means. The coupling can form an integral part of the attachment bar -or even the frame of a specially adapted golf trolley -but might typically be a separate component part that is sold together with the seating unit as part of the wheeled attachment system and which allows the correspondingly adapted attachment bar to be releasably connected to the frame in the manner specified.

The coupling is preferably adapted to permit sideways pivotal movement and/or rotational movement of the attachment bar relative to the frame of the golf trolley.

The coupling is preferably connected to a lower part of the frame and is capable of being releasably attached to frames of different size and shape so that the seating unit is compatible with different makes and models of golf trolley.

The axial length of the attachment bar is preferably selectively adjustable. For example, the attachment bar may be telescopic with locking means that allows its axial length to be adjusted by the user. Collapsing such a telescopic attachment bar may allow its axial length to be shortened to the extent that the seating unit is conveniently positioned close behind the golf trolley (i.e. with its wheels adjacent the wheels of the golf trolley) so (hat it allows unobstructed usc of the golf trolley when the seating unit is not needed. When the seating unit is to be used then the attachment bar can be extended until the seat body is the correct distance away from the golf trolley. Shortening the axial length of the attachment bar can also be useful if it includes a hinge element and is designed to be folded about the hinge element before being moved to the second (or stowed) position mentioned above.

The seat body may be mounted to the support structure by a support column. The support column can be pivotably mounted to the support structure and can be moved between a first position where the support column is substantially vertical relative to the ground when the seating unit is in use, and a second position where the support column is folded to lie substantially adjacent to thc attachmcnt bar. Preferably thc support column remains locked in the particular orientation by a suitable locking member that can be selectively opcrated or released by the user before pivotal movement is allowed. For safety purposes, the locking member may restrict the orientation of the support column to the first and second positions, i.e. no intermediate positions are allowed.

The axial length of the support column may be selectively adjustable such that, when the support column is in the first position, the height of the seat body relative to the remainder of the support structure is selectively adjustable. For example, the support column may be a telescopic column with locking means that allows its axial length to be adjusted by the user. Typically the axial length of the attachment bar and/or the height of the scat body will be adjusted to allow the seating unit of the present invention to be compatible with different makes and models of golf trolley, e.g. so that a handle of the golf trolley can be grasped comfortably by the user when sitting on the seat body.

The seating unit preferably further includes a footrest on which the user can rest their feet when sitting on the seat body. The footrest may be provided on the attachment bar, e.g. as bars or substantially flat plates that extend outwardly from the attachment bar, and the distance of the footrest relative to the wheels may be selectively adjusted by (he user. For example, (he attachment bar may be provided with several diFFerent positions at which the footrest can be selectively mounted.

Preferably, the seating unit is configured such that its wheels and seat body do not interfere with, or obstruct, the golf troUey when it is in the second position or when stowed next to or within the frame of the golf trolley. It will be readily appreciated that the attachment bar will normally remain attached to a lower part of the frame by the coupling when the seating unit is raised to the second position, and that the coupling will allow it to pivot upwardly relative to the frame. The attachment bar will also be folded about its hinge element so that the entire seating unit forms a physically compact unit that is conveniently stowed in the space underneath the handle of the golf trolley. The same physically compact configuration can also be adopted for transportation or storage of the seating unit when it is not connected to the golf trolley. In an alternative arrangement, the attachment bar can be released from the frame -by releasing it from the coupling or by releasing the coupling from the frame -and at least a part of the seating unit is positioned or stowed within the frame of the golf trolley, e.g. by inserting the attachment bar through suitable brackets that are provided on the frame so that the attachment bar slides into the frame and the seating unit is conveniently stowed so that it does not obstruct the normal operation of the golf trolley.

Retaining means for temporarily retaining the seating unit in the second position is provided. It will be readily appreciated that a wide variety of different retaining means could be used, e.g. a retaining cord or the like with one end connected to the attachment bar and where the free end is connected to the golf trolley frame or is passed over the frame before being releasably connected to the attachment bar such that the seating unit is suspended by the retaining cord, any suitable mechanical fixing etc. The seating unit may be used with a manual or motorised golf trolley.

In the case of a manual golf trolley then the seating unit will be motorised to drive the golf trolley and will include an electric motor adapted to drive rotation of the wheels of the seating unit. The seating unit will preferably further include a rechargeable battery and a control unit for controlling operation (e.g. speed) of the electric motor.

Any suitable electric motor, battery and control unit may be used, including those that are already available off the shelf and currently used for motorised golf trolleys.

In the case of a motorised golf trolley then the seating unit does not need to be motorised. However, it may optionally include an additional electric motor adapted to drive rotation of the wheels of the seating unit. The electric motor may have its own dedicated rechargeable battery and control unit or may take advantage of the rechargeable battery and control unit of the motorised golf trolley. In other words, the electric motor of the seating unit may be powered by the rechargeable battery of the golf trolley and/or controlled by the control unit of the golf trolley. Both electric motors may be used together in tandem or one of the electric motors may be disconnected.

The combination of the golf trolley and attached seating unit can be steered using a handle of the golf trolley.

In some circumstances it has been found that improved results can be obtained if the wheels of the seating unit andior the golf trolley have studded tyres (e.g. plastic studded wheel covers).

Drawings Figure 1 shows a side view of a motorised golf trolley; Figure 2 shows a side view of a seating unit according to the prescnt invention connected to the motorised golf trolley of Figure 1 in a towing position; and Figure 3 shows a side view of the seating unit of Figure 2 in a stowed position.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a seating unit 12 includes a rigid attachment bar 14 that forms part of a support structure. A coupling 16 is provided on the front end of the attachment bar 14 and allows the seating unit to be connected to, aild detached from, a lower part 2a of the frame ofthc golf trolley 1. Any suitable coupling may be used but it must allow the attachment bar 14 to pivot relative to the golf trolley in at least the vertical direction to allow the seating unit 12 to adopt a stowed position shown in Figure 3. The coupling 16 may also allow the attachment bar 12 to pivot relative to thc golf trolley in a sideways direction which may help with steering. The coupling 16 will preferably be constructed so that the attachment bar 14 can be releasably attached to the frames of many different makes and model of golf trolley.

In one possible arrangement the coupling can include a first section that is releasably attached to the golf trolley frame, a second section that can pivot sideways relative to the first section, and a third section that is attached to the end of the attachment bar (optionally in a way that allows the attachment bar to be released from the coupling) and can pivot upwardly relative to the first and second parts.

A hinge element 18 divides the attachment bar into a first section 14a and a second section 14b. The hinge clement 18 can be locked to fixedly secure the first and second sections 14a, 14b in the orientation shown in Figure 2, i.e. where the sections are axially aligned and the seating unit 12 is in a towed position. One way of locking the hinge element 18 might be to insert a suitable bolt through hinge element to prevent the parts of the hinge element from pivoting relative to each other until the bolt is removed.

An ergonomic seat body 20 is mounted on a support column 22 which is connected at its lower end to a cross member of the support structure. The cross member is connected to a rear end of the attachment bar 14 and supports an axle on which wheels 24 are mounted. The support column 22 is pivotally mounted to the support structure by a quick-release' locking member which allows the support column to be fixed in the substantially vertical position shown in Figure 2 or in a stowed position where the support column lies substantially adjacent the second part 14b of the attachment bar as shown in Figure 3. The support column 22 cannot be fixed in any other intermediate position and the locking member may, for example, include two circumferentially spaced grooves into which spring-loaded retainers can be received to temporarily lock the support column in the vertical and stowed positions relative to the support structure.

The attachment bar 14 and the support column 22 can have a telescopic construction so that their respective axial lengths can be selectively adjusted and fixed. The axial length of the attachment bar 14 will typically range from about 600 mm (minimum extension) to about 1000 mm (maximum extension). The seat body 20 will typically be about 600 mm above the height of the ground but can be adjusted. The attachment bar 14 and support column 22 can also be collapsed for easy storage or transport. In the case of the support column 22 this can be in addition to being pivoted to the stowed position.

The attachment bar 14 and the support column 22 are adjusted to suit the particular make and model of golf trolley to which the seating unit 12 is connected, i.e. to preferably ensurc that a golfer sitting on thc scat body 20 is able to comfortably grasp the handle 10 of the golf trolley 1 for steering purposes.

Bars 26 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the attachment bar 14 and provide a footrest.

In use, the golfer will sit on the seat body 20 and operate the motorised golf trolley 1 in the usual way, holding the handle 10, to tow the seating unit 12 behind it.

If the seating unit 12 is not needed then it may be moved to a stowed position. To do this the support colunm 22 is first pivoted to lie substantially adjacent to the second part 14b of the attachment bar 14 and is locked there by the quick-release' locking member. The hinge element 18 is unlocked (e.g. by removing the bolt) and the first part 14a of the attachment bar is lifted. The movement of the various component parts is indicated in Fignre 2 by the arrows. Lifting the first part 14a causes the attachment bar 14 to fold about the hinge element 18 and the first and second parts eventually lie substantially alongside each other as shown in Figure 3. The seating unit 12 can be retained in the stowed position by a retaining cord 28 which has one cud attached to the attachment bar 14 and the free end is passed over the handle 10 oF the golf trolley I and secured to the attachment bar so that the seating unit 12 is effectively suspended in the stowed position underneath the handle 10 as shown in Figure 3. Other ways of temporarily retaining the seating unit in the stowed position can be used, including mechanical means. In the stowed position the wheels 24 of the seating unit 12 are spaced above the ground and the motoriscd golf trolley 1 can bc used normally without obstruction.

The seating unit 12 can be easily detached from the frame 2 by disconnecting the coupling 16 orby removing the attachment bar 14 from the coupling. The attachment bar 14 and the support column 24 can be folded down to form a physically compact unit for storage or transport.

The seating unit can be optionally motorised with its own electric motor (not shown) mounted on the support structure and adapted to drive the wheels. Such a motorised seating unit can be used with a manual (or non-motorised) golf trolley. In this case the seating unit will include a rechargeable battery and a control unit, both of which can also be mounted on the support structure.

If a motorised seating unit is used with a motorised golf trolley then the electric motor can be connected to the existing rechargeable battery and control unit that are already mounted on the golf trolley. Suitable electrical connectors can be used. In an alternative arrangement the motorised seating unit and the motorised golf trolley can be driven in tandem, with both of the electric motors being operated simultaneously and under the control of one of the control units. -10-

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A wheeled attachment system to be connected to a golf trolley having a frame, the wheeled attachment system comprising: a seating unit including: a support structure; a pair of wheels mounted to the support structure; an attachment bar mounted to the support structure; and a seat body on which a uscr can sit mounted to the support structure and a coupling adapted to releasably connect the attachment bar to the frame of the golf trolley and that allows the attachment bar to pivot upwardly relative to the frame of the golf trolley so that, when connected behind the golf trolley in use, the seating unit can be moved between a first position where the wheels are in contact with the ground and a second position where the wheels are spaced off the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment bar includes a hinge element and is folded about the hinge element when the seating unit is in the second position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 2, wherein the hinge element is selectively lockable to fixedly secure the attachment bar in a particular orientation.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling is adapted to permit sideways pivotal movement of the attachment bar relative to the frame of the golf trolley.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling is adapted to permit rotational movement of the attachment bar relative to the frame of the golf trolley.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the axial length of the attachment bar is selectively adjustable.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat body is mounted to the support structure by a support column.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A wheeled attachmcnt system according to claim 7, wherein thc support column is pivotably mounted to the support structure and can be moved between a first position where the support column is substantially vertical relative to the ground and a second position where the support column is folded to lie substantially adjacent to the attachment bar.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 8, wherein the axial length of the support column is selectively adjustable such that, when the support column is in the first position, the height of the seat body relative to the remainder of the support structure is selectively adjustable.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seating unit further comprises a Ibotrest.</claim-text> <claim-text>II. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 10, wherein the footrest is formed as part of thc attachment bar.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, further comprising retaining means for temporarily retaining the sealing unit in the second position.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seating unit further comprises an electric motor adapted to drive rotation of the wheels of the seating unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 13, wherein the seating unit further comprises a rechargeable battery.</claim-text> <claim-text>-12 - 15. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the seating unit further comprises a control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to claim 13 and a golf trolley having a frame and a rechargeable battery, wherein the electric motor of the seating unit is powered by the rechargeable battery of the golf trol Icy.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A combination of claim 16, wherein the golf trolley further includes a control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor of the seating unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to claim 13 or claim 14 and a golf trolley having a frame and a control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor of the seating unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to any of claims 1 to 11 and 13 to 15 and a golf trolley having a frame, wherein the coupling is connected to the frame and further comprising retaining means for temporarily retaining the seating unit in the second position.</claim-text> <claim-text>A method of using a wheeled attachment system according to any of claims 1 to 15, comprising the steps of: releasing the attachment bar from the frame; and positioning part of the seating unit within the frame of the golf trolley.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A method of using a wheeled attachment system according to claim 3, rurther comprising the steps of: unlocking the hinge element; moving the seating unit to the second position by folding the attachment bar about the hinge element; and rctaining the seating unit in the second position.-13 - 22. A wheeled attachment system substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 2 and 3.Amendments to the claims have benn filed as followsCLAIMS1. A wheeled attachment systeni to be connected to a golf trolley having a frame, the wheeled attachment system comprising: a seating unit including: a support structure; a pair of wheels mounted to the support structure; an attachment bar mounted to the support structure; and a seat body on which a user can sit mounted to the support structure; and a coupling adapted to releasably comiect the attachment bar to the frame of the golf trofley and that allows the attachment bar to pivot upwardly relative to the frame of the golf trolley so that. when connected behind the golf trolley in use, the seating unit can be moved between a first position where the wheels are in contact with the ground and a second position where the wheels are spaced off the ground; wherein the attachment bar includes a hinge element and is folded about the hinge element when the seating unit is in the second position.
2. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the hinge element is selectively lockable to fixedly secure the attachment bar in a particthar orientation.
3. A wheeled attachment system according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the coupling is adapted to permit sideways pivotal movement of the attachment bar relative to the frame of the golf trolley.
4. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling is adapted to permit rotational movement of the attachment bar relative to the frame of the golf trolley.
5. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the axial length of the attachment bar is secectively adjustable.
6. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat body is mounted to the support structure by a support column.
7. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 6, wherein the support column is pivotably mounted to the support structure and can be moved between a first position where the support column is substantially vertical relative to the ground and a second position where the support column is folded to lie substantially adjacent to the attachment bar.
8. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 7, wherein the axial length of the support column is selectively adjustable such that, when the support column is in the first position, the height of the seat body relative to the remainder of the support * structure is selectively adjustable.* -: 15
9. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seating unit further comprises a footrest.
10. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 9, wherein the footrest is formed as part of the attachment bar.
11. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, further comprising retaining means for temporarily retaining the seating unit in the second position.
12. A wheeled attachment system according to any preceding claim, wherein the seating unit further comprises an electric motor adapted to drive rotation of the wheels of the seating unit.
13. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 12, wherein the seating unit further comprises a rechargeable battery.
14. A wheeled attachment system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the seating unit further comprises a control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor.
15. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to claim 12 and a golf trolley having a frame and a rechargeable battery, wherein the electric motor of the seating unit is powered by the rechargeable battery of the golf trolley.
16. A combination of claim 15, wherein the golf trolley further includes a control unit for controlling operation of the electric motor of the seating unit.
17. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to claim 12 or claim 1 3 and a golf trolley having a frame and a control unit for controlling operation of the : electric motor of the seating unit. -. * 1518. A combination of a wheeled attachment system according to any of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 14 and a golf trolley having a frame, wherein the coupling is coniected to the frame and further comprising retaining means for temporarily retaining the seating unit in the second position.19 A method of using a wheeled attachment system according to any of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of releasing the attachment bar from the frame; and positioning part of the seating unit within the frame of the golf trolley.20. A method of using a wheeled attachment system according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of unlocking the hinge element; moving the seating unit to the second position by folding the attachment bar about the hinge element; and retaining the seating unit in the second position.21. A wheeled attachment system substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 2 and 3. * * * * ** * * ** . * * * * ** * ** * . S *5S*</claim-text>