GB2589906A

GB2589906A - Braking system

Info

Publication number: GB2589906A
Application number: GB1918306.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thompson Smith Joseph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-12
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-12
Also published as: GB2589906B; GB201918306D0

Abstract

Provided is a braking system 1 for attachment to a trolley 8. The system 1 comprises an actuator 2 attachable adjacent a trolley handle 10; and a clamp 4 positioned on and partially surrounding a clutch attached to a trolley axle (6, Figure 4). The clamp 4 is connected to the actuator 2 such that the clamp 4 prevents the axle (6, Figure 4) from moving when the actuator 2 is activated; and the axle (6, Figure 4) is freely rotatable when the actuator 2 is in the deactivated position. A lock 24, such as a locking cam, can be provided for locking the actuator 2 in the activated position. The clamp 4 may comprise a G-shaped rubber gripping member 14. The actuator 2 can be moveable between the activated and deactivated positions by a single hand of a user.

Description

BRAKING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a braking system for a trolley, and in particular to a braking system for a golf trolley, such as for example an electric golf trolley. The present invention also relates to a trolley (for example a golf trolley) comprising a braking system.

Background

The terrain at golf courses can vary along the course, and can vary greatly between different golf courses. It is difficult to manoeuvre golf trolleys across steep and/or hilly and/or uneven terrain. In particular, it is difficult to control and safely guide golf trolleys along downward slopes. The user may be required to use excessive force to ensure that manual trolleys remain in position and do not roll away along a downward slope, and this may cause slippage of the user. The hilly terrain can also cause unnecessary wear on the battery and/or strain on the motor of electric golf trolleys.

Prior Art

US20130306411 discloses a braking system for a cart comprising a pair of chocks positioned proximate to a wheel of a wheel assembly, where the wheel assembly is coupled to a cart frame. The braking system also includes a handle mechanically coupled to the cart frame, where the handle has an engaged position when a force is applied to the handle, and where the handle has a disengaged position when no force is applied to the handle. When the handle is in the disengaged position, the pair of chocks are engaged with the wheel and the brake release mechanism is disengaged. When the handle is in the engaged position, the pair of chocks are disengaged from the wheel and the brake release mechanism is engaged.

US5524731 discloses a brake assembly comprising a brake control handle that is removably attached to the upper frame of the hand truck; a brake bar assembly having a base removably attached to the axle of the hand truck, and a horizontally extending 35 brake bar with brake pads on its two ends adapted to engage the wheels; a cam mechanism for depressing the brake bar; and a cable coupling the brake control handle to the cam mechanism.

US5749424 discloses a powered golf bag cart comprising a frame assembly, a free 5 wheel assembly, a drive wheel assembly, a power delivery assembly, a steering assembly and a control assembly.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a braking system for attachment to a trolley, the braking system comprising: an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and at least one clamp configured to be in communication with the actuator, and in which the clamp is configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion an 20 axle of a trolley, and in which on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.

The braking system may further comprise a first attachment means for securing the actuator to a handle of a trolley.

The braking system may further comprise a locking mechanism for retaining the actuator in the second activated position.

The locking mechanism may comprise a locking cam The actuator may be configured to be moveable between the first deactivated position and the second activated position by a single hand of a user.

In one embodiment, the at least one clamp may comprise a clamp collar providing an 5 outer free surface and an opposed inner surface, and a gripping member configured to be positioned between the opposed inner surface of the clamp collar and the corresponding clutch connected to the axle of a trolley.

The gripping member may be composed of rubber.

The clamp collar may be substantially G-shaped.

The inner surface of the clamp collar and/or gripping member of the clamp may define an opening. The dimensions of the opening of the clamp in the first released position as measured between opposing portions of the inner surface may be adjustable. The dimensions of the opening of the clamp as measured between opposing portions of the inner surface may be greater in the first released position than in the second engaged position.

The clamp collar may be composed of sheet metal The clamp collar may be composed of powder coated metal.

The braking system may further comprise a fluid conduit extending between the actuator and the clamp.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for a braking system as herein described, the kit comprising: an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and at least one clamp configured to be in communication with the actuator, and in which the clamp is configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion a clutch attached to an axle of a trolley, and in which on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a first released position in which 35 the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented; optionally further comprising a first attachment means for securing the actuator to a handle of a trolley; and/or optionally further comprising a locking mechanism for retaining the actuator in the second activated position; and/or optionally further comprising a fluid conduit extending between the actuator and the clamp.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trolley comprising a braking system as herein described.

The trolley may be a golf trolley. The trolley may be an electric golf trolley.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a braking system as herein described, comprising: obtaining an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and obtaining at least one clamp configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion an axle of a trolley, placing the actuator in communication with the at least one clamp such that on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for installing a braking system as herein described on a trolley, comprising: obtaining an actuator which is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; positioning and securing the actuator on a handle of a trolley; obtaining at least one clamp; positioning the at least one clamp on a clutch attached to an axle of a trolley such that the at least one clamp surrounds at least a portion the axle of a trolley; and connecting the actuator with the at least one clamp such that on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be 5 moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.

The braking system may be retrofitted to a trolley.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a view from above of a trolley according to 20 one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a view from below of the trolley of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the handle portion of the trolley of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the base portion of the trolley of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures, the braking system 1 comprises: an actuator 2 moveable 30 between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and a clamp 4 in communication with the actuator 2. The clamp 4 is positioned on and substantially surrounds a clutch attached to an axle 6 of a trolley 8.

The actuator 2 is secured to the handle 10 of the trolley 8 by a bracket 12.

The clamp 4 comprises a substantially G-shaped clamp collar 14 providing an outer free surface 16 and an opposed inner surface 18. The clamp 4 further comprises a gripping member 20 positioned between the opposed inner surface 18 of the clamp collar 14 and the clutch attached to an axle 6 of the trolley 8. The gripping member 20 is composed of rubber.

An opening 22 is defined between by gripping member 20.

The braking system 1 further comprises a locking mechanism 24 in the form of a 10 locking cam.

A fluid conduit 26 extends between actuator 2 and the G-shaped clamp collar 14.

When the actuator 2 is placed in the first deactivated position the clamp 4 is moveable 15 to a first released position (i.e. the G-shaped clamp collar 14 and gripping member 20 define an opening 22 having maximum dimensions when measured between opposing portions) in which the axle 6 is freely rotatable relative to the clamp 4.

On movement of the actuator 2 to the second activated position the clamp 4 is moved to a second engaged position in which the opening 22 defined by the G-shaped clamp collar 14 and gripping member 20 has reduced dimensions when measured between opposing portions (compared to the first deactivated position) and as such the axle 6 abuts the gripping member 20 preventing rotation of the axle 6 relative to the clamp.

Once placed in the second activated position, the locking mechanism 24 secures the actuator 2 in the second activated position so as to prevent any unintended release of the braking system 1. The braking system 1 may effectively prevent movement of the trolley without causing unnecessary wear of or stress to the motor.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
A braking system for attachment to a trolley, the braking system comprising: an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and at least one clamp configured to be in communication with the actuator, and in which the clamp is configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion of a clutch attached to an axle of a trolley, and in which on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.
A braking system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first attachment means for securing the actuator to a handle of a trolley.
A braking system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, in which the at least one clamp comprises a clamp collar providing an outer free surface and an opposed inner surface, and a gripping member configured to be positioned between the opposed inner surface of the clamp collar and the corresponding axle of a trolley.
A braking system as claimed in claim 3, in which the gripping member is composed of rubber.
A braking system as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, in which the clamp collar is substantially G-shaped.
A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a locking mechanism for retaining the actuator in the second activated position. A braking system as claimed in claim 6, in which the locking mechanism comprises a locking cam.
A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the actuator is configured to be moveable between the first deactivated position and the second activated position by a single hand of a user.
A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner surface of the clamp collar and/or gripping member of the clamp defines an opening, in which the dimensions of the opening of the clamp in the first released position as measured between opposing portions of the inner surface are adjustable.
10. A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner surface of the clamp collar and/or gripping member of the clamp defines an opening, in which the dimensions of the opening of the clamp as measured between opposing portions of the inner surface are greater in the first released position than in the second engaged position.
11. A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the clamp collar is composed of sheet metal.
12. A braking system as claimed in claim 9, in which the clamp collar is composed of powder coated metal.
13. A braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fluid conduit extending between the actuator and the clamp.
14. A kit for a braking system as claimed in any preceding claim, the kit comprising: an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and at least one clamp configured to be in communication with the actuator, and in which the clamp is configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion of a clutch attached to an axle of a trolley, and in which on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented; optionally further comprising a first attachment means for securing the actuator to a handle of a trolley; and/or optionally further comprising a locking mechanism for retaining the actuator in the second activated position; and/or optionally further comprising a fluid conduit extending between the actuator and the clamp.
15. A trolley comprising a braking system as claimed in any preceding claim.
16. A trolley as claimed in claim 15, in which the trolley is a golf trolley.
17. A trolley as claimed in claim 16, in which the trolley is an electric golf trolley.
18. A method for manufacturing a braking system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: obtaining an actuator configured to be located adjacent a handle of a trolley, in which the actuator is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; and obtaining at least one clamp configured to be positioned on and to surround at least a portion of a clutch attached to an axle of a trolley, placing the actuator in communication with the at least one clamp such that on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.
19. A method for installing a braking system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 on a trolley, comprising: obtaining an actuator which is moveable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position; positioning and securing the actuator on a handle of a trolley; obtaining at least one clamp; positioning the at least one clamp on an axle of a trolley such that the at least one clamp surrounds at least a portion of the clutch attached to the axle of a trolley; and connecting the actuator with the at least one clamp such that on movement of the actuator to the first deactivated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a first released position in which the axle is freely rotatable relative to the corresponding clamp, and in which on movement of the actuator to the second activated position the at least one clamp is configured to be moveable to a second engaged position in which the rotation of the axle relative to the corresponding clamp is prevented.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the braking system is retrofitted to a trolley.