NZ209136A - Collapsible golf trundler with seat - Google Patents

Description

■ . - ' V . * i- ...... . - ■»■ ** Z0<jt36> o o !:2 DEC Ms ■V ^ p t v» >-~~T~-C~. * - •' Patents Form No. 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No. 209136 Dated: 7 February 1 985 "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TRUNDLERS" WE, REDIT INDUSTRIES LIMITED, a New Zealand Company, of 1 Te Whiti Grove, Korokoro,Petone,New Zealand, hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement 20913(3 This invention relates to trundlers,and more particularly relates to those wheeled devices arranged to support a receptacle for objects and whereby the receptacle and objects can be readily transported from place to place by a user. The invention is particularly concerned with such as golf trundlers, but may have other applications.

An object of this invention is to provide a trundler of the kind referred to and which may be readily collapsed for storage purposes when not in use e.g.storage in the boot of a car,and erected quickly and easily without the aid of tools into a usable state for the transportation of a receptacle such as a golf bag containing clubs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible trundler of the kind referred to and incorporating a support arrangement usable as a seat whereby a user may be permitted to rest,and/or as a convenient support for articles.

Collapsible golf and like trundlers are known, and it is accordingly a further object of this invention to provide a purchaser with a useful choice capable of being manufactured and sold at a competitive price.

Other and more particular objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.

According to this invention therefor,there is provided a collapsible trundler comprising in its erected form a longitudinally extending base part pivotally mounting towards one end thereof a pair of laterally extending axle parts each rot-atably mounting a ground wheel,a first support member arranged to extend upwardly from a pivotal connection at said one end of the base part to provide support for such as an open topped 20913*3 receptacle or bag, a handle part arranged to extend longitudinally away from a connection with said first support member and a second support member arranged to extend upwardly from a pivotal connection at the other end of the base part to have an upper end formed as or provided with a substantially horizontal upper support part; said axle parts each being pivotally movable transversely inwardly from their laterally extending positions to a longitudinally extending position lying in close proximity to said base part, and said first and second support members being pivotally movable inwardly in a substantially vertical plane about transverse pivot axes to overlie the base part and each other in close proximity,said handle part connection including means to enable collapsing of the handle to overlie the first support member in close proximity thereto and occupy a substantially similar longitudinal position.

Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to a collapsible golf trundler and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a golf trundler in accordance with the invention, shown in the erected usable state FIGURE 2 is a view in the direction of arrows II-II of figure 1 FIGURE 3 is a plan view in the direction of arrows III-III of figure 1 - : / / - 20913S FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side view illustrating a preferred handle connection for the trundler, and FIGURE 5 is a side view illustrating the trundler in a collapsed form.

The trundler is preferably constructed from such as a metal tube to provide a strong but lightweight construction, and can be constructed for example from such as an alluminium tube or a steel tube protected against corrosion such as by galvanising,plasticising or painting; but preferably such as a stainless steel tubing is utilised as having the desirable strength and anti-corrosion characteristics without further treatment.

The trundler frame may have a single longitudinally disposed base part 1 provided at one end with fixed mountings such as fixed mounting plates 2 projecting laterally each side of the base part 1 and to which laterally (when in the erected state) extending axle members 3 are pivotally connected as by pivot pins 2a, the axle members 3 each mounting at their outer free end part a ground wheel 4 so that when collapsing the trundler each axle 3 and ground wheel 4 carried thereby can be pivoted to the position indicated in broken outline in figure 3 with each axle member 3 disposed generally longitudinally of the trundler along the sides of the base part 1.

The end portion of the base part 1 to which the axles 3 are fitted is provided with a further mounting such 20913 as by a pair of fixed mounting plates 5 projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base part 1 in spaced relationship and between which the lower end portion of a forward upright member 6 is pivotally connected so that in the erected upright position the lower end of said upright member 6 below its pivot connection 7 may abut the front end of the base part 1, the upright member 6 preferably extending forwardly at a slight angle to the normal in the erected position. The upper end part of the upright member 6 is provided with an inwardly or rearwardly directed substantially U-shaped holder or bracket part 8 within which the upper end part of a golf bag 9 can locate. If so desired, the said U-shaped holder or bracket part 8 can be provided with such as a retaining strap (not shown) to secure the golf bag 9 in position, but this may not be generally necessary as a golf bag containing golf clubs is a relatively weighty article and location of the golf bag 9 at an inclination with its lower end resting on the trundler base part 1 or a rear extension thereof, and with the upper holder or bracket part 8 appropriately shaped to accept the golf bag 9, the golf bag 9 would normally be reasonably securely held in position. The free end portions of the U-shaped holder or bracket part 8 can be provided with such as a rubber sleeve 10 to assist in gripping the upper part of the golf bag 9 without damage thereto and further serve as hand grips for lifting and manoeuvring the trundler when in the position with the golf bag 9 removed. The upright member 6 can be provided with a locking means to 209130 secure it in the upright position, but this is not generally necessary as the golf bag 9 itself will serve as securement for the upright member 6.

In one form of the invention, the rear end of the base part 1 is provided with an extension in the form of an open cradle comprising a pair of transversely disposed members 11 and 12 conjoined by longitudinally extending side members 13 forming an open frame within which a lower corner base part 9a of the golf bag 9 can locate with the lower side of the golf bag 9 resting on the innermost transverse member 11 and the base of the golf bag 9 abutting the outermost transverse member 12, as indicated in broken outline in figure 1. In one arrangement and as illustrated the extension is provided with depending and inturned feet parts 13a constructed from such as flat strip metal and extending downwardly and inwardly from the outermost transverse member 12 of the open cradle extension, and having inner lower end portions provided with upwardly opening sockets members 14 for receiving and holding lower end portions 15a of a pair of upwardly extending tubular members 15 defining spaced parallel support members for a seat part 16, the lower end part of the bag 9 locating between such members 15 when in use. The seat support members 15 may extend upwardly from the socket members 14 through a pair of aligned sleeve members 17 and be inclined rearwardly and upwardly from such sleeve members 17 to join with an upper seat part support 15b which may be an integral junction portion disposed horizontally and extending inwardly from the upper ends 209136 of the seat side support members. Such upper junction portion or seat part support 15b can be further strengthened by an additional bracing member 15c and preferably the seat part 16 has a mounting 16a pivotally engaged at pivot 16b with the upper portions of the seat support members 15 for pivoting movement upwardly of the seat part 16, and a container or tray 18 for holding such as golf balls, golf tees and other small accessories of the user can be mounted within the area bounded by the upper conjoined seat part support 15b, with the seat part 16 itself thus forming a lid or cover for the container or tray 18.

The arrangement provides for collapsing of the seat support frame 15 by having the inner transverse member 11 of the lower open frame extension formed as an open ended tube in which a rod or tube member 19 is rotatably located; the tubular sleeve members 17 for the seat support frame members 15 being secured to the outer ends of the inner rod or tube member 19 for pivotal movement therewith and so that in the erect position such tubular sleeve members 17 are aligned vertically with the socket members 14of the feet parts 13 enabling the lower ends of the seat frame members 15 to locate in such socket members 14 and securely hold the seat and seat frame in the supportive erected position. For collapsing of the trundler the seat frame 15 carrying the seat part 16 is lifted upwardly with the lower portions 15a of the seat frame members 15 sliding upwardly within their tubular sleeve members 17 to disengage from the socket members 14 and enable forward 2G913U pivoting of the seat part 16 and seat frame 15 to a position overlying the base part 1, as indicated particularly in the figure 5 of the drawings.

The trundler is provided also with a collapsible handle arrangement comprising an elongate tubular handle member 20 arranged in the erected state to extend upwardly and forwardly from a pivot connection 21 with the upright member 6 of the trundler, the forward upper end of the handle member 20 being downturned and provided with a resilient hand grip 22. The pivot connection 21 is more particularly detailed at figure 4 of the drawings and includes a pair of flat plate mounting members 23 extending forwardly and upwardly from either side of the upright member 6 and mounting therebetween a pivotal sleeve 24 in which the lower inner end portion of the handle member 20 can be slidably located as a relatively close fit; the sleeve 24 may have aligned trunion like pivots 24a located in aligned apertures in the mounting plate members 23 for pivoting movement in a vertical longitudinal plane between a first erected position substantially aligned with the line of the mounting members 23, as shown in full in figure 1, and a second position substantially parallel with the upright support member 6. The sleeve 24 has a bevelled or inclined inner end face 24b and in the first position the sleeve 24 is further alignable with a tubular"socket 25 fixedly secured to the upright member 6 between the mounting plates 23 to thus provide an arrangement , whereby when so aligned, the inner end portion 20a of the handle member 20 may engage in such 209136 socket 25 to locate the handle member 20 in the erected position. The innermost lower end of the bevelled end 24b of the sleeve 24 is located in spaced relationship from the socket 25 and the handle member 20 is provided with a locking pin 26 extending therethrough and projecting from the lower side thereof to locate between the sleeve 24 and the socket 25. The spacing of the sleeve 24 and socket 25 is such that with the handle member 20 in the erected position as shown in full in the drawings, the handle member 20 is rigidly held and locked in position -the innermost end of the handle member 20 may also be bevelled at an angle such that when located in the socket as aforesaid it abuts the inner end of the socket 25 defined by the upright member 6,for further securement. To disengage the handle member 20 for collapsing of the trundler, the handle member 20 is pulled outwardly forwardly and at the same time rotated axially through 180 degrees within the bevelled sleeve 24 so that the locking pin 26 of the handle member 20 can be moved outwardly or forwardly up the slope or bevelled face 24b of the sleeve 24. until in the uppermost inverted position the inner end of the handle member 20 disengages from the socket 25 and the handle member 20 is thus able to be pivoted with the sleeve 24 to lie in a position substantially parallel with the upright member 6, and with the handle member 20 thus disengaged from the socket 25 it can be slid downwardly within the sleeve 24 to lie in a position adjacent and substantially parallel with the upright member 6 where upon the upright member 6 and attached handle member 20 can be 0 209136 pivoted downwardly to overlie the base part 1 . The handle member 20 20 may be provided with such as a collar or like stop member 27 which will abut the outer end of the sleeve 24 when the handle member 20 is collapsed to the desired loc-5 ation relative to the upright member 6 - the handle member and the upright member 6 may be of substantially similar lengths.

Thus, by this invention, there is provided a trundler. and in particular a golf trundler which is readily collapsed 10 for storage or erected for use, and includes a construction providing strength and ready locking in the erected position for use, whilst capable of being collapsed for storage so as to occupy an area considerably less than many known collapsible trundlers. The preferred construction includes 15 an upper horizontal support as a seat arrangement on which a user may rest, and the seat part 16 described and illustrated can be constructed as or with a resilient cushion for this use; but alternatively the part 16 may be firm or rigid and usable as a table or like support for articles such 20 as food and/or drinks and receptacles/containers therefor etc.

As previously indicated, the invention is not necessarily confined to golf bag trundlers, but may have other applications for transporting receptacles such as rubbish receptacles, shopping receptacles, shopping bags or luggage 25 and the like.

Some particular forms of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example, but it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to -1 0- the invention can take place without departing from the the scope of the appended claims. 20913 0 O Q G ■/ © 1- ■ 'u:jj.o> J, «f>

Claims (11)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A collapsible trundler comprising in its erected form a longitudinally extending base part pivotally mounting towards one end thereof a pair of laterally extending axle parts each rotatably mounting a ground wheel, a first support member arranged to extend upwardly from a pivotal connection at said one end of the base part to provide support for such j as an open topped receptacle or bag, a handle part arranged to extend longitudinally away from a connection with said ^ first support member and a second support member arranged to extend upwardly from a pivotal connection at the other end of the base part to have an upper end formed as or provided with a substantially horizontal upper support part; said axle parts each being pivotally movable transversely inwardly from their laterally extending positions to a longitudinally extending position lying in close proximity to said base part, and said first and second support members being pivotally movable inwardly in a substantially vertical plane about transverse pivot axes to overlie the base part and each other in close proximity, said handle part connection including means to enable collapsing of the handle part to overlie the first support member in close proximity thereto and occupy a substantially similar longitudinal position^ said second support member pivot connection comprising at least one sleeve support with which a lower part of the second support member is slidably engaged, said sleeve support being mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base part abo a transverse axis between an erected upright position an; horizontal collapsed position in or adjacent the same g -12- .'0j±O: plane as the base part; and there being releasable spigot and socket engaging means to secure the second support member lower part when the sleeve support is upright to support said second support member in the erected position relative to said base part.

2. A trundler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle part connection with said first support member is a pivot connection incorporating releasable locking means whereby on ^ release of said locking means said handle part can be pivoted at said connection to lie in juxtaposition with said first support member.

3. A trundler as claimed in claim 2 wherein said handle part connection comprises a fixed mounting extending outwardly from said first support member, a sleeve part arranged for pivotal movement in a vertical plane about a transverse axis relative to said fixed mounting,said sleeve slidably supporting said handle part;and said releasable locking means including a spigot and socket arrangement for se-curement of the inner end of the handle part at said fixed mounting,said spigot and socket arrangement being disengagable to enable pivoting of the sleeve and longitudinal sliding of the handle part within the sleeve for collapsing of the trundler.

4. A trundler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 'w' and wherein said handle part is supported and collapsible-^ H . relative to said first support member, substantially as • |SJ' f2AFEBW&* hereinbefore described with reference to figure 1,4 and 5\ o of the accompanying drawings.

5. A trundler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are two of said sleeve supports located one each side of said base part and arranged for pivoting movement about a -1 3- 209136 common transverse pivot axis,said second support membering having at least its lower part equally divided so as to have the respective portions slidably engaged in and supported by said sleeve supports and to have their lower ends detachably engagable with alignable spigot and socket connections below the said base part other end for locked support of the second support member in the erected position.

6. A trundler as claimed in claim 5 and wherein said second support member is supported and pivotally mounted, and lockable in the erected position, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1,3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A trundler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said upper support part is arranged and constructed as a seat for a user.

8. A trundler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 inclusive wherein said upper support part is arranged and constructed as a table top for the support of articles.

9 . A trundler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said upper support part includes a container for articles.

10. A collapsible trundler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when arranged and constructed for the support and carriage in the erected position of a bag of golf clubs, said construction providing for the location of the lower end part of the bag in a cradle extension of the trundler base part at the area of said second support member and below 209136 the upper support part thereof, and for support of the golf club bag at and by the upper end part of the first support member.

11. A collapsible trundler for a golf club bag or other conveniently transportable object(s), arranged and constructed substantially as hereinbefore described vith reference to the accompanying drawings. REDIT INDUSTRIES LIMITED, By Their Authorised Attorneys, JOHN A. REMMINGTON & ASSOCIATES Per: