WO1999005016A1

WO1999005016A1 - Improvements relating to golf trolleys

Info

Publication number: WO1999005016A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002202
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Sanders; Derek Roberts
Original assignee: Acushnet (Uk) Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-07-23
Filing date: 1998-07-23
Publication date: 1999-02-04
Also published as: GB2327642A8; GB9715553D0; GB2327642A; AU8455098A

Abstract

A lightweight collapsible golf trolley (10) comprises a spine (14), first and second legs (20, 22), first and second wheel units (26, 28) and a handle member (30). The legs and the handle member are joined to the spine at a common joint region (24) at one end of the spine, and the weight applied to the wheels is supported substantially entirely through the two legs. In one form of joint, the legs and the handle member may be locked in position by a single manually operable locking member. The joint includes a pivoting lever and a tightenable chord to secure the members. The spine, the legs, and the handle member are made from synthetic material, for example, (carbon) fibre reinforced material.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GOLF TROLLEYS

This invention relates to golf trolleys for carrying golf equipment, for example, golf clubs, tees and balls carried in a golf bag. The invention is especially suitable for lightweight collapsible trolleys, but it is not limited exclusively to such trolleys.

Many designs of collapsing and non-collapsing golf trolleys are known. Most trolley designs represent a compromise between trolley weight, strength, structural complexity, collapsed size, and ease of erection and collapsing (or assembly or disassembly). Lightweight golf trolleys are preferred by many, in particular, by women and elderly golfers, and by golfers who wish to carry their trolleys in aircraft. The weight of the golf equipment alone may often amount to 30 kilograms or more, and it can be over-burdensome to haul such weight (for example over bumps or up inclines) if the trolley adds significantly to the weight. Lightweight trolleys are also more convenient when it is desired to transport the trolley as part of a person's luggage. However, in order to provide the necessary strength, many lightweight trolleys consist of a relatively large number of frame joints and frame members coupled in a relatively complicated arrangement. This increases cost, and can make the trolley difficult or complicated to erect and collapse. There is a continuing need for a golf trolley which is relatively simple in construction, simple to manufacture, and which can be erected and collapsed (or assembled/disassembled) relatively easily. The present invention has been devised with this in mind.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a collapsible and/or disassemblable golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member, a first leg, a second leg, a first wheel for the first leg and a second wheel for the second leg, the handle member and the first and second legs being joined to, or joinable to, the spine at a common joint region, and wherein, in use, the weight applied to the wheels is supported substantially entirely through the first and second legs. Such a common joint region for joining the legs and handle member to the spine can provide a trolley having a simple construction, and which is straight forward to erect and to collapse (or assemble/disassemble).

As explained further below, a preferred joint includes a common control member which when in a "locked" position controls the joint to lock both the handle member and the legs in position relative to the spine, and when in an "unlocked" position controls the joint to release both the handle member and the legs, to allow movement relative to the spine.

Preferably, the legs are pivotably movable between an operative position in which the legs extend away from the spine, and a collapsed position in which the legs extend generally alongside the spine.

In such case, the joint preferably comprises a tightenable chord or chain (made of articulated members) which is able to lock the legs in position by the application of tension. Preferably, the chord or chain passes into or through the legs (or into or through a cover for each leg) and a portion of the joint.

In a closely related aspect, the invention provides a collapsible and/or disassemblable golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member, first and second wheels, and leg members for joining the wheels to the spine and transferring weight to from the spine to the wheels, wherein, at least in an operative condition, the legs all extend at an acute angle relative to the spine and diverge generally in a direction away from the handle member.

Such an arrangement can provide a simple construction of trolley, and can enable the number of joints between the spine and the leg members to be reduced.

Preferably, the leg members are pivotable relative to the spine between a said operative position in which the leg members extend at the said angles to the spine, and a collapsed position in which the leg members lie generally alongside the spine. Preferably, the leg members include first and second leg members and, in use, the weight applied to the wheels is supported substantially entirely through the first and second leg members.

Although the above aspects may be used independently, particularly advantageous results can be achieved by combining two or more of these aspects together.

Preferably, the angle of inclination of the legs relative to the spine is not significantly greater than about 70 degrees, more preferably not significantly greater than about 60 degrees, and most preferably not significantly greater than about 50 degrees. In the preferred embodiment, the angle is about 45 degrees.

In either case, it is preferred that at least one elongate load bearing member (for example, the spine and/or the legs) be made of a synthetic material, such as fibre reinforced resin, for example, carbon fibre reinforced resin. It is further preferred that the elongate member be expected, in use, to bear a load and/or a bending moment greater than that withstandable by a corresponding member of aluminium and/or of steel of the same weight.

In a closely related aspect, the invention provides a golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member joined or joinable to the spine, first and second leg members joined or joinable to the spine, and first and second wheels for the leg members, wherein at least one elongate load bearing member of the trolley is made substantially entirely of a synthetic material and, in use of the trolley, is expected to bear a load and/or a bending moment greater than that withstandable by an aluminium member of the same weight.

To the best of the inventor's knowledge and belief, the use of synthetic materials in such a construction of golf trolley has not been contemplated hitherto. It is believed that one reason for this may be the relatively high cost of suitable synthetic materials, such as carbon fibre based materials, compared to that of more traditional materials such as aluminium and steel. It has not been commercially worthwhile substituting synthetic materials into existing designs. However, with this aspect of the invention, it has been appreciated that synthetic materials can allow the trolley designer more freedom in the design of trolley, and can enable the number of structural members and joints to be reduced. This can be particularly beneficial for lightweight golf trolleys. Moreover, the reduction in the number of load bearing members can offset to some extent the cost increase caused by using more expensive material.

Preferably, the synthetic material is a fibre-reinforced synthetic resin. Suitable reinforcement fibres may be of carbon, glass, Kevlar or Dyneema. The resin may, for example, be epoxy, polyester, polypropylene. The production process may, for example, be pultrusion, pulwinding, filament winding, wet layup, vacuum assisted resin injection, or injection moulding. Pultrusions have fibres arranged generally along the axis, and pulwindings have a mixture of fibre directions, some being wound around the axis as the body of fibres are pultruded.

As indicated above, it is preferred that this aspect be used in combination with the first and/or second aspect above.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a joint for a golf trolley for joining first and second legs and a handle member to a spine, the joint comprising first means for engaging a first leg, second means for engaging a second leg, third means for engaging a handle member, and manually operable locking means movable between an unlocked condition in which in use the first, second and third means permit movement of the legs and handle, and a locked condition in which in use the first, second and third means restrain the legs and the handle member against movement. Preferably, the joint includes fourth means for engaging the spine and, in the locked condition of the joint, the first second and third means lock the legs and the handle relative to the fourth means.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a collapsible golf trolley comprising a spine, first and second legs, and a joint coupling the legs to the spine, the joint comprising abutment means against which the legs can bear, a chord or chain for pressing the legs against the abutment means, and manually operable means for selectively tightening or relaxing the chord or chain.

Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of golf trolley;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the trolley in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 3a is a section through the joint of the golf trolley;

Fig. 3b is a schematic section illustrating an alternative leg/chord fixing arrangement; Fig. 3c is a schematic section illustrating a further alternative leg/chord fixing arrangement;

Fig. 3d is a schematic section illustrating a preferred detail of the lever arrangement of Fig. 3a

Fig. 4 is an underside perspective view of the joint of Fig. 3a; Fig. 5 is a schematic section through a second modified joint;

Fig. 6 is a schematic section through a third modified joint;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the joint of Fig. 6 in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth modified joint;

Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of a fifth modified joint; Fig. 10 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the joint in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of a sixth modified joint;

Fig. 12 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the joint in a collapsed condition; Fig. 13 is a schematic side view of a seventh modified joint;

Fig. 14 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 13 but showing the joint in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 15 is a schematic side view of an eighth modified joint; Fig. 16 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 15 but showing the joint in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 17 is a schematic side view of a ninth modified joint;

Fig. 18 is a schematic side view of a tenth modified joint; Fig. 19 is a schematic side view of an eleventh modified joint;

Fig. 20 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 19, but showing the joint in a collapsed condition;

Fig. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a twelfth modified joint;

Fig. 22 is a schematic perspective view of a thirteenth modified joint; Fig. 23 is a schematic view illustrating elements of a fourteenth joint;

Fig. 24 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of a golf trolley;

Fig. 25 is partial exploded view of the construction of a joint body of the trolley of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a schematic illustration of the path of the tension chord in Fig. 24; Fig. 27 is a schematic side view of the joint of Fig. 24;

Fig. 28 is a schematic section through the joint of Fig. 27, shown with one leg extended and one leg folded back;

Fig. 29 is section illustrating a modified design of actuating lever for the trolley of Fig. 24; Fig. 30 is a schematic section through the upper region of a modified configuration of leg;

Figs. 31 and 32 are schematic views illustrating the forces acting on the joint of the trolleys of Figs. 1 and 24.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, a lightweight collapsible golf trolley 10 for supporting a conventional golf equipment bag (not shown) consists of a spinal member 14 to which are secured a bottom bag-rest 16 and an upper bag rest 18. First and second legs 20 and 22 are coupled to the spine 14 at a common joint or joint region 24 adjacent to the upper bag-rest 18. Conventional first and second wheel units 26 and 28 are attached removably to the distal ends of the legs 20 and 22. The joint 24 (described in more detail further below) permits the legs 20 and 22 to move pivotally between: an erect or deployed position (illustrated in Fig. 1) in which the legs 20 and 22 diverge away from the joint 24, and extend at an acute angle below the spine 14; and a collapsed position (illustrated in Fig. 2) in which the legs 20 and 22 are swung alongside the spine 14 to lie adjacent to the spine 14.

A collapsible handle member 30 is coupled to the spine 14 at the joint region 24 adjacent to the upper bag support 18, and carries a handle grip 32 at its free end. In this embodiment, the handle member 30 is retractable and is telescopically receivable within the spine member 14, to permit collapsing of the trolley 10 for stowage (illustrated in Fig. 2). In use, the projecting length of the handle extension 30 can be adjusted as desired.

A significant feature of this embodiment is the common joint 24 for coupling the legs 20 and 22, and the handle member 30 to the spine 14. This provides an extremely simple construction of trolley, and can enable the trolley to be collapsed in a straightforward manner to a very compact size despite the relatively long length of the legs 20 and 22. The absence of other structural struts, for example at the centre or the distal ends of the legs 20 and 22, avoids the complication of additional joints to collapse the trolley, and reduces the weight of the trolley. When in use, the weight applied to the wheels is supported substantially entirely through the two legs 20 and 22, and the joint 24.

A further significant feature of this embodiment is that at least one elongate load bearing member of the trolley 10 is made of a synthetic material, preferably a material based on, or including, fibre reinforcement. Any of the spine 14, the legs 20 and 22, and the handle extension 30 may be made of such material. To the best of the inventor's knowledge and belief, such material has not been used hitherto. In this embodiment, all four members comprise carbon fibre reinforced material. Suitable carbon fibre reinforced epoxy pultrusions are produced by Fibre Force Limited. In this embodiment, at least one of the above four members 14, 20, 22 and 30 is expected to bear, in use, a load or a bending moment which a corresponding member of aluminium or of steel (of the same weight) would not be able to withstand without risk of fatigue, permanent bending or other deformation. During the development work leading to the invention, it was appreciated that although synthetic materials of suitable strength are relatively expensive compared to more traditional materials, the use of such synthetic materials can avoid many of the usual design constraints for lightweight golf trolleys.

In the deployed position, the legs 20 and 22 are angled relative to the spine 14 at about 45 degrees (in the plane of the leg). To the best of the inventor's knowledge and belief, such a small angle of sole legs relative to the spine has not been employed hitherto, in view of the load bearing capabilities of traditional materials.

The golf trolley has a weight of between about 1.2 and about 2.0 Kg with the wheels and bag rest fitted. Referring to Figs. 3a and 4, the joint 24 consists of a moulded tubular body 40 mounted around the end of the spine 14, and having first and second inclined leg rests 42 and 44. Each leg rest 42, 44 includes an elongate channel 46 for receiving the enlarged, reinforced end portion 48 of the respective leg when in the deployed position. The end portion 48 comprises a tubular cover which fits over the end of the leg for reinforcement and to prevent any tendency for the carbon fibres in the leg material to splay at the end of the leg when under stress. In this embodiment, the cover can be of aluminium or tough moulded plastics. The legs are secured to the joint by means of a tension chord 50 which extends through apertures 51 in each leg 20,22 and through an eccentric passage 52 in a manually operable locking lever 54. The ends of the chord 50 are retained by slugs 56 having enlarged heads 58 to prevent the slugs 56 from being pulled through the apertures 51. In this embodiment, a short rigid tube 60, for example, of aluminium, is fitted in each aperture 51 and projects into a corresponding aperture in the moulding to provide the pivot axis for each leg. As best seen in Fig. 3, the locking lever 54 has an engagement surface 62 which projects through a slot 64 in the hollow tubing of the spine 14 to enable frictional contact the outer surface of the handle member 30 which is telescopically slidable within the spine 14. In use, the locking lever 54 is used to lock both the handle member 30 and the legs 20 and 22 relative to the spine 14. When the lever 54 is rotated in the direction of arrow 66 (to the position shown in Fig. 4), the eccentric passage 52 moves away from the spine, thereby applying tension to the chord 50 to pull the legs securely against the rests 42 and 42, and locate the end portions 48 of the legs securely in the channels 48 of the rests 42 and 44. The tension in the chord 50 also pushes the engagement surface 62 of the lever 54 against the surface of the handle member 30 to frictionally lock the handle member 30 axially relative to the spine 14.

When desired, the joint 24 is loosened by counter rotation of the lever 54 (i.e. in a direction opposite to the arrow 66). This slackens the chord 50, thereby allowing the end portions 48 of the legs to ride over the channels 46, and permit the legs to pivot. Similarly, the engagement surface 62 of the lever 54 moves out of contact with the surface of the handle member 30, thereby releasing the frictional engagement and permitting the handle member 30 to be slid within the spine 14.

The manner in which the joint bears the weight supported by the trolley can be appreciated from Figs. 31 and 32. In these figures, the arrows 240 illustrate the direction of the reaction forces of the legs on the joint member 40 and the rests 42 and 44. The position about which the legs pivot is illustrated at 242. It can be seen that the weight of the golf bag (illustrated as a centre of gravity 244) results in the proximal ends of the legs being pressed tightly against the rests 42 and 44. Therefore, the more weight the trolley is carrying, the greater will be the reaction forces 240 pressing the legs into or against the rests 42 and 44, resulting in increased forces preventing the joint from collapsing. It will be appreciated that, under appropriate weight loaded conditions, the legs might not collapse even if the locking lever 54 were to be released, because the reaction forces 240 would hold the ends of the legs firmly against the rests. This might act as a failsafe feature of the trolley.

It will be appreciated that such a joint can provide an extremely simple, yet very effective, lockable joint which requires only a single manually movable lever 54 to secure both the handle member 30 and the legs 20 and 22 in position. The strength of the joint is provided by the rests 42 and 44, the leg pivots, and the chord 50, which can bear load applied to the joint as tension in the chord. The chord may be of any suitably strong material, such as twisted metal wire, or of synthetic chord, such as Dyneema (available from Ibex Ropes Limited). The lever 54 is configured to provide an over-centre effect when in the fully locked position (as in Fig. 4). This can prevent accidental release of the joint 24 when under load. As illustrated in Fig. 3d, an engagement tongue 51 may be provided to separate the engagement surface 62 of the lever 54 from the outer surface of the handle member 30. Such a tongue 51 may assist in reducing wear caused by direct frictional contact between the lever 54 and the handle member 30. Furthermore, the tongue 51 prevents axial forces applied to the handle 30 from being transmitted to the lever 54 and possibly causing unwanted rotation of the lever. In use, the handle will be subject to significant axial loads as the trolley carrying the golf equipment is towed by the golfer. As illustrated, the tongue 51 is joined integrally to the moulding. However, in an alternative embodiment, the tongue, may for example, be formed in the spine tube, to press against the handle tube received within the spine.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3a, the chord 50 passes through each leg 20, 22. However, as illustrated in Figs. 3b and 3c, the chord 50 could be arranged to pass into each leg, and be secured within the hollow leg by a hidden fixing. In Fig. 3b, the end of the chord 50 has a nipple 43 which is received within a fixing collet 55. An adjustment wedge 57 is provided to enable the tension in the chord to adjusted to accommodate tolerance variations in the length of the chord 50. It will be appreciated that, if the chord is too long, it might be impossible to generate sufficient tension in the chord to secure the joint. On the other hand, if the chord is too short, the tension will be too high, and it might be very difficult to move the lever fully to its locked, over- centre position. The wedge 57 is bifurcated to allow the chord to pass therethrough. The position of the wedge 57 can be set in the factory during production of the trolley. Fig. 3c illustrates a similar hidden fixing for the chord 50 but employing a screw threaded adjuster 59. A bifurcated insert 61 is received with the end of the leg tube, and has a channel 63 leading to a well 65 for receiving the adjuster 59. The end of the chord 50 is screw threaded, or is fitted with a screw threaded cap.

It will be appreciated that the pre-settable tension adjusters may be provided in only one leg, if desired.

A variation of this design of trolley employ a tensioning chord is also described later with reference to Fig. 24. Although this type of joint employing a tension chord is the currently preferred joint, many other designs of joint 24 may be used, and further examples are described below. Fig. 5 illustrates a modified second joint which functions in a very similar manner to the lever-operated joint described above. However, in the second joint, the chord and the lever are replaced by a threaded thumbwheel 70, which threadedly receives the ends of two chord segments 72a and 72b. Rotation of the thumbwheel 70 in one direction draws the chord segments towards each other to produce tension to lock the legs 20 and 22 against the rests 42 and 44. Rotation of the thumbwheel 70 in the opposite direction relaxes the tension to loosen the legs 20 and 22 against the rests 42 and 44.

In the second joint, the moulding 40 is configured as a clamp which tightens around the spine 14 as more tension is applied to the chord segments 72a and 72b, and thereby clamps the telescoping handle member 30 axially relative to the spine 14.

It will be appreciated that, when a chord or chain is used to secure the joint, any from of tensioner, such as a screw threaded, or over-centre tensioner may be used. The tensioner may be arranged to apply tension at any point along the length of the chord, for example, at one end if desired.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a third joint in which the legs are secured in position by first and second threaded bolts 74 and 76 which pass through apertures 78 in the legs 20 and 22 (or apertures adjacent to the legs, in the enlarged end caps), and engage in a threaded metal insert 80 in the moulding 40. In this design, separate pivots 82 are provided about which the legs pivot; the bolts 74 and 76 merely serve as locking elements. The bolts have enlarged heads 84 to permit a user easily to grip and turn the bolts with his or her fingers. As best seen in Fig. 6, non-threaded engagement elements 86 are received within the inserts 80 to bear against the outer surface of the telescoping handle member 30 when pressure is applied by tightening the bolts 74 and 76. The engagement elements 86 thus serve automatically to lock the handle member 30 in position upon tightening of the bolts 74 and 76. If desired, the non-threaded elements 86 may be omitted, and the ends of the threaded bolts used to apply pressure to the handle member 30 when the bolts are tightened.

Fig. 8 illustrates a fourth joint in which "push-button" rests 90 on either side of the moulding 40 are provided to bear the weight applied from the spine 14 to the legs 20 and 22. Each rest 90 can be pressed inwardly towards the spine 14, to allow the legs 20 and 22 to pivot past the rest 90 into the collapsed position. The rests 90 are spring biased, to spring outwardly again when the legs 20 and 22 are rotated into their deployed positions.

In Fig. 8, the handle member 30 is not telescopic, but instead is coupled pivotally to the spine by a hinge 92. To stow the handle member 30, it is pivoted in the direction of arrow 94 through 180 degrees to lie alongside the spine 14. When deployed, the proximal end of the handle member 30 abuts the adjacent end of the spine 14 , to thereby define the deployed position. Alternatively, a telescopic handle may be employed if desired, as with the previous embodiments. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a fifth joint in which the legs 20 and 22 are coupled to a respective actuator levers 96 on either side of the spine, by control struts or rods 98. Rotation of the levers 96 anticlockwise (into the position shown in Fig. 9) deploys the legs 20 and 22 by application of tension through the control rods 98. When in the deployed position, the lever 96 over-centres to prevent accidental collapsing of the joint. When it is desired to collapse the legs, the lever is manually rotated clockwise (into the position shown in Fig. 10). Such movement applies pressure through the control rods 98 to fold back the legs 20 and 22. The levers may be movable independently of each other, so that deployment of the left leg is controlled independently of deployment of the right leg. Alternatively, the levers may be joined rigidly by a pivot, or moulded integrally to define a U-shape.

In the fifth joint, the handle member 30 is telescopically slidable within the spine 14. The handle can be secured relative to the spine by tightening of a collar 100 at the end of the spine 14. The collar 100 includes internal jaws (not shown) to clamp the handle in position.

Figs. 11-14 illustrate further control rod examples in which pivoting movement of the handle member 30 is used to automatically deploy the legs 20 and 22 when the handle member 30 is unfolded, and to automatically fold back the legs 20 and 22 when the handle member 30 is folded away. In the sixth joint (shown in Figs. 11 and 12), the proximal end of the handle member 30 includes a short sleeve 102 of approximately the same diameter as the spine. The sleeve 102 is hinged to the end of the spine, and is coupled to the legs 20 and 22 by control rods 104 which function in the same manner as the control rods 98 described above. The control rods 104 are connected to the sleeve at a position away from the hinge 92. The main portion 30' of the handle member 30 is slidable within the sleeve, and can be locked in position relative to the sleeve 102 by a collar clamp 106 (similar to the collar 100 described above). When in the deployed position, the main portion 30' of the handle member can be retracted telescopically into the sleeve 102 and the spine which is coaxial with the sleeve 102. This enables the projecting length of the handle to be adjusted as desired, and also provides a rigid coupling between the handle and the spine 14. Before collapsing the trolley, it is necessary to extend the handle in the direction of arrow 108, to clear the end of the spine 14. Thereafter, the handle can be folded away, which automatically folds back the legs 20 and 22.

The seventh joint (shown in Figs. 13 and 14) operates in a similar manner to the sixth joint described above. However, in the seventh joint, the handle member 30 is not coaxial with the spine 14 when in the deployed position. The joint uses a separate latch 31 to lock the spine 14 when deployed.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate an eighth joint in which a slider actuator 110 slides axially on the spine 14. The slider 110 is coupled to the legs 20 and 22 by control rods 112, and functions in a similar manner to the slider of a conventional umbrella. To deploy the legs 20 and 22, the slider is advanced towards the handle member 30 (i.e. to the right in the drawings, to the position shown in Fig. 15). This movement applies pressure through the control rods 112 to push the legs 20 and 22 outwardly. The configuration of the control rods 112 and the slider is such that an over-centring effect is produced when in the fully deployed position, to retain the slider 110 in the fully deployed position even when under load. A tensioning wire or strut (not shown) may be provided between the legs 20 and 22 for additional strength and to provide the necessary tension to generate the over-centring effect even when no weight is being carried by the trolley.

To collapse the legs 20 and 22, the slider 110 is moved manually away from the handle member 30, whereupon the control rods 112 automatically pull in the legs 20 and 22.

In this example, the handle member 30 is telescopically collapsible within the spine 14, and can be locked in a desired axial position by means of a collar clamp 100. In Figs. 15 and 16, the handle 30 includes an optional latch projection 111 which extends towards the joint 24, and has a tapered nose 113 and a latch recess 115. In use, the latch co-operates with a projection 117 on the slider 110 to move the slider axially by the action of extending, or retracting, the handle 30. To deploy the legs, the handle 30 is extended, thereby applying an axial force through the latch projection 111 to move the slider. When the slider is in the deployed position (shown in Fig. 15), further extension of the handle causes the latch projection 30 to disengage the projection 117, so that the handle can be extended to a desired length. To retract the legs, the handle 30 is retracted into the spine, which causes the latch projection 111 to approach and re-engage the projection 117 on the slider. Continued movement of the handle 30 then moves the slider 110 into the retracted position (shown in Fig. 16).

Fig. 17 illustrates a ninth example of joint, in which a hollow rotatable member 120 is mounted at the end of the spine 14 to be freely rotatable relative to the spine 14. The rotatable member 120 has a screw thread 122 on its outer surface, and carries a threaded nut 124. The nut 124 is coupled to the legs 20 and 22 by respective control rods 126. The handle member 30 is keyed into the rotatable member 120 to rotate the member 20 by rotation of the handle.

In use, to deploy the legs 20 and 22, the handle is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 128. Such rotation of the handle member 30 and the rotatable member 120 causes the nut 124 to move axially away from the spine, to thereby pull the legs outwardly to their deployed position. Rotation of the handle member 30 in the opposite direction produces the opposite effect, by causing the nut to move back towards the spine 14, to push the legs 20 and 22 into their folded back positions.

The keying of the handle member 30 relative to the rotatable member 120 can enable the handle member 30 to be slid telescopically into the spine 14 to adjust the handle length, without accidental collapsing of the trolley. For example, the handle member 30 may have a square profile to match a square central opening through the rotatable member 120. The pitch of the screw threads is such that there is no tendency for the threads to slip when weight is placed on the trolley.

Fig. 18 illustrates a tenth example of joint, in which a strong compression spring 130 is used to provide motive power to automatically deploy the legs 20 and 22. The spring 130 is arranged between an abutment within a recess at the end of the spine, and a collar 132 spaced axially from the end of the spine 14. The collar is coupled to the legs 20 and 22 by respective control rods 134 similar to the control rods 126 described above.

The end of the handle member 30 is formed with a screw thread 136 which can be screwed into a complementary female thread 138 at the base of the spine 14. In use, in order to collapse the trolley, it is necessary to telescope the handle member 30 into the spine until the screw threads 136 and 138 can engage. Thereafter, the handle member is rotated to advance the screw threads relative to each other. As the handle member advances, the handle grip 32 (or an other projection formed on the handle member 30) bears against the collar 132 to progressively compress the spring 130. The screw threads are necessary to provide sufficient leverage to compress the spring 130 without requiring excess effort from the user. As the spring 130 compresses, the control rods 134 push the legs 20 and 22 into their folded back positions.

To deploy the legs 20 and 22, the handle member 30 is rotated in the opposite direction, to allow the spring 130 to expand progressively. As the spring expands, the collar 132 moves away from the end of the spine 14, thereby bulling the legs outwardly to towards their deployed positions.

In this example, a strong spring 130 is required, since the spring has to bear the forces transmitted thorough the joint to the legs 20 and 22. If the spring is insufficiently strong, it will tend to collapse under the weight of the golfing equipment being carried, and allow the legs to collapse.

Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate an eleventh example of joint in which axial movement of the handle member 30 is used to deploy and collapse the legs 20 and 22. As best seen in Fig. 19, the handle member includes an extension portion 140 which is pivotally coupled to the main portion 30' of the handle by a pivoting joint 142. The extension portion 140 includes a depending tail 144 which projects downwardly thorough an elongate slot in the spine 14. A respective secondary leg strut 146 extends between the depending tail 144 and each main leg 20 and 22.

Fig. 19 illustrates the trolley in its deployed condition, in which the handle member 30 is telescoped into the spine 14 to such an extent that the pivoting joint is received within the spine 14 (which thus constrains the join to be straight and rigid). To collapse the trolley, it is necessary to withdraw the handle from the spine 40 by movement of the handle in the direction of arrow 148, until the pivoting joint 142 is withdrawn from the spine 14. This axial movement moves the depending tail 144, causing the secondary leg struts 146 to pull the legs 20 and 22 inwardly to their collapsed positions. Thereafter, the handle can be folded back about the exposed pivoting joint 142, to lie alongside the spine 14 (as depicted in Fig. 20). Deployment is achieved by the reverse of the above, including unfolding the handle about the pivoting joint 142 to lie coaxially within the spine 14, and advancing the extension portion 140 of the handle into the spine to cause the secondary leg struts 146 to push the legs 20 and 22 outwardly to their deployed positions.

Fig. 21 illustrates a simple twelfth example of joint. In this example, the legs (only leg 22 is illustrated) is coupled to a T-shaped connecting piece 150 on the spine 14 by a pivot joint 152. To lock the joint in position, a rotatable sleeve 154 having a female thread (not shown) is provided on the leg 22 for threaded engagement with a complementary male thread 156 on the T-shaped piece 150. When the sleeve 154 is threaded on to the T-shaped piece 150, the joint is held rigidly in position. The joint can be released simply by unscrewing the sleeve 154, and drawing this back along the leg 22 to expose the pivot joint 152.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate examples of spigot and socket type joints for disassemblable trolleys. In Fig. 22, a screw threaded sleeve 160 is used to secure the joint, in a similar manner to the sleeve 154 described above. In Fig. 23, a spring loaded button 162 locates in an aperture 164 to secure the joint.

Figs. 24 to 29 illustrate a further embodiment of a golf trolley, based on a modified version of the design of the first embodiment. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

Referring especially to Fig. 24, the trolley consists of the spinal member 14 which supports the bottom bag rest 16. The upper bag rest 18 is carried by the joint body 40. Each leg 20, 22 includes a moulded plastics wheel mounting bracket 180 at its distal end, and a moulded plastics pivot support 182 (48) at its proximal end. The pivot support 182 includes an integral pivot boss 184 which is received in the respective inclined aperture 51 of the joint body 40.

The joint body 40 is, in this embodiment, made in two (or more) parts for ease of moulding. As illustrated, the body 40 comprises two mirror image clam-shell halves 40a and 40b, split about a generally vertical axis. Each half 40a, 40b comprises a locating lug 186 which locates in an aperture 188 in the spine 14, to prevent axial, and twisting, movement of the joint body 40 on the spine 14. In an alternative embodiment, the two halves may be split about a different axis, for example, a horizontal axis. This might be suitable, for example, if a lug (not shown) is required on the body 40 to slide in an underside alignment channel of the handle member 30. It is envisaged that such a channel might be provided on the underside of the handle member 30 to be out of normal sight. The lug on the joint body 40 would project into the channel, to prevent twisting of the handle 30 relative to the spine 14.

As best seen in Fig. 25, the joint body 40 includes a recess 190 for rotatably receiving the barrel 192 of the locking lever 54, and for receiving a slipper 194 (tongue 51). The slipper may have an integral compressible rubber element which fits above the barrel 192 of the locking lever 54, and is held in position by the joint body 40 on either side, and the surface of the spine 14 above. The slipper 194 includes a button 196 which projects through the aperture in the spine to engage the surface of the handle member 30 (in the same manner as the tongue 51 described previously.

The use of a slipper (or tongue) with compressible material can compensate, to some extent, for differences in tension of the chord 50. In the tensed condition, the slipper is preferably fully compressed, so that it will not tend to compress, or give, any further when weight is applied to the golf trolley. However, the ability of the slipper to expand when the lever 54 is loosened can maintain a force on the barrel 192 of the lever 54, and accommodate a wide range of chord characteristics. Accordingly the production tolerances can be made less critical. Referring to Figs 26, 27 and 28, in this embodiment the chord 50 is arranged to pass around each leg 20, 22, and the ends of the chord are located, or secured, within the lever 54. It is believed that this might reduce the stresses applied to each pivot support 182, compared to the previous arrangement in which the chord terminates at the pivot support 182. Referring to Fig. 26, the chord starts (at one end 200) within the handle of the lever 54, passes through a first bore 202 in the lever 54, then passes around the pivot support 182 of one leg, returns through a second bore 204 of the lever, then passes around the pivot support 182 of the second leg, returns through a third bore 206 of the lever 54, and finishes within the handle. The ends of the chord may cross within the handle to provide additional securing strength. The chord is guided within and around the pivot supports 182 by guide slots 208 formed in each pivot support 182. Although the bores 202, 204 and 206 are illustrated as separate bores, two or more of the bores might be siameesed, or even implemented as a single slot or bore.

Referring to Figs. 25 and 27, the joint 40 includes rests 42 and 44 which bear the load applied through the joint 40 when the trolley is in use. The legs 20, 22 (and the pivot supports 182) are held tightly against the rests by the tension of the chord 50 and the weight applied to the trolley (illustrated in Figs. 31 and 32). When the lever is moved to release the tension in the chord 50, the ends of the legs (i.e. the ends of the pivot supports 182) can be moved past the rests 40 and 42, to allow the trolley to be collapsed.

Referring to Fig. 26, in this embodiment, the ends of the chord 50 are secured within the handle by barbs, or gripper teeth, provided in a narrow slot within the handle. However, any suitable securing means may be used as desired. For example, Fig. 29 illustrates schematically an alternative securing technique. Referring to Fig. 29, the handle includes a cap 210 which slides over the end of the main body 212 of the lever 54. The ends of the chord 50 include nibs 214 which are received in keyholes 216 in the cap 210. The tension in the chord 50 is controlled by adjusting the position of the cap 210 relative to the main body 212 of the lever 54. This is achieved by means of an internal bolt 218 which bears against an inside surface of the cap 210, and is threadedly received in a bore 220 in the main body 212 (or in a captive nut). Un-screwing of the bolt 218 forces the cap 210 further away from the main body 212, and thus increases then tension in the chord. Tightening (advancing) of the bolt 218 in the bore 220 allows the cap 210 to move towards the main body 212, thereby slackening the tension in the chord 50. It is envisaged that the optimum tension for the chord 50 will be set in the factory, during manufacture.

As mentioned previously, the chord 50 may be of strong synthetic material, for example Dyneema, or it may be of strong metal, for example, highly flexible multi- strand twisted steel (stainless steel) chord.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 and 24, the fittings 48 and 182 at the proximal ends of the legs 20 and 22 are generally of circular cross-section, and the rests 42 and 44 generally have a complementary arcuate profile. However, other shapes may be used as desired. For example, Fig. 30 illustrates a modified shape of the pivot support 182 (as would be viewed along the section line A-A of Fig. 27). In Fig. 30, the pivot support 182 has a part circular outwardly facing surface 230, and a flat surface 232 facing the joint body 40. The joint body 40 includes a recess with a complementary flat surface 234, and a steeper surface 236 of the rest 42 (or 44). Such modified profiles might provide more positive engagement between the pivot supports 182 and the rests 42 and 44, and thus provide increased tolerance of the joint to extreme jerks and bumps when the trolley is in use.

It will be appreciated that many designs of joint can be used within the scope of this invention. For example, other joints include spring-coupled joints or elastic- coupled joints, as commonly used in tent frames.

Although the described preferred embodiments employ carbon fibre materials, it will be appreciated that within the broad scope of the invention other materials, including traditional materials may be used as desired. Features believed to be of particular importance have been highlighted in the foregoing description and the appended claims. However, the Applicant claims protection for any novel feature or combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the drawings, irrespective of whether emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A collapsible and/or disassemblable golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member, a first leg, a second leg, a first wheel for the first leg and a second wheel for the second leg, the handle member and the first and second legs being joined to, or joinable to, the spine at a common joint region, and wherein, in use, the weight applied to the wheels is supported substantially entirely through the first and second legs and through the joint region.

2. A golf trolley according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second legs extends from the spine at a respective acute angle relative to the spine.

3. A collapsible and/or disassemblable golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member, first and second wheels, and leg members for joining the wheels to the spine and transferring weight from the spine to the wheels, wherein, at least in an operative condition, the legs all extend at an acute angle relative to the spine and diverge generally in a direction away from the handle member.

4. A golf trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising leg joint means for releasably or movably joining the distal ends of the first and second legs to the spine.

5. A golf trolley according to claim 4, wherein the leg joint means comprises a joint member positioned on the spine adjacent to an end of the spine.

6. A golf trolley according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the leg joint means permits the legs to be moved between an operative position in which the legs extend away from the spine, and a collapsed position in which the legs extend generally alongside the spine.

7. A golf trolley according to claim 6, wherein the leg joint means permits angular movement of the legs relative to the spine.

8. A golf trolley according to claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the leg joint means comprises abutment means for engaging the first and second legs when in their operative positions, and for transferring mechanical load to the legs when the legs are held in position relative thereto.

9. A golf trolley according to claim 8, wherein the abutment means comprises rest surfaces against which the legs bear when in their operative position.

10. A golf trolley according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising tightenable means for holding the legs in position relative to the abutment means.

11. A golf trolley according to claim 10, wherein the tightenable means comprises a chord or chain, and manually operable means for tightening the chord or chain.

12. A golf trolley according to claim 11, wherein the manually operable means comprises a pivotally movable lever.

13. A golf trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising handle joint means for releasably or movably joining the handle member to the spine.

14. A golf trolley according to claim 13, wherein the handle joint means permits telescopic movement of the handle member relative to the spine.

15. A golf trolley according to claim 14, wherein the handle member is slidable within the body of the spine.

16. A golf trolley according to claim 13, wherein the handle joint means comprises a pivoting joint for permitting the handle member to be swung between an operative position in which the handle member projects from the spine, and a collapsed position in which the handle member extends generally alongside the spine.

17. A golf trolley according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the handle joint means comprises a locking member for locking the handle member in position relative to the spine.

18. A golf trolley according to claim 17, wherein the locking member comprises frictional engagement means.

19. A golf trolley according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the locking member comprises a cam.

20. A golf trolley according to claim 19, further comprising a tongue between the cam and the surface of the handle member.

22. A golf trolley according to any claim dependent on both claim 4 and 13, wherein the handle joint means and the leg joint means are operated by a common locking member.

23. A golf trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein each leg comprises a respective single leg strut.

24. A golf trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the spine and/or the legs is or are made substantially entirely of synthetic material.

25. A golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle member, a first leg for carrying a first wheel, and a second leg for carrying a second wheel, wherein the spine and/or the legs is or are made substantially entirely of load bearing synthetic material.

26. A golf trolley according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the complete trolley including wheels weighs not substantially more than about 2 kg.

27. A golf trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle member is made of synthetic material.

28. A golf trolley comprising a spine, a handle, a first leg for carrying a first wheel and a second leg for carrying a second wheel, at least one load bearing member for the spine or for a leg being made of synthetic material and being expected to bear a load, or a bending moment, greater than that withstandable by a corresponding member of the same weight made of aluminium.

29. A joint for a golf trolley for joining first and second legs and a handle member to a spine, the joint comprising first means for engaging a first leg, second means for engaging a second leg, third means for engaging a handle member, and manually operable locking means movable between an unlocked condition in which in use the first, second and third means permit movement of the legs and handle, and a locked condition in which in use the first, second and third means restrain the legs and the handle member against movement.

30. A joint according to claim 29, wherein the first and second means comprise abutment means against which the legs can bear, and tightenable means moveable towards the abutment means in use to press the legs against the abutment means.

31. A joint according to claim 30 wherein the tightenable means comprises a chord or chain.

32. A joint according to claim 29, 30 or 31, wherein the third means comprises a socket for receiving the handle member, and frictional engagement means movable to project inwardly through the side of the socket.

33. A joint according to claim 32, wherein the frictional engagement means comprises a cam.

34. A joint according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein the manually operable locking means comprises a pivotally movable lever.

35, A collapsible golf trolley comprising a spine, first and second legs, and a joint coupling the legs to the spine, the joint comprising abutment means against which the legs can bear, a chord or chain for pressing the legs against the abutment means, and manually operable means for selectively tightening or relaxing the chord or chain.

36. A golf trolley according to claim 35, wherein the manually operable means comprises a pivotally movable lever.

37. A golf trolley according to claim 1, 3, 28, or 35 or to any claim dependent thereon, wherein at least in a erect condition, the legs are inclined relative to the spine at an angle of not substantially more than 70 degrees.

38. A golf trolley according to claim 37, wherein the angle of inclination is not substantially greater than 60 degrees.

39. A golf trolley according to claim 38, wherein the angle of inclination is not substantially greater than about 50 degrees,

40. A golf trolley according to claim 39, wherein the angle of inclination is approximately 45 degrees.

41. A golf trolley, or a joint therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.