WO2013024240A1

WO2013024240A1 - Golf trolley wheel and adapter

Info

Publication number: WO2013024240A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael ROLFE; Mark Ingram
Original assignee: Golf Innovations Limited
Priority date: 2011-08-18
Filing date: 2012-08-13
Publication date: 2013-02-21
Also published as: GB2508756B; GB201114194D0; GB201403897D0; GB2493756A; GB2508756A

Abstract

A wheel for an electrically powered vehicle includes a hub (3)formed with a chamber (5) which is open on one side and is shaped and di¬ mensioned to house a selected one of several adapters (14, 15) each of which serves to connect the hub (3) to a drive mechanism of a se¬ lected one of several electrically powered vehicles. Each adapter in¬ cludes a first rotatable member (14) and means for connecting this first rotatable member to a driven axle of the selected vehicle so that, when the connection is made, rotation of the driven axle imparts ro¬ tation to the first rotatable member (14). A second rotatable member (15) which is connected to the hub (3) so that rotation of the second member (15) imparts rotation to the hub (3). Means are also provided to provide a coupling between the two rotatable members (14, 15) to connect the wheel directly to the driven axle of the vehicle.

Description

Golf Trolley Wheel and Adapter

This invention relates to a golf trolley wheel capable of being fitted to one of a plurality of different powered golf trolleys through the use of one of several adapters. The invention also relates to adapters which enable a golf trolley wheel to be fitted to one of a plurality of different golf trolleys .

It is well known that golf trolleys cannot be used on the fairways and greens of many golf courses during periods of inclement weather because of the damage which the wheels of a golf trolley can cause during such periods. To overcome this problem, specially designed stud bearing tyres have been proposed. An example of such a tyre can be seen in EP1625027. These tyres have, in the past, been fitted onto trolleys to enable them to be used during periods of wet weather, and then, in many cases, removed.

Replaceable wheels which have these and similar tyres permanently attached have been used on electrically powered trolleys in the past, but because the drive mechanisms of powered golf trolleys differ one from another, it has hitherto been necessary to provide for each golf trolley model a set of unique wheels. To do so substantially increases manufacturing costs .

To meet this problem, the Applicants have designed a unique golf trolley wheel and a series of adapters which enable the wheel to be fitted to a plurality of different powered golf trolleys. A golf trolley wheel in accordance with this invention may include a preformed tyre which may or may not include studs protruding from its surface, or, alternatively, may not include a tyre at all.

According to the invention in one aspect, there is provided a wheel for an electrically powered golf trolley which includes a hub formed with a closable chamber shaped and dimensioned to house a selected one of several adapters which serve to connect the hub to the drive mechanism of a selected electrically powered golf trolley, each adapter including a member for connection to a driven axle of the golf trolley, a member for imparting drive to the hub of the wheel, and means for providing a coupling between the two members.

The hub of the wheel may be recessed to define the chamber which may be annular and may be closed by a removable ^' end plate .

In another aspect, the invention provides an adapter for enabling a wheel to be fitted to one of a plurality of different electrically powered golf trolleys, the adapter comprising a first member for connection to a driven axle of a golf trolley, a second member for connection to the wheel hub of the golf trolley to impart drive thereto, and means for coupling the first and second members together to enable drive to be imparted from the power source of the golf trolley to the golf trolley wheel. The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view taken from one side of a golf trolley wheel and adapter in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the illustrated trolley wheel and adapter taken from the opposite side to that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken through the golf trolley wheel shown in Figures 1 and 2 when assembled;

Figure 4 is a plan view to an enlarged scale of one face of a component of the adapter illustrated in Figures 1 to 3;

Figures 5 and 6 show opposite sides to an enlarged scale of a spring loaded mechanism which forms part of the illustrated golf trolley wheel;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the trolley wheel shown in Figure 1 and an alternative adapter; and

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the wheel and adapter of Figure 7 taken from the opposite side. The golf trolley wheel illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is for use on any one of a plurality of different electrically powered golf trolleys and comprises a pre-formed tyre 1 from which projects a series of shaped studs 2. The rim is connected to a hub 3 through spokes 4. In an alternative arrangement the tyre includes no studs or the like projecting from its surface; additionally,, the wheel does not include a pre-formed tyre.

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 3, the central part of the hub is recessed to define an annular chamber 5 bordered by a wall 6 for receiving the components of an adapter which, when assembled within the chamber, enable the hub 3 to be connected to and be driven by the drive mechanism of a selected electrically powered golf trolley. · By use of the adapter, therefore, the wheel can be fitted to any one of a multiplicity of different makes and models of electrically powered golf trolleys.

The hub chamber 5 has a rear wall 7 from which a cylindrical member 8 extends whose rim is formed with a pair of indents 9. The bore of the member 8 extends through the rear wall 7 and coincides with the central bore 3a- of the hub through which the axle (not shown) of the golf trolley chassis^' on which the wheel passes.

As will be seen from Figure 4 the rear wall 7 of the hub chamber includes a recess 11 bordered by a wall 12 and one side of the member 8. The adapter components include a die cast cylindrical bush 14 for connection to a driven axle of a golf trolley, and a coil spring 15 to be coupled to the bush to impart drive to the hub 3 of the wheel. The bush has a cylindrical section 14a which, as will be seen from Figure 3, on assembly locates within the collar 7 and a cylindrical section 14b of larger cross section onto which one end of the coil spring 15 is pressure fitted. Thus, the diameter of the bush section 14b is slightly more than the internal diameter of the coil spring to ensure that the latter is firmly fitted on the former when assembled. The coil spring has a forwardly projecting end 16 which, when assembled as shown in Figure 3, locates in the recess 11. The end face 17 of the bush 14 is formed with a slot 18 shaped to receive the ends of a radially extending drive pin (not shown) of the axle of the golf trolley to which the wheel is to be connected.

The hub chamber 5 is, on assembly of the adapter, closed by an end plate 19 formed with a central opening 20 through which the driven axle of the golf trolley can pass. The end plate is secured to the chamber wall 6 by a set of screws 21 which pass into screw fixings 22 which form part of the hub chamber wall 6. The end plate includes a collar section 23 which, as will be seen from Figure 3, extends into the hub chamber 5 to contact the adjacent surface of the chamber wall 6. Slots 24 are provided in the collar section 23 to locate the screw fixings 22.

When the end plate is attached to the hub wall 6, the end face 17 of the bush 14 ^■ lies within the opening 20 to enable the ends of a radially extending drive pin (not shown) of the trolley axle to locate within the slot 18. With the arrangement described, when the adapter is fitted to the wheel hub as shown in Figure 3, drive transmitted to the bush 14 from the driven axle of the golf trolley is, in turn, transmitted through the coil spring 15 to the wheel hub through the spring end 16 and the recess 11.

As will be seen from Figures 2, 5 and 6, the side of the hub 3 remote from the adapter is also recessed to define a second chamber 25 bordered by a wall 26 and separated from the hub chamber 5 by the wall 7. As will be seen from Figure 5, housed within this chamber is a spring 27 which includes a pinion 28 (see Figure 6) which locates within a complementary shaped opening formed in the wall 7. The spring is, therefore, able to pivot about the pinion. The spring includes a plate 29 having a shaped edge 31 which, on assembly, locates within a slot (not shown) to be found in the surface of the golf trolley axle to retain the wheel in place. The spring also includes an arm 32 which, on assembly, bears against the wall 26 of the chamber 25. A stop 33 projects from the surface of the rear wall 7 and bears against one edge 34 of the spring 27.

The chamber 25 with the spring in position as shown in Figure 5 is closed by a cap 35. As will be seen from Figures 1 and 6, the cap includes four arms 36 which, when the cap is assembled on the wheel hub locate in open ended arcuate slots 37 (see Figure 2 also) formed in the wall 26 of the chamber 25. Each arm 36 has a lip 38 which, as will be seen from Figure 3, locates behind an annular step 39 formed in the wall 6 of the hub chamber 5 when assembled. Each slot 37 is longer than the respective arm to enable the latter to move within the slots.

The cap 35 includes a collar 41 and a pinion 42. On assembly of the cap onto the wheel hub, the pinion 42 lies next to the stop 33 and in engagement with the edge 34 of the spring 27. Rotation of the cap 35 relative to the hub will, therefore, impart rotation to the spring 27 and the plate 29 to move the edge 31 either partially over or clear of the hub bore through which the axle of the golf trolley passes. The cap is enabled to rotate relative to the hub by movement of the arms within the slots .37.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the outer face of the cap 35 includes four projections 43 by which the cap can be turned in the direction of Arrow A to move the shaped edge 31 of the plate 29 away from the position shown in Figure 5 to enable the wheel hub to be positioned on the golf trolley axle, or, if the wheel is already positioned on the axle, to r.elease the shaped edge from its seating within the retention groove of the axle to enable the wheel to be withdrawn from the axle. Once the wheel has been located on the axle or removed from the axle, the arm 32 moves the spring back: to the position shown in Figure 5 where the spring edge 34 locates against the stop 33.

Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, many of the parts of the illustrated wheel and adapter are the same as those described above and where appropriate these parts have been given the same reference numerals. Essentially, the only differences are to be found in the adapter parts to the left of the illustrated wheel.

In Figures 7 and 8 the end plate 19 of Figures 1 to 6 is replaced by an end plate 51. This end plate includes a plurality of splines 53 which are shaped and positioned to cooperate with complementary splines or slots of a driven axle (not shown) of an alternative trolley wheel to that described previously. The end face of the plate 51 is also formed with a series of openings 54 to receive pins of an alternative make or model of golf trolley. In this embodiment of the invention, the adapter components comprise a tubular sleeve 55 through which the golf trolley axle passes and which includes a collar 56 of a plastics material (preferably nylon) which separates a front section 55a and a rear section 55b of the sleeve 55, the member 8 including the indents 9, and the end plate 51. On assembly the sleeve section 55b projects into the bore of the cylindrical member 8 with teeth 57 formed on the end face of the collar 56 projecting into the indents 9 to keep the bush in place and prevent it rotating relative to the hub when drive is imparted to the end plate 51.

As will be appreciated, the described adapters are two of several which, through minor adaptations, can be employed to enable a generally standard wheel to be installed on a selected one of a plurality of different golf trolleys and to be connected to the drive mechanism of a selected trolley.

It will also be appreciated that the adapters and wheels described are simply exemplary of adapters and wheels in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wheel for an electrically powered vehicle which includes a hub formed with a, chamber open on one side which is shaped and dimensioned to house a selected one of several adapters each of which serves to connect the hub to a drive mechanism of a selected one of several electrically powered vehicles, each adapter including a first rotatable member, means for connecting this first rotatable member to a driven axle of the selected vehicle whereby, when the connection is made, rotation of the driven axle imparts rotation to the first member, a second rotatable member, means for connecting this second rotatable member to the hub whereby rotation of the second member imparts rotation to the hub, and means for providing a coupling between the two rotatable members to connect the wheel directly to the driven axle of the vehicle .

2. A wheel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chamber is recessed in the hub of the wheel.

3. A wheel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the open side of the chamber remote from the hub is closed by a removable end plate formed with a central opening through which a driven axle of a selected vehicle can pass.

4. A wheel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber includes an end wall including an opening from the periphery of which a cylindrical member projects, the bore of the cylindrical member and the opening being shaped and dimensioned to receive a driven axle of the vehicle.

5. A wheel as claimed in claim 4 wherein the side of the end wall remote from that in which the adapter is housed includes means for preventing movement of the hub relative to the driven axle of a vehicle when the latter projects through the end wall.

6. A wheel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the movement prevention means comprises a spring-urged plate which locates within a peripheral slot formed in the wheel axle to prevent relative axial movement between the plate and the axle.

7. A wheel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first rotatable member comprises a cylindrical bush having a first section and a second section of a diameter which is less than that of the first section, the first bush section being configured at its end remote from the hub to engage with a complementary shaped drive member of a driven axle of a selected vehicle, and a coil spring located firmly about the first section and connected at its end closest to the hub to the end wall of the hub to impart drive thereto, the second cylindrical section of the bush extending into the cylindrical member projecting from the end wall of the chamber .

8. A wheel as claimed in claim 7 wherein a projecting end of the coil spring closest to the hub extends into an aperture formed in the end wall of the chamber to impart rotation to the hub when the first rotatable member is connected to and driven by the driven axle of a selected vehicle.

9. A wheel as claimed as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first rotatable member comprises an end plate configured at its end remote from the hub to engage with complementary shaped drive member of ^' a driven axle of a selected vehicle, the endplate including a central opening through which the driven axle can pass to engage one end of a tubular sleeve, the sleeve including a collar which divides the sleeve into a first section closest to the end plate and a second section which extends into the cylindrical member projecting from the end wall of the chamber, the collar including^' projections which, on assembly, engage with indents formed on the end wall of the chamber to impart rotation to the hub.

10. A wheel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a preformed tyre around its periphery.

11. A wheel as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of studs projecting from the tyre periphery.

12. A golf trolley including a wheel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. An adapter for enabling a wheel to be fitted to one of a plurality of different electrically powered vehicles, the adapter comprising a first member for connection to a driven axle of a selected vehicle, a second member for connection to the hub of the wheel to be fitted to impart drive thereto, and means for coupling the first and second members together to enable drive to be imparted from the power source of the selected vehicle to the wheel.