GB2183574A

GB2183574A - Golf trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2183574A
Application number: GB08627668A
Authority: GB
Inventors: G W Calveley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-29
Filing date: 1986-11-19
Publication date: 1987-06-10
Also published as: GB8627668D0; GB8529461D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a device attachable to a golf trolley which effectively converts it into a powered trolley. The device comprises a frame assembly having a power source mounted therein, and drive means connectable to said power source to effect motion of the trolley. The device can be easily attached and removed which means that one has the choice of using the trolley either as a manual one or a powered one. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf trolley attachment This invention relatesto a power unit, and more part icularlyto a power unit for attachmentto golf trolleys.

A golfer usuallywalks at least 5 miles when playing 18 holes of golf and if he is carrying a golf bag, which can weigh anything up to 30 Ibs, it is quite likely that he will sufferfromfatiguetowardstheend ofthe round, particularly if he is elderly and/or not in good physical condition. This, of course, can sub stantially affect the golfer's performance.

Golftrolleys,which largely overcomethis pro- blem, have been available for manyyears now and most golfers use a golf trolley at some time or another. However, when going up steep hills,ofwhich there are an abundance on many golf courses, pul ling atrolleycan puta significant strain on the leg muscles.

Electrically powered golftrolleys are available nowadays but these are very expensive and usually very bulky.

It is intended that the invention should provide a device for attachment to a conventional golftrolley which overcomes or reduces the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a device attachable to a golftrolley comprising a frame assembly having a power source mounted therein, and drive means connectable to said power sourceto effect motion ofthetrolley.

The drive means preferably comprises a conventional motor unit and associated gear box connected to the frame assembly by means of screws or the like.

Preferably a drive wheel is also connected to the frame assembly and is coupled to the motor unit by means of a chain. However, two drive wheels mounted on a common axle could be used equally effectively.

The frame assembly is preferably constructed from cast aluminium or heavy duty plastics material, but other materials having a high strength/weight ratio could be used just as effectively.

The power source is preferably a 12 volt dryfittraction battery which is housed in the frame assembly, but it will be appreciated that other power source could be used without detracting from the ambit of the invention.

A switch is preferably attached to the trolley handlewhich allowsthe speed ofthe motor, and hence the trolley, to be varied.

Preferably the switch incorporates a power point for the attachment of an electrically heated glove.

The switch is preferably attached to the trolley handle by means of a crocodile clip.

The frame assembly is preferably attached to the trolley by a plurality of hinged members secured by wing nuts.

The invention will be described further by way of example, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side view of a golftrolley incorporating the device; Figure2 is a side view ofthe drive mechanism; Figure 3 shows the constituent parts of the drive mechanism; Figure 4 il I ustrates the switch; Figure 5shows the method by which the switch is attached to the trolley; Figure 6 is a plan view ofthe device showing the method of attachment to the trolley; and Figure 7is a viewalong line X-X' as shown in figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, a power unit 10 is attached to a golf trolley 12 by means of hinged members 14 and wing nuts 16, which can be clearly seen in figures 6 and 7. The power unit 10, hereinafter referred to as the device, comprises a frame assembly 18which is ableto hold a battery 20. A motor 22, with associated gear wheel 24, is attached to the frame assembly 18.Adriving wheel 26 is also attached to the frame assembly and is coupled to the motor 22 by means of a chain 28 and cogs 30,32. A switch 34 is provided and is attached to the trolley handle by means of a crocodile clip 36. The switch has a knob 38 which controls the speed ofthe motor, and hencethetrolley.The switch is typically afour position switch corresponding to four motor speeds (off, slow, medium and fast) and incorporates a power pointforthe attachment of an electrically heated glove for winter use. The switch 34, battery 20 and motor 22 are linked to each other by means of electrical wires 40.

In use ofthe device,theframe assembly 18 is simply attached to the bottom part ofthe trolley 12 by means ofthe hinged members 14 and wing nuts 16. The switch 34 is attached to the trolley handle by means of the crocodile clip 36. When the switch is actuated it causes the motor22to run, and hence the driving wheel 26 to rotate. The driving wheel engages the ground as it rotates and consequently propels the trolley at a speed determined by the switch.

A distinct advantage of the invention is that it allows a conventional trolley to be converted into an electrically powered one, and furthermore that the device can be removed at anytime so that the trolley can be used normally. The device will be especially useful for elderly golfers or golfers who are not in good physical shape since it will allow a much more leisurely round of golf.

1. Adeviceattachableto agolftrolleycomprising a frame assembly having a power source mounted therein, and drive means connectable to said power source to effect motion of the trolley.

2. Adevice according to claim 1 in which the drive means comprises a motor unit and associated gear box connected to the frame assembly.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which a drive wheel is connected to the frame assembly and is coupled to the motor unit by means of a chain.

4. Adevice according to claims 1 or2inwhich two drive wheels mounted on a common axle are connected to theframe assembly and are coupled to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Golf trolley attachment This invention relatesto a power unit, and more part icularlyto a power unit for attachmentto golf trolleys. A golfer usuallywalks at least 5 miles when playing 18 holes of golf and if he is carrying a golf bag, which can weigh anything up to 30 Ibs, it is quite likely that he will sufferfromfatiguetowardstheend ofthe round, particularly if he is elderly and/or not in good physical condition. This, of course, can sub stantially affect the golfer's performance. Golftrolleys,which largely overcomethis pro- blem, have been available for manyyears now and most golfers use a golf trolley at some time or another. However, when going up steep hills,ofwhich there are an abundance on many golf courses, pul ling atrolleycan puta significant strain on the leg muscles. Electrically powered golftrolleys are available nowadays but these are very expensive and usually very bulky. It is intended that the invention should provide a device for attachment to a conventional golftrolley which overcomes or reduces the above disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a device attachable to a golftrolley comprising a frame assembly having a power source mounted therein, and drive means connectable to said power sourceto effect motion ofthetrolley. The drive means preferably comprises a conventional motor unit and associated gear box connected to the frame assembly by means of screws or the like. Preferably a drive wheel is also connected to the frame assembly and is coupled to the motor unit by means of a chain. However, two drive wheels mounted on a common axle could be used equally effectively. The frame assembly is preferably constructed from cast aluminium or heavy duty plastics material, but other materials having a high strength/weight ratio could be used just as effectively. The power source is preferably a 12 volt dryfittraction battery which is housed in the frame assembly, but it will be appreciated that other power source could be used without detracting from the ambit of the invention. A switch is preferably attached to the trolley handlewhich allowsthe speed ofthe motor, and hence the trolley, to be varied. Preferably the switch incorporates a power point for the attachment of an electrically heated glove. The switch is preferably attached to the trolley handle by means of a crocodile clip. The frame assembly is preferably attached to the trolley by a plurality of hinged members secured by wing nuts. The invention will be described further by way of example, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side view of a golftrolley incorporating the device; Figure2 is a side view ofthe drive mechanism; Figure 3 shows the constituent parts of the drive mechanism; Figure 4 il I ustrates the switch; Figure 5shows the method by which the switch is attached to the trolley; Figure 6 is a plan view ofthe device showing the method of attachment to the trolley; and Figure 7is a viewalong line X-X' as shown in figure 6. Referring to the drawings, a power unit 10 is attached to a golf trolley 12 by means of hinged members 14 and wing nuts 16, which can be clearly seen in figures 6 and 7. The power unit 10, hereinafter referred to as the device, comprises a frame assembly 18which is ableto hold a battery 20. A motor 22, with associated gear wheel 24, is attached to the frame assembly 18.Adriving wheel 26 is also attached to the frame assembly and is coupled to the motor 22 by means of a chain 28 and cogs 30,32. A switch 34 is provided and is attached to the trolley handle by means of a crocodile clip 36. The switch has a knob 38 which controls the speed ofthe motor, and hencethetrolley.The switch is typically afour position switch corresponding to four motor speeds (off, slow, medium and fast) and incorporates a power pointforthe attachment of an electrically heated glove for winter use. The switch 34, battery 20 and motor 22 are linked to each other by means of electrical wires 40. In use ofthe device,theframe assembly 18 is simply attached to the bottom part ofthe trolley 12 by means ofthe hinged members 14 and wing nuts 16. The switch 34 is attached to the trolley handle by means of the crocodile clip 36. When the switch is actuated it causes the motor22to run, and hence the driving wheel 26 to rotate. The driving wheel engages the ground as it rotates and consequently propels the trolley at a speed determined by the switch. A distinct advantage of the invention is that it allows a conventional trolley to be converted into an electrically powered one, and furthermore that the device can be removed at anytime so that the trolley can be used normally. The device will be especially useful for elderly golfers or golfers who are not in good physical shape since it will allow a much more leisurely round of golf. CLAIMS

4. Adevice according to claims 1 or2inwhich two drive wheels mounted on a common axle are connected to theframe assembly and are coupled to the motor unit by means of a chain.

5. A device according to any of the preceeding claims in which the frame assembly is constructed from cast aluminium or heavy duty plastics material.

6. A device according to any ofthe preceeding claims wherein the power source is a 12 volt dryfit traction battery housed intheframeassembly.

7. A device according to any of the preceeding claims wherein a switch is attached to the trolley handle which allows the speed ofthe motor, and hence the trolley, to be varied.

8. A device according to any of the preceeding claims in which the switch is attached to the trolley handle by means of a crocodile clip.

9. A device according to any ofthe preceeding claims wherein the switch incorporates a power pointforthe attachment of an electrically heated glove.

10. A device according to any ofthe preceding claims in which the frame assembly is attached to the trolley by a plurality of hinged members secured by wing nuts.

11. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A device according to claim 1 andsubstantially as herein described.