Anti-Microbial, Partition Divider Assembly for a Cart such as a Golf Cart

Abstract

An anti-microbial partition divider assembly for a cart such as a golf cart is provided. The cart has a passenger seating area, including at least one seat, a roof and a floor. The assembly includes a flexible or beam-rigid partition divider having a substrate layer made of a material which prevents airborne liquid droplets from traveling therethrough.

Claims

1. An anti-microbial partition divider assembly for a cart, the cart having a passenger seating area, including at least one seat, a roof and a floor, the assembly comprising: a flexible or semi-rigid partition divider including a substrate layer made of a material which prevents airborne liquid droplets from traveling.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate layer is microperforated and wherein the partition divider includes microperforated outer layers on opposite sides of the substrate layer to permit sound to bi-directionally travel through the partition divider.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart is a golf cart.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer layers are anti-microbial outer layers.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the outer layers include a two-dimensional array of holes which are offset from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view, partially broken away, of an antimicrobial partition divider in its unrolled use position and attached inside of a golf cart;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the unrolled partition divider attached to an inner surface of the cart's roof;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a side schematic view, similar to view of FIG. 2, but showing the partition divider in its rolled, sturdy position within the golf cart; and

[0035] FIG. 4 is a side view, partially broken away and in cross-section, showing the use of different focused laser beams to drill microscopic holes on opposite sides of the partition divider to allow sound to pass bi-directionally through the divider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, a golf cart, generally indicated at 10, is shown. The cart has a body 12 and a rectangular roof framework 14 supported by four tubular columns 16, 18, 20, 22 embedded in the cart body 12 or attached to attaching brackets (not shown) on the body 12 of the golf cart 10. The columns 16, 18, 20, 22 may be made of a plastic composite embedded in the chassis of the golf cart or held by the brackets. The cart 10 includes a bench seat, generally indicated at 24, which has back and seating parts 26 and 28, respectively.

[0038] FIGS. 1 through 4 show one embodiment of an anti-microbial partition divider assembly, generally indicated at 30. In this embodiment the partition divider assembly 30 is cut along its edges to form a shape that aligns with the profile of the interior of the golf cart 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the edges of the partition divider assembly 30 may include edge material to seal and/or reinforce the edges of the assembly 30 to prevent the assembly 30 from being torn or damaged. In one embodiment the bottom edge of the partition divider assembly 30 may additionally include weights to weigh down the assembly 30, so its movement is reduced particularly in windy conditions.

[0039] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 is constructed of a transparent or translucent, flexible plastic material to allow the assembly 30 to be rolled up and stored at the roof 14 of the golf cart 10 when not in use (see FIG. 3). FIG. 3 shows that the partition divider assembly 30 can be rolled-up and secured at the roof 14 of the golf cart 10 by use of hook and loop (Velcro®) fasteners 31. However, other means or fasteners can be used such as snaps, zippers, ties or other forms of fastening mechanisms known in the art.

[0040] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may be constructed of a semi-rigid material that is removably attached to the golf cart 10. In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may include clear plastic substrate layer 36 and one or more outer anti-microbial coatings or layers 36 and 38 to form a sandwich structure of the assembly 30. The layers 36 and 38 are capable of cleaning the surrounding air of bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms upon contract therewith.

[0041] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show one embodiment of the partition divider assembly 30, which includes hook and loop (Velcro®) straps 31 to removably attach the assembly 30 to the golf cart 10. However, other means of fasteners can be used such as snaps, zippers, ties or other forms of fastening mechanisms known in the art. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a cut-out in the assembly 30 to receive a connector 33 to removable attach the assembly 30 to the golf cart 10. Modifications may also be made to the golf cart 10 to facilitate connecting the assembly 30 to the golf cart 10. In one embodiment, the golf cart 10 may include a snap socket (not shown) for receiving a cap (not shown) from the partition divider assembly 30. In one embodiment, the golf cart 10 may be modified with a bracket (not shown) designed to receive and secure the assembly 30 to the golf cart 10. In one embodiment, the golf cart 10 may include additional holes or rods (not shown) to receive fastening mechanisms (not shown) from the partition divider assembly 30.

[0042] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may be constructed of translucent or clear plastic material such that riders or passengers have visibility through the assembly 30.

[0043] In one embodiment, the assembly 30 may be constructed of opaque material such that riders do not have visibility though the assembly 30.

[0044] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may be constructed of material capable of filtering out at least some ultraviolet rays to further protect the riders from sun damage.

[0045] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may include a window (not shown) that can be opened such that riders can exchange items.

[0046] In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 may be constructed of material that can be removed, cleaned and reused in the golf cart 10. In one embodiment, the partition divider assembly 30 is constructed of material capable of blocking at least some smoke from an adjacent rider and a seat 24.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated laser drilling holes 40 and 42 through outer surfaces 34 and 32, respectively, of the divider 30. The divider assembly 30 includes a clear plastic substrate layer sandwiched between a pair of clear plastic outer film layers 36 and 38 which may be anti-microbial surface layers. The holes 40 and 42 are drilled using lasers 44 and 46. It is to be understood that the lasers 44 and 46 include a lens to provide focused beams of laser energy to drill the holes 40 and 44.

[0048] Each of the outer layers 36 and 38 include a two-dimensional array of holes which are offset from each other. Portions of the outer layers 36 and 38 which overlie their respective holes 42 and 40, respectively, vibrate upon receiving sound waves from their respective sound sources 52 and 56, respectively. The holes 42 and the holes 40 form two-dimensional array of holes which are offset from each other.

[0049] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.