Abstract
A golf vehicle including a golf bag support; wherein the golf vehicle is selected from a golf trolley and a golf cart; wherein the golf bag support includes a lower support member; wherein the lower support member includes one of an upwardly projecting locating member and a downwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion; and wherein the upwardly projecting locating member or the recess body portion comprises a ferromagnetic material.
Claims
1. A golf vehicle including a golf bag support; wherein the golf vehicle is selected from a golf trolley and a golf cart; wherein the golf bag support includes a lower support member; wherein the lower support member includes one of an upwardly projecting locating member and a downwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion; and wherein the upwardly projecting locating member or the recess body portion comprises a ferromagnetic material.
2. A golf vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the lower support member includes a downwardly extending recess defined by the recess body portion; and wherein the recess is cylindrical in shape or tapers inwards from an upper portion to a lower portion.
3. A golf vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the recess is cylindrical, frustoconical or frustopyramidal in shape.
4. A golf vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the lower support member includes an upstanding locating member which is cylindrical in shape or tapers from a lower portion to an upper portion.
5. A golf vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the upstanding locating member is cylindrical, frustoconical or frustopyramidal in shape.
6. A golf vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material is a permanent magnet.
7. A golf vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the golf bag support further includes a support arm which extends upwardly from the lower support member.
8. A combination of a golf vehicle and a golf bag, wherein the golf vehicle is selected from a golf trolley and a golf cart; wherein the golf bag support includes a lower support member; wherein the lower support member includes one of an upwardly projecting locating member and a downwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion; and wherein the upwardly projecting locating member or the recess body portion comprises a ferromagnetic material; and wherein the golf bag includes a bag base plate; wherein (i) when the lower support member of the golf bag support includes an upwardly projecting locating member which includes a first ferromagnetic element, the bag base plate defines an upwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion, the recess receives therein the upwardly projecting locating member, and the recess body portion which defines the upwardly extending recess includes a second ferromagnetic element; OR (ii) wherein the lower support member of the golf bag support includes a downwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion which includes a first ferromagnetic element, the bag base plate defines a downwardly projecting locating member, the downwardly extending recess receives therein the downwardly projecting locating member, and the downwardly projecting locating member includes a second ferromagnetic element; and wherein at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic elements is a permanent magnet.
9. A combination according to claim 8, wherein the lower support member of the golf bag support includes the upwardly projecting locating member which includes the first ferromagnetic element, the bag base plate defines the upwardly extending recess defined by the recess body portion, the recess receives therein the upwardly projecting locating member, and the recess body portion which defines the upwardly extending recess includes the second ferromagnetic element; and the first ferromagnetic element is in the form of a permanent magnet.
10. A combination according to claim 9, wherein the second ferromagnetic element is in the form of a ferromagnetic plate.
11. A combination according to claim 10, wherein the golf bag base plate defines a chamber above the recess, wherein the recess opens into the chamber; and the ferromagnetic plate is disposed with the chamber.
12. A combination according to claim 11, wherein the ferromagnetic plate is permitted to move in two orthogonal planes within the chamber.
13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein the ferromagnetic plate is biased towards the recess.
14. A combination according to claim 8, wherein the lower support member of the golf bag support includes the downwardly extending recess defined by a recess body portion which includes the first ferromagnetic element, the bag base plate defines the downwardly projecting locating member, the downwardly extending recess receives therein the downwardly projecting locating member, the downwardly projecting locating member includes the second ferromagnetic element; and wherein the first ferromagnetic element is in the form of a permanent magnet
15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the permanent magnet is carried by a portion of the recess body portion which defines the bottom of the recess.
16. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the downwardly projecting locating member includes a proximal portion which is adjacent to the bag base plate, and a distal portion which is spaced from the bag base plate; and the distal portion of the downwardly projecting locating member carries the second ferromagnetic element.
17. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the recess is frustoconical; and the locating member is frustoconical.
Description
[0030] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from above of a lower support member of a first embodiment of a golf trolley according to the first aspect of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2a shows a bottom view of a golf bag which forms part of a first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 2b shows an enlarged view of the ferromagnetic locating member shown in FIG. 2a;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the lower support member shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from above of a lower support member of a second embodiment of a golf trolley according to the first aspect of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from below of a golf bag which forms part of a second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through a base portion of the golf bag shown in FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view through the base portion of the golf bag shown in FIG. 6 when magnetically coupled to the lower support member shown in FIG. 4;
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the combination of the golf bag and lower support member shown in FIG. 7;
[0040] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view from above of a lower support member of a third embodiment of a golf trolley according to the first aspect of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a locating element secured to the base plate shown in FIG. 9;
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view through the lower support member shown in FIG. 10;
[0043] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view from below of a golf bag which forms part of a third embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view from inside of a base plate of the golf bag shown in FIG. 12; and
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view through the base portion of the golf bag shown in FIG. 12 when magnetically coupled to the lower support member shown in FIG. 10.
[0046] For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms up, down, front, rear, upper, lower, width, etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows a lower portion 2 of a first embodiment of a golf trolley which in use transports a golf bag around a golf course. The lower portion 2 of the golf trolley includes a front frame arm 4 which supports at its front end a front wheel assembly 6, which in turn rotatably supports a front wheel 8. The front wheel assembly 6 defines a lower support member 10, which is in the form of a substantially rectangular base plate. The lower support member 10 defines in its upwardly facing surface a frustoconical recess 12. The recess 12 includes a substantially planar floor portion 12a and a tapered frustoconical wall portion 12b. To provide additional support for the bottom of a golf bag 16, a curved support arm 14 extends upwards from the rear of the lower support member 10.
[0048] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a base plate 18 of a golf bag 16. The base plate 18 carries towards a peripheral edge portion thereof a downwardly projecting locating member 20 having a frustoconical body 24a which is sized and shaped to be received within the frustoconical recess 12 and to form a tight fit therein. The base plate includes three downwardly projecting feet elements 22a, 22b, 22c which define between them a recessed portion 22d of the golf bag base plate 18. The downwardly projecting locating member 20 is located between the feet portions 22a and 22b and a top surface 24b of the locating member 20 does not project beyond a plane defined by the feet portions 22a, 22b and 22c. in this way, the top surface 24b does not engage or contact a planar surface when the feet portions 22a, 22b and 22c are supported by the planar surface.
[0049] FIG. 2b shows the downwardly projecting locating member 20 in more detail. As can be seen from FIG. 2b, the top surface 24b of the locating member 20 has embedded therein a ferromagnetic steel ring 26.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the floor portion 12a of the frustoconical recess 12 has partially embedded therein a ferromagnetic disc 28 which is in the form of a permanent magnet.
[0051] In use, a user places the golf bag 16 on the lower portion 2 of the golf trolley such that the lower support member 10 is located within the recessed portion 22d defined between the feet portions 22a and 22b of the golf bag base plate 18; a side portion of the base plate 18 abuts the curved support arm 14; and the downwardly projecting locating member 20 is disposed within the frustoconical recess 12 with the top surface 24b of the locating member 20 being located adjacent to the floor portion 12a of the recess 12. In this way, a magnetic coupling is provided between the permanent magnetic disc 28 and the ferromagnetic ring 26.
[0052] The interengagement between the locating member 20 and the recess 12, and the lower support member 10 and the feet portions 22a, 22b prevents lateral displacement of the golf bag base plate 18 relative to the lower support member 10. Furthermore, the magnetic coupling between the permanent magnetic disc 28 and the ferromagnetic ring 26 prevents the unintentional disengagement of the golf bag base plate 18 from the lower support member 10.
[0053] When a user wished to remove the golf bag 16 from the golf trolley, he/she simply applies an upward force which is greater that the magnetic force exerted by the permanent magnet 28 on the ferromagnetic steel ring 16. Once the magnetic force has been overcome, the golf bag 16 may be lifted away from the lower portion 2 of the golf trolley.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a lower portion 102 of a second embodiment of a golf trolley which in use transports a golf bag 118 (shown in FIGS. 5 to 8) around a golf course. The lower portion 102 of the golf trolley includes a front frame arm 104 which supports at its front end a front wheel assembly 106, which in turn rotatably supports a front wheel (not shown in FIG. 4). The front wheel assembly 106 defines a lower support member 110, which is in the form of a substantially rectangular base plate having a substantially planer upwardly facing surface 110a. The lower support member 110 has secured to it an upwardly projecting locating element 112. The locating element 112 comprises a curved front wall 112a, a pair of substantially straight side walls 112b which extend rearwards from each end of the front wall 112a and a substantially straight rear wall 112c which joins a rear portion of each of the two side walls 112b. Each of the side walls and the front wall 112a are inclined inwards from the base to the top of the locating element 112. The locating element 112 defines a recess extending downwards from its top surface within which is located a permanent magnet 114. The locating element 112 is fixed to the lower support member 110 by a pair of screws which extend through screw recesses 116a, 116b defined by the side walls 112b of the locating element 112. To provide additional support for the bottom of the golf bag 118, a curved support arm 132 extends upwards from the rear of the lower support member 110.
[0055] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a base plate 118a of the golf bag 118. The base plate 118a defines towards a peripheral edge portion thereof a upwardly extending recess 120. The recess 120 is defined by a curved tapered front wall 120a, a pair of straight side walls 120b which extend rearwards from each end of the front wall 120a and a substantially straight rear wall 120c which joins a rear portion of each of the two side walls 120b. Each of the side walls 120b and the front wall 120a are tapered inwards such that the recess 120 is able to receive therein the locating element 112. The base plate 118a further includes three downwardly projecting feet elements 122a, 122b, 122c which define between them a recessed portion 122d of the golf bag base plate 118a. The upwardly extending recess 120 is defined between the feet portions 122a and 122b.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, a ferromagnetic plate 124 is located within a chamber 126 defined above the recess 120, where the recess 120 opens into the chamber 126. The diameter of the ferromagnetic plate 124 is greater than the respective diameters of the recess 120 (i.e., the gaps defined between the side walls 120b, the front wall 120a and the rear wall 120c) such that the plate 124 is not able to exit the chamber 126 via the recess 120. In other words, the ferromagnetic plate 124 is captive within the chamber 126. However, the plate 124 is capable of moving within two orthogonal planes within the chamber 126. The ferromagnetic plate 124 is biased towards the top of the recess walls 120a, 120b, 120c by a spring 128 which is engaged with a top wall 130 of the chamber 126.
[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a golf bag 118 supported by a lower portion 102 of a golf trolley. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the height of the upwardly projecting locating element 112 (i.e. the distance from the base of the locating element 112 to the top of the locating element 112) is greater than the depth of the recess (i.e. the distance from the lower end of the walls 120 to the upper end of the walls 120), such that an upper portion of the locating element 112 projects into the chamber 126. In doing this, the top surface of the locating element 112 urges the ferromagnetic plate 124 towards the top wall 130 of the chamber 126 against the biasing force of the spring 128. This creates an intimate contact between the top surface of the locating element 112 and the ferromagnetic plate 124, which in turn maximises the magnetic attractive force between the permanent magnet 114 and the ferromagnetic plate 124.
[0058] The combination of the magnetic coupling between the recess defined by the base plate 118a of the golf bag 118 and the permanent magnet carried within the upwardly projecting locating element 112 of the lower support member 110, and the curved support arm 132 properly secures a bottom portion of the golf bag 118 to the lower portion 102 of the golf trolley.
[0059] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a lower portion 202 of a third embodiment of a golf trolley which in use transports a golf bag 218 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) around a golf course. The lower portion 202 of the golf trolley includes a front wheel assembly 206, which in turn rotatably supports a front wheel (not shown in FIGS. 9 to 11). The front wheel assembly 206 defines a lower support member 210, which is in the form of a substantially rectangular base plate having a substantially planer upwardly facing surface 210a. The lower support member 210 has secured to it a magnet support plate 211. As shown in FIG. 11, the magnet support plate 211 includes a substantially planar upwardly facing surface 211a and a downwardly facing curved pivot portion 211b. The curved pivot portion 211b is engaged within a correspondingly shaped recess defined by the lower support member 210 and acts as a pivot, whereby the magnet support plate 211 is able to rotate about the curved pivot portion 211b relative to the lower support member 210. The degree of rotation permitted by this arrangement is constrained such that the substantially planar upper surface 211a rotates relative to the planar surface 210a of the lower support member 210 by a pre-determined angle, for example 10. As noted above, the ability of the magnet support plate 211 to rotate relative to the lower support member 210 allows for a more accurate engagement of the two components which together form a magnetic coupling.
[0060] FIGS. 10 and 11 show the lower portion 202 of the golf trolley shown in FIG. 9, but with the addition of an upwardly projecting locating element 212 secured to the magnet support plate 211. The locating element 212 comprises a curved front wall 212a, a pair of substantially straight side walls 212b which extend rearwards from each end of the front wall 212a and a substantially straight rear wall 212c which joins a rear portion of each of the two side walls 212b. Each of the side walls 212b and the front wall 212a are inclined inwards from the base to the top of the locating element 212. The locating element 212 defines a recess extending downwards from its top surface within which is located a permanent magnet 214. The locating element 212 is fixed to the magnet support plate 211 by a screw which extends through a screw recess 216a defined by the locating element 212 and is threadedly engaged with a threaded receiver 216b carried by the magnet support plate 211. To provide additional support for the bottom of the golf bag 218, a curved support arm 232 extends upwards from the rear of the lower support member 210.
[0061] FIG. 12 shows a base plate 218a of the golf bag 218. The base plate 218a defines towards a peripheral edge portion thereof a upwardly extending recess 220. The recess 220 is defined by a curved tapered front wall 220a, a pair of straight side walls 220b which extend rearwards from each end of the front wall 220a and a substantially straight rear wall 220c which joins a rear portion of each of the two side walls 220b. Each of the side walls 220b and the front wall 220a are tapered inwards such that the recess 220 is able to receive therein the locating element 212. The base plate 218a further includes three downwardly projecting feet elements 222a, 222b, 222c which define between them a recessed portion 222d of the golf bag base plate 218a. The upwardly extending recess 220 is defined between the feet portions 222a and 222b.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, the upwardly extending recess 220 terminates at a simple ferromagnetic plate 224, which is fixed to the golf bag base plate 218a by four screws. Unlike the ferromagnetic plate 124 described above in connection with the second embodiment of the invention, the ferromagnetic plate 224 is fixed relative to the golf bag base plate 218a.
[0063] FIG. 14 shows the golf bag base plate 218a supported by the lower support member 210, with the upwardly extending locating element 212 disposed within the recess 220 and the permanent magnet 214 magnetically coupled to the ferromagnetic plate 224.
