DE10337414B3 - Golf cart has central spine with two outrigger legs pivoting against spine with spring-operated folding leg mechanism with lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf cart has a frame with a central spine with a handle at one end, and two folding outrigger legs with wheels, and a bag. The outrigger legs pivot on the spine and are gels in the deployed position by a spring with a locking mechanism. When the lock is released, the legs are free to fold in-line with the spine.

Description

[Technical area]

The The invention relates to a collapsible two-wheeled golf cart according to the preamble of claim 1 with a double foldable frame from a lower Rod having at its lower end a lower pocket holder for e.g. one Golf quiver has, serving as a handlebar upper rod, which at its lower end over a upper joint is hinged to the lower rod, a pair of wheel carriers, each of which carries a wheel at its lower end and on its upper end over a lower joint is hinged to the lower rod, and a pair of takings, each one with its upper end at the lower end of the upper bar and with its lower end on a wheel carrier is hinged, and a spring-loaded latch for securing the Frame in its folded-out operating position, by the spring force of a return spring is charged in its locked position.

at a golf cart on a golf course finds a golf cart for carrying / transport e.g. a golf bag Use, also known as trolley, caddy, or golf cart becomes.

How out 9 to 11 As can be seen, such a typical collapsible two-wheeled golf cart has a double foldable frame 10 . 11 . 13 . 14 from a lower pole 10 having at its lower end a lower bag holder for example a golf quiver, serving as a handlebar upper bar 13 , which at its lower end has an upper joint with the lower rod 10 hingedly connected, a pair of wheel carriers 11 from which every wheel carrier 11 at its lower end in each case carries a wheel and at its upper end via a lower joint with the lower rod 10 articulated, un a pair of takings 14 each of which has its upper end at the lower end of the upper rod 13 and with its lower end on the wheel carrier 11 is hinged, and a spring-loaded latch 15 to secure the frame 10 . 11 . 13 . 14 in its folded-out operating position, by the spring force of a return spring 16 in their locked position according to 10 is charged. The lock 15 is formed in the form of a square cap, which in the operating position frame with the inner wall of its front on the lower rod 10 is struck, causing the two rods 10 . 13 who are in this driving position (see esp. 10 ) are secured against unwanted collapse. To hold a golf bag is at the bottom of the lower bar 10 a lower bag holder and on the upper bar 13 an upper bag holder provided. In the perspective view in 9 is just a wheel carrier 11 and a take-away 14 shown.

To fold the frame into its collapsed position of rest, first the cap 15 against the spring force of the spring 16 moved upwards until it is from the upper end of the lower rod 10 is decoupled, causing a pivoting of the upper rod 13 relative to the lower bar 10 around the upper joint is possible. Then, by folding the top bar 13 brought down the golf cart in their folded rest position.

• 1) Wie aus 10 ersichtlich, besteht zwischen der Kappe 15 und der unteren Stange 10 in dieser verriegelten Stellung noch ein gewisses Spiel, das mit dem zunehmenden Verschleiß ihrer Berührungsflächen stets vergrößert wird, was eine locker werdende Verriegelung und damit ein erhöhtes Geräuschniveau zur Folge hat.
• 2) Bei jeder Entriegelung der Kappe 15 von der unteren Stange 10, bei der diese Kappe nach oben verschoben wird, wird die schräg eingespannte Feder einer vertikalen Kraft unterworfen, die mit ihrer federnden Verformung nicht übereinstimmend gerichtet wird. Mit anderen Worten wird die Feder bei jeder Zusammenklappung/Herausklappung durch eine erhebliche Scherkraft-Komponente belastet. Infolgedessen neigt die Feder zu elastischer Materialermüdung, was zur Verkürzung ihrer Standzeit führt.
• 3) Zur Zusammenklappung/Herausklappung muss man mit seiner einen Hand die Kappe gegen die Federkraft verschieben und mit seiner anderen Hand den Rahmen halten. Demzufolge ist keine bequeme einhändige Bedienung bei der Zusammenklappung/Herausklappung einer Golfkarre möglich.
• 4) Eine solche Golfkarre besteht aus einer relativ hohen Anzahl von Bauteilen, was die Ästhetik ihres Aussehens negativ beeinflusst und einen erhöhten Aufwand für ihren Zusammenbau erfordert.

The known golf cart has the following disadvantages:

• 1) Like out 10 seen, exists between the cap 15 and the lower bar 10 in this locked position still a certain game, which is always increased with the increasing wear of their contact surfaces, which has a loosely locking and thus an increased noise level result.
• 2) Each time the cap is unlocked 15 from the lower pole 10 , in which this cap is displaced upwards, the biased spring is subjected to a vertical force which is not aligned with its resilient deformation. In other words, the spring is loaded with a considerable shear force component at each collapse / fold-out. As a result, the spring tends to be resilient to material fatigue, resulting in shortening of its service life.
• 3) To fold / fold out, you have to move the cap with one hand against the spring force and hold the frame with his other hand. Consequently, no comfortable one-handed operation in the collapse / folding out a golf cart is possible.
• 4) Such a golf cart consists of a relatively high number of components, which adversely affects the aesthetics of their appearance and requires an increased effort for their assembly.

Out EP 009333 A1 a folding golf cart is known which comprises a spring-loaded latch with a pivotally mounted pawl and a locking pin. At the golf cart after GB 2 370 018 A is used as a return spring for locking a torsion spring.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a golf cart of the above type, with the disadvantages described above can be largely avoided.

Accordingly the o.g. Problem solved according to the invention that a torsion spring as a return spring is used and the locking by a the spring moment of the Torsion spring counteracting counter-torque is released. This will be a Shear force excluded. It is important that the spring moment / the Counter-momentum acts in a plane perpendicular to the vertical pivoting plane the upper bar is located. This ensures that the unlocking or suspension movement and the pivoting movement (i.e. or fold-out) can be done independently as they two independent Freedom of movement associated are. In other words contains the unlocking movement in the pivoting plane of the upper bar no shear force component, and vice versa. Preferably, the Swivel axis arranged on the upper bar. This has the advantage that after unlocking the frame with the same hand be joined by a pivoting movement of the upper rod can. As a result, can while the unlocking of the locking element and the pivoting the top bar can be done with a single hand, making a comfortable one-handed Operation possible becomes.

The Invention will be described with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing Embodiment explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

[Drawing]

1 in side view of a double foldable two-wheeled golf cart according to the invention,

2 on an enlarged scale, an exploded perspective view of the golf cart according to the invention in the region of the upper joint with the lock,

3 in front view the in 2 shown area in the locked state,

4 corresponding 3 a sectioned side view of the area,

5 corresponding 3 a rear view in the unlocked state, but with aligned upper and lower bars,

6 corresponding 4 a sectional side view of the opposite side in the unlocked state and with folded upper and lower bars,

7 a side view of the golf cart according to the invention in the folded position,

8th on an enlarged scale, a front view of the area with the locking element pressed down,

9 in perspective view a known golf cart,

10 a side view of in 9 shown known golf cart in the region of the upper joint in the unlocked state, and

11 a side view of in 9 shown golf cart; in locked condition.

[Explanation of the Preferred Embodiment]

How out 1 and 2 As can be seen, has a golf cart according to the invention as in the prior art, a doubly foldable frame 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 from a lower pole 2 , an upper bar serving as a handlebar 4 , which at its lower end has an upper joint 21 . 41 . 42 with the lower bar 2 hinged, a pair of wheel carriers 3 , each of which at its lower end each have a wheel 31 carries and at its upper end via a lower joint with the lower bar 2 articulated, and a pair of takings 5 , each one with its upper end at the lower end of the upper rod 4 and hinged at its lower end to a wheel carrier, and a spring-loaded latch 6 . 22 for securing the frame in its folded-out operating position, by the spring force of a return spring 7 is charged in its locked position. In contrast to the prior art, a torsion spring is used as the return spring 7 used, and the lock consists of a one-piece punched out of a sheet metal pawl 6 that have a hinge pin 44 swiveling at the lower end of the upper bar 4 is stored, and one at the upper end of the lower rod 2 molded locking pin 22 at which the pawl 6 with a hook formed at its free end 66 attacks and by the spring force of the torsion spring 7 held in this locked position.

Because of the torsion spring 7 on the hinge pin 44 Is stored coaxially thereto, the rotational movement of the pawl occurs 6 just in the opposite direction of their spring force. Therefore, a shearing force is excluded.

Because of the hinge pin 44 when Swivel axle for the pawl in the upper bars 4 is stored, a one-handed operation is achieved by the upper bar 4 after unlocking with the same (often the right) hand is pivoted into its folded rest position.

This is at the bottom of the upper bar 4 a through hole 43 intended. The hinge pin 44 is in the usual way by an unnumbered first washer, the spring 7 , also not quantified bush, a bore 64 the pawl 6 , and a second washer into the bore 43 screwed in, and at its top 441 with a mother 442 in the upper pole 4 recorded.

The torsion spring 7 becomes a notch in the usual way on one leg 63 the pawl 6 hooked and with her other leg to a molded on the upper end pin 45 attached, whereby the pawl by the spring force in its locked position in 3 is charged.

To the pawl 6 To be able to hold it safely and comfortably by hand becomes a shell that sheaths it 8th provided, which is integrally formed from an injected casting, in which the pawl 6 with two screws 83 is fastened, each by a hole attached thereto 65 through in a bowl 8th shaped threaded hole 82 be screwed. The shell 8th can in accordance with the hook 66 an integrally formed profiling 81 have to stiffen the lock.

The articulated connection of the two rods 2 . 4 together with a hinge screw 42 passing through each at the lower end of the upper rod 4 and at the top of the lower bar 2 molded mounting eyelets 41 . 21 passed and fixed at its end facing away from the head with another unnumbered mother.

In operating position, the pawl engages 6 with her hook 66 on the locking pin 22 at. Because the hinge pin 44 and the hinge screw 42 are arranged transversely to each other, the locking / unlocking movement of the pawl 6 and the collapse / fold-out movement of the upper bar 4 independently of each other without interference.

To fold the golf cart first the shell 8th with the right hand against the spring force of the torsion spring 7 in the unlocked position in 5 rotated, causing a pivoting of the upper rod 4 relative to the lower bar 2 only possible. Then with unlocked pawl 6 the upper bar 4 with the right hand almost 180 ° to the rest position in 6 pivoted.

If the folded golf cart is packed in a box, this can be compacted in terms of their height even shorter by the shell 8th against the spring force even further in the position in 8th is filmed where she is with her one corner 62 due to the low elastic deformation of the pin 45 can be stabilized. This is because of the lying position of the shell 8th The height of the folded golf cart is reduced to a minimum. The shell 8th is due to the exercise of a counterforce from the deformed pin 45 freed.

• 1) Die obere Stange 4 und die untere Stange 2 sind immer spielfrei in ihrer Lagerung gehalten. Deshalb wird eine Geräuschbildung infolge der locker werdenden Gelenkverbindung der Stangen vermieden.
• 2) Da die Entriegelungs-/Verriegelungsbewegung gerade in Gegenrichtung der Federkraft stattfindet, wird eine unerwünschte Scherbeanspruchung ausgeschlossen.
• 3) Die Entriegelungsweise und die Anordnung der Schwenkachse 44 an der oberen Stange 4 ermöglicht eine einfache einhändige Bedienung bei Zusammenklappung der Golfkarre.
• 4) Die erfindungsgemäße Golfkarre lässt sich aus weniger Bauteilen als der Stand der Technik herstellen. Infolgedessen werden der Aufwand und die Kosten zu ihrer Herstellung reduziert.

The invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

• 1) The upper bar 4 and the lower bar 2 are always kept free of play in their storage. Therefore, a noise due to the loosening joint of the rods is avoided.
• 2) Since the unlocking / locking movement takes place just in the opposite direction of the spring force, an undesirable shear stress is excluded.
• 3) The unlocking and the arrangement of the pivot axis 44 at the top bar 4 allows easy one-handed operation when folding the golf cart.
• 4) The golf cart according to the invention can be produced from fewer components than the prior art. As a result, the effort and cost of producing them are reduced.

Claims (8)

A two-wheel collapsible golf cart that has a double foldable frame 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 from a lower pole 2 , an upper bar serving as a handlebar 4 , which at its lower end has an upper joint 21 . 41 . 42 with the lower bar 2 around a first pivot axis 42 hinged, a pair of wheel carriers 3 , each of which at its lower end each have a wheel 31 carries and at its upper end via a lower joint with the lower bar 2 articulated, and a pair of takings 5 , each of which entrainment 5 each with its upper end at the lower end of the upper bar 4 and with its lower end on a wheel carrier 3 is hinged, and a spring-loaded latch 6 . 22 to secure the frame in its folded-out operating position, by the spring force of a return spring 7 is loaded in its locked position, characterized in that as a return spring, a torsion spring 7 is used, and the lock of a one-piece punched out of a sheet metal pawl 6 that have a hinge pin 44 around a transverse to the first pivot axis 42 lying second pivot axis 44 swiveling at the lower end of the upper bar 4 is stored, and from one at the top of the lower bar 2 molded locking pin 22 exists, on which the pawl 6 with a hook formed at its free end 66 attacks and by the spring force of the torsion spring 7 is held in this locked position, and that the torsion spring coaxial with the hinge pin 44 is held. Golf cart according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated connection of the two rods 2 . 4 together by a hinge screw 42 done by the each at the lower end of the upper rod 4 and at the top of the lower bar 2 molded mounting eyelets 41 . 42 is passed. Golf cart according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the lower end of the upper bar 4 a coaxial with the second pivot axis 44 lying hole 43 through the upper bar 4 penetrates and the hinge pin 44 receives. Golf cart according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torsion spring 7 with her one thigh in a notch 63 the pawl 6 hooked and with her other thigh on one at the lower end of the upper bar 4 molded pin 45 is appended. Golf cart according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl 6 outside through a shell 8th covered and set in this. Golf cart according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl 6 at least one hole 65 for at least one screw 83 has, and the shell 8th accordingly inside at least one threaded hole 82 has, in which the screw 83 is screwed through the hole. Golf cart according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the shell 8th inside according to the hook 66 a profiling 81 having. Golf cart according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the pawl 6 on the hook 66 opposite end in the area of the notch 63 a corner 62 has, so that in the up to the pen 45 turned corner 62 the pawl 6 by a slight elastic deformation in this rotational position against the spring force of the torsion spring 7 is stabilized.