GB2542258A - Golfing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The caddy system comprises a rideable golf bag 100 for use in transporting a rider during a round of golf. The golf bag includes a main body 200 with integral bag portion for stowing a set of golf clubs, and a deployable leg 400 which supports a ground wheel 500 of the caddy system. The rider can stand on a tread of the leg 400. The leg 400 is movable from a deployed position into a stowed position in which the caddy system is more compact. The caddy system may have two deployable legs 400 and the legs 400 may be pivotally connected to the main body 200. The legs 400 may be parallel to the main body 200 when in the stowed position and perpendicular to the main body 200 when deployed. The caddy system is preferentially under 30kg so that it may be easily carried by a single person.

Description

GOLFING EQUIPMENT

This invention relates to improvements in golfing equipment.

The game of golf has been played for many years, and traditionally the golfer would use a bag, suspended from a strap hung from their shoulder, to carry their clubs around a course. In the professional game today, this tradition continues although a helper, known as a caddy, will carry the bag for the golfer. A full game of golf is played over a course of many hundreds of yards, and carrying a full size set of clubs over that distance is very tiring for many amateur golfers. To solve this problem it is known to attach the golf bag to a simple metal framed two wheeled trolley. Commonly the trolley comprises an upright pole that has a support at its lower end onto which the base of the bag sits, and a handle at an upper end. Two forward facing legs are attached to the upright approximately half way along its length, and the two legs along with the lower part of the upright form a tripod. The ends of each leg are provided with ground engaging wheels, and the user pulls or pushes the handle to move the trolley and bag around on those wheels. When they stop to take a shot, the trolley sits on the wheels and the lower end of the bag or support.

The use of a trolley has made the game of golf accessible to a wide range of players who could not carry a bag for the full distance, especially elderly golfers. However, it is still tiring to pull or push a full bag and trolley around a golf course as the golfer still has to walk the course.

Taking the matter a step further, it is known to provide golf carts that the golfer can sit in along with their clubs and drive around the course. This is, of course, an expensive solution. Attempts have also been made to provide a golf trolley that has more than two wheels and a motor allowing the golfer to strap their golf bag to the trolley and to ride upon the trolley around the course. All attempts at producing such a motorized trolley have been bulky, heavy and difficult to transport to and from a golf course. It would be desirable for such a device to be storable in the boot of a standard saloon or hatchback car, and lightweight so that they can be easily lifted in and out of the car.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution that at least partially ameliorates the problems in the prior art relating to carrying a heavy bag of golf clubs around a golf course that can be easily taken to and from a golf course and reduces the effort needed from the golfer to perform a round of golf.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a caddy system comprising a rideable golf bag for use in transporting a rider during a round of golf, the rideable golf bag comprising a structural main body with an integral bag portion for stowing a set of golf clubs and at least one deployable leg secured to the main body that supports a ground wheel of the caddy system, the leg including a tread portion upon which a rider can stand when the leg is deployed, the deployable leg being movable into a stowed position in which the caddy system has a more compact form.

The leg when in the stowed position may lie approximately parallel to the main body and in the deployed position the leg may extend generally orthogonally away from the main body on a dihedral axis.

The main body may form one or more of: a base, a side wall and a top of the bag portion within which the clubs may be stored when in use.

The main body may comprise a generally upright spine and a plurality of panels that together define the bag portion of the rideable bag. The clubs, when in the bag portion, may be located in front of the spine with the deployable legs extending to the rear of the bag allowing a rider to stand on the legs behind the bag and clubs. In this position the rider is supported by the wheels and may coast on the caddy system or, where a motor is provided, may be driven along by the motor. The spine may be rigid and self-supporting.

By the spine being generally upright we mean the bag portion holds the clubs in a generally upright position, but also that the clubs in the bag portion may be inclined at an angle away from truly upright. It is preferred that the main body supports the clubs with them leaning towards the rear at an angle of, say, between 10-30 degrees, from the vertical. This also helps keep the centre of gravity of the caddy system well between the front and rear wheels.

The main body may comprise a monocoque body comprising a plurality of structural components which are connected together to from a rigid structure.

The system may include two deployable legs, each secured to the main body and each including a tread portion and each supporting a ground wheel of the caddy system and each being movable into a stowed position in which the caddy system has a more compact form. When stowed away, both legs may extend generally parallel to the main body, e.g. along the long axis of the bag portion.

The caddy system may further include at least one front ground wheel that is located at a lower end of the main body. When the leg or legs are deployed, the front wheel and rear wheel or wheels may engage the ground with the main body held clear of the ground, allowing the caddy system to roll along on the wheels.

The front wheel or wheels may be steerable and may be connected to a steering shaft that extends upward from a lower end to an upper end of the body, the steering shaft being securely located by the monocoque body.

Each of the legs may be connected at a forward end to the monocoque body and extending rearwardly from the main body when in the deployed position. The legs may be connected by a pivot assembly to the main body to allow them to be folded up from the deployed position to the stowed position.

The legs may be of fixed length.

The bag portion of the main body may be substantially rigid. It may alternatively be only partially rigid and may include one or more flexible fabric panels.

The bag portion may have an open top for inserting and removing clubs but is otherwise closed on all side to protect the clubs from rain. For use in dryer conditions the bag portion may be arranged without enclosed sides.

The main body may comprise a base pod from which the spine extends upwards, the base pod locating the front wheel and the spine supporting the bag portion. The base pod may be rigid.

The caddy system may be light enough for one person to lift comfortably, for instance to carry over an obstacle or to put into the boot of a car. For example, it may have a weight of less than 30kg and preferably less than 20kg or less than 10kg or perhaps less than 5kg, allowing it to be lifted by one person.

By proving a rideable golf bag in which a monocoque body defines the bag for the clubs and provides the structure that locates both the wheels and optional steering, there is no need to have a separate bag and trolley. In a conventional arrangement the trolley forms a rigid chassis to which a separate bag- that may be rigid or flexible- is attached. The applicants have appreciated the benefit of combining the trolley and bag into one unit. This arrangement of the invention may reduce the overall weight and provide a design which is more compact and therefore easier to carry and store when not in use. The provision of a wheeled arrangement in which a golfer can ride on the trolley standing up allows the golfer to reduce the amount of walking needed during a round of golf.

The caddy system may be motorized and may include an electric motor or motors and a battery that powers the motor/s, the structural main body defining a support portion that supports the battery. The motor may drive a wheel at the front or a wheel at the rear of the assembly. There may be two or more motors, each driving a respective wheel of the caddy system.

The structural components that define the main body may comprise one or more relatively thin panels that connect to adjacent panels. These panels may be rigid so that they are self-supporting and when fixed together by layering or butting up to one another create a stronger structure.

The structural components may be connected by a bonding agent or by traditional fasteners and fixings such as rivets and screw or bolt/nut combinations so that in use they form a single unified body.

In addition to relatively thin panels that form an outer skin of the body, the components may include at least one rigid spine that extends from one end of the bag to the other, the spine forming the main structural element of the unit and an attachment point for the legs.

At least a part of the spine may also define a part of the visible outer skin of the bag, so that the hollow inner part of the spine is effectively within the bag defined by the body.

The spine may comprise of either an elongated beam comprising of two parts that join together in a clam shell, a one piece extrusion or cast or injection moulded part, or a composite layered lay-up assembly. The parts of the spine may be metal or plastic.

The spine may be hollow and may house (internally or externally) rotating, sliding and locking mechanisms required for the overall function of the assembly. This includes but is not limited to one or more of: protection for the steering column, support of the steering column, a sliding mechanism for use in deploying the legs, support points for one or more straps or carrying handles, storage or docking cradles for personal electronic devices. A steering shaft may extend along the spine to connect the at least one front steerable ground wheel to a handlebar or steering wheel or other hand held steering device at the top of the bag. A switch or button for operating the motor control circuit may be located on the handlebar or steering wheel. A brake lever or button may also be provided on the handlebar or steering wheel.

The steering shaft may be connected at a lower end to an axle shaft which rotates parallel to the ground via a central vertical axle using a universal joint which transfers the angular rotation of the steering shaft into the turning motion of the front axle. A thrust bearing may be provided that control and dissipate the weight carried by the front axle and to provide axial location of the steering shaft. The steering shaft, where a universal joint is provided, by be inclined slightly away from vertical.

As an alternative to a steering shaft that turns the front wheel or wheels, the speed of a wheel on a left side and a wheel on a right side of the assembly may be individually controlled in order to steer the assembly. Each wheel may be driven by a respective motor. In this case, a handlebar may be provided simply to allow the rider to hold on to, or the handlebar may be turned or tilted to control the motors.

The spine may be concealed within the main body so that its presence is not visible from the outside, or a part of the spine may form a part of the outside of the main body, perhaps flush with the surrounding portions of the main body. This allows the main body to have the appearance only of a bag and emphasizes the integrated nature of the monocoque main body.

The attachment point of the legs may be located at the lower end of the monocoque body, mounting internally to a structural reinforcement ring that braces and connects the front and rear spines where provided.

Each leg may also be connected to the main body, for instance to the rear spine where provided, by a pivot clevis. The leg structure may attach to the clevis, mounting via a pivot pin to the main spine assembly at a dihedral angle to the body. This allows the legs to rotate smoothly between stowed and deployed positions and reducing the overall size / footprint of the caddy system when stowed.

The Clevis and leg assembly may be locked into its deployed position by a spring loaded shot bolt, this engages into a hole / slot in the main spine assembly. There may be more than one hole / slot to enable the caddy system to have multiple riding / stowed positions.

Alternatively, each leg may be connected, for instance to the rear spine where provided, by a strut. A first end of the strut being connected to the leg at a distance from the point where the leg attaches to the body and a second end of the strut being connected to a slider which is fixed to the monocoque body in such a manner that he slider may in use slide up and down the body as the legs are deployed or retracted.

The slider may be locked in a first position by a spring loaded pin carried by the strut that engages a detent in the body and in a second position the pin may engage a different detent in the body. The location of the two detents may determine the retracted and deployed positions of the strut and hence of the legs(s).

In an alternative, two spring loaded pins may be secured to the body and the detent provided in the slide or the strut, each pin being positioned according to the deployed and retracted positions of the legs.

The slider may be connected to the rear spine of the body and may slide along a groove in the spine.

When deployed each leg and respective strut may form a sturdy A-frame.

Where there are two legs, both legs may be provided with a respective strut as described above, both struts being connected to a shared slider.

In an alternative to the slider, the second end of the strut may be fixed to the body and unable to slide, the strut being telescopic. A brace may also be provided that folds out to embrace the struts when in the deployed position in order to provide additional strength to the struts.

The structural main body made from a plurality of components and may comprise at least one component made of a rigid fibre reinforced composite material. The components may be injection moulded, vacuum formed, or may be formed by laying up into a mould.

The composite material may be a layered material forming multiple layers of fibres embedded in an uncured resin that is cured during the manufacturing process.

The components of the monocoque body defining the bag may be rigid panels. Alternatively, one or more of the panels may be flexible. It is preferred that they are all lightweight fibre composite or plastic components to ensure a light weight for the unit.

The portion of the bag defined by the main body may be provided with a grid that defines a number of dividers at the open top end, forming slots into which one or more golf clubs can be inserted. This helps to organize the clubs in the bag and improve access to the clubs as it stops them all bunching together.

The main body may include a compartment into which an electronic control unit (including a battery) can be located that is below the bag portion of the monocoque body. The electronic control unit may be rigidly secured to the body, for instance by one or more straps or bolts. In use the battery may be hidden inside the monocoque body. A flap or door may be provided in the outer wall of the body that allows access to the battery. A control and drive circuit may be provided as part of the electronic control unit that enables a user to control the speed and direction of the motor. This may include at least one switch or button that the golfer can operate to control the motor. The circuit may control the flow of current from the battery to the motor. One or more diagnostic ports may be provided that allow the control unit to be interrogated.

The legs may each connect to the monocoque body through a stub axle that is located in a bearing supported by the body, thus allowing the foot plate to be swung in an arc centred on the stub axle axis between an operative position in which the legs are substantially parallel to the floor whilst the bag is upright and a storage position in which the legs are substantially parallel to the floor and the bag is lowered to a substantially horizontal position.

When in the storage position the legs may lie flush with the surface of the monocoque body. The rear wheels may lie adjacent, or contacting, an upper portion of the main body. A part of the main body may fit between the treads.

Each tread of each leg (where two are provided) may comprise a tread portion onto which a golfer can place one foot, and a connecting portion that extends from the tread portion towards the main body. The tread portion may be located between the main body and the ground engaging wheel supported by the leg. The tread portion may be located directly above the axles of the wheel.

The leg may otherwise be generally elongate, with a length of between 70cm and 120cm although they could be longer or shorter than these limits.

The stub axle may be located within a through bore in the leg, the axle being secured to the main body. Alternatively, the axle may be an integral part of the leg- for instance moulded in- and engage in a bore in the main body. The axle may be of the same material as the leg, or may be a different material, perhaps secured to the leg using a two shot moulding process where the leg is a moulded plastic component.

The pivot axis of the stub axles may be non-parallel to one another so that at the treads are swung to the storage position the end of the treads furthest from the main bag move towards one another and as they move to the deployed position they swing apart. In the use position they may be approximately 30cm to 45cm apart, allowing the golfer to stand comfortably and stably with their feet apart.

The or each leg may be made of a fibre reinforced plastic polymer material, a nonfilled polymer, a metal or metal alloy cast or machined from billet or otherwise formed, a composite sheet lay up or a combination of those materials.

The rear wheel may be located rearwards of the tread portion, i.e. on the opposite side of the tread portion to the main body.

The combined unit may be devoid of any seat, such that in use the golfer stands with feet on the foot plates of the legs and grips the handlebar or wheel or main body for balance. Of course, an optional seat could be provided which may be secured to the main monocoque body. This may be secured to the spine where provided. The seat may be removable.

The legs may be spaced apart sufficiently to allow a golfer to walk comfortably between the treads whilst holding the handlebar. This allows the golfer to push the trolley and bag forward or pull it backwards. There may be at least 30 cm, and preferably at least 45cm of space between the legs along their whole length.

The legs and main body may be arranged so that the golfer can stand between the legs in an upright position with the handlebar touching their torso with enough room for them to extend their legs forward of their torso without kicking the main body. Again, this ensures they can walk comfortably.

The rear wheels when in the use position may be spaced apart further than the front wheels.

Each wheel may have a diameter between 4 inches and 12 inches and may be provided with a rubber tyre, either solid or pneumatic and with or without an inner tube, with a suitable tread pattern to provide grip on surfaces including wet and dry grass. Smaller wheels are preferred as they reduced the overall size when packed.

Each of the rear wheels may be releasable by a quick release mechanism. This may allow them to be removed for storage or to be easily replaced if damaged, for instance to repair a puncture is the tyres are pneumatic. Each wheel that includes a hub motor may include a release mechanism for disengaging the wheel from the motor to enable the unit to be pushed along on the wheels without turning the motor.

The motor may be connected to at least one rear wheel to provide a torque to the wheel, powering the movement of the combined golf trolley and bag as the golfer stands on the foot plates. Preferably each of the two rear wheels has a respective motor that drives it.

The motor may be located in the hub of the rear wheel. The motor may comprise a stator that is fixed to a static axle and a rotor that is fixed to the wheel, the axle being constrained so that it cannot rotate around its axis, so that in use as the motor is running the wheel will turn with the rotor.

The motor may comprise a DC brushless hub motor.

As an alternative to a hub mounted motor, a motor may be provided that drives at least one wheel through a drive belt, or drive chain, or gear train.

The motor may be connected to the control and drive circuit by wires that run through the centre of the axle to prevent damage to the wires if the axle strikes the ground.

Preferably the assembly includes two front wheels, each located on opposite ends of a single axle.

The components of the monocoque body that are exposed may be covered with a decorative pattern, and may be covered with a protective layer of material. One or more storage pockets may be formed in the body, or may be attached to the body. The pockets may be attached by one or more of: magnets, press studs, Velcro, straps and buckles, zips or clips.

The pockets may be formed from a material that is more flexible than other parts of the monocoque body as the pockets do not need to be structural.

The battery may be mounted by means of a case that is secured to the main body, preferably towards the lower end to keep the centre of gravity low. The case may clip onto the main body and may be received at least partially within the main body. The case may be releasable without tools, allowing the battery to be removed from the assembly when charging or for storage. Removing the battery, which may be relatively heavy, will make it easier for the user to lift the unit into a car, and to lift the battery separately.

The caddy system main body may have a form factor similar to a standard golf protour bag, being generally an elongate tubular shape with a length approximately equal to that of a standard golf club and a bag portion large enough to contain a full set of clubs plus a folding golf umbrella. The legs when in the stowed position may lie alongside this tubular main body to give a compact form when not deployed.

There will now be described, by way of example only, one embodiment of the present invention with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a caddy system of the present invention when in an upright position of use;

Figure 2 is side view of the caddy system of figure 1 in the deployed (rideable) position;

Figure 3 is a top view of the caddy system of Figure 1 when in a stowed position;

Figure 4 is a side view of the caddy system in the stowed position;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the component parts of the exemplary caddy system;

Figure 6 shows a golfer riding on the treads on the legs with clubs stowed in the bag portion of the main body; and

Figure 7 shows the connection between the handlebars and front wheels.

Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a caddy system 100 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus is referred to here as a caddy system because it carries (or “caddies”) the golfers clubs and can also carry the golfer or any other person around a golf course during a round of golf. The caddy system comprises a monocoque main body 200 defining a bag portion from which various structural components are supported. At the base of the main body 200 are two front wheels 300 and extending away from the base are two legs 400, each leg 400 carrying a rear wheel 500 and a tread. The body is located at the front of the caddy system and the legs 400 trail behind when deployed. The caddy system must be sufficiently strong to take the weight of a rider, and should also be light and compact to enable it to be easily carried around when required.

The body 200 is hollow and defines an open topped bag portion into which golf clubs 1000 can be located as shown in Figure 6. The size of the body is the same as the average professional size golf bag, having a length top to bottom of about lm and a maximum width of about 30cm. A battery 600, shown in Figure 5, is located in a compartment formed at the lower end of the body 200 and is connected to a motor control and drive circuit 700 and to an electric hub motor 350 in each front wheel although the motors may instead be located in the rear wheels. In a deployed position the bag 200 is generally upright, angled slightly back towards the legs in this example. A variety of hub motors can be used, for example a DC brushless hub motor of the kind having a fixed axle forming a stator of the motor and a rotor that rotates about the axle that provides a mounting point for the wheel. A golfer can stand on the treads of the legs 400, which are strong enough to bear the weight of the rider (typically up to 150kg maximum loading per leg) and steady themselves by gripping a handlebar 800 that is located at the top of the main body, clear of the open top so that it is not obstructed by the heads of any clubs stored in the bag. The handlebar 800 is connected to a steering shaft 850 that runs down inside the monocoque body to where it connected to an axle 860 that joins the front wheels.

Figure 7 shows how the steering shaft 850 may be connected to the front axle using a universal joint 860 that connects the shaft to an upright lower shaft that is in turn rigidly secured to a central part of the horizontal front wheel axle. A thrust bearing 870 locates the lower shaft axially, the thrust bearing being secured to the base portion of the main body 200. Rotating the steering shaft rotates the lower shaft that in turn causes the axle to pivot around the central portion. This causes the front wheels to move forward and backwards slightly tracing a circle that is centred around the axis of the upright lower shaft.

Alternatively the steering system could use a conventional bell crank steering system found in mobility scooters and cars. The steering shaft 850 is connected to push rods which are connected to the front wheel stub axles. Rotating the steering shaft rotates the lower push rods that in turn cause the stub axles to pivot around the Wheel pivot axis. This causes the front wheels to turn.

Turning the handlebar 800 turns the front wheels 300 relative to the body. Controls for the hub motors are attached to the handlebar, to control the speed of the motors and hence speed of the caddy system. The hub motors may be driven in reverse to provide a braking effect, removing the need for separate brakes and reducing the complexity of the assembly.

The main body 200, as shown in Figure 5, is assembled from multiple components, some of which define rigid outer panels of the monocoque body. In this example there are left and right side panels 210,220, a front panel 230 and a rear panel 240. These four panels form the skin of the bag portion of the body 200. The panels are connected to each other along their edges by an adhesive, and are connected to a base portion that is formed from two half shells 250,260 that also are connected along their edges by adhesive. The base portion half shells define the compartment for the battery, keeping it separate from the bag that the clubs are stored in. These base panels are stronger and more rigid than the panels of the bag.

The rear panel 240 is provided with a u-shaped channel 245 from top to bottom within which is located an elongate hollow spine 270,280 through which the steering shaft extends. Upper and lower bearings (not shown) support the steering shaft. The spine therefore locates the shaft radially whilst allowing it to rotate as the handlebar is turned. The spine is rigidly fixed to the rear panel.

Each leg 400 is connected at a front most end through a stub axle 410 to one of the base half shells 250,260. The stub axle allows the tread to pivot away from and towards the top of the monocoque body when it moves from a position of use shown in Figure 1 towards a storage position. The legs 400 are connected to the base 250 via a clevis assembly, linked through a pivot pin 410. A shot bolt 900 hidden within the legs hinging mechanism locks into positional holes / slots / detents 910, controlling its stowed and deployed positions. As the legs rotate between holes / slots / detents the rear wheels fold upwards towards the top of the body, and inwards towards the centre to reduce the overall volume of space occupied by the assembly when it is stored.

Both the front and rear wheels are provided with ground engaging tyres 310,510 in this example pneumatic rubber tyres that are sealed to the rim of the wheels so that they do not require an inner tube. An inner tube (not shown) could of course be provided if preferred.

The skilled person will appreciate that a number of modifications are possible. For instance, although the front wheels are shown with hub motors, the rear wheels could be provided with hub motors and the front wheels could be unpowered.

In another alternative, only one front wheel may be provided with a hub motor. This reduces the weight but may reduce the amount of traction available when accelerating.

In another modification, also not shown, a single front wheel may be provided.

Claims (13)

1. A caddy system comprising a rideable golf bag for use in transporting a rider during a round of golf, the ridable golf bag comprising a structural main body with an integral bag portion for stowing a set of golf clubs and at least one deployable leg secured to the main body that supports a ground wheel of the caddy system, the leg including a tread upon which a rider can stand, the deployable leg being movable from the deployed position into a stowed position in which the caddy system has a more compact form.

2. A caddy system according to claim 1 in which the main body comprises a base pod from which a spine extends upwards, the base pod locating the front wheel and the spine supporting the bag portion, the bag portion being located above the base pod.

3. A caddy system according to claim 1 or claim 2 which includes two deployable legs, each including a tread portion and each supporting a ground wheel of the caddy system and each being movable into a stowed position in which the caddy system has a more compact form

4. A caddy system according to any preceding claim in which the or each of the deployable legs is pivotally supported at a forward end by the body and extending rearwardly from the main body when in a position of use,

5. A caddy system according to any preceding claim that further includes at least one front ground wheel that is located at a lower end of the main body.

6. A caddy system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in which the bag portion of the main body is substantially rigid.

7. A caddy system according to any one of claims 2 to 6 in which the bag portion includes one or more flexible fabric panels.

8. A caddy system according to any one of claims 2 to 7 in which the bag portion has an open top for inserting and removing clubs but is otherwise closed on all side to protect the clubs from rain.

9. A caddy system according to any preceding claim in which the main body comprises a monocoque body comprising a plurality of structural components which are connected together to from a rigid structure.

10. A caddy system according to claim 9 in which the front wheel is steerable and is connected to a steering shaft that extends upward from a lower end to an upper end of the body, the steering shaft being securely located by the monocoque body.

11. A caddy system according to any preceding claim in which the main body comprises a spine and a plurality of substantially rigid panels that together define the bag portion of the rideable bag.

12. A caddy system according to any preceding claim in which the leg when in the stowed position lies approximately parallel to the main body and in the deployed position the leg extends generally orthogonally away from the main body.

13. A caddy system according to any preceding claim having a weight of less than 30kg and preferably less than 20kg or less than 10kg or perhaps less than 5kg, allowing it to be lifted by one person, for instance to load into the boot of a car.