Patent Application
20110036881
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of golf cart accessories, and more particularly, to storage trays for holding golf-related and other items configured to mount within an existing golf ball holder of a conventional golf cart.
2. Background of the Invention
Conventional golf carts typically include compartments for storing a variety of golf-related and personal items including, but not limited to, golf balls, tees, beverages, snacks, towels and personal telecommunications devices. These storage compartments are typically located within the dashboard of the golf cart, such as molded into the dashboard structure. Certain storage compartments are purposely designed to hold specific items in a secure manner, such as golf balls, tees and beverages. Other storage compartments are often larger, undefined compartments in which items are loosely maintained and often shift along with cart movement, potentially causing damage to fragile items.
Like most other sports and activities, technology has infiltrated various aspects of the game of golf. Specifically, and pertaining to the present invention, GPS units and rangefinders are now commonly used to provide course information that in the past was obtained through fairway markers and experience. This new access to information includes precise yardage information from any location, hole layouts and hazard locations, among other information. These electronic devices are also often configured to store player information and connect to data storage programs through communications networks.
Various apparatus have been developed to store these electronic devices in a golf cart in a secure and readily accessible manner, while allowing the golfer to view the device's display when stored. Typical examples include a cradle designed to releasably engage the device, a flexible arm member for selectively positioning the cradle, and a supportive base for anchoring the device to the golf cart. One particular example includes an anchor defining a cup holder-shaped base that occupies an existing cup holder. Another particular example includes an anchor having a clamping member that attaches to the cart, such as to an upright frame member of the cart canopy. While these apparatus are specifically designed to hold certain devices, they disadvantageously are not universal in application and thus cannot accommodate all types of devices. Specifically, ocular devices and personal telecommunications devices either do not lend themselves to being supported within a cradle or require a specific cradle design not envisioned by a golf cart accessory manufacturer.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a golf cart accessory for storing a wide variety of types of relatively small, fragile items, such as ocular and electronic devices, in a secure and readily accessible manner. It would further be desirable to provide a golf cart storage accessory that utilizes existing golf cart structure for mounting, and mounts without the need for tools or elaborate structure. The accessory should be durable and low cost to manufacture.
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, various embodiments of a golf cart storage accessory are described herein that mount to existing golf cart structure. In one embodiment, the golf cart storage accessory includes a storage tray defining a support surface and opposing sidewalls and end walls extending upwardly from the support surface, and mounting structure attached to the storage tray having a shape corresponding to the shape of at least one golf ball, wherein the mounting structure is configured to engage an existing golf ball holder of a conventional golf cart.
In another embodiment, the mounting structure defines a shape corresponding to the shape of at least two golf balls arranged in a side-by-side manner, with each golf ball shaped mounting structure being attached to both the storage tray and to one another.
In a further embodiment, the mounting structure defines a shape corresponding to the shape of three golf balls arranged in a side-by-side manner, with each golf ball shaped mounting structure being attached to both the storage tray and to one another.
In a further embodiment, the golf cart storage accessory further includes non-skid material defined by or positioned upon the support surface.
In a further embodiment, the mounting structure is attached to the bottom of the support surface in order to mount the storage accessory to a generally horizontally positioned golf ball holder of the golf cart.
In a further embodiment, the mounting structure is attached to an exterior surface of one of the opposing sidewalls and end walls in order to mount the storage accessory to a generally vertically positioned golf ball holder of the golf cart.
In a further embodiment, the golf cart storage accessory includes one of a spacer and an articulating arm positioned intermediate the storage tray and the mounting structure to provide distance between the two to accommodate any existing golf ball holder and position the tray generally horizontally.
In a further embodiment, a golf cart storage accessory is provided including a storage tray defining a support surface and opposing sidewalls and end walls extending upwardly from the support surface, and mounting structure attached to the storage tray configured to engage an existing golf ball holder of a golf cart.
Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention.
Referring to
Attached to the bottom surface of the base 16 is the mounting structure 14. The mounting structure 14 includes at least one mounting member 26 having a shape corresponding to that of a conventional golf ball so as to mount through an interference fit within an existing golf ball holder of a golf cart, as described in detail below. As shown, the mounting structure 14 includes three golf ball-shaped members 26 arranged in a side-by-side manner. The mounting structure 14 is generally centered with respect to the support tray 12. The members 26 are interconnected and each member 26 is attached to the underside of the support tray 12 to provide strength against upward pulling forces on the accessory 10 when removing it from the golf cart. Although three members 26 are shown, one member 26 may be adequate to mount the accessory 10 to the golf cart, however, at least two members 26 are preferred to prevent rotation about the lateral axis of the accessory 10 when installed. Although the mounting members 26 are shown to have a generally smooth contour, the members 26 may include dimpling or other pattern for an aesthetic effect and/or enhance the interference fit with the golf ball holder.
Referring specifically to
Referring to
When installed, the bottom surface of the support tray 12 sits generally flush against the dashboard such that rotation about the longitudinal axis of the accessory 10 is prevented and the support tray 12 maintains a generally horizontal position to prevent items from falling out. The accessory 10 is installed without the needs for tools or altering the existing golf ball holder. A user simply applies a downward force, such as applied though grabbing the support tray 12, to engage the mounting structure 14 and ball holder 30. The accessory 10 is removed by pulling up on the tray 12. It is envisioned that the accessory 10 may be modified to engage other golf ball holders, for example, by providing space between adjacent mounting members 26 to engage individual ball holders.
Referring to
Referring to
The accessories 10, 34 and 38 described herein may be constructed from any types of materials. Preferable materials include plastics and like materials that are durable, UV resistant and water resistant. In a specific example the mounting structure 14 has a texture and durometer about equal to that of a conventional golf ball.
While various embodiments of a golf cart accessory have been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples, it is envisioned that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
