Patent Application
20070257508
The present disclosure relates to golf cars and more specifically to struts for a golf car and utility vehicles.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Golf cars provide transportation for golfers around a golf course. A golf car must also securely carry a golf bag in a location for convenient access throughout a round of golf. Many golf cars are equipped with a front windshield assembly that provides a transparent barrier to the passengers of the golf car. Many golf cars are also equipped with a roof canopy. In one arrangement, a front windshield assembly is attached between a pair of upwardly extending struts arranged on a front end of the golf car. The struts define a window frame and typically connect with the roof canopy of the golf car. In other arrangements, the struts can be free standing at an upper end. In yet other arrangements, the struts can support a front portion of the roof canopy and have no windshield attached thereto.
Some strut assemblies on golf cars attach between lower strut portions and the golf car at an external location. For example, strut members can be coupled to sides of a front body portion. Alternatively, strut members may be coupled to an upper surface of the front body portion. Often, these configurations result in the struts catching on brush when maneuvering around outdoors due to an increased lateral extent. These configurations also result in a design that is tough to wash, catches dirt, and has a less streamlined appearance.
According to the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided including a frame. A first body panel is operably coupled to the frame. A strut extends generally into the first body panel and is operably coupled to the frame.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.
The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses.
With initial reference to
With reference to
The strut assembly 10 can include a pair of front struts 38 and a pair of rear struts 40 supporting a roof canopy 42. The pair of front struts 38 can extend between the front end 16 of the golf car 12 and the roof canopy 42 and the pair of rear struts 40 can extend between the rear end 18 of the golf car 12 and the roof canopy 42. The front struts 38 can optionally support a windshield 44 therein. Alternatively, the golf car 12 can have no roof canopy 42 and struts 38 can be freestanding at an upper end. The front struts 38 can also include a cross-member (not shown) connecting the upper ends. The rear struts 40 can be coupled to a seat back support 45 at a first end 41. A second end 43 can be coupled to and support a rear portion of roof canopy 42. The rear struts 40 can be two separate members. Alternatively, rear struts 40 can include a cross-member (not shown) connecting second ends 43.
The front portion 16 of golf car 12 can include a front body assembly 44 having an instrument panel 46, a front cowl 48, and a bumper 50. The instrument panel 46 can include a trim portion 52 mounted to the front surface 54 of the main body portion 56. The main body portion 56 can include an upper surface 58 and side surfaces 60. The upper surface 58 can include apertures 62 having a portion of front struts 38 passing therethrough. The apertures 62 can have an outer profile similar to the cross-section of the portion of the struts 38 passing therethrough. The front struts 38 can have a seal member 64 disposed around a circumferential portion thereof proximate the apertures 62. The seal member 64 can be any appropriate structure for providing a seal between the apertures 62 and the struts 38, such as a molded rubber member.
As shown in
Bolts 88, 90 can extend into apertures 84, 86 in the front struts 38 and apertures 76, 78 in the flange 66. Bolts 88, 90 can include threaded shanks 104, 106 for engaging nuts 80, 82 and thereby coupling the frame 14 to the struts 38. The bolts 88, 90 can include driving portions, such as bolt heads 100, 102. When coupled to the struts 38, flange 66 and nuts 80, 82, the bolt heads 100, 102 can abut the rear surface 108 of the strut 38. While the description incorporates the use of bolts for attachment, it should be understood any number of fasteners or fastening methods can be appropriate. For example, rivots or welding can be employed as well. Also, nuts 80, 82 can alternatively be free to rotate relative to the front surface 72 rather than being coupled thereto.
The instrument panel 46 can be generally open at a rear portion 92, generally providing access to the frame 14 and struts 38 during assembly. When assembled, the front cowl 48 generally abuts rear portion 92 of the main body portion 56 of the instrument panel 46 and provides a cover for the front portion 16 of the golf car 12, concealing the connection between the struts 38 and the flange 66.
The instrument panel 46 can include openings 94, 96 extending through the trim portion 52 and the main body portion 56 to provide access to the flange 66 and strut 38 coupling. The openings 94, 96 can also provide access to bolt heads 100, 102. A cover 98 can be provided to conceal the openings 94, 96. The cover 98 can be secured to the instrument panel 46 through a snap fit engagement or any other suitable attachment means. While the present teachings show cover 98 attached to the trim portion 52, the cover 98 can alternatively be attached to the main body portion 56.
The attachment of the struts 38 between the side surfaces 60 can allow the use of larger struts. Specifically, the struts 38 can be made from square tubing having a cross-section with dimensions of approximately 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches. Alternate dimensions can be used as required for specific applications. The struts can be comprised of a variety of different materials such as steel or aluminum and can include a number of different finishes such as natural, painted, chrome and a black powder coat finish.
The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.
