Patent Application
20190111987
Embodiments of the technology relate, in general, to mobility technology, and in particular to two wheel carts.
A two-wheeled mobility system is described having a frame, the frame having a first end and a second end and a deck extending from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The deck is from about 1.5 feet to about 3.5 feet in length. A handle portion of the two wheeled mobility system has a first grip portion and a second grip portion, wherein the handle portion is pivotably coupled with the first end of the frame. A first wheel is coupled with the handle portion such that relative movement of the handle correspondingly pivots the first wheel relative to the frame. The first wheel is rotationally movable relative to the frame. A second wheel is coupled with the second end of the frame and rotationally movable relative to the frame.
A motor is coupled with the frame and operably configured to drive at least one of the first wheel or the second wheel A bracket assembly is attachable to the frame and includes a first bracket for mounting the bracket system to the frame at about the second end of the frame. A stand is connected to the first bracket and extends radially outward from the first bracket at an angle of from about 20 degrees to about 35 degrees. The stand may be used as a kickstand to support the two wheeled mobility system from falling on the ground when leaned over.
The stand may be removably attachable from the first bracket. The bracket assembly may include a cooler that is mountable to the first bracket. The cooler may be removably attachable from the first bracket, and may be mounted on the opposite side of the wheeled mobility system from the stand to provide better balance. The stand may extend from the first bracket to a distance off the ground wherein the ratio of the distance off the ground divided by the rear wheel's radius is about 0.9 when the two wheeled mobility system is vertical or perpendicular with respect to the plane of the ground. The bracket assembly may include a supply box mounted on the opposite side of the frame from the stand. The supply box may be removably attachable to the first bracket. The stand may include a skid plate on the bottom that contacts the ground when the wheeled mobility system is leaned over, wherein the skid plate has a forward edge having a radius of curvature of about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches. The radius is useful to protect the ground when riding the mobility system, and also reduce the effect to the rider of the stand contacting the ground when in motion.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Advantages and attainments, together with a more complete understanding of the invention, will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detailed description of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:
Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the apparatuses, systems, methods, and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Described herein are example embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing mobility to one or two people while simultaneously transporting equipment fort those people, typically in a sporting environment. In one example embodiment, a two-wheeled scooter with an attached golf bag bracket is provided. In some embodiments, the bracket may further support a cooler. In some embodiments, the bracket/kickstand device may support one or more guns, clay targets, and/or a box of ammunition. The bracket provides for an integrated kickstand to the scooter such that the operator does not need to raise or lower a kickstand to keep the scooter upright when the operator is not on the scooter.
The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.
Example embodiments described herein can provide individual mobility to a golfer on a golf course, and further carry the golfer's equipment and refreshment needs throughout the golf game. For example, a golf foursome may each have an individual scooter to transport them and their equipment during a golf game. Additionally, or alternatively, a sporting clays shooter may transport the shooter, one or more guns, clay targets, and/or ammunition through a sporting clays course.
Traditional golf carts support two to four people and often provide mounts for golf bags. A problem with four-wheeled carts is that after the initial tee-off, the players golf balls may be widely separated on the playing field, making the players either drive together to all the ball locations, or forcing some players to leave the golf cart, take their bag, and head off from the other players. The two-wheeled scooter with an attached golf bag bracket provides for each player to have their own mobility system with integrated bag carrying capability. In order to minimize the size, weight, and complexity of the mobility system, the number of wheels is reduced from four to two, however this leads to an inherent stability problem with the tendency of a two-wheeled system falling over if not provided with a support, such as a kickstand.
Providing a kickstand can raise at least two problematic issues. First, the traditional stand must be manually extended and retracted or must include a costly sensing system that senses when the operator intends to park the scooter. This is cumbersome and annoying to the operator. Further if the extended kickstand is forgotten and left extended, it may cause the operator to crash when turning as the operator leans into the turn. In addition, the golf bag may be heavy and poorly balanced with respect to the kickstand, causing the scooter to fall over even when the kickstand is extended. Also, when golfing or using the scooter in grassy or soil environments, the kickstand may dig into the soil as the weight of the scooter and bag rest on the kickstand, causing tip over as the stand sinks into the soil.
Referring now to
In
The angle 125 provides multiple functions. First angle 125 provides for the integrated holder and kickstand 124 and golf bag 130 to be near vertical when the mobility system 100 is parked and resting on the bracket system 120. When parking, the operator leans the mobility system 100 over until the skid plate 122 touches the ground and supports the mobility system 100, stopping it from tipping over. Leaning over the mobility system 100 brings the golf bag 130 closer to perpendicular from the ground when the mobility system 100 is parked, providing for easy access to the golf clubs in the golf bag 130. Another purpose for the angle is to keep the golf bag 130 up and off the ground when the mobility system 100 is moving, and keep the contents of the golf bag 130 contained. A further reason for the angle 125 is to provide for a flat touchdown of the skid plate 122 should the two-wheeled golf cart 110 be leaned over in a turn far enough to ground the skid plate 122. This stops the skid plate 122 from digging into the ground and upsetting the mobility system 100 as it is under way, and also protects the turf of the golf course from damage.
A cooler 140 may be attached to the bracket system 120 on the opposite side of the two-wheeled golf cart 110 from the gun 129 side of the bracket system 120. This allows the weight of the cooler 140 to balance the two-wheeled golf cart 110 when riding, as well as make the cooler 140 easier to access from the cooler side of the mobility system 100. It is understood that the cooler 140 may be replaced with a shelf or box to hold ammunition when the mobility system 100 is being used for sporting clays shooting, or replaced with a toolbox, or other desired objects for the task at hand when the mobility system 100 is being used for different tasks.
The bracket system 120 includes an integrated holder and kickstand 124 to which the golf bag 130 (not shown in
A mounting arm 126 extends substantially horizontally from the vertical axis of the central post 106. The mounting arm 126 includes a plurality of holes 157, 158, 159 and 160 that are located positionally on the mounting arm 126 such that they align with bolts on the two wheeled golf cart 110 in the frame 114, providing for a strong and solid mounting point. A cooler holder bracket 134 may be mounted to the mounting arm 126 on the opposite side from the integrated holder and kickstand 124. The cooler holder bracket may also include one or more bracket holes 185 that may be used to mount a cooler, and toolbox or other desired object.
A mounting bracket 138 extends from the mounting arm 126 and includes a first mounting bracket arm 152, a second mounting bracket arm 154, a mounting bracket plate 156 having and one or more holes 157, 158. The holes 157, 158 are located to coincide with screws or bolts on the frame 114 of the two-wheeled golf cart 110 such that the bracket system 120 may be rigidly attached to the mobility system 100. One or more snap pins may be used to removably attach the integrated holder and kickstand 124 to the mounting arm 126 similarly to the cooler holder bracket 134 having sliding member 135, for example.
In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component can be replaced by multiple components and multiple components can be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative, such substitution is within the intended scope of the embodiments. For example, the mobility system 100 may use electric motors or may use internal combustion motors without departing from the scope of the function of the mobility system 100.
The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/573,482, filed Oct. 17, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62573482 | Oct 2017 | US |
