Golf Cart Belt Assembly

Abstract

A hand golf cart having an elongated main belt member with secondary belt members extending from each end of said main belt member the ends of said secondary belt members being provided with adjustable fastening means. The elongated main belt member including fastening members which allow the main belt to be attached to the handle of a hand golf cart whereby when the belt assembly is worn about the waist of a golfer, the golfer may pull the cart forward while walking without use of his hands or arms.

Description

This invention relates to the field of golf carts and more particularly to the field of hand or pull golf carts.

BACKGROUND

Golfers traditionally carry their golf clubs, balls and related equipment in a golf bag. The standard golf bag includes a shoulder strap which allows the golfer to support the weight of the bag, including the golf clubs, balls and related equipment, on his or her shoulder. In some instances the golf bags are provided with a dual-shoulder strap apparatus that allows the weight of the bag to be supported by both the gofer's shoulders.

While in recent years many golfers have preferred to ride around the course in a motorized golf cart with their golf bag fastened to the rear of the golf cart, a great many golfers still prefer to walk the course rather than ride. For those golfers preferring to walk the course this has meant either carrying their golf bag or utilizing a hand or walking cart. A typical hand cart includes a frame for holding the golf bag mounted upon two or three wheels. A handle is provided atop the cart frame which the golfer grasps with one or both hands and either pushes forward in front of himself while he or she is walking, or pulls behind him while walking

While the utilization of a hand cart saves the golfer the fatigue and wear and tear on the shoulder from carrying the golf bag, for many golfers with back or lumbar region health issues, the utilization of a standard hand cart can cause discomfort or even pain. During a normal round of golf, the golfer may need to push or pull the cart up and down inclines as well as on level ground. For golfers with back issues, the strain of pushing or pulling the cart and the accompanying weight of the golf bag, clubs, etc., frequently causes discomfort or pain which impedes their ability to play and enjoy a round of golf.

For such physically impaired golfers who still desire to walk the course motorized hand carts are available in the market place. However, such carts are expensive when compared to a standard hand cart and they require recharging of the batteries utilized to power the electric motors typically provided on such motorized hand carts.

Even for those golfers without any physical impairments or handicaps who desire to walk rather than ride in a motorized golf cart the utilization of a typical hand cart occupies one or both of the golfers hands thereby precluding the golfer from engaging in other activities.

A need therefore exists for a means by which a golfer can utilize a standard hand golf cart which will allow the golfer to walk the course with his or her hands free and without placing undue stress on his or her back or lumbar region

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a belt assembly which can be removably connected to a hand golf cart that can be utilized by the golfer without the golfer having to pull or push the cart with his or her hands. The invention is used in connection with a typical hand golf cart in which a frame apparatus is mounted upon a set of wheels, typically three in number. The frame supports or carries the golf bag. A handle is provided at the top of the cart which the golfer grasps with one or both hands and either pushes forward while walking or pulls behind him or herself while walking.

To avoid or eliminate the need for pushing or pulling on the cart handle by hand, the subject invention hip or waist belt is attached to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the hip or waist belt is removable attached to the golf cart handle so that the golfer has the option of using the cart in the standard traditional manner or of using the cart with the waist belt.

The waist belt is attached to the handle of the golf cart and the golfer fastens the belt around his or her waist or lower back and simply walks forward. The belt allows the golfer to pull the cart behind himself while walking without having to push or pull the cart by hand. When the golfer reaches the point where he desires to hit his golf ball, he simply unfastens the belt around his waist which frees him to undertake the golf swing. In a preferred embodiment the belt is equipped with a quick release mechanism which facilitates the unfastening of the belt. To follow the ball the golfer re-fastens the belt around his waist and walks to where his ball landed with the hand golf cart being pulled behind him.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a profile view showing the subject invention as it would be worn during use.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed rear perspective view of the subject invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the subject invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The subject invention is shown in FIG. 1. A golfer 1 wears the belt of the subject invention around his waist or lower back area. The belt 10 is attached to hand golf cart 30 which carries the golf bag 40. The hand cart 30 includes a frame 33 which supports the golf bag 40. In a typical cart the frame is mounted upon a set of three wheels; front wheel 34 and rear wheels 35. With the belt 10 affixed about his waist the golfer can walk forward and the hand golf cart 30 will be pulled along behind the golfer. This allows the golfer to walk the course without having to push or pull the cart with his hands and arms.

The construction of the golf cart belt 10 and its attachment to the golf cart 30 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Belt 10 is provided with front surface 12 and rear surface 14. Fasteners 16 are connected to the rear surface 14 of the belt 10. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two fasteners 16 are provided in the form of elongated straps, one end 17 of which is connected or fastened to the rear surface 14. The opposite or free end 19 of the strap is wrapped around the handle 32 of the cart 30. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the fasteners 16 are provided with interlocking fastening means 20 such as hook and loop fasteners marketed under the brand name VELCRO® by Velcro Industries. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of fastening means could be utilized for connecting the ends 17 and 19 of the straps 16 such as standard buckles. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that a single strap 16 may be utilized rather than the two straps shown.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, belt 10 is of an elongated nature being of sufficient length to wrap subsequently about the golfer's waist. At each end 22a, 22b of the belt, an adjustable secondary belt 24a, 24b is provided. Fasteners, 26a, 26b, such as VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners or a standard buckle are provided at the respective ends of the secondary belts 24a, 24b.

In use, the golfer wraps the belt 10 around his waist or lower back and locks fasteners 26a and 26b together thereby securing belt 10 to himself. With the belt secured in place the golfer may walk forward with the golf cart 30 being pulled along behind him. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more pockets 28 may be provided on the outside surface 14 of the belt 10. A zipper 29 is provided for sealing said pocket. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other means such as VELCRO® fasteners may be provided for sealing the pocket. Although just a single pocket is shown in FIG. 3 it is to be understood that multiple pockets or storage compartments may be provided on belt 10 to accommodate a variety of items which the golfer may choose to carry.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the fasteners or straps 16 are connected to the handle 32 the design of the typical hand cart provides sufficient distance between the golfer and the rear wheels 35 of the cart 30 such that the golfer may walk in a normal fashion with the wheels 35 hitting his feet.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the connection between the straps 16 and the cart handle 32 is flexible such that straps 16 may pivot around said handle. This allows the belt 10 to move up or down with respect to the handle which in turn allows the golfer to walk on inclined or uneven surfaces without putting undue stress or strain on his back. Additionally, the handle of the cart may be adjustable so that position or angle of the handle may be adjusted which further minimizes and stress or strain on the golfer's back during use of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 the fastening means 26a and 26b are adjustable so that the secondary belt 24a and 24b may be adjusted to fit comfortably about the golfer's waist. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 4, those skilled in the art will understand that different adjustable fasteners can be utilized such as tri-glide buckles, or any other interlocking clasp.

The description of the preferred embodiments are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art can deviate from the just described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the descriptions above, but rather the scope of the invention is defined solely by the words of the claims presented below.

Claims

1. A belt assembly for use in connection with a hand golf cart having a handle comprising:

an elongated first belt section having a first end and an opposite second end;

a second belt section extending from said first end of said first belt section;

a third belt section extending from said second end of said first belt section;

interlocking fastening means provided at each end of said second and third belt sections;

at least one strap connected to said first belt section, said strap being adapted for connecting to the handle on the golf cart.

2. The belt assembly of claim 1 wherein one of said second and third belt sections is adjustable in length.

3. The belt assembly of claim 1 wherein both of said second and third belt sections are adjustable in length.

4. The belt assembly of claim 1 wherein a storage compartment is provided on said first belt section.

5. The belt assembly of claim 1 wherein two straps are connected to said first belt section for connecting to said handle on said golf cart.

6. The belt assembly of claim 1 wherein fasteners are provided on the respective ends of said at least on strap for joining the ends of said fasteners together.

7. The belt assembly of claim 5 wherein fasteners are provided at the respective ends of said straps for joining the ends of the straps together.