GOLF CAR ACCESSORY

Abstract

A golf car accessory includes a mounting assembly for attaching a ball washer or other accessory to a golf car. The assembly includes a pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets, each bracket having a first member that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a vertical member. The vertical member of each bracket is mounted to the golf car through one or more mounting holes disposed in the first member of each bracket for attaching each first member to the golf car in a spaced apart configuration. A mounting arm has an upper and lower end. The upper end terminates in a first horizontal member extending outwardly from the mounting arm and beyond the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets and the lower end terminates in a second horizontal member extending inwardly from the mounting arm and forwardly along the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets in a direction opposite the first horizontal member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/573,499, filed Oct. 17, 2017, entitled “GOLF CAR ACCESSORY”, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf car accessories.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a golf car accessory. The term “golf car” as used herein, generally refers to a motorized golf carts as is well known in the art. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf car accessory that may be used with a golf club washer and/or golf ball washer.

One of the problems with golf ball or club washers and attaching them to a golf car is that in operation, liquid used for washing may spill onto the golf car, golf bags, clubs, or people in close proximity. This is highly undesirably and inconvenient. What is needed is a means to support a golf ball washer from a golf car that prevents or avoids this problem, yet is still convenient and easy to use.

SUMMARY

Therefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a golf car accessory that improves over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a golf car accessory and club washer mount for a golf car which is easy to install.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a golf ball and club washer mount that allows the washer to be easily and conveniently removed for washing.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a golf ball and club washer mount that easily mounts to a variety of different golf cars.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to create new opportunities for selling ball washers or other accessories by providing a simple and easy means of mounting such accessories to a golf car.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is that it allows a ball washer to protrude beyond the bumper of the golf car so that fluid used for cleaning is not splashed on or into the golf car.

A still further object, feature, or advantage is to provide a golf accessory mount which affixes to the rear of any golf car in minutes.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a golf accessory mount that allows for rear placement to keep the paint of a golf car free of harmful chemicals.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a golf accessory mount that may be conveniently located at waist level.

A still further object, feature, or advantage is to provide a golf accessory mount that uses very little space.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to or by an objects, features, or advantages stated herein.

According to one aspect, a mounting assembly for attaching a club and golf ball washer to a golf car is disclosed. The assembly includes a pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets, each bracket having a first member that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a vertical member. The vertical member of each bracket is mounted to the golf car through one or more mounting holes disposed in the first member of each bracket for attaching each first member to the golf car in a spaced apart configuration. A mounting arm is included that has an upper and lower end. The upper end terminates in a first horizontal member extending outwardly from the mounting arm and beyond the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets and the lower end terminates in a second horizontal member extending inwardly from the mounting arm and forwardly along the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets in a direction opposite the first horizontal member. An attachment slot is included for attaching the mounting arm within the spaced apart configuration bounded between both vertical members of the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets. The second horizontal member is disposed within the attachment slot to secure the mounting arm to the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets. The mounting arm extends substantially vertically from the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets. A mounting plate is also included that has opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to a top side of the first horizontal member and the mounting plate includes one or more mounting points for attaching to a bottom portion of the club and golf ball washer.

According to another aspect, a golf car mount for mounting a golf car accessory to a bag well of a golf car is disclosed. The golf car mount includes a first L-shaped bracket and a second L-shaped bracket. Each bracket has a horizontal bracket member that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a vertical bracket member. Each vertical bracket member has an upstanding terminal edge and opposing bottom terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well and each horizontal bracket member has an outwardly extending terminal edge and opposing inwardly extending terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well. The opposing bottom terminal edge of the vertical bracket member is attached to the opposing inwardly extending terminal edge of the horizontal bracket member between opposing pockets of the bag well. A mounting arm attachment slot disposed between a spaced-apart parallel arrangement of the first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket between opposing pockets of the bag well. A substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm has a top side and sidewalls extending between forward and rearward ends. The sidewalls of the arm are disposed within the mounting arm attachment slot between each vertical bracket member. The forward end of the arm extends toward the front side of the bag well and the rearward end of the arm extends toward the backside of the bag well. A substantially vertically extending mounting arm has opposing top and bottom ends. The bottom end of the arm is attached to the substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm. A substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm has a top side extending between forward and rearward ends. The substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm is attached to the substantially vertically extending mounting arm. A mounting plate is included for the golf car accessory. The mounting plate has opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces and the bottom surface is attached to the top side of the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm.

According to another aspect, a golf car accessory is disclosed. The golf car accessory includes a mounting bracket configured to attach between opposing pockets of a bag well adjacent a rear bumper of a golf car. The mounting bracket has at least one substantially horizontal bracket member that extends perpendicularly outward from at least one substantially vertical bracket member. The substantially vertical member is anchored to a floor of the bag well. A mounting arm has an upper and lower end. The upper end terminates in a first horizontal member extending outwardly from the mounting arm and beyond the mounting bracket and the lower end terminates in a second horizontal member extending inwardly from the mounting arm and forwardly along the mounting bracket in a direction opposite the first horizontal member. A mounting plate has opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to a top side of the first horizontal member and the mounting plate includes one or more mounting points for attaching to a bottom portion of the club and golf ball washer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a golf car accessory mounted on a golf car.

FIG. 2 provides further illustration of the mounted golf car accessory.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of illustrating the golf accessory mounted on a golf car.

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a golf car mounting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides for mounting a ball washer to a golf car. Although the term “ball washer” is used throughout this disclosure, it is to be understood that the term may include a club head washer and club and ball washer as well.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various aspects for mounting a ball washer 14 to a golf car 16. In one aspect, a system 10 includes a golf car accessory 12 with a ball washer 14 mounted on a golf car 16. The golf car 16 has a bag well 18 with a first bag pocket 20 for placement of a first golf bag (not shown) and a second bag pocket 22 for placement of a second golf bag (not shown) just inside or on the other side of a bumper 25 of the golf car 16. The first bag pocket 20 is, at least partially, separated from the second bag pocket 22 by a divider 23. As shown, the golf car accessory 12 may easily affix to the rear of any golf car 16 in very little time. Note that the rear placement of the ball washer 14 positions the drain 15 aback of the bag well 18 and bumper 25 of the golf car to allow wash water to discharge onto the ground and not the golf car. This placement of the golf car accessory 12 is conveniently located in the rear of the golf car 16 at around waist level. Note that the golf car accessory 12 also serves the function of a bag separator further securing the golf bags within each back pocket 20, 22 and to keep each bag in place. A further benefit of this design is the compact design needing very little space. Instead of supporting a ball washer, other types of accessories may be substituted including coolers or other items.

The mounting assembly or bracket 12 includes a first L-shaped bracket 28 and a second L-shaped bracket 30. In one aspect, the mounting assembly or bracket 12 is S-shaped and can be fabricated from square metal tubing. Each bracket 28, 30 includes a horizontal bracket member 32 that extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from a vertical bracket member 34 Each vertical bracket member 34 has an upstanding terminal edge 36 and opposing bottom terminal edge 38 that is configured to extend rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well 18 between opposing bag pockets 20, 22. In one aspect, the upstanding terminal edge 36 of each vertical bracket member 34 terminates above bumper 25 of the golf car 16. Each horizontal bracket member 32 has an outwardly extending terminal edge 40 and opposing inwardly extending terminal edge 42 extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well 18 between opposing bag pockets 20, 22. The opposing bottom terminal edge 38 of the vertical bracket member 34 is attached to the opposing inwardly extending terminal edge 42 of the horizontal bracket member 32 between opposing bag pockets 20, 22 of the bag well 18. In one aspect, the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets 28, 30 are disposed between opposing bag pockets 20, 22 of the golf car 16 configured to receive and thereby separate a first golf bag (not shown) and a second golf bag (not shown) placed side-by-side in opposing bag pockets 20, 22 of bag well 18. Each vertical bracket member 34 is anchored to a floor of the bag well 18 of golf car 16. In one aspect, each horizontal bracket member 40 can include fastener holes 92 through which fasteners 94 are anchored to bag well 18 of golf car 16.

A mounting arm attachment slot 44 disposed between a spaced-apart parallel arrangement of the first L-shaped bracket 28 and the second L-shaped bracket 30 between opposing bag pockets 20, 22 of the bag well 18.

A mounting arm 46 has a top side 48 and sidewalls 50 extending between a forward end 52 and a rearward end 54. In one aspect, mounting arm 46 is a substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm. The sidewalls of the arm 50 are disposed within the mounting arm attachment slot 44 between each vertical bracket member 34. The forward end 52 of the arm 46 extends toward the front side 56 of the bag well 18 and the rearward end 54 of the arm 46 extends toward the backside 58 of the bag well 18. In one aspect, rearward end 54 of mounting arm 46 is positioned aback of the bag well 18 of the golf car 16 and the forward end 52 of mounting arm 46 is positioned above the bag well 18 of the golf car 16.

A mounting arm 60 has opposing top end 62 and bottom end 64. In one aspect, mounting arm 60 is a substantially vertically extending mounting arm. The bottom end 64 of the arm 60 is attached to the substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm 46. Arm 60 can be a multipiece assembly. For example, arm 60 can include a first mounting arm coupler 68 of a bottom portion 66 of the mounting arm 60 and a second mounting arm coupler 72 of a top portion 70 of the mounting arm 60. The bottom portion 66 and top portion 70 of the mounting arm 60 can be attached at the first mounting arm coupler 68 and the second mounting arm coupler 72 for providing a multi-piece arm assembly, which can provide for different arm lengths for controlling the height of the ball washer 14 relative to the bag well 18. Additionally, one or more mounting arm fasteners holes 74 can be included at the first mounting arm coupler 68 and the second mounting arm coupler 72. Mounting arm fastener(s) 76 can be operably secured through the one or more fastener holes 74 to secure the bottom portion 66 and top portion 70 of the mounting arm 60 together.

A mounting arm 76 has a top side 78 extending between a forward end 80 and a rearward end 82. In one aspect, mounting arm 76 is a substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm. Mounting arm 76 is attached to mounting arm 60.

A mounting plate 84 is attached to the top side 78 of arm 76. The mounting plate 84 has an opposing, parallel top surface 86 and bottom surface 88. In one example, the bottom surface 88 is attached to the top side 78 of the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm 76. Ball washer 14 is disposed atop mounting plate 84 and positioned in the air vertically from divider 23 between opposing bag pockets 20, 22 of the golf car 16 and rearwardly of rear bumper 25 of the golf car 16 behind the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets 28, 30. The mounting plate 84 also includes one or more mounting slots 90 for attaching to a bottom portion 92 of the ball washer 14. The mounting slots 90 can be configured having an X-shaped pattern for accommodating different size ball washers and varied bolt patterns.

Thus, that which is shown is merely exemplary. The present invention contemplates numerous variations including variations in the structures, shapes, and sizes of various structural elements including the bag divider, the first arm, the second arm, and the ball washer; variations in the manner in which the parts are attached to one another, varieties in composition, and other variations. In addition, it is contemplated that instead of connecting a ball washer other devices may be connected including coolers or any number of other devices that may be convenient to mount to a golf car. These and other variations are all within the broad spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. In particular, the invention contemplates numerous variations in structure, size, and shape. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects are considered included in the invention. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the invention. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for attaching a club and golf ball washer to a golf car, comprising:

a pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets, each bracket having a first member that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a vertical member, wherein the vertical member of each bracket is mounted to the golf car through one or more mounting holes disposed in the first member of each bracket for attaching each first member to the golf car in a spaced apart configuration;

a mounting arm having an upper and lower end, the upper end terminating in a first horizontal member extending outwardly from the mounting arm and beyond the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets and the lower end terminating in a second horizontal member extending inwardly from the mounting arm and forwardly along the pair of opposing L-shaped brackets in a direction opposite the first horizontal member;

an attachment slot for attaching the mounting arm within the spaced apart configuration bounded between both vertical members of the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets, wherein the second horizontal member is disposed within the attachment slot to secure the mounting arm to the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets, wherein the mounting arm extends substantially vertically from the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets; and

a mounting plate having opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is attached to a top side of the first horizontal member and the mounting plate includes one or more mounting points for attaching to a bottom portion of the club and golf ball washer.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more fasteners are secured through the one or more mounting holes of each vertical member to a golf bag support surface of the golf car.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first mounting arm coupler of a bottom portion of the mounting arm and a second mounting arm coupler of a top portion of the mounting arm, wherein the bottom and top portion of the mounting arm are attached at the first and second mounting arm coupler.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

one or more mounting arm fastener holes at the first and second arm coupler, wherein one or more mounting arm fasteners are received through the one or more fastener holes to secure the bottom and top portion of the mounting arm together.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets are disposed between opposing bag wells of the golf car configured to receive and thereby separate a first golf bag and a second golf bag placed side-by-side in the golf car.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the golf ball washer is disposed atop the mounting plate and positioned vertically of a divider between opposing bag wells of the golf car and rearwardly of a rear bumper of the golf car behind the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of parallel opposing L-shaped brackets are disposed proximate a divider spaced between opposing bag wells of the golf car.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the club and golf ball washer includes a drain disposed aback and outside of opposing bag wells of the golf car for drain washer water directly onto the ground.

9. A golf car mount for mounting a golf car accessory to a bag well of a golf car, comprising:

a first L-shaped bracket and a second L-shaped bracket, each bracket having a horizontal bracket member that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a vertical bracket member, wherein each vertical bracket member has an upstanding terminal edge and opposing bottom terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well and each horizontal bracket member has an outwardly extending terminal edge and opposing inwardly extending terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well, and wherein the opposing bottom terminal edge of the vertical bracket member is attached to the opposing inwardly extending terminal edge of the horizontal bracket member between opposing pockets of the bag well;

a mounting arm attachment slot disposed between a spaced-apart parallel arrangement of the first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket between opposing pockets of the bag well;

a substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm having a top side and sidewalls extending between forward and rearward ends, the sidewalls of the arm are disposed within the mounting arm attachment slot between each vertical bracket member, wherein the forward end of the arm extends toward the front side of the bag well and the rearward end of the arm extends toward the backside of the bag well;

a substantially vertically extending mounting arm having opposing top and bottom ends, wherein the bottom end of the arm is attached to the substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm;

a substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm having a top side extending between forward and rearward ends, wherein the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm is attached to the substantially vertically extending mounting arm; and

a mounting plate for the golf car accessory, the mounting plate having opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is attached to the top side of the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm.

10. The golf car mount of claim 9, wherein the upstanding terminal edge of each vertical bracket member terminates above a bumper of the golf car.

11. The golf car mount of claim 9, wherein the bottom end of the substantially vertically extending mounting arm is attached to the top side of the substantially horizontal, rearwardly extending mounting arm above the upstanding terminal edge of each vertical bracket member.

12. The golf car mount of claim 9, wherein and the mounting plate includes one or more mounting points for attaching to a bottom portion of the golf car accessory.

13. The golf car mount of claim 9, wherein the golf car accessory comprises a club and golf ball washer.

14. The golf car mount of claim 9, wherein the rearward end of the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm is positioned aback of the bag well of the golf car and the forward end of the substantially horizontal, forwardly extending mounting arm is positioned above the bag well of the golf car.

15. A golf car accessory, comprising:

a mounting bracket configured to attach between opposing pockets of a bag well adjacent a rear bumper of a golf car, wherein the mounting bracket has at least one substantially horizontal bracket member that extends perpendicularly outward from at least one substantially vertical bracket member, wherein the substantially vertical member is anchored to a floor of the bag well;

a mounting arm having an upper and lower end, the upper end terminating in a first horizontal member extending outwardly from the mounting arm and beyond the mounting bracket and the lower end terminating in a second horizontal member extending inwardly from the mounting arm and forwardly along the mounting bracket in a direction opposite the first horizontal member; and

a mounting plate having opposing top and bottom parallel surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is attached to a top side of the first horizontal member and the mounting plate includes one or more mounting points for attaching to a bottom portion of the club and golf ball washer.

16. The golf car accessory of claim 15, further comprising:

at least two of the mounting brackets, wherein the substantially vertical bracket member has an upstanding terminal edge and opposing bottom terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well and each substantially horizontal bracket member has an outwardly extending terminal edge and opposing inwardly extending terminal edge extending rearwardly and forwardly within the bag well between opposing pockets of the bag well, and wherein the opposing bottom terminal edge of the substantially vertical bracket member is attached to the opposing inwardly extending terminal edge of the substantially horizontal bracket member between opposing pockets of the bag well.

17. The golf car accessory of claim 15, wherein the mounting arm is S-shaped.

18. The golf car accessory of claim 15, wherein the mounting arm includes a first mounting arm section attached to the mounting bracket and a second mounting arm section attached to the first horizontal member, the first and second mounting arm sections joined together by a coupling.

19. The golf car accessory of claim 15, wherein the mounting arm comprises square tubing.

20. The golf car accessory of claim 15, wherein the first horizontal member extends at a raised position above and outwardly from the bag well, wherein a drain of the club and golf ball washer is disposed aback of the golf car for draining wash water onto the ground.