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  Golf cart umbrellaUSPTO Application #: 20060219278Title: Golf cart umbrella Abstract: An umbrella for use as a temporary shield on a golf cart is provided. The umbrella comprises a shaft, a handle, and a canopy assembly. The canopy assembly has an annular hub encircling the shaft, a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly from the annular hub, and a transparent canopy draped over and secured to the plurality of ribs. Fasteners disposed on selected ones of the plurality of ribs secure the umbrella to the golf cart such that the umbrella performs as the temporary shield for the golf cart. As such, the umbrella shields and protects the golf cart user from one or more of the rain, the wind, and the sun. (end of abstract)
Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C. - Rockford, IL, US Inventor: Robert G. Lohman USPTO Applicaton #: 20060219278 - Class: 135016000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, Or Cane, Umbrella, Combined The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060219278. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention generally relates to an accessory for a golf cart and, more particularly, to an umbrella for use with a golf cart. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Golfers often use motorized golf carts (or golf cars) to transport themselves, and their golfing equipment, over a golf course. These golf carts can be equipped with a number of accessories depending on the individual needs and desires of the golfer. One of the more popular accessories for such golf carts is an overhead canopy. [0003] Overhead canopies are generally positioned vertically above the golf cart and held in place by one or more support members. These overhead canopies are often constructed of a non-translucent (i.e., opaque), liquid impervious material, such that a golfer sitting in the golf cart is somewhat shielded from the sun and protected from the rain. Unfortunately, unless the golf cart is also equipped with a windshield that extends from the overhead canopy down to a front hood portion of the golf cart, the overhead canopy is only effective to prevent the falling rain from striking the golfer or wetting the golfer's equipment when the cart is stationary. If, on the other hand, the golf cart is moving, the overhead canopy does little to protect the golfer from the rain. [0004] Therefore, an apparatus that can be secured to a golf cart having an overhead canopy, but lacking a windshield, to protect a golf cart user from the rain and wind would be desirable. The invention provides such an apparatus. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In one aspect, the invention provides an umbrella for use as a temporary shield on a golf cart. The umbrella comprises a shaft, a handle, and a canopy assembly. The shaft has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The handle is secured to the shaft proximate the first shaft end and the canopy assembly is secured to the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The canopy assembly has an annular hub, a plurality of ribs, a transparent canopy, and fasteners. The annular hub encircles the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from the annular hub. The transparent canopy is draped over and secured to the plurality of ribs. The fasteners are disposed on selected ones of the plurality of ribs. The fasteners are securable to the golf cart such that the umbrella performs as the temporary shield for the golf cart: [0006] In another aspect, the invention provides an umbrella for use as a temporary shield on a golf cart. The umbrella comprises a telescoping shaft, a handle, and a canopy assembly. The telescoping shaft has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The handle is secured to the shaft proximate the first shaft end and the canopy assembly is secured to the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The canopy assembly has an annular hub, a plurality of resilient ribs, and a transparent canopy. The annular hub encircles the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The plurality of resilient ribs extends radially outwardly from the annular hub and each of the resilient ribs has a rib tip portion. The transparent canopy is draped over the plurality of ribs. The transparent canopy is secured to the plurality of resilient ribs proximate the annular hub and the rib tip portions. The fasteners are disposed on selected ones of the plurality of ribs. The fasteners are adjustable for length and securable to the golf cart such that the umbrella performs as the temporary shield for the golf cart. [0007] In a further aspect, the invention provides a system for shielding a golf cart user from at least one of rain, wind, and sun. The system comprises a golf cart having an overhead canopy and support members. The support members secure the overhead canopy above the golf cart. The umbrella comprises a shaft, a handle, and a canopy assembly. The shaft has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The handle is secured to the shaft proximate the first shaft end. The canopy assembly is secured to the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The canopy assembly has an annular hub, a plurality of ribs, and a transparent canopy. The annular hub encircles the shaft proximate the second shaft end. The plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from the annular hub. The transparent canopy is draped over and secured to one or more of the plurality of ribs. The fasteners are disposed on selected ones of the plurality of ribs. The fasteners are securable to the support members on the golf cart such that the umbrella extends at least up to the support members and shields the golf cart user from one or more of the rain, the wind, and the sun. [0008] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an umbrella constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 when assembled; [0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastener employable by the umbrella of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fastener employable by the umbrella of FIG. 1; and [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the umbrella of FIG. 1 secured to a golf cart. [0015] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a golf cart umbrella 10 is illustrated. The golf cart umbrella 10 comprises a shaft 12, a handle 14, and a canopy assembly 16. The shaft 12 includes a first member 18 having a first shaft end 20 and a second member 22 having a second shaft end 24. The first member 18 and second member 22 are in a telescoping relationship with each other. As such, the first member 18 and the second member 22 can be slidably extended or contracted to increase or decrease, respectfully, the length of shaft 12. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the shaft 12 can be divided into more than two segments while still permitting the segments to have a telescoping relationship. The shaft 12 is preferably constructed of a non-metallic or non-conducting material to inhibit the chance of a lightning strike. The handle 14 is secured to the shaft 12 proximate the first shaft end 20. The handle 14 is, in one embodiment, preferably ergonomically fashioned to accommodate a hand and/or fingers. [0017] In a preferred embodiment, the shaft 12 includes a stub portion 26 proximate the second shaft end 24. The stub portion 26, along with the second member 22, form a shoulder 28 proximate the second shaft end 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the stub portion 26 is threaded. [0018] The canopy assembly 16 includes an annular hub 30, a plurality of ribs 32, a transparent canopy 34, and fasteners 36. The annular hub 30 is dimensioned to encircle the stub portion 26 and to be seated upon the shoulder portion 28 of the shaft 12. Therefore, the annular hub 30 is securable to the shaft 12. The plurality of ribs 32 generally extend radially outwardly from the annular hub 30. In a preferred embodiment, each of the ribs is constructed from a resilient material as known in the art. Each of the ribs 32 defines a rib tip portion 38 that is distally disposed away from the annular hub 30. [0019] The transparent canopy 34 is generally draped upon, or stretched over and across, the plurality of ribs 32. The transparent canopy 34 is, in one embodiment, connected to each of the ribs 32 proximate the annular hub 30 and again proximate the rib tip portion 38. Alternatively, the transparent canopy 34 is secured to all or other selected portions of the ribs 32. The transparent canopy 34 can be manufactured from a variety of materials including, for example, clear plastic and/or other substances that are "see-through". In one embodiment, the transparent canopy 34 is constructed from a material and/or includes a substance that provides protection from ultraviolet light (i.e., provides "UV" protection). Continue reading... Full patent description for Golf cart umbrella Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf cart umbrella patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf cart umbrella or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Substrate-treating apparatus Next Patent Application: Umbrella with offset handle Industry Class: Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf cart umbrella patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.2154 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
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