DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The awning attachment of the present invention, which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 , is shown in FIG. 1 . It is comprised of a framework 12 which supports a fabric covering 14 . Framework 12 is comprised of a series of U-shaped rib members 16 , 18 , 20 and 22 , each having ends 16 ′, 16 ″, 18 ′, 18 ″, 20 ′, 20 ″, 22 ′ and 22 ″, respectively. While additional, or fewer, rib members may be employed, four rib members provides the optimum number to adequately provide support for the fabric covering and give it a pleasing, gently arcuate shape. The respective rib member ends are connected together by bolts or pins 24 and 26 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , to create common pivot points 25 and 27 , respectively, by which the rib members may be moved relative to each other. Bushings 28 are provided along bolts 24 and 26 between the rib member ends to provide adequate separation thereof to facilitate relative movement of the rib members when fanned out. A sufficient amount of fabric covering 14 is provided to enable the awning, when deployed, to extend arcuately from the rear edge section 30 of the roof of the car to a point slightly beyond the rear edge of the car, and to a level approximately even with the seats of the car, so as to effectively cover the top of a golf club bag 32 held upright in the storage compartment as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0042] Sleeves are disposed on the forward and rear edges and underneath side of fabric cover 14 by sewing or the like to receive the rib members as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The sleeves allow a certain freedom of movement of the fabric cover along the rib members to facilitate deployment and retraction of the awning. Sleeve 50 is formed around the perimeter front lateral edge of fabric cover 14 and receives arms 34 and cross piece 36 of rib member 16 . Sleeves 52 and 54 receive arm 38 and cross piece 40 , respectively, of rib member 18 . A corresponding sleeve 52 on the opposite interior side of fabric 14 receives the other arm 38 . Similarly, sleeves 56 and 58 receive arms 42 and cross piece 44 , respectively, of rib member 20 . Sleeve 60 is formed around the perimeter rear lateral edge of fabric cover 14 and receives arms 46 and cross piece 48 of rib member 22 .

[0043] Each successive rib member after the first top rib member has an incrementally shorter dimension with respect to both its length and width so that the entire framework may lie substantially flat in a nesting relationship when in the closed retracted position shown in FIG. 6 . As further shown in FIG. 1 , rib member 16 comprises arms 34 and cross piece 36 . Rib member 18 comprises arms 38 , which are around ½ to one inch shorter than arms 34 of rib member 16 , and cross piece 40 , which is around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 36 of rib member 16 . Likewise, rib member 20 comprises arms 42 and cross piece 44 , which are respectively around V 2 to one inch shorter than arms 38 and around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 40 of rib member 18 . Further, rib member 22 comprises arms 46 and cross piece 48 , which are respectively around ½ to one inch shorter than arms 42 and around one to two inches shorter than cross piece 44 of rib member 20 . The dimensions may vary due to the thicknesses of the rib members and fabric cover 14 held between the rib members. This arrangement allows each successive rib member to be nested within the forwardly preceding rib member in a planar relationship. Rib members 16 - 22 substantially flat in cross section which facilitates their side-by-side placement at pivot points 25 and 27 and also allows the nesting relationship shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 . Bushings 28 keep the rib members spaced apart to provide room for the fabric sleeve material sandwiched between the rib members.

[0044] The awning attachment is fitted on to a golf car as shown in FIG. 4 . The forward edge of the frame structure, at the top edge of rib member 16 , is connected to the underneath side of the rear section 30 of the car's roof. Such connection can be made by providing drill holes in both the rib member and the roof to allow screwing or bolting the rib member directly into the roof section, or by any other appropriate connection means known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the rib member should lie flush with the rear edge of the roof so that the awning remains as unobtrusive as possible. Due to the various different manufacturers of golf cars, and the various different roof designs produced by each, it may be difficult to attach the rib member flush up against the edge of the roof. This is because some roof edges may be non-rectilinear, and may have curved edges. In such instances, the rib member can not adjoin the roof edge in an aesthetically pleasing way, and, further, may not even be capable of being directly attached to the roof edge.

[0045] To provide a surface for attachment of the awning at the rear edge of the car roof, an extended transition plate member 80 against which rib member 16 may be secured is supplied. Plate member 80 is held in place by U-shaped top mounting bracket 84 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . Bracket 84 is secured to the underneath side of the roof of the golf car which typically forms an interior flange 85 around the rear edge 30 of the roof. The shape of bracket 84 may be modified to accommodate the perimeter shape of the roof, which may be rectilinear or have rounded edges. Roof flange 85 can be provided with a plurality of apertures 86 around its perimeter, while bracket 84 may be provided with correspondingly placed apertures 88 to secure bracket 84 to the roof flange 85 by bolting or other appropriate fastening methods as shown in FIG. 11 . Plate member 80 has a flange 82 at its forward end for connection with bracket 84 as shown in FIG. 12 . Bracket 84 is optimally dimensioned such that flange 82 will be held between bracket 84 and roof flange 85 .

[0046] The frame is further secured to the car's upright, vertical support posts 62 and 64 through mounting clamps 66 and 68 . These mounting clamps, as shown in FIG. 5 , each comprise a metal strap 70 having a clamp 72 for engaging the cars support post 62 or 64 . Clamp 72 may comprise an open faced C-shaped channel having inwardly biased edges for holding support post in tight engagement. Alternately, a clamp having a tightening fastener, such as a threaded C-clamp, may be used. Further still, a clamp that surrounds the vertical post may be employed, and can be configured with a square or round opening to accommodate the appropriate geometrical cross section of the support post. Mounting clamps 66 and 68 each have an end 74 for mounting at pivot points 25 and 27 for the rib members of framework 12 as shown in FIG. 3 . It is to be understood that the configuration of the vertical support posts of cars of different manufacturers may vary, with the posts being set wide in some car models and set narrow in other car models. As such, the distance of the pivot points 25 and 27 to the cars supports will vary. To accommodate such different dimensions, the mounting clamps may be provided with different lengths of straps 70 .

[0047] The frame may alternately be mounted to the vertical support posts of the golf car from a position on rib member 16 remote from pivot points 25 and 27 . In such cases, connecting metal straps 70 would be moved from the pivot point (as shown in FIG. 3 ) and instead be positioned along a median portion of rib member 16 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . This particular positioning of strap 70 on rib member 16 further provides a greater degree of overall stability to the attached awning, as pivot points 25 and 27 are sufficiently stable due to the interconnection of the rib members and do not need supplemental stabilization. Strap 70 may be simply connected to rib member 16 by bolting 92 or other appropriate fastener. The remote end 90 of strap 70 may be fastened to the car's vertical support posts 62 and 64 by direct bolting, or may be provided with a clamp 93 for engagement around the support post. To accommodate the different spacing of the vertical support posts on cars of different manufacturers, strap 70 may be configured with an offset angle 94 as necessary to reach to a vertical post set wider than the awning as shown in FIG. 13 . Likewise, the offset angle can be configured to connect to a vertical post set narrower than the awning.

[0048] To hold the loose fabric material of cover 14 in a neat bundle when the awning is in the closed, retracted position, a gathering flap 76 is provided on the top section of cover 14 . FIG. 1 shows flap 76 extending along the substantial width of cross piece 36 of rib member 16 , being secured to the fabric by sewing or the like along that end. The free end is provided with snaps or hook and loop fastening material. When the awning is in the open, deployed position, gathering flap 76 lies loosely on the top of the fabric covering 14 on the back of the awning. It is not long enough, however, so that it dangles below the rear bottom edge of the awning. When the awning is folded up into its closed, retracted position, the gathering flap is wrapped around the nested rib members and secured by its snaps or hook and loop fastening means to corresponding fastening means on the forward lateral edge of the framework of the awning or to the underneath side of the roof of the car as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .

[0049] When the awning is attached to the golf car by using extended transition plate member 80 , the orientation of gathering flap 76 may be reversed, by securing the base end 91 underneath the plate member 80 and configuring the flap 76 to be drawn around the nested rib members and secured to the top of plate member 80 , as shown in FIG. 10 , by appropriate fastening means previously described. The gathering flap 76 may be constructed to be removable from its securement under plate member 80 using various fastening means, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastening means, etc. For a reinforced connection, flap end 91 may be provided with a gather formed along its edge by overlapping the material of the flap several times and sewing the overlaps together. Alternatively, the flap edge could be formed with a narrow sleeve containing a dowel or webbing member 96 . A C-channel 97 may be secured underneath the plate member 80 to slidably receive the gather or webbing member of the flap end. A stiffener member 98 may be provided at the remote end of flap 76 to provide a certain amount of weight and rigidity so the flap end will be resistant to curling and be made easier to handle. Also, a fastener, for example a hook and loop fastener, 99 may be provided at the opposite flap ends so that the flap 76 may be doubled back on itself when not in use.

[0050] By having the gathering flap extend the substantial width of the framework, it avoids unsightly bulging out of material that would be present if narrow gathering strips were instead used. As an additional advantage, the wide gathering flap allows for a clear vinyl pocket for printed material to be placed therein which presents a useful marketing tool for advertisers during golf tournaments.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 , a zipper 100 or hook and loop material may be provided along an edge of the fabric cover for the selective placement of a fabric panel 102 , as desired for shielding from view the connecting metal straps 70 which may be used to support the awning cover from the vertical support posts 62 , 64 . Furthermore, in the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the transition plate 80 may not be secured to the rear section 30 of the car's roof and instead may merely have an upstanding flange 104 with a protective cushion covering 106 for resiliently engaging the lip of the golf car top 30 . In this arrangement, the straps 70 provide the sole means of support for the awning cover from the vertical posts 62 , 64 . Although an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 indicating that the transition plate 80 and its upturned flange 104 may be conveniently urged against the canopy top 30 of the golf car, this need not be the case as the straps 70 may merely be repositioned to provide a space between the flange 104 and cushioning member 106 and the golf car top 30 .

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , bracket 84 may be provided in different form to suit the canopy top arrangement as used by different manufacturers. In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 17 , top mounting bracket 84 conveniently mounts with the existing pair of bolts at either side thereof to the vertical support posts 62 , 64 and at their inner surfaces. On the other hand, as shown in the arrangement of FIG. 18 , top mounting bracket 84 may conveniently fit between vertical support posts 62 and the plastic canopy cover 30 and, again, be held in place by bolted connections as shown. In either arrangement, top mounting bracket 84 provides a convenient flat planar surface against which the upturned flange 82 of transition plate 80 may be readily abutted and mounted with its own mounting bolts to provide a secure connection between the awning cover and the supporting framework of the golf car top assembly.

[0053] Use

[0054] The retractable awning of the present invention provides a useful attachment to the rear of a golf car to keep equipment dry during rainy periods. It is very simply employed by pulling apart the rib members in fan-like fashion to create the arcuate structure of the awning. When a golfer needs to access her equipment and reach for a club, she need merely raise the edge of the awning to a sufficient degree to be able to reach in to the golf bag. When the rainy conditions no longer exist, the framework is simply pivoted into its closed retracted state. The nesting arrangement of the rib members allows for a neat, compact arrangement. Gathering flap 76 is then wound around the rib members to neatly bundle the fabric material. The awning of the instant invention, however, need not only be used for rainy conditions; it can also be used as a screen to protect the car occupants from the rays of the sun and or very windy days. Thus, the awning can be kept in its open deployed state all the time. If desired, a window 78 may be formed in the rear of the awning using transparent plastic or the like and a pocket or sleeve with transparent window may be provided for the ready insertion of advertising or signage.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 16 , the awning cover 10 is readily adaptable to being used with a total enclosure and which provides an all weather enclosure for the golf car. Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a full enclosure protective covering 200 is provided that may be integrated with many styles of rear bag covers 201 for a versatile and aesthetically appealing protective covering suited for any climate and weather condition. Thus, among the aspects of the present invention is a protective passenger compartment covering which may be easily integrated with a rear bag cover and easily retrofitted onto many makes and models of existing golf cars.

[0056] FIGS. 16, 19 and 20 show a full enclosure protective covering 200 in accordance with the present invention that comprises left and right side curtains 202 , 204 which extend vertically from the canopy on the left and right sides (driver and passenger sides) of the golf car. Preferably, the construction of the left and right side curtains 202 , 204 is the same with the left and right side curtains being mirror images of each other. Thus, for simplicity, only one side curtain will be described in detail.

[0057] The side curtain 204 is preferably removably attached to an underside of the canopy 206 at a peripheral side edge of the canopy ( FIGS. 21,22 ). Preferably, the canopy underside is provided with a “C”-shaped channel 208 extending lengthwise on its peripheral edge, and the side curtain 204 has its top most edge formed with a gather or several folds of fabric sewn together or with a dowel sleeve 210 . The dowel sleeve is inserted into the “C”-shaped channel and a dowel 212 is inserted into the sleeve to hold the curtain in its suspended position adjacent the side of the passenger compartment of the golf car. Other means of removably securing the side curtain may also be employed, including the use of a zipper or hook and loop fastening mechanisms such as Velcro™.

[0058] Preferably, the side curtain 204 is maintained taut against the golf car to enhance its aesthetic appeal and to maintain the passenger compartment sufficiently enclosed or sealed ( FIGS. 19, 20 ). The side curtain may be provided with a sleeve 214 at its bottom edge with a stiffening member or weight in the sleeve to urge the side curtain 204 downward and against the body of the golf car. Snaps 216 and/or other mechanical fasteners such as zippers or hook and loop fasteners may be used to keep the peripheral edges of the side curtain or portions thereof adjacent the body of the golf car.

[0059] For instance as shown in FIG. 23 , for an aesthetically pleasing appearance, a forward vertical edge 218 of each side curtain may be attached to an inside 220 of a vertical support post 222 of the golf car with hook and loop fasteners. The hook material 224 may be arranged in a strip on the inside 220 of the vertical support post and the loop material 226 may be arranged on the forward vertical edge 218 of the side curtain. By placing the hook and loop fasteners 224 , 226 to the inside, the fixtures for attaching the windshield 230 to the vertical supports remain unobstructed and accessible and the overall appearance of the golf car remains neat and streamlined.

[0060] To allow the protective covering 200 to be used in all climate conditions and thus permanently attached to the golf car, the side curtain 204 is preferably movable between a raised position to expose the passenger compartment and a lowered position to protect the passenger compartment. In the raised position, the side curtain 204 is rolled-up adjacent the canopy 206 and in the lowered position, the side curtain is unfurled to hang from the canopy. To hold the side curtain in the raised position, a gathering flap 232 , straps 234 and cooperating snaps 236 are provided. The gathering flap 232 attaches to the outside of the side curtain 204 and the straps 234 attach to the inside of the side curtain so that when the side curtain is rolled up, the flap partially surrounds the rolled up side curtain and is held in place adjacent the canopy with the straps ( FIGS. 21,22 ). Preferably, the gathering flap 232 and straps 234 are stitched along the seam forming the dowel sleeve. Also, preferably, the gathering flap extends downward from the canopy a distance sufficient to permit holding the rolled-up side curtain while not unnecessarily obstructing the field of view from the passenger compartment. Additionally, the gathering flap is preferably placed on the outside of the side curtain to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the protective covering.

[0061] Preferably, the side curtain 204 has a door 240 that permits access to the passenger compartment without manipulation of the side curtain. Preferably, the side curtain extends along the entire passenger compartment whereas the door 240 extends along a smaller area, preferably a footwell 241 of the passenger compartment ( FIGS. 19, 20 ). The door 240 adds to versatility of the protective covering in that it provides more protection from the elements than would otherwise be provided from the raised side curtain but easier access to the golf car than would otherwise be provided by manipulating the relatively large side curtain. Preferably, the side curtain 204 is formed with a rear portion 242 and a front portion 244 with the door 240 positioned between the two. This arrangement provides the sufficient protection for the passenger compartment with sufficient egress/ingress to the golf car. The door 240 is preferably movable between a raised position and lowered position in the same manner described above for the side curtain and may be held in the raised position with the same gathering flap 232 and straps 234 . As may be desired, the door may be moved independently of the side curtain or the rear and front portions thereof. Preferably, the door 240 is removably attached to the side curtain using zippers 246 or other types of mechanical fasteners. As shown in FIG. 20 , the door has a zipper connection 246 with the side curtain on each of its vertical sides 248 and across its top 250 . Thus, the rear portion 242 and door 240 may be moved to the raised position independent of the front portion 244 , the front portion and door may be moved to the raised position independent of the rear portion and the door may be moved to its raised position independent of the rear and front portions. These features add to the all-climate versatility of the protective covering. As may be desired, the door 240 may be completely unzipped from the side curtain, rolled up, and stored, for example, under the seats of the golf car.

[0062] The side curtain 204 preferably further comprises a rear side flap 260 that extends from the side curtain 204 to the rear bag cover 201 . As shown in FIGS. 16, 24 , the rear side flap extends from the rear portion to the first vertical rib member 16 of the awning 10 . In this way the rear side flap covers over the brackets 70 used to mount the awning to the rear vertical supports 64 of the golf car. Additionally, the rear side flap 260 provides a streamlined profile for the golf car as the protective covering transitions from the side curtain 204 to the rear bag cover 201 . Preferably, the rear edge 262 of the rear side flap attaches to the vertical rib member using mechanical fasteners such as a zipper, Velcro™ or snaps. For instance, for ease of installation, the mechanical fasteners used to secure the mounting brackets to the awning may have their heads provided with snaps to engage the rear side flap side edge.

[0063] Preferably, the rear side flap 260 extends downward a distance sufficient to cover over the area between the passenger compartment and rear golf bag storage compartment ( FIG. 19 ). In this area, a sweater basket 264 for the golf car is generally provided. Additionally, as described in several others of the inventor's patent applications, the rear vertical support posts 64 and supports 266 for the sweater basket provide a convenient place to locate golf accessories such as coolers, ball washers, and divot mix containers. Thus, the rear side flap 260 extends downward a distance sufficient to protect this area from overhead exposure while permitting easy access from the side of golf car. Preferably, a top edge 268 of the rear side flap runs along the canopy 206 and/or transition plate 80 (if equipped) to provide an adequate protection for the area behind the passenger compartment seats.

[0064] Preferably, the protective covering 200 is provided with a rear curtain 270 or valence that is positioned behind the seats 271 between the passenger compartment and the rear golf bag storage compartment ( FIGS. 20, 25 ). The rear curtain 270 provides separation between the passenger compartment and the rear golf bag storage compartment and protects the passenger compartment while permitting access to locations at the rear of the golf car. The protective cover for the golf car may or may not include the rear curtain, and to allow for all-climate versatility, the rear curtain is preferably removably attached to the golf car in an area adjacent the canopy. For those golf cars equipped having a rear bag cover 201 and a transition plate 80 between the canopy 206 and the rear bag cover 201 , the rear curtain 270 may be attached to the transition plate. For other golf cars not having a rear bag cover or transition plate, the rear curtain 270 may be attached to the canopy itself. Preferably, the rear curtain 270 is attached to the golf car using the “C”-shaped channel 272 , dowel 274 , and sleeve 276 described previously. Thus, the “C” shaped channel is provided on either the underside of the transition plate 80 adjacent the in-turned flange 104 or on the underside of the canopy at its rear peripheral edge 278 .

[0065] To provide added versatility for the protective covering, the rear curtain 270 may be moved between a raised position and a lowered position in much the same way as the side curtain 204 previously described. Thus, depending upon whether a transition plate 80 is used, the rear curtain in the raised position will either be rolled up adjacent the canopy or the transition plate. A gathering flap 280 and cooperating straps 282 are provided on the rear curtain to allow the rear curtain to be rolled up to the canopy as desired. Preferably, the gathering flap 280 is arranged on the outside or the rear of the rear curtain and the straps 282 are arranged on the inside or the front of the rear curtain to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the protective covering. The gathering flap and straps may be stitched along the seams forming the dowel sleeve 276 at the top of the rear curtain. Preferably, the gathering flap 280 extends downward a length sufficient to allow it to hold the rolled-up rear curtain adjacent the canopy while not unnecessarily restricting the view from the rear of the passenger compartment.

[0066] To provide a sufficient enclosure for the passenger compartment, the rear curtain 270 is preferably releasably attached to each of the side curtains 202 , 204 . Preferably, a zipper connection 284 is provided along each vertical edge of the rear curtain 270 and the adjacent rear vertical edge of the respective side curtain. Thus, when it is desired to move the side curtain to its raised position, the user may merely unzip the side curtain from the rear curtain and raise the side curtain with the rear curtain in its lowered position.

[0067] To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the protective covering and to maintain sufficient protection from the elements, it is desired to maintain the rear curtain 270 taut between canopy or transition plate and the body of the golf car. Additionally, it is desired for the rear curtain to fit neatly with the structure of the golf car, and more specifically, the pair of spaced apart vertical support posts 64 commonly found at the rear of the golf car. Thus, a pair of vertical slots 288 are provided through a bottom edge of the rear curtain, which, in effect divide a lower portion of the rear curtain 270 into three sections with a center section 290 fitting between the spaced apart vertical support posts ( FIGS. 20,25 ). The outer sections 292 may then be directed to an area behind the seats 271 of the passenger compartment where they may held to the body of the golf car using mechanical fasteners such as snaps 294 .

[0068] To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the protective covering, each of the above described curtains 202 , 204 , 270 may be constructed using a dear vinyl for the top portion of the curtain for adequate visibility and a fabric or canvas for the lower portion.

[0069] Additionally, it should be noted that the protective cover described herein may used with any type of various coverings for the rear golf bag storage compartment, including the retractable awning described herein. Additionally, it should be appreciated that when a rear bag cover is incorporated into the protective covering, the rear bag cover can attach directly to canopy or extend out from canopy with a transition plate as described herein.

[0070] Various other changes and modifications may be made within this invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.