Wheel assembly for a golf trolley

Abstract

A wheel assembly 10 for a golf trolley ( 30 ) comprises a wheel 12 , a motor for driving the wheel, a battery 20 for powering the motor, detection means for detecting whether or not the wheel 12 is rotating, a control unit 22 for controlling the motor and releasable connection means 24 for releasably connecting the wheel assembly 10 to a golf trolley ( 30 ), the control unit 22 having at least a first mode of operation in which the motor can be activated only when the wheel 12 is already rotating.

1 . A wheel assembly for a golf trolley comprising:
 a wheel;   a motor for driving the wheel;   a battery for powering the motor;   detection means for detecting whether or not the wheel is rotating;   a control unit for controlling the motor, the control unit having at least a first mode of operation in which the motor can be activated only when the wheel is already rotating;   a user input means for positioning on a handle of the golf trolley, the user input means being wirelessly connected to the control unit; and   releasable connection means for releasably connecting the wheel assembly to a golf trolley.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , in which the control unit in the first mode of operation activates the motor only when the detection means detects that the wheel is rotating and the user input means is activated. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , in which the user input means is a pushbutton. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , in which the control unit in the first mode of operation activates the motor only when the detection means detects that the wheel is rotating faster than a predetermined speed. 
     
     
         5 . The wheel assembly of  claim 4 , in which the predetermined speed is 2 mph (0.89 m/s). 
     
     
         6 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , in which the battery is disposed within the wheel. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , in which the releasable connection means includes a connecting member for introduction into a socket on the golf trolley. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel assembly of  claim 7 , in which the connecting member includes a recess for engaging with a locking device on the socket of the golf trolley. 
     
     
         9 . A golf trolley comprising:
 a frame mounting two rear wheels;   a front wheel;   a handle;   a motor for driving the front wheel;   a battery for powering the motor;   detection means for detecting whether or not the front wheel is rotating;   a control unit for controlling the motor, the control unit having at least a first mode of operation in which the motor can be activated only when the front wheel is already rotating; and   a user input means positioned on a handle of the golf trolley, and the user input means being wirelessly connected to the control unit.   
     
     
         10 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the control unit in the first mode of operation automatically activates the motor when the detection means detects that the front wheel is rotating. 
     
     
         11 . The golf trolley of  claim 10 , in which the control unit in the first mode of operation automatically activates the motor when the detection means detects that the front wheel is rotating faster than a predetermined speed. 
     
     
         12 . The golf trolley of  claim 11 , in which the predetermined speed is 2 mph (0.89 m/s). 
     
     
         13 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the control unit in the first mode of operation activates the motor only when the detection means detects that the front wheel is rotating and the user input means is activated. 
     
     
         14 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the user input means is a pushbutton. 
     
     
         15 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the battery is disposed substantially in-line vertically with the front wheel. 
     
     
         16 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the battery is disposed within the front wheel. 
     
     
         17 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the front wheel is part of a front wheel assembly which includes at least the front wheel, the motor, and the battery, the front wheel assembly being detachable from the golf trolley. 
     
     
         18 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the frame includes a base support frame is provided between the front and rear wheels and an upright support frame extending from the rear of the base support frame. 
     
     
         19 . The golf trolley of  18 , in which the base support frame and the upright support frame are provided with means for supporting a bag of golf clubs. 
     
     
         20 . The golf trolley of  claim 9 , in which the frame is foldable.