Crossbar assembly and awning assembly for attachment to golf carts

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides an awning assembly configured to mount to a support structure of a golf cart. This awning assembly includes at least an awning canopy sheet, a mounting bracket, a pair of support arms and support legs. In another aspect, the present invention provides a crossbar assembly for installation on the roof of a golf cart. This crossbar assembly includes at least two crossbars and a plurality of support members, which serve as the support structure for the awning assembly. The crossbar assembly is uniquely configured to be compatible with any standard golf cart by using different groups of support members. In still another aspect, the present invention provides an awning kit including an awning assembly and a crossbar assembly, both of which are designed for attachment to a golf cart, particularly to the top roof of a golf cart, providing users with a convenient, adjustable, and reliable shade or shelter. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for mounting a crossbar or an awning to the roof of a golf cart.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An awning assembly for mounting to a support structure on a roof of a golf cart, comprising
 a mounting bracket configured to mount to the support structure on the roof of the golf cart;   a first frame removably engaged with the mounting bracket;   an awning canopy sheet having an inner edge secured to the first frame, and an outer edge attached to a second frame, wherein the awning canopy sheet is sized to particularly suit the dimension of the golf cart;   at least one support arm attached to the first frame;   at least one support leg attached to the second frame; and   an enclosure means coupled to the first frame, wherein the enclosure means defines a space that is sized to receive at least the awning canopy sheet and the support arm;   wherein the enclosure means has an opening operatively sized to allow the awning canopy sheet and the arm to be moved into and out of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure of the golf cart is one or more crossbars on the roof of the golf cart. 
     
     
         3 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support arm has an inner segment configured to attach to the first frame and an outer segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer segment is pivotably connected to the inner segment, and the second end of the outer segment is outwardly pullable to adjust the length of the support arm. 
     
     
         4 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support leg has a first segment configured to attach to the second frame and a second segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second segment is pivotably connected to the first segment, and the second end of the second segment is outwardly pullable to adjust the length of the support leg. 
     
     
         5 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor rope having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the second frame and the distal end is extendable to attach to the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The awning assembly of  claim 5 , the distal end of the anchor rope is attached to the ground via a peg. 
     
     
         7 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the awning canopy sheet is extendable, and is configurable in a compact state, partially extended state or fully extended state. 
     
     
         8 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening element for securing the awning canopy sheet to the support arm, when the awning canopy sheet is in the extended state. 
     
     
         9 . The awning assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening element is a velcro strap attached to the awning canopy sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support arm and the support leg further comprises a locking member to secure the support arm or the support leg at a fixed length. 
     
     
         11 . The awning assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame further comprises a receiving aperture for receiving and affixing the second end of the outer segment of the support arm. 
     
     
         12 . A crossbar assembly for mounting to a roof of a golf cart, comprising:
 a plurality of support members, each configured to be secured to the roof of the golf cart,   at least two crossbars, each having a first end and a second end, wherein each crossbar is configured to be secured to the support member, such that the crossbar is removably assembled on the top roof of the golf cart.   
     
     
         13 . The crossbar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the two crossbars are arranged to be parallel to each other and are aligned in a common horizontal plane, after being assembled on the top roof of the golf cart. 
     
     
         14 . The crossbar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the support members are categorized into different groups varying in size or shape, to be compatible with different standard golf carts. 
     
     
         15 . The crossbar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the support members are categorized into front support members and rear support members, optionally having different size or shape, thereby ensuring that the two crossbars are aligned in a common horizontal plane after installation, even if the roof of the golf cart is not uniformly level. 
     
     
         16 . An awning kit configured for attachment to a golf cart comprising:
 a crossbar assembly configured to mount to a roof of a golf cart, comprising:
 a plurality of support members, wherein each support member is configured to be secured to the roof of a golf cart, 
 at least two crossbars, each having a first end and a second end, wherein each crossbar is configured to be secured to the support members, such that the crossbars are removably assembled on the top roof of a golf cart; 
   and an awning assembly configured to mount to the crossbar assembly, comprising:
 a mounting bracket configured to mount to at least one crossbar of a golf cart; 
 a first frame being removably engaged with the mounting bracket; 
 an awning canopy sheet having an inner edge secured to the first frame, and an outer edge attached to a second frame, wherein the awning canopy sheet is sized to particularly suit the dimension of the golf cart; 
 at least one support arm attached to the first frame; and 
 at least one support leg attached to the second frame. 
   
     
     
         17 . The awning kit of  claim 16 , wherein the support arm has an inner segment configured to attach to the first frame and an outer segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer segment is pivotably connected to the inner segment, and the second end of the outer segment is outwardly pullable to adjust the length of the support arm; and the support leg has a first segment configured to attach to the second frame and a second segment having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second segment is pivotably connected to the first segment, and the second end of the second segment is outwardly pullable to adjust the length of the support leg. 
     
     
         18 . The awning kit of  claim 16 , wherein the support members are categorized into front support members and rear support members, optionally having different sizes, thereby ensuring that the two crossbars are aligned in a common horizontal plane after installation, even if the roof of the golf cart is not uniformly level. 
     
     
         19 . A method for mounting an awning to a roof of a golf cart, comprising the steps of:
 providing a crossbar assembly comprising at least two crossbars and a plurality of support members;   securing the support member to the roof of a golf cart using a fastener;   mounting the crossbar on the support members to allow the crossbars arranged in parallel to each other and aligned in a common horizontal plane;   providing an awning assembly comprising an awning canopy sheet, a mounting bracket, a support arm and a support leg; wherein the awning canopy sheet is sized to particularly suit the dimension of the golf cart;   attaching the awning assembly to the crossbar using the mounting bracket.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of extending the awning canopy sheet to an extended configuration and supporting the awning canopy sheet by the support arm or the support leg.