Tee Time Travel

Project Title:  Trunk-Mounting Golf Bag Rack

Sponsor Company:  Spike's Golf Accessories, Bedford PA

Project Description:  Tee Time Travel is developing a trunk-mounting rack (similar to a bicycle rack) designed to transport golf bags to and from the golf course.  The need for this product came from limited space in the trunks of sports cars, but the rack may be attached to vehicles of all sizes.   After the pro's and con's of three different concepts were evaluated, Tee Time Travel opted for the design shown left.  This concept allows for maximum visibility through the rear windshield, the ability to see the license plate, and ideal weight distribution of the golf clubs.  Other requirements that need to be met include FAA regulations as well as general traffic laws.  After gaining approval from the sponsor, Tee Time Travel fabricated a prototype of their concept out of PCV piping in order to determine what areas of the model needed improvements.  A final prototype was then constructed out of 6061-T6 aluminum.  The group is currently in the testing phase of this prototype to see if any modifications need to be made with respect to materials or dimensions.

Design Details:  The rack was constructed out of 6061-T6 aluminum and is made up of two sections.  The top section (which rests on the top of the trunk) consists of a 0.625" diameter aluminum rod bent into a U-shape.  The ends of this rod slide into two 0.75" diameter rods and are locked in place by spring-loaded pins.  These pins are adjustable into 3 different positions so that the length of the rack may be changed to fit a wide variety of vehicles.  The total length of the top section is 27.125" and the width is 28.125".  The bottom section (resting on the bumper/lower trunk) is a U-shaped 0.75" diameter rod.  The ends of this rod slide around two 0.625" diameter rods, which are also loaded with spring pins.  These spring pins are adjustable into 4 different positions to give the rack 4 different heights to choose from.  The total length of the bottom section is also 27.125" and the width is 29.25".  The top and bottom sections are pinned together which allows the rack to pivot and fit the contours of any trunk.  Welded to the end of the top section is a 42" long by 1.25" diameter cross bar, to which the bag clamps will be mounted.  The bag clamps are 4" wide and  consist of a circular clamp with an inner diameter that matches the 1.25" diameter of the crossbar.  This clamp allows for rotation of the vaults to easily position them on the vehicle.  The other end of the clamp is designed to snuggly and securely cradle each golf bag vault.  For added security, straps will run from the tops of the vaults to the front edge of the trunk.  For stability purposes, straps will also run from the top of the bottom section, down to the bottom edge of the trunk.  Straps will be secured to the trunk with clamps, and will be tied off to the trunk.  These clamps will ensure that the rack and vaults will not shift in transition.

Team Members: 

    Tobias Harvey                          Ame Jalil

    Chief Engineer                         Finance Analist

    tgh120@psu.edu                      asj116@psu.edu

        Andrew Miller                      Marc Navata

        Web Development               Group Coordinator

        arm188@psu.edu                 man191@psu.edu
       

        Jacob Palmatier

        Sponsor liason

        jmp314@psu.edu

Faculty Coach:  Dr. Eric Mockensturm - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Date:  Spring 2004