Removable valance for a golf cart

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a removable valance for a golf cart are provided. The apparatus may include a valance for use with a golf cart. The valance may include a bead configured to be inserted into a slot on a golf cart. The slot is preferably configured to engage the bead. The valance may further include material fixedly attached to the bead along a longitudinal axis of the bead.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting an independently removable valance and an independently removable golf cart enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
 an extruded metal fixture configured to be attached to a golf cart, the metal fixture comprising:
 a first track; and 
 a second track; 
   wherein:
 the first track includes a first slot that is configured to maintain the independently removable valance in a first position; and 
 the second track includes a second slot that is configured to maintain the independently removable golf cart enclosure in a first position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valance and the golf cart enclosure are removably engaged with the first and second track, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first track is configured to guide the valance from the first position to a second position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second track is configured to guide the golf cart enclosure from the first position to a second position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first slot in the first track is configured to mate with a bead affixed to the valance. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second slot in the second track is configured to mate with a bead affixed to the golf cart enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . A valance for use with a golf cart, the valance comprising:
 a bead configured to be inserted into a first slot on a golf cart, the first slot that is configured to engage the bead, wherein the first slot is included on an extruded metal sheet configured to be attached to a golf cart; and   material fixedly attached to the bead along a longitudinal axis of the bead; wherein:
 upon insertion of the bead into the first slot, the material is configured to hang in a first plane; 
 the first plane is substantially parallel to a second plane, the second plane being a plane in which a golf cart enclosure is configured to hang upon insertion of the golf cart enclosure into a second slot included on the extruded metal sheet; and 
 the valance is independently removable from the first slot without removing the golf cart enclosure from the second slot. 
   
     
     
         8 . The valance of  claim 7  wherein the material is stitched onto a portion of the bead. 
     
     
         9 . The valance of  claim 7  wherein the material is stitched onto a portion of the bead that extends outside the first slot. 
     
     
         10 . The valance of  claim 7  wherein the bead comprises two portions:
 a first portion configured to be inserted into the first slot; and 
 a second portion configured to be fixedly attached to the material. 
 
     
     
         11 . A valance for use with a golf cart, the valance comprising:
 an attachment mechanism for attaching to an extruded metal fixture attached to the golf cart; and   material fixedly attached to the attachment mechanism;   wherein:
 the valance is independently removable from the golf cart. 
 the valance does not comprise, nor form part of, the full-length golf cart enclosure. 
   
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a golf cart, the method comprising:
 affixing a fixture to the golf cart, wherein the fixture comprises a first track and a second track, the fixture having a hardness sufficient to support a valance in the first track and a golf cart enclosure in the second track;   sliding a valance along the first track; and   sliding a golf cart enclosure along the second track;   wherein the sliding the valance along the first track allows for removal of the valance from the first track independent of removal of the golf cart enclosure from the second track.   
     
     
         13 . A method for assembling a golf cart, the method comprising:
 affixing an extruded metal fixture to the golf cart, the metal fixture that comprises a first track including a first slot and a second track including a second slot;   engaging the first track with a valance;   engaging the second track with a golf cart enclosure; and   removing the valance from the first track without removing the golf cart enclosure from the second track.   
     
     
         14 . A golf cart comprising:
 an independently removable valance for use with the golf cart, the valance comprising:
 an attachment mechanism for attaching to the golf cart; and 
 material fixedly attached to the attachment mechanism, and a golf cart enclosure; 
   wherein:
 the independently removable valance is configured to engage a first track affixed to the golf cart; 
 the golf cart enclosure is configured to engage a second track affixed to the golf cart. 
   
     
     
         15 . The golf cart enclosure of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plastic bead.