US20130036562A1

US20130036562A1 - Golf Club Cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20130036562A1
Application number: US13/205,305
Authority: US
Inventors: Roger Gordon Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-08
Filing date: 2011-08-08
Publication date: 2013-02-14

Abstract

A golf club head cleaning device having a manual driven and/or motor-driven round cleaning brush removabally mounted inside a bucket on one end of a telescope brush shaft which has the other end extends through the side wall of a bucket of which top open area having at least one groove to accommodate golf club shaft heads for cleaning therein, and a handle removably mounted on the other end of the shaft outside the bucket for manually actuation by hand or by an electric motor to rotate the brush for cleaning the club surface therein. The cleaning device may further have an axle assembly to prevent shaft from wobbling when turning handle to rotate the brush, and a bucket lid to prevent water from splashing to the user. The device is easy to manufacture, ergonomic to operate, efficient in cleaning, less expensive in respect of maintenance and manufacturing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club cleaning device, and more particularly to a portable scrub bucket having a rotating brush for removing dirt and grass from golf club heads.
2. Description of Related Art
The need to have golf club cleaning devices for removing dirt and grass from the golf clubs has been long recognized. Dirt and grass on the golf club face and in the club grooves can reduce the backspin leading the ball to bounce forward uncontrollably. However, regardless of the long recognized problem/need and the known efforts to solve it, there is no known commercially successful machine for cleaning golf clubs. Although there are a number of golf club cleaning machines known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,619,841, 3,872,534, 4,541,138, 4,757,831, 5,168,888, 5,141,009, these may be suitable for pro shops at golf club; thorough golf club cleaning is still primitive involving hand wash by individual golfer because these type of machines require high maintenance costs and special skills to operate in order to get satisfactory results, the apparatus has not found common usage among individual golfers.
There are also cleaning devices which are compact, portable, and easy to use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,766 discloses a portable container that has a fixed scrub located on the lid next to a slot and a bag portion. The device is designed to scrape off dirt and grass by the scrub when the golf club head is inserted through the slot and by agitating the cleaning solution in the bag where the golf club heads are placed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,770 discloses a portable device including a plastic bottle containing a cleaning fluid, a threaded cover, and brushes attached to the cover and extend into fluid for cleaning the golf club heads. U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,952 to Parchment et al. discloses a container for mounting on the rear of a golf cart containing brushes for removing dirt and grass from a golf club head when inserted into the tub between the brushes and a flap to prevent the cleaning solution from spilling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,063 discloses a washer that can be attached to a golf cart. The washer comprises a brush inside a container wherein the brush is moved with an up-and-down motion causing the brush to clean the face of the iron club. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the cleaning efficiency is compromised by mild force (such as agitating) or limited manipulation of scrubbing and brushing members; thus, they do not provide thorough cleaning in efficient manners.
Another type of golf club cleaning device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,296 which is a portable golf club washer having a triple brush construction that allows for different cleaning configurations to clean irons and woods. In use, the head of golf club is inserted between the brushes and is moved up and down to remove the dirt. The club shafts are long; the weight of the shaft makes this awkward and less than ideal from an ergonomic standpoint. Moreover, during the cleaning process water may be ejected from the bristles and splashed to the users.
Therefore, the need remains for a device that provides the desired ease of manufacture, the ease of use, the low cost of manufacture and maintenance, the ability to be cleaned and/or partially replaced, the active maneuver of scrubbing and brushing means and ergonomic operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new golf club head cleaning device that provides a scrubbing member controlled by manual maneuver or electric pump.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new golf club head cleaning device that provides a scrubbing member controlled by easy manual maneuver so that it is ergonomic and easy to use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new golf club head cleaning device that provides a scrubbing member drive shaft length approximately equal to the golf club shaft length for allowing the user to stand comfortably and easily manipulate both the club grip and cleaning brush handle simultaneously for optimal results.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new golf club head cleaning device that is easy to manufacture and can be manufactured and maintained at low cost.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new golf club head cleaning device that the parts may be replaced.
The golf club cleaning device of the present invention in general comprises a bucket, a round brush, a brush shaft, a brush handle; it may further comprise an electric motor, a brush shield or bucket lid, a bucket handle, and/or a outlet to drain the cleaning solution.
The bucket may be made of different materials, preferably plastic; it may be round, rectangle or in other shapes. The bucket has an outer side wall, an inner side wall, a bottom, a line marked on the inner side wall indicating ideal fill level of cleaning solution, at least one groove on the top open access area (rim) for holding golf clubs, a slot extending through the bucket for permitting the brush shaft to be inserted into the bucket. The bucket may include partitions to separate the interior space into several compartments for different purposes such as pre-wash soaking, cleaning, and rinsing. One embodiment of the invention includes a round shaped bucket with no separate compartments; another embodiment of the invention includes a round shaped bucket with 3 compartments. The bucket has at least one groove on its top open access area (rim) to accommodate and support the golf club shaft during the cleaning process. The grooves may be placed on both right and left side of the slot that accommodate the brush shaft for use in either hand making this device easy to use for right or left handed individuals. The grooves can be configured to better retain the golf club shaft such as a “C” shape with the opening slightly larger than average shaft width facing upward or a “U” shape or combination thereof to prevent club from slipping out during the cleaning process. The bucket may further comprise a handle for carrying purpose or a drainage outlet in the lower portion of the bucket for drainage of cleaning solution after cleaning. The preferred volume of the bucket of the invention is about 40 Liters. For best cleaning results, the golf clubs should be soaked for about 5-10 minutes before cleaning.
The round brush of the device is removably connected with the brush shaft which is removably connected to a handle. The device is specially designed to have the brush drive shaft length and the golf club shaft length about the same; both the brush shaft and the golf club are positioned horizontally in space relation relative to the vertical axis of the basket. This arrangement allows the user to be able to stand comfortably and manipulate both club grip and brush handle simultaneously for optimal cleaning results. When the user turns the handle, the brush rotates accordingly which is the main cleaning action against golf clubs. The brush may be rotated clockwise or counter clockwise and may be used for right or left handed person by simply shifting position of brush and using grooves on an opposite side. In order to adjust to different height of users and length of golf clubs, the brush shaft may be adjusted by telescoping mechanism. The shaft can be pushed or pulled to move brush within the bucket. An axle assembly may be used to stabilize brush shaft so that turning of handle would not cause shaft to wobble.
The scrub brush bristles could be firm enough and sized appropriately to clean the club face surface and grooves thoroughly but soft enough not to scratch club surface. The brush may be detached and replaced with a new one if worn out. The slot for receiving brush shaft and grooves for receiving golf club shaft are properly positioned such that the brush properly contacts and engages the golf club head to scrape off dirt and grass from the head of the golf club.
While in operation, a user secures a golf club on a groove then grasps the grip of the golf in one hand; the user then turns the handle of the brush shaft with the other hand. The golf clubs' heads may be manually moved up and down, left and right against the rotating brush for best cleaning results.
In addition to manual actuation of brush by handle, the brush may be actuated electronically with low voltage motor. The motor includes an on-and-off switch and a rheostat which may be operated by foot or hand to allow adjustment of motor speed while cleaning golf clubs.
The cleaning device may further comprise a brush shield or bucket lid to prevent splashing or just clean the club with face in a position near or just under the water level.
The device is simple, easy to manufacture and use, low manufacturing cost, ergonomic, and efficient.
The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a golf club cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a golf club cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club according to the present invention in operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of a golf club head cleaning device 1 having a manual driven and/or motor-driven round cleaning brush 20 removabally mounted inside a bucket 10 on one end of a telescope brush shaft 30 which has the other end extends through a slot 102 on side wall 104 of the bucket 10 of which top open area (rim) 103 having one “U” shaped groove 101 to support golf club shaft heads (not shown) for cleaning therein, and a handle 40 removably mounted on the other end of the shaft 30 outside the bucket 10 for manually actuation by hand or by an electric motor 50 to rotate the brush 20 for cleaning the club surface therein. A line 105 indicating ideal fill level of cleaning solution is marked on inner side wall 104 of the bucket 10. The cleaning device 1 may further have an axle assembly 60 (not shown in FIG. 1) to prevent shaft 30 from wobbling when turning handle 40 to rotate the brush 20, and a lid 108 (not shown in FIG. 1) for the bucket to prevent water from splashing to the user. The bucket 10 may further comprise a handle 106 for carrying purpose and an outlet 107 in the lower portion of the bucket 10 for draining the dirty cleaning solution.
An alternative embodiment of a golf club cleaner 1 according to the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 2. The round shaped bucket 10 has partitions 109 to separate interior space of the bucket into several compartments for different purposes, such as pre-wash soaking 110, cleaning 111, and rinsing 112. In this embodiment, the bucket 10 has more than one groove 101 on its top open access area (rim) 103 including the area in the compartment for pre-wash soaking and rinsing to support and retain golf clubs 70 (not shown) in soak 110 and rinse 112 compartment.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary operation of a brush 20 and brush shaft 30 with telescope adjustable mechanism which may be pushed or pulled to adjust the position of the brush 20 inside the bucket 10. In use, first, the user places a golf club 70 in a “U” shaped groove 101, then grasps the grip 701 of the golf club 70 in one hand and push the club head 702 in the water with the club surface to be cleaned against brush 20, the user then uses the other hand to turn the handle 40 of the brush shaft 30 which will rotate the brush 20. Because different golf clubs 70 have different loft angles, for example, the wedge may have an angle of 60 degrees but a driver may have an angle as low as 8 degrees, the device 1 allows the golf clubs 70 to be manipulated, such as moved up or down, left or right, against brush 20 to adjust to the loft of the club 70 for better and thorough cleaning results. The entire process is performed in the bucket 10 within water to eliminate brush splash.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.

Claims

1. A golf club cleaning device for right handed and left handed individual to clean golf club comprising:

a brush;

a brush shaft having a length about a length of golf shaft, connected with the brush;

a rotatable brush shaft handle connected with the brush shaft;

a hand carriable bucket, said bucket having a side wall and a top edge on said side wall;

at least one groove for holding golf club shaft being configured on said top edge; and

a slot being configured in said side wall for accommodating brush shaft.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the connection between the brush and the brush shaft is removable; and the connection between the brush shaft and the handle is removable.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the brush shaft has telescoping mechanism.

4. (canceled)

5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the handle may be turned clockwise and counter clockwise to rotate the brush.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1 further includes axle assembly for brush, brush shaft and handle.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a low voltage electric motor having a rheostat to control the speed of brush.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bucket further comprises a bucket lid to prevent splashing during cleaning process.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bucket further comprises a draining outlet for draining dirty cleaning solution.

10. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bucket further comprises a handle for carrying purpose.

11. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bucket further comprises partitions to separate the interior space into more than one compartments for different purposes.

12-19. (canceled)