Golf equipment cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A golf equipment cleaning apparatus having: a shell member, wherein the shell member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a cavity, and wherein the shell member is configured for retaining a bladder member at least partially within the cavity; a bladder member, wherein the bladder member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a golf equipment cleaning chamber, and wherein the bladder member is at least partially retained within the cavity of the shell member; and a towel member, wherein the towel member is associated with the shell member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/595,950 filed Aug. 19, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a golf equipment cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a golf equipment cleaning apparatus which enables a user to clean golf equipment (e.g. irons, woods, fairway metals, golf balls, etcetera) during a round of golf when, for example, golf club and/or ball cleaners cannot be found on the golf course itself or on associated equipment, such as a golf cart.

2. Background Art

Golf equipment cleaners have been known in the art for years. In particular, conventional, stationary golf ball cleaners are commonly found near the tee box on a golf course every three or four holes—largely depending on the particular golf course. Occasionally, conventional golf ball cleaners are further equipped with a golf club cleaner near the base of the post which holds the golf ball cleaner.

While conventional, stationary golf ball cleaners are well known, cleaning a golf ball sporadically (i.e. every three or four holes) can be problematic—especially if one plays early in the morning when dew is present, or after it has rained. Indeed, sometimes golf balls get plugged in soft fairways and a golfer may desire to play “pick, clean, and place” after every shot—rules permitting. As such, cleaning a golf ball more frequently than every three or four holes is highly desirable by certain golfers and/or under certain golf course conditions.

Similarly, many golfers desire to clean their golf clubs more frequently than every three or four holes using a golf club cleaner at the tee box. To be sure, a golf club with, for example, plugged grooves can adversely affect the performance of the golf club.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a golf equipment cleaning apparatus that is configured to enable a golfer to clean a plurality of items with one apparatus (i.e. golf balls, golf clubs, including drivers, fairway metals, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, blades, putters, etcetera) whenever the golfer desires during a round of golf—without having to wait for the next tee box with the appropriate equipment.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a golf equipment cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a shell member, wherein the shell member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a cavity, and wherein the shell member is configured for retaining a bladder member at least partially within the cavity; (b) a bladder member, wherein the bladder member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a golf equipment cleaning chamber, and wherein the bladder member is at least partially retained within the cavity of the shell member; and (c) a towel member, wherein the towel member is associated with the shell member.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer and/or inner liner of the shell member is substantially water-impermeable.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell member further comprises a securement member for securing the golf equipment cleaning apparatus to a golf bag. In this embodiment the securement member may include a grommet associated with the shell member and an attachment hook.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bladder member is releasably associated with the shell member. In such an embodiment the outer liner of the bladder member can be secured to the inner liner of the shell member with at least one fastener, such as a snap (preferably four snaps).

In another aspect of the present invention, the inner liner of the bladder member comprises a cleaning surface configured to remove debris from a golf ball and/or golf club.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner liner of the bladder member comprises a bristle region.

The present invention is also directed to a golf equipment cleaning apparatus as disclosed supra wherein the bladder member is a pre-moistened disposable bladder. In this embodiment, the pre-moistened disposable bladder may be at least partially impregnated with a cleaning surfactant, such as an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the towel member is secured to the outer liner of the shell member with at least one fastener, such as a snap (preferably two snaps).

In accordance with the present invention the golf equipment cleaning apparatus can be secured to a golf bag, pull cart, golf cart—just to name a few.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective representation of an embodiment of a golf equipment cleaning apparatus fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective representation of an embodiment of a golf equipment cleaning apparatus fabricated in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top plan representation of an embodiment of a golf equipment cleaning apparatus fabricated in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIGS. 1-3 collectively, golf equipment cleaning apparatus 10 is shown, which generally comprises shell member 20, bladder member 30, and towel member 40. It will be understood that FIGS. 1-3 are merely schematic representations of golf equipment cleaning apparatus 10. As such, some of the components may be distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity. As will be explained in greater detail below, golf equipment cleaning apparatus 10 enables a golfer to clean a golf ball and/or golf club as frequently as the golfer desires. As such, the golfer does not need to wait until a tee box is found that includes a golf ball/club washer.

Shell member 20 includes outer liner (i.e. surface) 22, inner liner (i.e. surface) 24, and cavity 26. It will be understood that shell member 20 is configured for retaining and/or containing bladder member 30 at least partially within cavity 26. Preferably, one or more of outer liner 22 and inner liner 24 is substantially water-impermeable to assist in maintaining that bladder member 30 is sufficiently moist during an 18-hole round of golf. For purposes of the present disclosure, shell member 20 may be fabricated from, for example, any one of a number of natural and/or synthetic materials, fabrics, leathers, etcetera—both treated and untreated.

Shell member 20 may also include securement member 27 for securing golf equipment cleaning apparatus 10 to a golf bag. As is best shown in FIG. 3, securement member 27 may comprise grommet 28 and attachment hook 29.

For purposes of the present disclosure, bladder member 30 includes outer liner (i.e. surface) 32, an inner liner (i.e. surface) 34, and golf equipment cleaning chamber 36. It will be understood that bladder member 30 is at least partially retained within cavity 26 of shell member 20. Preferably, bladder member 30 is releasably associated with, retained in, and/or attached/secured to shell member 20. In particular, outer liner 32 of bladder member 30 can be attached to inner liner 24 of shell member 20 with one or more fastener(s) 50. In accordance with the present invention, fasteners 50 may include snaps, loop and hook fasteners, threaded and/or unthreaded fasteners, rivets, adhesives, stitching, just to name a few. It will be understood that FIG. 1 shows two fasteners 50 from a front perspective, and that the rear perspective mirrors that of the front perspective so that four fasteners 50 secure bladder member 30 to shell member 20—in one disclosed embodiment.

For purposes of the present disclosure, bladder member 30 may be fabricated from, for example, any one of a number of natural and/or synthetic materials, fabrics, leathers, etcetera—both treated and untreated. It will be understood that a ribbed fabric is preferred to enhance removal of debris from a golf ball and/or golf club.

Inner liner 34 of bladder member 30 may also include bristle region 60 to further enhance removal of debris. It will be understood that bristle region 60 is fabricated from a material which does not scratch or otherwise damage a golf ball and golf club.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bladder member 30 is fabricated from a pre-moistened disposable bladder, which may optionally be at least partially impregnated with a cleaning surfactant. Suitable cleaning surfactants include anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, an amphoteric surfactants, and combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 3, towel member 40 is associated with shell member 20. In one embodiment, towel member 40 is secured to outer liner 22 of shell member 20 with at least one fastener(s) 50. Preferably, towel member 40 is releasably secured to shell member 20 with two snaps.

In operation, golf equipment cleaning apparatus 10, is secured to, for example, a golf bag, pull cart, or golf cart. At any time during a round of golf, the golfer may wash one or more golf balls and/or golf clubs by inserting the same into golf equipment cleaning chamber 36 of bladder member 30 and manipulating shell member 20—using conventional scrubbing techniques. Once the golf ball and/or golf club has been washed, the golfer may dry the same with towel member 40 prior to usage.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf equipment cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a shell member, wherein said shell member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a cavity, and wherein said shell member is configured for retaining a bladder member at least partially within said cavity;

a bladder member, wherein said bladder member includes an outer liner, an inner liner, and a golf equipment cleaning chamber, and wherein said bladder member is at least partially retained within the cavity of the shell member; and

a towel member, wherein the towel member is associated with the shell member.

2. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer liner of said shell member is substantially water-impermeable.

3. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner liner of said shell member is substantially water-impermeable.

4. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shell member further comprises a securement member for securing said golf equipment cleaning apparatus to a golf bag.

5. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said securement member comprises a grommet associated with said shell member and an attachment hook.

6. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bladder member is releasably associated with said shell member.

7. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer liner of said bladder member is secured to the inner liner of said shell member with at least one fastener.

8. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said at least one fastener comprises a snap.

9. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one fastener consists of four snaps.

10. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner liner of said bladder member comprises a cleaning surface configured to remove debris from at least one of a golf ball and golf club.

11. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner liner of said bladder member comprises a bristle region.

12. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bladder member comprises a pre-moistened disposable bladder.

13. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said pre-moistened disposable bladder is at least partially impregnated with a cleaning surfactant.

14. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said cleaning surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and combinations thereof.

15. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said towel member is secured to said outer liner of said shell member with at least one fastener.

16. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said at least one fastener comprises a snap.

17. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 16, where said at least one fastener consists of two snaps.

18. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said golf equipment cleaning apparatus is secured to a golf bag.

19. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said golf equipment cleaning apparatus is secured to a pull cart.

20. The golf equipment cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said golf equipment cleaning apparatus is secured to a golf cart.