PORTABLE CLEANING DEVICE FOR GOLF EQUIPMENT AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A portable cleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded and carried in a golfer's pocket without interfering with the golfer's swing or leaking any cleaning liquid. The cleaning device is capable of cleaning not only golf balls but other golf equipment, such as golf clubs, as well. The cleaning device also has a golf ball marker removably coupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark the place of the golf ball before picking it up to clean it. The cleaning device is also capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to a corresponding provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/761,644, filed Jan. 24, 2006 in the name of the applicant of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically, to a portable cleaning device for golf equipment and method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As most golfers are aware, golf balls and golf clubs often become soiled during a game. Dirt, mud, grass, sand, and other debris may stick to the golf balls and/or golf clubs, thereby affecting the direction of the golf ball's flight. Many golf courses offer cleaning stations, however, these cleaning stations are located near the tee boxes. Therefore, a golfer must walk off of the green or the fairway back toward the tee box to clean his/her equipment and doing so causes game delay.

Several portable golf ball cleaners exist today; however, most of those are constructed of solid materials, thereby making them somewhat cumbersome for the golfer to carry. The golfer must either clip or hang these golf ball cleaners onto his/her golf bag (which would still require the golfer to walk off the green or the fairway) or onto his/her belt. Having such a cumbersome object attached to the golfer's belt, however, would obstruct his/her swing. Although it is possible to carry some of those golf ball cleaners in one's pocket, it is disadvantageous to do so because having such large objects in one's pocket would also obstruct the golfer's swing. Carrying some of those golf ball cleaner's in one's pocket may also cause the cleaning liquid to leak onto the golfer's clothes. Furthermore, those golf ball cleaners are designed only to clean golf balls, and are insufficient to clean other golf equipment such as golf clubs. Still further, none of those golf ball cleaners are capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

For more versatile cleaning capabilities, some golfers may wet a towel and carry it with them onto the fairway and onto the green to clean their equipment. The golfer cannot carry the wet towel in his/her pocket however, without his/her clothes becoming wet. Also, most towels would be too large to fold up and carry in the golfer's pocket without hindering the golfer's swing. And simply carrying the towel and placing it on the grass during play causes the towel itself to become dirty. Furthermore, constantly having to bend down to pick up the towel may also prove to be inconvenient to the golfer.

Therefore a need existed for a portable cleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded up and carried in a golfer's pocket without interfering with the golfer's swing or leaking any cleaning liquid onto the golfer's clothing. The cleaning device should be capable of cleaning not only golf balls but other golf equipment, such as golf clubs, as well. The cleaning device would preferably have a golf ball marker removably coupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark the place of the golf ball before picking it up to clean it. The cleaning device should also be capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded up and carried in a golfer's pocket without interfering with the golfer's swing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded up and carried in a golfer's pocket without leaking any cleaning liquid onto the golfer's clothing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaning device for golf equipment that cleans golf balls as well as other golf equipment such as golf clubs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaning device for golf equipment having a golf ball marker removably coupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark the place of the golf ball before picking it up to clean it.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaning device for golf equipment that is capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a portable cleaning device is disclosed. The portable cleaning device comprises a substantially flat liquid resistant layer, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer, and at least one coupling mechanism to removably couple a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of the cleaning device to form a cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a portable cleaning device for golf equipment is disclosed. The portable cleaning device for golf equipment comprises a substantially flat liquid resistant layer that is substantially flexible to allow the cleaning device to be folded for storage and/or transport, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer that is coupled to a center portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and that is substantially flexible to allow the cleaning device to be folded for storage and/or transport, one of a male coupling mechanism and a female coupling mechanism that is coupled to the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and is coupled along a first end of the cleaning device, the other of the male coupling mechanism and the female coupling mechanism that is coupled to a top surface of the liquid resistant layer and that is coupled along a second end of the cleaning device. The cleaning device forms a cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly when the male coupling mechanism is coupled to the female coupling mechanism and the cylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball. The portable cleaning device for golf equipment also comprises a golf ball marker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device and an aperture that is defined by the cleaning device and is dimensioned to receive a coupling device therethrough for storage and/or transport.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of cleaning golf equipment is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a portable cleaning device comprising a substantially flat liquid resistant layer, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer, and at least one coupling mechanism that removably couples a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of the cleaning device to form a cylindrical tube. The method further comprises the steps of soaking the liquid absorbent layer with cleaning liquid, coupling the first side of the cleaning device with the second side of the cleaning device to form the cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly, inserting the golf ball into either a first end or a second end of the cylindrical tube, squeezing the cylindrical tube at alternating points surrounding the golf ball so that the golf ball travels back and forth along a length of the liquid absorbent layer, and ejecting the golf ball from one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical tube.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable cleaning device for golf equipment of the present invention. The cleaning device is shown as being formed into a cylindrical tube.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golfer squeezing the cylindrical tube of FIG. 1 at alternating points surrounding a golf ball so that the golf ball travels back and forth.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf ball being inserted into the cylindrical tube of FIG. 1 for cleaning.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning device of the present invention having been folded. The folded cleaning device is shown as being placed into a pocket of the golfer.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cleaning device of the present invention. The cleaning device is shown laid flat with a golf ball marker removably coupled thereto.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cleaning device of FIG. 5. The cleaning device is shown cleaning a golf club head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a portable cleaning device for golf equipment, referred to generically as cleaning device 10, is disclosed. The cleaning device 10 preferably comprises a substantially flat liquid resistant layer 16, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer 24, and at least one coupling mechanism 26.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the cleaning device 10 forms a cylindrical tube 30 when a first side 12 and a second side 14 of the cleaning device 10 are joined by the coupling mechanism 26. Preferably, the cylindrical tube 30 is dimensioned to receive a golf ball 40 (shown in FIG. 3) through either a first end 32 or a second end 34 of the cylindrical tube 30. Further preferably, the liquid absorbent layer 24 (see FIG. 6) has a length and a width sufficient to envelop the golf ball 40 when the cleaning device 10 is formed into the cylindrical tube 30.

The liquid resistant layer 16 is preferably made of GORE-TEX®, but it should be clearly understood that some alternative material may be used so long as the material is substantially resistant to liquid and may be safely washed in a washing machine. The liquid absorbent layer 24 is preferably made of terry cloth, but it should be clearly understood that some alternative material may be used so long as the material is substantially absorbent to liquid and may be safely washed in a washing machine. The liquid that would be used by a golfer 28 (shown in FIG. 3) would preferably be some type of cleaning liquid sufficient to clean the golfer's 28 equipment such as, but not limited to, soap and water.

Referring to FIG. 4, the liquid resistant layer 16 and the liquid absorbent layer 24 are preferably substantially flexible so that the cleaning device 10 may not only be formed into a cylindrical tube 30 (see FIGS. 1-3), but it may also be folded for either storage or transport. Preferably, the cleaning device 10 may be folded and placed in a pocket 44 of the golfer 28 when the cleaning device 10 is not in use. In order to prevent any leakage of cleaning liquid onto the clothing of the golfer 28, the cleaning device 10 should be folded so that the liquid resistant layer 16 is exposed and the liquid absorbent layer 24 is concealed.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the coupling mechanism 26 comprises a male coupling mechanism 26a (referred to generically as coupling mechanism 26) coupled to a top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16 along the second side 14 of the cleaning device 10 and a female coupling mechanism 26b (referred to generically as coupling mechanism 26) coupled to a bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. It should be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may derived from the male coupling mechanism 26a being coupled to the bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 and the female coupling mechanism 26b being coupled to the top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16. It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the male coupling mechanism 26a being coupled to the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10 and the female coupling mechanism 26b being coupled to the second side 14 of the cleaning device 10. And while it is shown that a single female coupling mechanism 26b and a single male coupling mechanism 26a are coupled along the first side 12 and second side 14, it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from a plurality of female coupling mechanisms 26b and a plurality of male coupling mechanisms 26a that are coupled along the first side 12 and the second side 14 so long as they are sufficient to hold the shape of the cylindrical tube 30 when coupled together and sufficient to prevent the leakage of any cleaning liquid. It is further preferable that the male coupling mechanism 26a and the female coupling mechanism 26b be VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, however, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may nevertheless be derived from alternative coupling mechanisms, such as snaps, hooks, buttons, zippers, etc., so long as the coupling mechanisms are removably coupled to one another and may be safely washed in a washing machine.

The liquid absorbent layer 24 is preferably smaller in size than the liquid resistant layer 16 and is coupled to a center portion 22 (shown in FIG. 6) of a bottom surface 20 (see FIG. 4 and 6) of the liquid resistant layer 16. It should be clearly understood, however, that further substantial benefit may be derived from the liquid absorbent layer 24 being the same size as the liquid resistant layer 16.

Where the liquid absorbent layer 24 is smaller in size than the liquid resistant layer 16, the female coupling mechanism 26b is preferably coupled to the bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. It should be clearly understood, however, that further substantial benefit may be derived from the female coupling mechanism 26b being coupled to both the bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 and the liquid absorbent layer 24 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. Where the liquid absorbent layer 24 is the same size as the liquid resistant layer 16, the female coupling mechanism 26b is preferably coupled to the liquid absorbent layer 24 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10.

It is preferred that the liquid absorbent layer 24 be smaller than the liquid resistant layer 16, because the liquid absorbent layer 24 would be bordered by the liquid resistant layer 16, thus making leakage of the cleaning liquid less likely. It is also preferable because the female coupling mechanism 26b will be coupled to the sturdier liquid resistant layer 16, thereby causing less wear and tear to the cleaning device 10.

The male coupling mechanism 26a (shown in FIG. 5) is preferably coupled to a top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16 along the second side 14 of the cleaning device 10. The male coupling mechanism 26a is dimensioned to be removably coupled to the female coupling mechanism 26b. Preferably, the male coupling mechanism 26a may be detached from the female coupling mechanism 26b, so that the cleaning device 10 may be laid flat. It is preferred that the liquid absorbent layer 24 have a length and a width sufficient to clean a golf club head 42 when the cleaning device 10 is laid flat and the liquid absorbent layer 24 is exposed. It should be clearly understood that the cleaning device 10 may be used to clean not only golf balls 40 and golf club heads 42, but golf cleats, golf tees, and any other golf equipment.

When a golfer 28 is on the green and wishes to pick up his/her golf ball 40 to clean it, the golfer 28 may wish to mark the place of his/her golf ball 40 before picking it up. It is therefore preferred that the cleaning device 10 have a golf ball marker 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) removably coupled thereto. While it is preferred to have such a golf ball marker 38 removably coupled to the cleaning device 10, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a cleaning device 10 with more than one golf ball marker 38 or with no golf ball marker 38.

It is also preferred that the cleaning device 10 define an aperture 36 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The aperture 36 would be dimensioned to receive a coupling device, such as a tie, rope, cord, string, etc., therethrough for storage and/or transport with the golfer's 28 golf bag. While the presence of such an aperture 36 is preferred, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a cleaning device 10 having more than one aperture 36 or having no aperture 36.

Statement of Operation

A golfer 28 may anticipate that some of his/her golf equipment, e.g. golf balls, golf tees, golf clubs, golf cleats, etc, may become soiled during a game. Since the golf course cleaning stations are few and far between, the golfer 28 may wish to have the cleaning device 10 on hand at all times during the game.

The golfer 28 may first wish to soak the liquid absorbent layer 24 with some type of cleaning liquid such as soap and water. When the cleaning device 10 is not being used, the golfer 28 may fold the cleaning device 10 (preferably with the liquid absorbent layer 24 being concealed) and place the cleaning device 10 in his/her pocket 44. If the golfer's 28 equipment, such as his/her golf club head 42 becomes soiled, the golfer 28 may remove the cleaning device 10 from his/her pocket 44, lay it flat (exposing the liquid absorbent layer 24) and rub the liquid absorbent layer 24 against the soiled golf club head 42 (or other golf equipment) to clean it. After cleaning the golf club head 42 (or other equipment), the golfer 28 may fold the cleaning device 10 again and replace it in his/her pocket 44.

If the golfer 28 has made it to the green and wishes to clean his/her golf ball 40 at that time, the golfer 28 may remove the golf ball marker 38 from the cleaning device 10 and mark the place of the golf ball 40. The golfer 28 may then remove the cleaning device 10 from his/her pocket 44 and couple the male coupling mechanism 26a to the female coupling mechanism 26b, thereby forming the cylindrical tube 30. The golfer 28 may insert the soiled golf ball 40 into either the first end 32 or the second end 34 of the cylindrical tube 30 and then squeeze the cylindrical tube 30 at alternating points surrounding the golf ball 40. Doing so causes the golf ball 40 to travel back and forth along the length of the liquid absorbent layer 24 within the cylindrical tube 30, thereby cleaning the golf ball 40. After some time, the golfer 28 may then eject the golf ball 40 from either the first end 32 or the second end 34 of the cylindrical tube 30, replace the golf ball 40 on the green, and reattach the golf ball marker 38 to the cleaning device 10. Once again, the golfer 28 may wish to fold the cleaning device 10 and place the cleaning device 10 in his/her pocket 44. Such steps may be repeated as the golfer's 28 golf balls 40, golf club heads 42, and other golf equipment become soiled.

Between games, the golfer 28 may wish to insert a securing device such as a tie, rope, cord, string, etc., through the aperture 36 for storage and/or transport with the golfer's golf bag. The golfer 28 may also wish to wash the cleaning device 10 in a washing machine between games.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable cleaning device comprising:

a substantially flat liquid resistant layer;

a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer; and

at least one coupling mechanism to removably couple a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of the cleaning device to form a cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least one hook fastener and at least one loop fastener.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein one of a hook fastener and a loop fastener is coupled to at least one of the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and the liquid absorbent layer and is coupled along the first side of the cleaning device and wherein the other of the hook fastener and the loop fastener is coupled to a top surface of the liquid resistant layer and is coupled along the second side of the cleaning device.

4. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein one of a plurality of hook fasteners and a plurality of loop fasteners is coupled to at least one of the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and the liquid absorbent layer and is coupled along the first side of the cleaning device and wherein the other of the plurality of hook fasteners and the plurality of loop fasteners is coupled to a top surface of the liquid resistant layer and is coupled along the second side of the cleaning device.

5. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball.

6. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid resistant layer and the liquid absorbent layer are substantially flexible so that the cleaning device may be folded for at least one of storage and transport.

7. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid absorbent layer is coupled to a center portion of the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer.

8. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid absorbent layer has a length and a width sufficient to clean a golf club head when the cleaning device is laid flat and the liquid absorbent layer is exposed.

9. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid absorbent layer has a length and a width sufficient to envelop a golf ball when the cleaning device is formed into the cylindrical tube.

10. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning device defines an aperture dimensioned to receive a coupling device therethrough for at least one of storage and transport.

11. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a golf ball marker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device.

12. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning device is capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

13. A portable cleaning device for golf equipment comprising:

a substantially flat liquid resistant layer, the liquid resistant layer being substantially flexible to allow the cleaning device to be folded for at least one of storage and transport;

a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled to a center portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer, the liquid absorbent layer being substantially flexible to allow the cleaning device to be folded for at least one of storage and transport;

one of a male coupling mechanism and a female coupling mechanism coupled to the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and coupled along a first side of the cleaning device;

the other of the male coupling mechanism and the female coupling mechanism coupled to a top surface of the liquid resistant layer and coupled along a second side of the cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device forms a cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly when the male coupling mechanism is coupled to the female coupling mechanism and wherein the cylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball;

a golf ball marker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device; and

an aperture defined by the cleaning device and dimensioned to receive a coupling device therethrough for at least one of storage and transport.

14. The portable cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the liquid absorbent layer has a length and a width sufficient to clean a golf club head when the cleaning device is laid flat with the liquid absorbent layer exposed and sufficient to envelop a golf ball when the cleaning device is formed into the cylindrical tube.

15. The portable cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the male coupling mechanism is at least one hook fastener and wherein the female coupling mechanism is at least one loop fastener.

16. A method of cleaning golf equipment comprising the steps of:

providing a portable cleaning device comprising: a substantially flat liquid resistant layer; a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer; and at least one coupling mechanism that removably couples a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of the cleaning device to form a cylindrical tube;

soaking the liquid absorbent layer with cleaning liquid;

coupling the first side of the cleaning device with the second side of the cleaning device to form the cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly;

inserting a golf ball into one of a first end and a second end of the cylindrical tube;

squeezing the cylindrical tube at alternating points surrounding the golf ball so that the golf ball travels back and forth along a length of the liquid absorbent layer;

ejecting the golf ball from one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical tube.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

laying the cleaning device flat so that the liquid absorbent layer is exposed; and

rubbing the liquid absorbent layer against at least one of a golf club head, a golf cleat, and a golf tee.