GOLF CLEANER
A golf ball cleaner (1) comprising a fabric tube, of which each distal end comprises an opening (8) arranged to receive a golf ball or a golf club into an internal space of the cleaner, and comprising at each respective distal end portion a collar (2), each collar being of greater thickness than that portion of the tube which is intermediate of the collars.
The present invention relates to golf cleaners, and in particular to cleaners for cleaning golf balls and golf clubs.
BACKGROUNDFor optimum performance and to a certain extent, ease of use, both the golf ball and the club (in particular the club head) need to be kept free of debris, and ideally kept dry. Whilst golf balls and club heads should be kept clean at all times this is of primary importance when on the green. Some golfers detach the towel from their bags, carry it to the green and after cleaning the ball/putter head throw or lay the towel on the ground where it can get wet and dirty. After finishing on the green the golfer needs to lift the towel and carry it back to the bag.
We have devised an improved golf cleaner.
SUMMARYAccording to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a golf cleaner comprising a fabric tube, of which each distal end comprises an opening arranged to receive a golf ball or a golf club, and comprising at each respective distal end portion a collar, each collar being of greater thickness than that portion of the tube which is intermediate of the collars.
The thickness of each collar is preferably double the thickness of that portion of the fabric which is intermediate of the collars.
The stiffness of each collar may be greater than the stiffness of the fabric material which is intermediate of the collars.
The internal surface of the cleaner is preferably arranged to clean and dry either a golf club or a golf ball.
The internal space of the cleaner is of substantially uniform width along its length.
Each collar may comprise a doubled-over portion of the fabric.
The separation between collars may be at least the diameter of a golf ball.
The cleaner may be of resilient and flexible fabric.
The inner surface of the cleaner may comprise a microfiber material.
The cleaner may be formed of a continuous piece of fabric.
The mouth of each of the openings may be defined by a fold in the fabric which smoothly transitions from the inner surface to the collar.
Each collar may be fastened in place by way of stitching.
The internal diameter of the cleaner may be less than the diameter of a golf ball.
The fabric may be of a double-walled construction.
Other aspects of the invention comprise any combination of the above features and/or features in the description and/or drawings.
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
The cleaner is essentially of tubular or sleeve construction and is provided with a collar 2 at each distal end thereof. The cleaner 1 comprises a doubled-walled fabric, which is of continuous form, which a gap formed between the walls, there being what may be termed an inner wall and an outer wall.
Each of the collars 2 is formed by folding each portions of each end back on each other. Stitching 4 is then used to hold the collars in position. The stitching 4 is located at spaced apart locations around the periphery of each collar 2. The collars 2 form distal end portions of the cleaner 1, and define mouths for the open ends 8 thereof. The transition to the collars at each mouth are smooth and are shown at 9.
As can be best seen in
The fabric used comprises two portions of different sub-fabrics. A first sub-fabric 11 forms the collars 2, and the outer layer/wall of the intermediate portion 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this first sub-fabric, which may be termed the outer material, comprise a construction of 30% cotton, 50% Polyester and 20% Elastane (although it will be appreciated that other constituent materials in varying ratios may be used for the outer material. The inter material, referenced 10 comprises a microfibre material and is constituted of 85% Polyester, 10% Elastane, 5% Spandex. Similarly, other constituent materials and ratios could usefully be employed. The inner material 10 is provided as the major surface area of the inner surface of the cleaner 1. The cleaner is thus of resilient and flexible nature.
At one of the distal ends of the cleaner there is provided a loop or tie 20 is provided to allow the cleaner to be detachably connected to a user's clothing, such as a belt.
Use of the cleaner Twill now be described, initially with reference to the cleaning and drying of a golf ball 40, as shown in
Reference is now made to
The cleaner 1 can conveniently be made of lightweight material, and is of small dimensions, so that it can easily be carried in player's pocket- which is especially useful when the player is away from their golf bag.
During the cleaning process, the collars ensure that the user's fingers remain in the intermediate region 5. Stepped regions 12 serve to perform this locating function.
Claims
1. A golf cleaner comprising a fabric tube, of which each distal end comprises an opening arranged to receive a golf ball or a golf club into an internal space of the cleaner, and comprising at each respective distal end portion a collar, each collar being of greater thickness than that portion of the tube which is intermediate of the collars.
2. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the thickness of each collar is double the thickness of that portion of the fabric tube which is intermediate of the collars.
3. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the stiffness of each collar is greater than the stiffness of the fabric which is intermediate of the collars.
4. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the cleaner is arranged to clean and dry either a golf club or a golf ball.
5. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein an internal space of the cleaner is of substantially uniform width along its length.
6. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein each collar comprises a doubled-over portion of the fabric.
7. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the separation between collars is at least the diameter of a golf ball.
8. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaner is of resilient and flexible construction.
9. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the cleaner comprises a microfiber material.
10. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaner comprises a ostensibly continuous piece of fabric.
11. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the mouth of each of each of the openings is defined by a fold in the fabric which smoothly transitions from the inner surface to the respective collar.
12. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein each collar is fastened in place by way of stitching.
13. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the internal diameter of the cleaner is less than the diameter of a golf ball.
14. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the fabric is of a double-walled construction.
15. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 2, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2015
Inventor: Thomas NIMENKO (East Boldre)
Application Number: 14/474,847