Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Stationary implement with material supply
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-04-17
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Stationary implement with material supply
C015S104940, C015S021200, C015S210100, C383S017000, C383S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216305
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveniently washing golfing equipment, such as golf club heads and golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus of the type described, which is readily attachable to a golf bag for use in the field.
2. Description of the Background Art
Many devices are known for washing golf club equipment. Examples of the previously known devices may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,619 (Michalak), U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,536 (Hartz), U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,299 (Duda), U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,974 (Stoltzman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,457 (Carnahan), U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,968 (Stoltzman), U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,358 (Wyckoff), U.S. Pat. No. 4,89,413 (Trobiani), U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,063 (Jordan), U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,136 (Flanders), U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,486 (Persic), U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,455 (Crossley), U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,311 (Crossley), U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,225 (Ellis), U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,586 (Dorrich), U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,567 (Danyluk), U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,232 (Frey), U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,082 (Garske), U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,330 (Nelson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,379 (Hovnanian), U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,122 (Bogle), U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,086 (Billek). A washing device for golf club heads is also disclosed in applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,840.
Although the known devices are generally effective for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a highly versatile, yet structurally simple, durable and easy to use washing apparatus for golfing equipment, which is unobtrusively attachable to a golf bag to allow convenient washing of the equipment by golfers while golfing on a golf course.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided washing apparatus for golfers, comprising: a flexible container for containing washing liquid and for receiving objects to be washed therein; handle means operatively connected to the container for manipulating the container; and support means for suspending the container and the handle means from a golf bag and for restricting movement of the container relative to the golf bag when suspended therefrom.
With such structure according to the invention, the flexible container may be of a sufficiently large sized to easily accommodate even the club head of a driver for washing purposes, yet it is simply suspended from the golf bag and is otherwise non-obtrusive when not being used because of its restricted movement relative to the bag and because the flexible container can assume a narrow profile when not in use.
Preferably, the container includes an access opening defined therein through which objects such as golf club heads may be inserted, closure means for selectively sealing the opening, at least one flap extending away from the closure means, abrasive means disposed within the container for scrubbing against objects inserted into the container during a washing operation, and baffling means for baffling movement of the washing liquid toward the opening after the liquid is placed in the container; and the handle means preferably includes a handle operatively connected to the flap.
Also preferably, the support means includes a clip member for suspending the handle means from a rim of a golf bag and which normally urges the container toward the golf bag when suspended therefrom to restrict movement of the container, while the support means may optionally include a pouch in which the container is disposed and which operatively cooperates with the clip member to restrict movement of the container. When the pouch is used, the handle means is also operatively connected to the pouch.
Still further, the several components of the washing apparatus are preferably separable from each other for cleaning, storage, selective replacement, etc.
According to a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for washing golf accessories, comprising: a pouch member defining an internal space therein, the pouch member having first and second opposed flaps thereon, each flap comprising a hollow sleeve; first and second support braces, each support brace having an arm which fits into a sleeve of the pouch member and a loop integrally attached to the arm and defining an aperture therein; and a sealable bag for holding a washing solution therein, the bag fitting into said internal space in the pouch member.
With the apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the overall apparatus is economical to produce and simple to use. For example, the sealable bag may be constructed as an inexpensive, disposable plastic bag because it is supported in the pouch, while the braces function as simple handles for pouch and may be selectively removed from the pouch for replacement or for cleaning purposes.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the sealable bag also preferably includes a pair of opposed flaps which are respectively connected to the first and second flaps of the pouch such that the pouch and bag flaps are movable together; and the apparatus preferably further comprising a support hook member for attaching to a golf bag and for suspending the braces, pouch and bag therefrom, and means disposed within the bag for scrubbing a golf accessory
As may be understood from the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus for washing golfing equipment, including club heads and golf balls, which may be conveniently and efficiently used by golfers during the course of a game for cleaning their equipment, and which is also simple in structure, compact in size and unobtrusively supported on a golf bag.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a washing apparatus comprising a few components which may be readily assembled together for use and readily disassembled for storage, cleaning, etc.
Yet another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus which is economical to produce, and having readily separable components, including a main container component, that may be individually replaced as desired or necessary.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
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Blackman William D.
Carrier Joseph P.
Carrier Blackman & Associates P.C.
Chin Randall E.
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