IE20070662U1 - A golf club cleaning device and a coupling member - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A golf club cleaning device (1) comprises a channel shaped carrier housing (2) of inverted U-shaped construction having spaced apart front and rear side panels (4, 5) joined by a connecting panel (8) and defining a club head accommodating passageway (12). A brush element located in the passageway (12) comprises resilient bristles (16) which extend into the passageway (12) from the front and rear side panels (4, 5) and the connecting panel (8) for engaging the front face and rear or cavity and the sole of a golf club as the golf club is being urged through the passageway (12) for removing dirt ingrained in grooves of the golf club head. A towel (25) is releasably secured at its opposite free ends (26) to distal ends (30) of the front and rear panels (4, 5) and depends downwardly from the carrier housing (2) to form a U-shape for cleaning and drying the club head, the shaft and the hand grip of a golf club. A coupling member (35) is releasable secured to the carrier housing (2) and forms a hook (42) for engaging a golf club bag adjacent a top rim thereof for releasably securing cleaning device (1) to the golf club bag.

Description

A golf club cleaning device and a coupling member The present invention relates to a golf club cleaning device, and in particular, to a golf club cleaning device for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of a golf club head.

The invention also relates to a coupling device for coupling one item to another item.

Cleaning devices for cleaning golf clubs, and in particular, golf club heads, are known. U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,912,800 of Zeltner discloses a cleaning device for cleaning a golf club. The cleaning device of Zeltner comprises a towel which is provided for cleaning and drying the golf club, and a brush which is secured onto a major surface of the towel by fusing the brush to the fibres of the towel. The brush is provided for scrubbing the golf club. A clip is provided at one corner of the towel for securing the towel to a golf bag. This cleaning device suffers from a number of disadvantages. Because the brush is secured to the towel, in order to grip the brush, one must also bundle up a portion of the towel behind the brush and grip the brush and the bundled up portion of the towel together. This is inconvenient, and does not allow easy manipulation of the brush for scrubbing the golf club.

Additionally, by virtue of the fact that the brush is secured to the towel, when one wishes to use the towel for cleaning and drying a golf club, the brush in general interferes with the cleaning and drying operation. in an alternative embodiment of the cleaning device of Zeltner, the brush is detachable from the towel. However, this has a particularly serious disadvantage, in that the brush on being detached from the towel can be readily mislaid.

Published PCT Patent Application Specification No. WO 2004/041373 of Barois discloses a device for cleaning a golf club head. The device comprises a channel shaped housing within which brushes and sponges are located. The brushes and sponges are arranged so that as a golf club head is drawn through the housing, the brushes collect impurities on the golf club head. while the sponges dry the golf club head. A clip is provided for securing the device to a golf club bag. A disadvantage of this device is that it is essentially only suitable for cleaning a golf club head, and is unsuitable for cleaning or drying any other part of the golf club. indeed, the efficacy of this device to adequately clean and dry a golf club head is questionable, and furthermore it is questionable if the device could remove dirt and grit ingrained in a groove of a golf club head.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device for cleaning a golf club head, and for cleaning and drying a golf club head, and for cleaning and drying other parts of a golf club, for example, the shaft, the hand grip on the shaft and the like, and in particular there is a need for a device for removing dirt and grit ingrained in a groove of a golf club head.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a cleaning device, and the invention is also directed towards a coupling device for coupling one item to another item.

According to the invention there is provided a golf club cleaning device comprising a carrier, a first cleaning means located in the carrier for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of a golf club head, a second cleaning means releasably coupled to the carrier, for cleaning the golf club head and/or a shaft thereof, and a coupling means for coupling the carrier to a golf club bag or a caddy car.

In one embodiment of the invention the carrier is of U-shape construction defining a club head accommodating passageway into which the first cleaning means extends for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of the club head as the club head is being drawn through the club head accommodating passageway.

Preferably, the carrier comprises a pair of spaced apart side members joined by and extending from a transversely extending connecting member, the side members and the connecting member defining the club head accommodating passageway.

Advantageously, the carrier is formed by a carrier housing of channel shape construction, and definesVtheJcl,ub-hea,d; accommodating passageway as a channel ,..,/K‘ .‘. shaped passageway. ‘T77. ' J In one embodiment of the invention the first cleaning means comprises a brush element having a plurality of bristles extending into the club head accommodating passageway from at least one side member of the carrier. Preferably, the bristles extend from the respective side members of the carrier into the club head accommodating passageway.

Preferably, the brush element is secured in the carrier. Advantageously, the brush element is releasably secured in the carrier. in another embodiment of the invention the brush element comprises a base element and the bristles extend from the base element.

In a further embodiment of the invention the base element is of U-shape construction having a pair of spaced apart side webs joined by a connecting web, and the bristles extend from the respective side and connecting webs into the club head accommodating passageway to co-operate with each other for facilitating the removal of dirt ingrained in the club head. Preferably, the respective side webs of the brush element are secured to the corresponding side members of the carrier.

Advantageously, the respective side webs of the brush element are secured to the corresponding side members of the carrier by screws. Ideally, the bristles of the brush element are of a resilient material.

In one embodiment of the invention the bristles of the brush element are of a plastics material.

In another embodiment of the invention the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle lies in the range of 0.2mm to 0.9mm. Preferably, the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle lies in the range of O.25mm to O.55mm. Advantageously, the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle is of approximately 0.35mm.

In another embodirriénfiofthe the bristles of the brush element are of ' 1' .t,:.T "ii; L"; ~ .,ve". circular transverse cross-section. Preferably, the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is in the range of 0.2mm to 0.9mm. Advantageously, the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is in the range of 025mm to 0.55mm. Ideally, the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is of approximately O.35mm.

Preferably, each side member of the carrier comprises a side panel.

Advantageously, the connecting member of the carrier is formed by a connecting panel of arcuate shape defining a longitudinally extending central axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to the club head accommodating passageway.

In another embodiment of the invention the second cleaning means comprises a towel. Preferably, the towel of the second cleaning means is of a towelling cloth.

Advantageously, the towel of the second cleaning means is of a hydrophilic material.

In one embodiment of the invention the second cleaning means depends downwardly from the carrier. Preferably, the second cleaning means depends downwardly from a distal end of at least one of the side members of the carrier.

Advantageously, the second cleaning means depends downwardly from the distal ends of the respective side members in a U-shaped configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention the carrier is configured in an inverted U-shape configuration. in another embodiment of the invention the coupling means is adapted for releasably coupling the cleaning device to a golf club bag or a caddy car. Preferably, the coupling means is adapted for coupling to an upper rim of a golf club bag which defines an open mouth thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention a pair of interengageable complementary formations are provided for releasably coupling the coupling means to the carrier, one of the/fqrrmajions,,,bei.ng formed:.on«the carrier and the other formation being formed ongthe’ . 3' I” 1 in another embodiment of the invention the coupling means comprises a coupling member having a hook member for engaging the golf club bag or the caddy car, and an engagement means for engaging the carrier, the engagement means forming one of the pair of the interengageable complementary formations. Preferably, the engagement means is releasably engageable with the carrier.

Advantageously, the engagement means comprises an engagement member having an engagement slot therein for engaging a shank of a stud extending from the carrier, the shank of the stud forming the other one of the pair of the complementary formations.

Ideally, the engagement slot is defined by at least one resilient leaf member extending longitudinally along and defining one side edge of the engagement slot for resiliently engaging the shank of the stud.

In one embodiment of the invention an abutment element extends into the engagement slot for retaining the shank of the stud captive therein. Preferably. the abutment element extends from the leaf member. Advantageously, the engagement slot is defined by a pair of spaced apart resilient leaf members extending longitudinally along the respective opposite sides of the engagement slot. Ideally, respective abutment elements extend into the engagement slot from the respective leaf members. in one embodiment of the invention the abutment elements define with a closed end of the engagement slot the transverse cross-section of a shank of the stud.

Preferably, the engagement slot is open at one end for accommodating the shank of the stud therethrough.

In another embodiment of the invention the shank of the stud extending from the carrier terminates in distal end of the shank thereof. «~ *. 1.‘? . -fr? -' ‘ In one embodiment of the invention the coupling member is of S-shape construction, having a central member extending between a pair of end members, the end members being folded back to extend along the central member, one of the end members forming with the central member the hook member, and the other end member forming the engagement means.

In another embodiment of the invention an urging means is provided for urging the golf club head into engagement with the first cleaning means.

Additionally, the invention provides a coupling member for releasably coupling a first item to a second item, the coupling member having a hook member for hooking onto the second item, and an engagement means for engaging the first item. in one embodiment of the invention the engagement means is releasably engageable with the first item. Preferably, the engagement means comprises an engagement member having an engagement slot therein for engaging a shank of a stud extending from the first item. Advantageously, the engagement slot is defined by at least one resilient leaf member extending longitudinally along and defining one side edge of the engagement slot for resiliently engaging the shank of the stud.

In one embodiment of the invention an abutment element extends into the engagement slot for retaining the shank of the stud captive therein. Preferably, the abutment element extends from the leaf member. Advantageously, the engagement slot is defined by a pair of spaced apart resilient leaf members extending longitudinally along the engagement slot. Ideally, respective abutment elements extend into the engagement slot from the respective leaf members.

In one embodiment of the invention the abutment elements define with a closed end of the engagement slot the transverse cross-section of the shank of the stud. a..»w-/2 the stud therethrftgtuéfiit in ) - . - A» s Advantageously, the coupling member is of S—shape construction, having a central member extending between a pair of end members folded back to extend along the central member, one of the end members forming with the central member the hook member, and the other end member forming the engagement means.

The advantages of the golf club cleaning device according to the invention are many.

By virtue of the fact that the carrier of the cleaning device is coupled to the golf club bag or caddy car by a coupling means, and the second cleaning means is coupled to the carrier and depends downwardly therefrom, the first cleaning means which is located in the carrier can be readily easily used for cleaning the golf club head, and in particular, for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of the golf club head without being impeded by the presence of the second cleaning means. Additionally, the second cleaning means can be readily easily used for cleaning and drying the golf club head, and any other parts of the golf club, for example, the shaft, hand grip and the like, without being impeded by the first cleaning means. Effectively, the first cleaning means can be used independently of the second cleaning means and vice versa. This is a particularly important advantage when the first cleaning means is provided by bristles of a brush, and the second cleaning means is provided by a towel. Where the towel depends downwardly from the carrier, the towel can be readily easily used without any interference from the brush bristles in the carrier.

Similarly, the brush bristles in the carrier can be used to clean and remove dirt ingrained in a groove of the golf club head without being impeded or interfered with by the towel. By releasably securing the towel to the carrier, the towel can be readily easily removed for washing and the like. Similarly, removal of the towel facilitates cleaning of the brush element in the carrier.

By providing the brush element to be releasably engageable with the carrier, the brush element can be readily easily removed from the carrier for subsequent cleaning of the brush element. opposite side members of the carrier housing, and also from the connecting member connecting the side members, bristles from the brush element extend into the channel shaped club head accommodating passageway defined by the carrier housing, so that as a club head is drawn through the club head accommodating passageway, both the front face and the rear or cavity of the club head are engaged by the bristles of the brush element, as well as the sole of the club head.

Additionally, by providing the carrier housing so that the towel depends downwardly from the distal ends of the two side members thereof, the towel depends from the carrier housing in a U-shape configuration. This has the further advantage in that it permits the towel to be used on the double, in other words, it permits two layers of the towel to be used for cleaning and drying the golf club, or alternatively, the golf club may be passed between the adjacent side panels of the towel and the towel can be gripped externally with the golf club being located internally within the side panels of the towel.

A further advantage of the golf club cleaning device according to the invention is achieved by virtue of the use of the coupling member for coupling the carrier to a golf club bag or to a caddy car. By virtue of the fact that the coupling member comprises a hook for engaging the golf club bag or the caddy car, and an engagement means for engaging the carrier of the golf club cleaning device, a particularly effective and efficient coupling arrangement is provided for coupling the cleaning device to the golf club bag or to the caddy car. The construction of the engagement means of the coupling member provides a particularly effective and efficient arrangement for releasably, while at the same time securely engaging the coupling member to the carrier. Providing the coupling member of S-shape construction whereby one end of the 8 forms the engagement means, and the other end forms the hook provides a particularly efficient and easily used coupling member.

The provision of the coupling member for use in coupling a first item to a second item has the advantage that it facilitates readily easily coupling two items together.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club cleaning device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is another enlarged perspective view of the portion of Fig. 2 of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. similar to the view of Fig. 3 with a portion of the cleaning device removed, Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the portion of Fig. 2 of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 5 of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1 on the line VI—Vl of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the portion of Fig. 5 of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1 on the line Vll-Vll of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of a detail of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1 on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another portion of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 1, cleaning device of Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a golf club cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 is another perspective view of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 11 , Fig. 13 is an end view of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 11, Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 11, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a detail of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 11,and Fig. 16 is a perspective view of another detail of the golf club cleaning device of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 10 thereof, there is illustrated a golf club cleaning device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for cleaning a golf club (not shown), and in particular, for removing dirt and grit ingrained in a groove or grooves of a golf club head (not shown), and also for cleaning and drying the golf club head, as well as the shaft and hand grip thereof. The cleaning device is particularly suitable for releasably securing to a golf club bag (not shown) or to a caddy car (also not shown). The golf club cleaning device 1 comprises a carrier provided by a relatively rigid channel shape carrier housing 2 of inverted U-shape of injection moulded plastics material. The carrier housing 2 comprises a pair of spaced apart side members, namely, a front side panel 4 and a rear side panel 5, which are joined by a connecting member. namely, an arcuate connecting panel 8 which defines a longitudinally extending central axis of revolution 10. T,t1(e..fro,nt,andhjreariiside panels 4 and 5 and the connecting panel 3 defline club head accommodating passageway 12 extending parallel to the central axis of revolution 10.

A first cleaning means comprising a brush element 14 for removing dirt and grit ingrained in the grooves of the golf club head (not shown) is located in the passageway 12 and is secured to the carrier housing 2. The brush element 14 comprises a U-shaped base element 15 of plastics material from which a plurality of bristles 16 of resilient plastics material extend. The bristles 16 are of circular transverse cross-section, and are engaged in corresponding bores 17 formed in the base element 15, and are retained captive therein by virtue of being an interference fit in the bores 17. The base element 15 is formed by a pair of side webs 19joined by a connecting web 20. The bristles 16 extend from the side webs 19 and the connecting web 20 into the golf club head accommodating passageway 12 to engage the golf club head and grooves therein as the golf club head is urged through the passageway 12 in the direction of the arrows A and B parallel to the central axis of revolution 10 for removing dirt ingrained therein. A screw 22 extending through a bore 23 in the front side panel 4 engages the adjacent side webs 19 of the base element 15. A screw 24 secures the other side web 19 of the base element 15 to the rear side panel 5, as will be described below. The bristles 16 are of diameter of approximately 0.35mm, and the free length I of the bristles 6 extending from the base element 15 is approximately 13mm.

A second cleaning means comprising a one-piece towel 25 for cleaning and drying a golf club head, shaft and hand grip of the golf club depends downwardly from the carrier housing 2. In this embodiment of the invention the towel 25 is releasably secured at its free ends 26 to distal ends 30 of the front and rear side panels 4 and , and depends downwardly therefrom in a U-shape configuration. Hooks and eyes of the type commonly sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO on the distal ends 30 of the front and rear side panels 4 and 5 and on the free ends 26 of the towel 25, respectively, releasably secure the towel 25 to the carrier housing 2. The towel 25 is of towelling type cloth with hydrop_hi_laic_properties.for,glrying the golf club head, shaft andhandgrip. ; ‘;.‘«».‘v‘>a' 3’ A coupling means for releasably coupling the golf club cleaning device 1 to the golf club bag (not shown) or to the caddy car (also not shown) comprises a coupling member also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 35. However, in this embodiment of the invention the coupling member 35 is particularly suitable for releasably coupling the golf club cleaning device 1 to a golf club bag. The coupling member 35 is injection moulded ofa resilient plastics material. and is of S—shape construction having an elongated central member 36 and first and second end members 37 and 38, respectively, extending from respective opposite ends 39 and 40 of the central member 36 and returning along the central member 36 to form the S shape. The first end member 37 forms a resilient hook 42 for releasably gripping the golf club bag at a peripheral edge of the golf club bag (not shown) adjacent an open mouth thereof. Gripping elements 41 on the hook 42 and on the central member 36 under the resilience of the hook 42 co—operate to securely but releasably engage the golf club bag adjacent the peripheral edge thereof.

The second end member 38 forms an engagement means, namely, an engagement member 43 for releasably engaging a stud 44 of plastics material extending from the rear side panel 5 of the carrier housing 2. An engagement slot 45 extends into the engagement member 43 from a distal end 48 thereof for engaging a shank 46 of the stud 44. The stud 44 terminates in a head 47 for retaining the engagement member 43 on the shank 46. In this embodiment of the invention the engagement slot 45 is defined by a pair of spaced apart resilient leaves 49 which are formed integrally with the coupling member 35. Abutment elements 50 located on the resilient leaves 49 extend into the engagement slot 47 for resiliently and releasably retaining the shank 46 of the stud 44 captive in the engagement slot 45, and thereby retaining the coupling member 35 in engagement with the carrier housing 2. In this embodiment of the invention the abutment elements 50 define with the closed end 52 of the engagement slot 47 the cross-section of the shank 46 of the stud 44.

The stud 44 is located in a bore 51 extending through the rear side panel 5, and engages the base element 15 of the br_us_h_,element 14. A shoulder 53 on the stud W...-~~-*;:‘ extending through the stud 44, and engages the adjacent side web 19 of the base element 15 of the brush element 14 for securing the brush element 14 to the rear side panel 5, and also for securing the stud 44 to the rear side panel 5. ln use, with the coupling member 35 engaged on the shank 46 of the stud 44, the golf club cleaning device 1 is releasably secured to the golf club bag (not shown) by engaging the hook 42 of the coupling member 35 on the golf club bag (not shown) adjacent the rim thereof which defines an open mouth of the bag. When it is desired to remove dirt and grit ingrained in grooves of a golf club head, the golf club head is drawn through the golf club head accommodating passageway 12 of the carrier housing 2 in the direction of either or both the arrows A and B with the bristles 16 of the brush element 14 engaging the front and rear or cavity of the golf club head, as well as the sole thereof. As the golf club head is being drawn through the passageway 12, the bristles 16 engage the grooves of the golf club head for removing dirt and grit therefrom. If necessary, the golf club head may be drawn through the golf club accommodating passageway 12 in the direction of the arrows A and B a number of times to ensure adequate removal of dirt and grit from the grooves of the golf club head by the bristles 16 of the brush element 14.

On completion of cleaning of the golf club head by the brush element 14, the golf club head may be wiped and dried in the towel 25, and if necessary the shaft of the golf club and the hand grip thereof may also be wiped clean and dried in the towel . Alternatively, if the golf club is only wet, then the golf club head, the golf club shaft and the hand grip may be dried in the towel 25.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 16, there is illustrated a golf club cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. The golf club cleaning device 60 is substantially similar to the golf club cleaning device 1, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the golf club cleaning device 60 and the golf clubgcleanmgéggwfi coupling member for coupling the golf club cleaning device or caddy car, and also in the brush _P"VCI element which is located in the carrier housing 2 for cleaning the golf club head. in this embodiment of the invention the first cleaning means comprises a brush element 61 comprising a base element 62, and bristles 63 extending from the base element 62. The base element 62 and the bristles 63, and their securing in the base element 62 are similar to the base element 15 and the bristles 16 of the brush element 14 of the cleaning device 1. However, in this embodiment of the invention the brush element 61 is secured only to the front side panel 4 of the carrier housing 2, and the bristles 16 extend from the front side panel 4 into the club head accommodating passageway 12. In this case, the brush element 61 is secured to the front side panel 4 by an adhesive which bonds the base element 62 to the front side panel 4.

An urging means for urging the club head into engagement with the bristles 63 of the brush element 61 comprises an urging element 65 which is located in the club head accommodating passageway 12 and is secured to the rear side panel 5 for urging the club head into engagement with the brush element 61. The urging element 65 comprises a base element 66 which is bonded to the rear side panel 5 by an adhesive, and a plurality of parallel spaced apart first resilient webs 67 extend from the base element 66 into the club head accommodating passageway 12 for engaging and urging the club head into engagement with the brush element 61 as the club head is drawn through the club head accommodating passageway 12. The first resilient webs 67 extend substantially the length of the rear side panel 5 from the end of the rear side panel 5 adjacent the connecting panel 8 to the distal end 30 of the rear side panel 5, and are radiused outwardly from the end of the rear side panel adjacent the connecting panel 8 to the distal end 30 of the rear side panel 5. The base element 66 and the first resilient webs 67 are integrally injection moulded of a resilient plastics material. As well as urging the club head into engagement with the brush element 61 , the first resilient webs 67 provide a wiping action, and wipe the adjacent face of the club head as the club head is being drawn through the club head accommodating passageway 12.

Additionally, a wiping element 70 is located in the club head accommodating passageway 12 secured to the connecting panel 8, and extending downwardly therefrom into the club head accommodating passageway 12 for wiping the sole of the golf club head as the golf club head is being drawn through the passageway 12.

The wiping element 70 comprises a base element 71 which is bonded by an adhesive to the connecting panel 8, and a plurality of parallel spaced apart second resilient webs 72 extending from the base element 71 for engaging and wiping the sole of the golf club. Two spaced apart slots 73 extend into each second resilient web 72 for permitting independent movement of portions 74 of the respective second resilient webs 72 defined by the slots 73 during urging of a club head through the club head accommodating passageway 12 for wiping the sole thereof. In this embodiment of the invention the base element 71 and the second resilient webs 72 are integrally moulded of a resilient plastics material.

Referring now to Figs. 15 and 16. the coupling member 75 in this case comprises an elongated central member 76 of plastics material which extends between a first end 77 which carries a ring 78 for engaging a golf club bag, and a second end 79 which is adapted for securing to the carrier housing 2. The ring 78 is provided for engaging a pull-tie ligature (not shown) of the golf club bag of the type which is provided through eyelets which are located adjacent a top rim of the bag which forms an open mouth to the bag, so that by pulling the ligature tightly, the top rim of the bag is gathered for closing the open mouth. The second end 79 of the central member 76 carries one of a pair of complementary securing members, namely, a permanent magnet 80 for engaging the other of the pair of the complementary securing members, namely, an element 81 of magnetic material which is secured to the carrier housing 2. In this embodiment of the invention the permanent magnet 80 is bonded to the central member 75 adjacent the second end 79, and the magnetic element 81 is bonded to the rear side panel 5 of the carrier housing 2.

Otherwise, the golf club cleaning device 60 and its use is similar to that of the golf club cleaning device 1.

While the coupling member 35 according to the invention, which has been described in conjunction with the golf club cleaning device 1 with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, has been described for coupling a golf club cleaning device to a golf club bag, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the coupling member according to the invention may be used for coupling any item, whether it be a cleaning device or othen/vise, to any other item, whether it be a golf club bag, a container or othen/vise.

The use of the coupling member 35 according to the invention is thus not limited to its use for coupling a golf club cleaning device to a golf club bag or to a golf club caddy car.

While the coupling means for coupling the cleaning device of Figs. 1 to 10 to a golf bag has been described as comprising the coupling member 35 according to the invention, any other suitable coupling means may be provided, and where the coupling means is provided by the coupling member according to the invention, the coupling member may be releasably secured to any suitable part of the golf club bag besides the rim of the golf club bag which defines the open mouth. For example, in certain cases it is envisaged that the hook of the coupling member 35 may be engaged on the pull-tie ligature of the golf club bag which is used for gathering the rim portion of the bag into a closed state for closing the open mouth. Alternatively, the coupling member 35 may be used to couple the cleaning device to a caddy car or the like. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the coupling means, if it were provided by a coupling member substantially similar to the coupling member according to the invention, may be rigidly secured to the carrier housing, instead of being releasably secured thereto. An advantage of providing the coupling means releasably secured to the carrier housing is that the cleaning device may be readily easily disengaged from the coupling means for facilitating cleaning he brush element thereof. It will also be appreciated that while it is desirable, it is not essential that the cleaning device be releasably coupled to the golf club bag. The cleaning device could be non-releasably secured to the golf club bag.

While it is desirable, it is not essential that the towel depend downwardly from the carrier housing, and“furthgrmgre,igis,not.necessarv that the towel depend in a U-shape configuration, although this is preferable.

While the bristles of the brush elements of the golf club cleaning devices have been described as being of a specific diameter and length, bristles of other suitable diameter and length may be used. However, it has been found that ideal results are achieved by providing the bristles to be of diameter in the range of 0.25mm to 0.55mm, and while reasonably good cleaning results can be achieved by bristles of diameter in the range of 0.2mm to 0.9mm, ideal results are achieved when the bristle diameters are of diameter in the range of 0.25mm to 0.35mm. in order to provide the desired degree of resilience, it is preferable that the free length [of the bristles extending from the base element should be in the range 5mm to 20mm, and ideally, should be in the range 13mm.

Claims (57)

1. A golf club cleaning device comprising a carrier, a first cleaning means located in the carrier for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of a golf club head, a second cleaning means releasably coupled to the carrier, for cleaning the golf club head and/or a shaft thereof, and a coupling means for coupling the carrier to a golf club bag or a caddy car.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the carrier is of U-shape construction defining a club head accommodating passageway into which the first cleaning means extends for removing dirt ingrained in a groove of the club head as the club head is being drawn through the club head accommodating passageway.

3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the carrier comprises a pair of spaced apart side members joined by and extending from a transversely extending connecting member, the side members and the connecting member defining the club head accommodating passageway.

4. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the carrier is formed by a carrier housing of channel shape construction, and defines the club head accommodating passageway as a channel shaped passageway.

5. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4 in which the first cleaning means comprises a brush element having a plurality of bristles extending into the club head accommodating passageway from at least one side member of the carrier.

6. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the bristles extend from the respective side members of the carrier into the club head accommodating passageway.

7. A cleaning device as claimed in Clafiilmwig or.£-3.in: which the brush element is secured in the carrier.i¢i"’

8. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7 in whichthe brush element is releasably secured in the carrier.

9. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 in which the brush element comprises a base element and the bristles extend from the base element.

10. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 9 in which the base element is of U—shape construction having a pair of spaced apart side webs joined by a connecting web, and the bristles extend from the respective side and connecting webs into the club head accommodating passageway to co-operate with each other for facilitating the removal of dirt ingrained in the club head.

11. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the respective side webs of the brush element are secured to the corresponding side members of the carrier.

12. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the respective side webs of the brush element are secured to the corresponding side members of the carrier by screws.

13. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 12 in which the bristles of the brush element are of a resilient material.

14. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 13 in which the bristles of the brush element are of a plastics material.

15. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 14 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle lies in the range of 0.2mm to 0.9mm.

16. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 15 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle lies in the range of 0.25mm to 0.55mm.

17. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 16 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bristle is of approximately O.35mm.

18. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 17 in which the bristles of the brush element are of circular transverse cross-section.

19. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 18 in which the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is in the range of 0.2mm to 0.9mm.

20. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 16 in which the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is in the range of 0.25mm to O.55mm.

21. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 16 in which the diameter of each bristle of the brush element is of approximately 0.35mm.

22. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 21 in which each side member of the carrier comprises a side panel.

23. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 22 in which the connecting member of the carrier is formed by a connecting panel of arcuate shape defining a longitudinally extending central axis of revolution extending substantially parallel to the club head accommodating passageway.

24. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second cleaning means comprises a towel.

25. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 24 in which the towel of the second cleaning means is of a towelling cloth.

26. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 24 or 25 in which the towel of the second cleaning means is of a hydrophilic material.» & __

27. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second cleaning means depends downwardly from the carrier.

28. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second cleaning means depends downwardly from a distal end of at least one of the side members of the carrier.

29. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second cleaning means depends downwardly from the distal ends of the respective side members in a U-shaped configuration.

30. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carrier is configured in an inverted U-shape configuration.

31. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the coupling means is adapted for releasably coupling the cleaning device to a golf club bag or a caddy car.

32. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the coupling means is adapted for coupling to an upper rim of a golf club bag which defines an open mouth thereof.

33. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which a pair of interengageable complementary formations are provided for releasably coupling the coupling means to the carrier, one of the formations being formed on the carrier and the other formation being formed on the coupling means.

34. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 33 in which the coupling means comprises a coupling member having a hook member for engaging the golf club bag or the caddy car, and an engagement means for engaging the carrier, the engagement means forming one of the;p,ajr' of the interengageable complementary formations.

35. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 34 in which the engagement means is releasably engageable with the carrier.

36. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 34 or 35 in which the engagement means comprises an engagement member having an engagement slot therein for engaging a shank of a stud extending from the carrier, the shank of the stud forming the other one of the pair of the complementary formations.

37. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 36 in which the engagement slot is defined by at least one resilient leaf member extending longitudinally along and defining one side edge of the engagement slot for resiliently engaging the shank of the stud.

38. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 37 in which an abutment element extends into the engagement slot for retaining the shank of the stud captive therein.

39. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 38 in which the abutment element extends from the leaf member.

40. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 38 or 39 in which the engagement slot is defined by a pair of spaced apart resilient leaf members extending longitudinally along the respective opposite sides of the engagement slot.

41. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 40 in which respective abutment elements extend into the engagement slot from the respective leaf members.

42. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 38 to 41 in which the abutment elements define with a closed end of the engagement slot the transverse cross- section of a shank of the stud.

43. A cleaning de_vige,a§.qIgime;{1h“f§fi§L.éiclaims 36 to 42 in which the engagement slotis dpeh atj_§n§gendjforlaccommodating the shank of the stud therethrough.

44. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 43 in which the shank of the stud extending from the carrier terminates in a head secured to the distal end of the shank thereof.

45. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 34 to 44 in which the coupling member is of S-shape construction, having a central member extending between a pair of end members, the end members being folded back to extend along the central member, one of the end members forming with the central member the hook member, and the other end member forming the engagement means.

46. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim in which an urging means is provided for urging the golf club head into engagement with the first cleaning means.

47. A coupling member for releasably coupling a first item to a second item, the coupling member having a hook member for hooking onto the second item, and an engagement means for engaging the first item.

48. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 47 in which the engagement means is releasably engageable with the first item.

49. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 47 or 48 in which the engagement means comprises an engagement member having an engagement slot therein for engaging a shank of a stud extending from the first item.

50. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 49 in which the engagement slot is defined by at least one resilient leaf member extending longitudinally along and defining one side edge of the engagement slot for resiliently engaging the shank of the stud.

51. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 50 in which an abutment element extends into the engagement slot for retaining the shank of the stud captive therein.

52. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 51 in which the abutment element extends from the leaf member.

53. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 51 or 52 in which the engagement slot is defined by a pair of spaced apart resilient leaf members extending longitudinally along the engagement slot.

54. A coupling member as claimed in Claim 53 in which respective abutment elements extend into the engagement slot from the respective leaf members.

55. A coupling member as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 54 in which the abutment elements define with a closed end of the engagement slot the transverse cross-section of the shank of the stud.

56. A coupling member as claimed in any of Claims 49 to 55 in which the engagement slot is open at one end for accommodating the shank of the stud therethrough.

57. A coupling member as claimed in any of Claims 47 to 56 in which the coupling member is of S-shape construction, having a central member extending between a pair of end members folded back to extend along the central member, one of the end members forming with the central member the hook member, and the other end member forming the engagement means.