GB2304589A

GB2304589A - Device for cleaning golf balls

Info

Publication number: GB2304589A
Application number: GB9518101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Stevenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-05
Filing date: 1995-09-05
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-05
Also published as: GB2304589B; GB9518101D0

Abstract

A device for cleaning golf balls comprises a passageway having an inlet for the dirty balls and outlet for the clean balls, the passageway being arranged to rotate the balls as they pass through, the wall of the passageway having holes through which a cleaning solution is passed to clean the balls.

Description

CLEANING DEVICE This invention relates to a cleaning device and more specifically a golf ball cleaner for use at e.g. the practice area. Practising with clean golf balls helps to protect the life of the club face. It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can be used to clean dirty balls at the practice area.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device which is hand held.

In one aspect the invention provides a device for use in cleaning golf balls, the device comprising an elongated passageway having an inlet to receive balls to be cleaned and an outlet for egress of cleaned balls, the passageway containing means for passing balls through the passageway in succession and means for cleaning the balls during their passage through the passageway.

It is a much preferred feature of the invention that the device is dimensioned and shaped to be hand held.

Preferably wherein the means to pass balls is arranged to rotate the balls as they pass through the passageway. In a much preferred feature the passageway contains a flexible tube, and cleaning solvent is present in the annulus between the passageway wall and the tube. The end of the tube remote from the inlet contains one or more outlets for the solvent, so that as the balls enter the passageway pressure is applied to the tube to urge solvent through the outlets towards the approaching ball. The solvent may be water with or without detergent. Preferably the tube is formed of resilient material which at rest has a diameter smaller than that of a golf ball whereby each ball is gripped by the tube. Preferably the tube wall presents an abrasive surface to enhance the cleaning action.This may be because the tube wall is composed of abrasive material or it may be because a smooth material incorporates abrasive media.

It is a much preferred feature of the invention that reception of the ball in the inlet is arranged to urge the ball or balls already in the passageway towards the outlet.

Most preferably a length portion of the passageway adjacent to the outlet is adapted to dry the cleaned balls.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of cleaning golf balls, the method comprising passing the balls in succession along the passageway from an outlet thereof, and cleaning the balls as they pass through the passageway.

Preferably the method includes the step of contacting the balls with a cleaning solvent as they pass through the passageway. the solvent being arranged to emerge from the annulus at one end of the tube extending through the passageway through which the balls pass.

Preferably the method includes the step of urging the balls towards the outlet each time a ball to be cleaned is received in the inlet.

Most preferably the method includes the step of rotating the balls as they pass through the passageway.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows part of the embodiment of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention The device shown in Figure 1 is generally U shape having two limbs 1, 2 joined by a bight portion 3. One limb 1, is of a greater diameter than the other and comprises a cylinder made of metal, plastic or the like. A tube made of rubber is secured at each end of the cylinder. The tube 4 of a diameter slightly smaller than that of a golf ball G so that balls can move along tube peristaltically. When water or other solvent is present in the annulus between the cylinder and the tube the tube is compressed.The material is woven to give twist to the balls so the surfaces clean well. An inlet 5 is present in the side wall at one end to receive cleaning fluid.

typically water with or without detergent. The tube 4 has one or more outlets 6 at the outlet end of the passageway through which the cleaning fluid will emerge. The bight 3 is a piping. The other limb 2 is for drying balls and has open sides for drying airflow. The limbs 1,2 may be joined in parallel relation by grips or spacers 7. A protective sleeve 8 is present at the inlet of the limb 1 to prevent wear and tear on the tube 4. This sleeve will also remove larger amounts of debris from the balls entering the tube.

The device is used in a manner of a walking stick, placing the larger diameter limb 1 over each ball G as approached. Successive recoveries force the balls upwards into contact with the abrasive material of the tube 4, liquid then oozes from the top of the tube via the outlets 6 under pressure of the upward movement of each successive ball. The trapped ball is held for a period of time until it is forced to the top of the tube and rolled across the piping 3 into the drying chamber of the limb 2. Because of the relatively larger diameter of the larger tube. the ball to ball contact within it should be off centre. This will help to move the balls around in the tube as they are forced upwards, creating greater contact with the abrasive material of the tube 4.

The annulus between the cylinder and the tube or membrane is able to take a solvent (e.g. water with or without detergent) via the small inlet 5. This inlet can be capped off to aid the scrubber action. As the balls are forced upwards past the tube the solvent held between the membrane and the tube is squeezed upwards and through two or three small outlets 6 onto the balls rising up the tube. This action lubricates the abrasive material and aids cleaning. On completion of this process the balls pass through the piping 3 into the smaller limb 2 where they are held by a clamping band 9.

Stretching the band releases the clean balls.

Heavily soiled balls can be cleaned thus: as shown in Figure 2, using larger limb 1 only and two bungs 9 provided. A bung 9 is inserted in one end of the cylinder which is filled with balls up to approx. 75% capacity. Add a small amount of solvent through inlet 5 and replace cap 10. Add a small amount directly in the tube 4. Insert second bung 10 and shake tube.

Release dirty water and then clean using the assembled device shown in Figure 1, if necessary.

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 3, the second limb 2 can be wound about the limb 1, to allow for a high number of cleaned balls to be stored.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The device may be mounted on rollers for mechanical agitation to provide a golf ball cleaning station at a golf club practice area.

Claims

1. A device for use in cleaning golf balls, the device comprising an elongate passageway having an inlet to receive balls to be cleaned and an outlet for egress of cleaned balls, the passageway containing means for passing balls through the passageway in succession and means for cleaning the balls during their passage through the passageway.

2. A device according to Claim 1, dimensioned and shaped to be hand held.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means to pass balls is arranged to rotate the balls, as they pass through the passageway.

4. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the passageway contains a flexible tube, and cleaning solvent is present in the annulus between the passageway wall and the tube, which has outlets through which the solvent can emerge.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the tube is formed of resilient material which at rest has a diameter smaller than that of a golf ball whereby each ball is gripped by the tube.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the tube wall presents an abrasive surface to enhance the cleaning action.

7. A device according to any preceding Claim. wherein reception of a ball in the inlet is arranged to urge the ball or balls already in the passageway towards the outlet.

8. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein a length portion of the passageway adjacent the outlet is adapted to dry the cleaned balls.

9. A method of cleaning golf balls, the method comprising passing the balls in succession along a passageway from an inlet to an outlet thereof, and cleaning the balls as they pass through the passageway.

10. A method according to Claim 9, including contacting the balls with a cleaning solvent as they pass through the passageway, the solvent being passed through the wall of a tube extending through the passageway through which the balls pass.

11. A method according to Claim 10, wherein the wall presents an abrasive surface.

12. A method according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, including the step of urging the balls towards the outlet each time a ball to be cleaned is received in the inlet.

13. A method according to Claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, including rotating the balls as they pass through the passageway.