GB2232580A

GB2232580A - Shoe cleaning device for a golf cart

Info

Publication number: GB2232580A
Application number: GB8925443A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beryl Brenda Connolly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-15
Filing date: 1989-11-10
Publication date: 1990-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-10
Also published as: GB2232580B; IE62677B1; GB8925443D0

Abstract

Shoe cleaning surfaces (1, 2) having different surfaces for removing heavy and light dirt from golf shoes are movably mounted on a golf cart (10) by means of brackets (3) engaged to wheel supporting members (11) of the golf cart (10). When the golf cart (10) is being folded into a storage mode, the shoe cleaning surfaces (1, 2) are moved into close juxtaposition to the wheel supporting members (11) so that the surfaces (1, 2) do not interfere with the folding action of the golf cart (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SHOE CLEANING DEVICE FOR A GOLF CART The present invention relates to a shoe cleaning device and in particular to a shoe cleaning device for mounting on a golf cart.

When a golfer finishes a round of golf and returns to the clubhouse he generally removes his golf shoes before entering the locker room area in order to prevent dirt and soil or grass being brought into the clubhouse. It is then necessary to leave a pair of shoes on a rack at the entrance to the locker room area to change into after the game of golf. This is often an unsuitable arrangement.

Similarly, if a golfer wishes to leave the golf course immediately after the game he will wish to clean his footwear before getting into his vehicle.

In addition, when dirt collects on the spikes or under the heel of a pair of golf shoes the golfer may have difficulty finding his optimum stance while playing a stroke, for example, while teeing off or putting.

U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,747,150 (Kozub) discloses a golf cart having a shoe cleaning brush attached to the outer face of a wheel of the golf cart.

The brush has a double-sided construction and rotates with the wheel. When the golf cart is to be stored the brush is removed from the wheel and stored in the associated golf bag. The brush has a screw-threaded shank which is screw-threadibly engagable with the wheel.

A number of disadvantages are associated with the prior-art device. Firstly the installation of the device on one wheel of a golf cart extends the overall width of the cart and this makes it more difficult to manoeuvre the cart through narrow openings. Secondly it is necessary to move the cart until the brush is presented at the optimum angle for use by a golfer. Also, the device could cause injury to other persons on the golf course. Furthermore, it is easy to unbalance the cart when a user places his weight on the device. Also, the assembly of the device to a golf cart is time consuming.

It is an object of the invention to alleviate the disadvantages associated with prior art shoe cleaning devices.

The present invention provides a shoe cleaning device for attachment to a golf cart, the device having at least one shoe cleaning surface mounted thereon for location within the overall framework of the cart or extending rearwardly therefrom.

Preferably, the shoe cleaning surface is movably mounted on said golf cart so that said surface can be moved between an inoperational position and an operational position.

Advantageously, separate shoe cleaning surfaces are provided for removing heavy dirt or snow and for removing light dirt and grass.

Conveniently, mounting means are provided to enable the device to be mounted in close juxtaposition to wheel supporting members of the golf cart, thus preventing the cleaning surfaces from obstructing the folding action of the golf cart.

Conveniently, the mounting means are attachable to the wheel supporting members of the golf cart or may be attached by means of a retaining piece, welding, selftapping screws, nuts and bolts or the like.

Preferably, the mounting means is a bracket which is adapted to engage either rectangular or circular tubing.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, a shoe cleaning device in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf cart with a shoe cleaning device attached thereto; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of mounting means according to the invention; and Figure 3a and 3b are sectional side elevations of a first and second embodiment of mounting means adapted for rectangular and circular tube constructions of a wheel supporting member respectively.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, the principal components of the apparatus are a golf cart 10 with wheel supporting members 11 to which are mounted shoe cleaning surfaces 1, 2 by means of hinged brackets 3. The shoe cleaning surfaces 1, 2 may be moved from an operational position, as shown, to an inoperational position where they lie in close juxtaposition to the wheel supporting members 11 of the golf cart. In the operational position as shown, the hinged brackets 3 are opened to their maximum travel and prevented from opening further by the stops provided on the bracket. The golf cart may then be folded into its storage position (not shown).

The shoe cleaning surface 1 is shown having a plurality of ridges and nodules for removing heavy dirt or snow and shoe cleaning surface 2 is shown as a brush for removing dry dust or grass. Each shoe cleaning surface 1, 2 comprises a replacable brush mounted on a backing plate.

Figure 2 shows in detail a second embodiment of bracket 203 having lower tabs 204, 205 with respective apertures 241, 251 for pivotal engagement with a shoe cleaning surface. The bracket 203 has upper tabs 206, 207 with respective apertures 261, 271 for engagement with a wheel supporting member 11 constructed from rectangular tubing.

With reference to Figures 3a and 3b, two embodiments of bracket 303 and 303' are shown engaged to a wheel supporting member 11 and 11' respectively. Figure 3a illustrates how, with a retaining piece 308, the bracket is fixed to a rectangular wheel supporting member 11.

Figure 3b similarly illustrates the use of a retaining piece 308' but with the inclusion of a rubber strip 309 to secure the bracket 303' to a circular tubing construction of wheel supporting member 11'.

In an alternative embodiment of the device (not shown), the shoe cleaning surfaces 1, 2 are spring loaded so that the surfaces return to the inoperational position when not in use.

The device may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as an aluminium alloy on a plastics material.

It is to be understood that the device according to the invention may be fitted to either motorized golf carts or non-motorized golf carts which are propelled by being pushed or pulled by the user.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shoe cleaning device for attachment to a golf cart, the device having at least one cleaning surface mounted thereon for location within the overall framework of the cart or extending rearwardly therefrom.

2. A shoe cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the shoe cleaning surface is movably mounted on said golf cart so that said surface can be moved between an inoperational position and an operational position.

3. A shoe cleaning device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein separate shoe cleaning surfaces are provided for removing heavy dirt or snow and for removing light dirt and grass.

4. A shoe cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein mounting means are provided to enable the device to be mounted in close juxtaposition to wheel supporting members of the golf cart, thus preventing the cleaning surfaces from obstructing the folding action of the golf cart.

5. A shoe cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means are attachable to the framework of the golf cart.

6. A shoe cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means are attachable to the wheel supporting members by means of a retaining piece, welding, self-tapping screws, nuts and bolts or the like.

7. A shoe cleaning device, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means is a bracket which is adapted to engage either rectangular or circular tubing.

8. A golf cart including a shoe cleaning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

9. A golf cart as claimed in Claim 8 including motorized locomotion means.

10. A shoe cleaning device, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 or as modified by Figures 2, 3a or 3b of the accompanying drawings.