GB2364921A

GB2364921A - Golf ball cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2364921A
Application number: GB0017632A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Collinson-Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-18
Filing date: 2000-07-18
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: WO2002007828A1; AU2001270870A1; GB0017632D0

Abstract

Means 9 for cleaning golf balls associated with a golf putter 1. The cleaning means may be a towel which is preferably attached to the putter shaft by means of straps 11a, 11b and may be wrapped around the shaft 5 and secured by other straps 13a, 13b. Alternatively the cleaning means may be attached to the grip of the putter. The cleaning means may take the form of a headcover, optionally formed from towelling material. A headcover with means such as a hook, loop or ring for attaching accessories is also disclosed.

Description

2364921 GOLF BALL CLEANING APPARATUS This invention relates to convenient

apparatus for cleaning golf balls and, more specifically, to convenient apparatus for cleaning golf balls while preparing to putt.

Golf is played as both a recreational and professional sport. There is always therefore a need to enhance enjoyment for golfers and reduce distractions during a match. Apparatus which would provide such enhancements would accordingly be desirable to golfers.

It is well recognised amongst the golfing fraternity that it is desirable to regularly clean one's golf ball during the course of a match. During play, a golf ball may pick up dirt, or the like, and most particularly when playing in the rain or on a wet course, the golf ball may become wet. Dirt or moisture on the surface of the golf ball may lead to certain changes in the kinetics of the ball, which can lead to unpredictability in the speed and direction of shots. Particularly, pieces of dirt may lead to the ball being pushed off course, either on the ground or in flight, while moisture on the surface of the ball may, for example, lead to a decrease in the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball, thus leading to unpredictability in the trajectory of shots. As will be appreciated, the accuracy of shots is of the utmost importance in games such as golf.

The practice of cleaning golf balls is routinely carried out by golfers during the course of a match. In the past, this cleaning has been carried out by means of a towel, which is conventionally attached to or stored within a golf bag or a golf trolley. Prior to cleaning a golf ball, a golfer is required to mark the present position of his or her golf ball. When a golf ball is cleaned, the golfer may opt to remove the ball from its 'marked position' and take the ball to his or her bag for cleaning, or, alternatively, may remove the towel from the bag and clean the ball in the vicinity of its 'marked position'.

However, this practice leads to particular inconvenience when the golfer is preparing to take a shot on a putting green.

2 In general, golf course etiquette demands that golf bags and trolleys are not taken onto golf course putting greens. Thus, should a golfer preparing to take a putt on the putting green require his or her ball to be cleaned, the golfer will need to return to his or her bag in order to clean the ball. This leads to inconvenience to the golfer and disruption to the match. There is therefore a clear need for an apparatus which allows the golfer to clean his or her ball with the minimum of inconvenience.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf putter including means for cleaning a golf ball.

Optionally, said cleaning means is attached to said golf putter. Preferably, said cleaning means is a towel. Alternatively, however, said cleaning means may also be a foam pad or a brush, or the like.

As used herein, a 'towel' refers to an article constructed from material allowing the removal of dirt and/or water from the surface of a golf ball. Such material is herein referred to as 'towelling material'. Preferably, a towel will be absorbent in nature, will not break down when wet and will be suitable to be washed by conventional household washing methods.

Preferably, said golf putter ftu-ther comprises means for attaching and detaching said cleaning means to and from said golf putter.

The putter preferably comprises a head, a shaft and a grip. Optionally, said cleaning means is attached to said shaft of said golf putter. Alternatively, said cleaning means is attached to said grip of said golf putter.

In one embodiment, said cleaning means is attached to said shaft by means of straps. Preferably, said straps are adapted to allow said cleaning means to be attached to and detached from said shaft.

Optionally, said cleaning means, when said golf putter is in use for putting, is wrapped around said shaft of said golf putter. Alternatively, said cleaning means, when said golf putter is in use for putting, is detached from said golf putter 3 As used herein 'when said golf putter is in use for putting' refers to the golf putter when being used for its primary function as a golf club. Optionally, when said golf putter is in use for putting, said cleaning means is stowed such as not to inconvenience a golfer while putting. For example, the cleaning means may be furled around the golf putter shaft. Alternatively, however, the golfer may choose to completely detach said cleaning means from said golf putter.

When said golf putter is not in use for putting and, additionally, said cleaning means is not in use cleaning, said cleaning means may be optionally stowed, for example by furling said cleaning means around the golf putter shaft. Optionally, however, said cleaning means may remain unstowed such that, if a golfer requires to clean a golf ball while playing shots which do not require a putter, he or she may also conveniently clean their golf ball using the cleaning means attached to the putter.

Optionally, said cleaning means further comprises second straps for securing said cleaning means around said shaft.

In a second aspect of the present invention, said golf putter comprises a recess for storing said cleaning means. Optionally, said recess may be formed within said shaft. Alternatively, said recess may be formed with said grip.

Preferably, said recess is formed in the end of the grip distal from said head of said golf putter. Preferably, said recess is covered by an end cap.

Preferably, said cleaning means, when not in use for cleaning, is located within said recess.

Preferably, said cleaning means may be washed by conventional household washing methods.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a headcover for a golf putter is provided, said headcover comprising means for cleaning a golf ball. Preferably, said cleaning 4 means is a towel. Optionally, the headcover may be constructed from towelling material. Alternatively, the headcover may be constructed from another material.

Optionally, said cleaning means is constructed from towelling material from which 5 said headcover is constructed.

Preferably, said cleaning means is integrally attached to said headcover. Optionally, said cleaning means forms part of said headcover.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a headcover for a golf putter is provided, wherein said headcover comprises attachment means for attaching accessories. Preferably, said attachment means comprises a hook, loop or ring. Preferably, said headcover is reinforced around the vicinity of said hook, loop or ring.

Preferably, said headcover further comprises means for cleaning golf balls. Preferably said cleaning means is a towel.

Preferably, said cleaning means comprises second attachment means for attaching said cleaning means to said headcover. Preferably, said second attachment means allows the attaching and detaching of said cleaning means to said headcover.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a golf putter is provided which is adapted to allow attachment of cleaning means to said golf putter.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a means for cleaning is provided, wherein said means for cleaning comprises means for attaching said cleaning means to a golf putter. Preferably, said means for cleaning is a towel.

As will be appreciated, the present invention alleviates the inconvenience associated with prior golfing practice. In particular, the invention allows the golfer to conveniently clean his or her ball without returning to his or her golf bag or trolley.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention incorporating a shaft-mounted towel wherein the towel is unfurled ready for cleaning a ball; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention wherein the towel is stowed such that the putter is ready for putting.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention incorporating a headcover and a towel.

Referring first to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a golf putter having a towel is generally shown at 1, the putter having a head 3, a shaft 5, a grip 7 and a towel 9. As can be seen, the towel is unfurled as to be ready for cleaning a golf ball. The towel ffirther includes first straps 11 a and 11 b which attach the towel to the shaft. These straps may be permanently attached to the towel by, for example, stitching or, optionally, may be reversibly attached by male and female popper fittings or by QD Velcro ' or the like. Additionally said first straps may be permanently looped around the shaft or may be reversibly attached around the shaft by male and female popper fittings or by Velcro or the like. These straps are secured sufficiently tightly around the shaft to prevent the towel from sliding along the shaft during normal use of the putter. The towel additionally has second straps 13a and 13b which are attached to the edge of the towel parallel to and distal from the shaft and may be permanently attached to the towel by, for example, stitching or, optionally, may be reversibly attached by male and female popper fittings or by Velcro or the like. Straps 13a and 13b each have reversibly attachable male and female fittings, which are positioned such that said towel maybe secured by said fittings in a furled position as shown in Figure 2. Such fittings may consist of male and female popper fittings or male and female VelcroO tabs or the like.

Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the golf putter of Figure 1 except that the towel is furled around the shaft, and secured by means of the second straps 13a and 13b, with the putter ready for putting.

6 In use for putting, the first embodiment of the putter will generally be kept as shown in Figure 2. Should a golfer wish to clean a golf ball, the golfer can release the second straps and unfurl the towel to obtain the configuration shown in Figure 1. Optionally, the golfer may release the first straps in order to entirely detach the towel from the shaft. In either case, the towel may now be used to clean a ball in a conventional manner. Once the golfer has finished cleaning, the towel may be reattached to the shaft by the first straps, if necessary, and furled around the shaft. The towel may then be secured in its furled position by the second straps. As will be appreciated, the towel may be entirely detached from the shaft in order for the towel to be washed by conventional means.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, namely a headcover for a putter generally shown at 21 having an attachment ring 23 and a towel 25. The towel has a permanent attachment ring 27 with a clip 29 attached to the ring 27, said clip being reversibly attachable to the attachment ring 23.

In use of the headcover, the towel will generally be attached by means of the clip to the attachment ring 23, as to prevent loss of the towel. Should the golfer wish to clean a ball, the towel preferably remains attached to the headeover, but may optionally be detached. In either case, the towel may be used in a conventional cleaning manner. Once the golfer has finished cleaning the ball, the towel may be reattached to the attachment ring 23 via the clip, if necessary.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications in detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

In particular, the towel 9, shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be positioned along the shaft at alternative heights for the convenience of the golfer. Additionally, the means of attachment of the first and second straps may be any which securely attaches the straps to the towel and/or the shaft.

7 Furthermore, the headcover 21 shown in Figure 3, may be used as a towel itself without the need for an additional towel 25, provided the headcover is constructed from suitable cleaning or drying material.

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Claims

1. A golf putter, wherein said golf putter comprises means for cleaning golf balls. 5

2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is attached to said golf putter.

3. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said cleaning 10 means is a towel.

4. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said golf putter further comprises means for attaching and detaching said cleaning means to and from said golf putter. 15

5. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said golf putter comprises a head, a shaft and a grip.

6. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 or 5, wherein said cleaning 20 means is attached to said shaft of said golf putter.

7. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 or 6, wherein said cleaning means is attached to said grip of said golf putter.

8. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said cleaning means is attached to said shaft by means of straps.

9. The golf putter of claim 8, wherein said straps are adapted to allow said cleaning means to be attached to and detached from said shaft.

10. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said cleaning means, when not in use for cleaning, is wrapped around said shaft of said golf putter.

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11. The golf putter of claim 10, wherein said cleaning means further comprises second straps for securing said cleaning means wrapped around said shaft.

12. The golf putter of any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein said golf putter 5 comprises a recess for storing said cleaning means.

13. The golf putter of claim 12, wherein said recess is constructed within said shaft.

14. The golf putter of claim 12 or 13, wherein said recess is constructed within said grip.

15. The golf putter of claim 14, wherein said recess is formed in the end of the grip distal from said head of said golf putter. 15

16. The golf putter of claim 15, wherein, when said cleaning means is not in use for cleaning, said recess is covered by an end cap.

17. The golf putter of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said cleaning 20 means, when not in use for cleaning, is located with said recess.

18. The golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said cleaning means may be washed by conventional household washing methods.

19. A headcover for a golf putter, wherein said headcover comprises means for cleaning golf balls.

20. The headcover of claim 19, wherein said cleaning means is a towel.

21. The headcover of any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein said headcover is constructed from towelling material.

22. The headcover of claim 2 1, wherein said cleaning means is constructed from towelling material from which said headcover is constructed.

23. The headcover of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein said cleaning means is integrally attached to said headcover.

24. The headcover of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein said cleaning means forms part of said headcover.

25. A headcover for a golf putter, wherein said headcover comprises attachment means for attaching accessories.

26. The headcover of claim 25, wherein said attachment means comprises an hook, loop or ring located within the material of said headcover.

27. The headcover of claim 26, wherein said headcover is reinforced around the vicinity of said hook, loop or ring.

28. The headcover of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein said headcover further comprises means for cleaning golf balls.

29. The headcover of claim 28, wherein said cleaning means is a towel.

30. The headcover of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein said cleaning means comprises second attachment means for attaching said cleaning means to said headcover. 25

31. The headcover of claim 30, wherein said second attachment means allows the attaching and detaching of said cleaning means to said headcover.

32. A golf putter adapted to allow attachment of cleaning means to said 30 golf putter.

33. A means for cleaning golf balls, wherein said means for cleaning comprises means for attaching said cleaning means to a golf putter.

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34. The cleaning means of claim 33, wherein said cleaning means is a towel.

35. The cleaning means of any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein said golf 5 putter is the golf putter of any one of claims 1 to 18.

36. A golf putter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 2 of the accompanying drawings.

37. A headcover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 of the accompanying drawings.

38. A putter and headcover according to any one of claims 1 to 32, 36 or 37.