GB2394406A

GB2394406A - Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for golf clubs

Info

Publication number: GB2394406A
Application number: GB0224707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edwards
Original assignee: PROCLEAN UK Ltd
Current assignee: PROCLEAN UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-24
Filing date: 2002-10-24
Publication date: 2004-04-28
Also published as: GB0224707D0

Abstract

An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for golf clubs comprises a tank 10 dimensioned to receive at least part of one or more golf clubs, means for supporting 16 the golf club(s) when positioned in the tank 10 and means for producing an ultrasonic cleaning action within the tank 10. The clubs are preferably held in a vertical position where they are fixed in place by retaining elements 22. The means for supporting the golf clubs may include a support member 20 which is positioned adjacent to, but spaced from the bottom 24 of the tank 10. The support member 20 is preferably a grill having openings therein to prevent a golf club supported thereon from passing therethrough. The ultrasonic cleaning means preferably includes an ultrasound generating device which operates in the frequency range of 30-40 KHz. The apparatus may include an operation switch having an integral timer and automatic shut-off. The integral timer may have a first time period for washing the heads of the golf clubs and a second time period for washing the handle of the golf club, with the first time period being longer than the second time period. A heater may also be present to heat the cleaning fluid.

Description

ULTRASONIC GOLF CLUB CLEANING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus.

5 According to a first aspect. of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus comprising a tank dimensioned to receive at least part ot one or more golf clubs, means for supporting the or each golf club when positioned in the tank, and means for producing an ultrasonic cleaning action by which golf clubs of any material can be cleaned without damage.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 24, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 15 method of cleaning a golf club using ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing a first end of a golf club, formed ol any material, into the tank of the ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus, b) operating the ultrasonic cleaning means for a first predetermined 20 period, c) removing the golf club from the tank, d) inserting the other end of the golf club, formed of any material, into the tank, e) operating the ultrasonic cleaning means for a second predetermined

period, and f) removing the golf club from the tank.

Prelerably, when the first end ot the golf club is the head end, the first 5 predetermined period is longer than the second predetermined period, and when the first end of the golf club is the handle end, the second predetermined duration is longer than the first predetermined duration. This enables optimum use of cleaning time, due to the dirt on the golf club head usually being more ingrained and harder to remove than dirt on the handle.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a perspective view of one embodiment of ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Referring lo the drawing, ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus is shown which comprises a tank 10, means for supporting at least one golf Club when positioned in the tank 10, and means for producing an ultrasonic cleaning action.

20 The tank 10 typically has a 50 litre operating capacity and includes a fluid containing part 12, in which a suitable cleaning fluid can be placed, and a splashbaek part 14 integrally formed with the fluid containing part 12. The fluid containing part 12 is of, but not limited to, rectangular or substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and has a depth suitable lor fully receiving at least the head of a golf club.

when the golf club is inserted head first and the handle of a golf club when the golf club is inserted handle first.

The golf club supporting means includes a rack support element]6 a retaining 5 element 18 and a golf club support member 20. The rack support element 16 is supported by the splashback part 14 of the tank 10 and has a plurality of slots 22 for receiving golf clubs. The golf club support member 20 is in the form of a grill which is positioned to extend horizontally and adjacent to but spaced from the interior bottom surface 24 of the tank 10. The openings in the grill are sufficient to prevent 10 any part of a golf club from passing therethrough. A golf club can therefore be supported vertically or substantially vertically when positioned on the grill 20 and inserted into one of the slots 22 of the rack support element 16.

The retaining element 18 is a sprung member which can fix or substantially fix 15 a golf club in place. This is particularly useful for golf clubs of lower density that may tend to float.

The interior bottom surface 24 of the tank 10 is inclined to the horizontal so that in use sediment deposited into the cleaning fluid will tend to accumulate at its 20 lower end 26. A manually operable sediment drain valve 28 includes a sediment drain channel 30 which opens out in or adjacent to the lower end of the inclined bottom surface 24 and provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the tank 10. Flow control ol sedUnent between the interior and exterior of the tank 10 is thus effected via operation of the sediment drain valve 28.

The distance between the horizontal golf club support member 20 and the interior inclined bottom surface 24 of the tank 10 varies along the hcline from 80 millirnetres (mm) al. one side of the tank 10 to 100 trim at the lower end 26.

S The tank 10 also includes a cleaning fluid drain valve 32 having a fluid drain channel 34 providing tepid communication between the interior and exterior of the tank 10. Flow control of the cleaning fluid through the fluid drain channel 34 is thus achieved by operation of the cleaning fluid drain valve 32. The fluid drain channel 34 is positioned so that cleaning fluid, uncontaminated or substantially uncontaminated by 10 sediment, can be drained out of the tank 10. To this end, the fluid drain channel 34 opens out into the tank 10 at a position above that at which the sediment drain valve 28 opens out into the tank 10. Generally, the fluid drain channel 34 opens out into the tank 10 at, or adjacent to, the golf club support member 20.

15 The tank 10 also includes an adjustable stabilising member 36. In this case, the stabilising member 36 takes the form of two adjustable stabilising legs 38 having an inverted 'T' shape. The legs 38 are attached to opposite sides of the tank 10, and feet 40 on the legs 38 can be screw-threadably adjusted to compensate for uneven ground.

20 Rotatable castors 42 may be provided on the exterior bottom surface 44 of the tank 10 as an alternative, or in addition, to the stabilising member 36.

I'he ultrasonic cleaning means comprises an ultrasound generating device (not shown), the at'orementioned cleaning fluid (not shown), and a heating elenent (also

not shown). To accommodate the SO litre capacity of the tank IO, the ultrasound generating device preferably produces 500W of ultrasonic energy. Gcnerally the ultrasound generating device is configured to provide an energy output ol lOW per litrc of cleaning liquid. The ultrasound generating device is manufactured by 1)1trawavc 5 TM, in the IJnited Kingdom. ThIS device produces ultrasound waves which do not cause damage to any material from which a golf club is formed, for example metal, wood, plastics, rubber, lacquer, due to the frequency of operation. ''he ultrasound generating device typically operates in a frequency range of 30 KHz to 40 KlIz and, optimally, at 39 KHz, and with 100% modulation at]00 Hz. The ultrasonic cleaning 10 action becomes optimally efficient with an optimally reduced noise level when operating at this frequency. Operation at below 30 Kl-Iz can cause damage to the material of the golf club.

The Ultrawave TM ultrasound generating device is at least 85 % energy 15 efficient, due to the incorporated transducers being manufactured inhouse so that tolerances can be closely monitored.

The ultrasound generating device is housed in the base 46 of the tank 10.

below the interior inclined bottom surface 24. It has been found that an opthnunn 20 cleaning action for golf clubs is obtained when the golf club support member 20 is spaced from the ultrasonic cleaning device within the aforementioned range of 80 trim to 100 mm. That is not to say, however, that other spacings cannot be used.

ThIS type of ultrasound generating device can also be housed at any other

suitable position in the tank IO, and still provide a suitable ultrasound cleaning action.

The cleaning fluid is preferably biodegradable and non-toxic. The cleaning fluid is an ultrasonic cleaning fluid produced by, for example, Rosschem TM, Ireland.

The heating element is provided in one or more sides of the tank 10 and, when operated, heats the cleaning fluid to around 45"C to 50"C. The heating element typically incorporates a thermostatic control circuitry so that. when the ultrasound generating device is operated, the heating element is deactivated to conserve energy.

lO The thermostat re-activates the heating element, once the ultrasound generating device has been stopped, to re-heat the cleaning fluid to the appropriate temperature.

It is known that heated cleaning fluid promotes ultrasonic cleaning. However, the heating element could be dispensed with.

A switch cluster 48 is provided on the exterior of the tank 10 for the operation of the ultrasound generating device (ON and OFF switches 50 and 52) and, if the healing element thermostat is not provided, the heating eleTnent (switch 54). However, it is preferable that the ON I OFF switches 50, 52 of the ultrasound generating device 20 are replaced with a single timed operation switch having an integral timing function and an automatic shut-off. In this case, the integral timing function has first and second tinning periods, the first timing period corresponding to a cleaning time for a head of a golf club and the second tinning period corresponding to a cleaning thee for a handle of a golf club. Since it is unlikely that a golf club handle will need as much

cleaning as a golf club head, the first timing period is typically longer than the second tinning period, for example 3 minutes for the head and 3() seconds for the handle.

I lowever. the hrst and second timing periods can be ot any suitable duration, and may be equal.

The tank 10 is also provided with an automatic cut-off switch 56* typically in the form of a float chamber. If the cleaning fluid should tall below a certain level, for example where the handle of a typical golf club would no longer be immersed, the cleaning apparatus is automatically switched off.

In use, the fluid containing part 12 of the tank 10 is filled to a predetermined level with the cleaning liquid. This level is sufficient to immerse at least a golf club head, when the golf club is inserted into the tank 10 head first, and to immerse at least a golf club handle when the golf club is inserted handle first.

The user then inserts a t-irst end, typically the head 58, of a golf club 60 to be cleaned into the fluid cleaning part of the tank 10, and locates an un-immcrsed part 62 of the golf club 60 in one of the slots 22 of the rack support element 16, so that the golf club 60 is supported vertically or substantially vertically.

The ultrasound generating device is operated, along with the heater, and the first end 58 of the golf club 60 is cleaned for the first predetermined period.

The golf club 60 is then removed from the tank 10. and the other etude

typically the handle 64, is immersed in the fluid containing part 12 of the tank 10. The handle 64 is then cleaned, through the ultrasonic cleaning action produced by the ultrasound generating device and the cleaning fluid, for the second predetermined period. The cleaned golf club 60 is then removed from the tank 10, once the second predetermined period expires and the apparatus is automatically switched off.

Obviously, if it is intended that the handle of a golf club be cleaned first, the 10 first predetermined period of the single timed operation switch will be shorter than the second predetermined period.

The cleaning liquid can be reused a number of times. When replacing the cleaning fluid, cleaning fluid which is uncontaminated, or substantially 15 uncontaminated, with sediment is first drained from the tank into a separate container, such as a bucker, using the cleaning fluid drain valve. The accumulated sediment is then drained off using the sediment drain valve, and the tank can also be manually cleaned out. The drained cleaning fluid can then be poured back into the fluid containing part of the tanks and topped up to the appropriate level with further 20 cleaning fluid.

The ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus can include an autofeed unit connected to a reservoir supply of the cleaning fluid. either held on the tank or separately. The autofccd unit can be either electronically or mechanically controlled to

monitor and top-up the cleaning fluid in the tank, should it fall below a predetermined level. The inclusion of this type of unit is advantageous because, if the level of the cleaning fluid changes, the efficiency and cleaning action of the ultrasound generating device can be effected.

The ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus can also include a filtration system t'or continuously, or at periodic intervals, tattering the cleaning fluid. This would prevent substantial sediment accumulation, and thereby extend the periods between tank cleaning.

he depth of the fluid containing part of the tank could be sufficient to fully immerse a golf club. In this case, only a switch having a single time [unction and automatic shut-off would be required.

15 At least the tank and golf club supporting means are formed from a minimum of 316-grade stainless steel to prevent or inhibit corrosion. 'I'he seems of the tank are purge welded to reduce the risk of leakage.

The apparatus may be coin or token operated, and may therefore be provided 20 with a suitable known meter device (not shown) which permits usage of the apparatus only when suitable payment has been made.

The rack element could include apertures instead ot'slots. The apertures could have radially inwardly projecting bristles.

It is thus possible to provide an ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus which is capable of producing an ultrasonic cleaning action by which golf clubs of any material can be cleaned without damage.

5 The embodiments described above are given by way of example only and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled iri the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example the tank could accommodate the golf clubs in a horizontal position.

Claims

CLA I MS

1. Ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus comprising a tank dimensioned to receive at least part of one or more golf clubs, means for supporting the or each golf 5 club when positioned in the tank, and means tor producing an ultrasonic cleaning action by which golf clubs of any material can be cleaned without darnage.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the golf club support means includes a rack support element which supports the or each golf club in a vertical or 10 substantially vertical position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the golf club support means includes a retaining element by which a golf club, when placed in the tank, can be relcasably fixed or substantially fixed in place.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the golf club support means includes a golf club support member which is positioned adjacent to, and spaced from, the interior bottom surface of the tank.

20 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the distance between the golf club support member and the interior bottom surface of the tank is in the range of 80 mrn to 100 mm.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim or claim 5, wherein the golf chin support

member is a grill having openings dimensioned to prevent a golf club supported thereon from passing lherethrough.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one o' the preceding claims, wherein the bottom 5 surface of the tank is inclined to the horizontal to enable accumulation of seddilcnt al its lower end.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning means includes an ultrasound generating device and cleaning fluid.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ultrasound generating device operates in a frequency range of 30 KHz to 40 Kliz.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the ultrasound generating 15 device operates at or substantially at 39 KHz.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the ultrasound generating device is at least 85 % efficient.

20] 2. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 or claim 11, wherein the ultrasound generating device includes an operation switch having an integral tinner and automatic shut-off.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the integral timer has first and

second predetermined timing periods suitable for the cleaning of a golf club head and a golf club handle, respectively.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13' wherein the first predetermined timing 5 period is longer than the second predetermined timing period.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the depth of cleaning fluid in the tank is sufficient to immerse at least a golf club head, when the golf club is placed head first into the tank, or which is sufficient to immerse at least 10 the golf club handle, when the golf club is placed handle first into the tank.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to IS, wherein the cleaning fluid is biodegradable and non-toxic.

IS 17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of clahns 8 to 16, further comprising a cut-off switch which automatically stops the ultrasound generating device if the cleaning fluid falls below a predetermined level.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of clahns 8 lo 17, wherein the ultrasonic 20 cleaning means farther includes a heating element which in use heats the cleaning fluid. 19. Apparatus as claimed in clahn 18' wherein the heating element heats the cleanhg fluid to or substantially to 45"( to 504!,

90. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank includes a sedUnent drain valve in, or adjacent to, the interior bottom surface of the tank by which accumulated sediment can be drained from the lank.

S 21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank inchdes a cleaning fluid drain valve in a side of the tank by which cleaning fluid, uncontaminated or substantially uncontaminated by sediment, can be drained from the tank. 10 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 when dependent on claim 20, wherein the cleaning fluid drain valve opens out into the tank at a position which is above that at which the sediment drain valve opens out into the tank.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank !5 includes an adjustable stabilising member by which the tank can be stabilised when positioned on uneven ground.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank and golf club supporting means are fanned from stainless steel having a minimum 316 20 grade. 25. A method of cleaning a golf club using ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus h1 accordance with any one of the preceding claims. the method comprising the steps of:

a) placing a first end of a golf club, formed of any material, into the tank of the ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus, b) operating the ultrasonic cleaning means for a first predetermined 5 period, c) removing the golf club from the tank, d) inserting the other end of the golf club, fonned of any material, into 10 the tank, e) operating the ultrasonic cleaning means for a second predetermined period, and 15 f) removing the golf club from the tank.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, when the first end of the goll club is the head end, the first predetermined period is longer than the second predetermined period, and when the first end of the golf club is the handle end, the second 20 predetermined duration is longer than the first predetermined duration.

27. Ultrasonic golf club cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbelore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.