JPH09206409A - Automatic mending device for golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic mending device for golf clubs capable of easily, rapidly and surely wiping away the mud, sand and lawn sticking to club heads without the aid of manual labor. SOLUTION: This automatic mending device is composed to have one set of rotary brushes 2, 3 disposed to face each other apart a prescribed spacing, a motor 4 for rotationally driving these brushes and a means for turning energization to the motor on and off and a water feeding means for maintaining the rotary brushes 2, 3 in a water absorption state. The water feeding means is provided with the rotary brushes, washing nozzles 18 for injecting washing water to the club heads or is provided with a washing water storage tank for immersing a part of the rotary brushes. A photoelectric switch, microswitch, proximity switch or the like or a push switch for detecting the insertion of the club heads between one set of the rotary brushes is used for the means for turning energization on and off. The rotary brushes for wiping to be used for wiping away the washing water sticking to the club heads or for mending the club heads after playing may be installed to the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is for removing sand, mud, and turf attached to a club head during play, and for cleaning a dirty club head after play.
The present invention relates to an automatic maintenance device for a golf club, which is mounted on a golf cart or installed in a club house, a driving range, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Needless to say, golf is a game of competing in the technique of accurately flying or rolling a golf ball in a desired direction by a desired distance. However, no matter how much you practice the swing movement of the golf club,
When playing after the rain, if there is sand, mud, or turf on the face of the club head and it is dirty but there is a possibility that it will affect the control of the hit ball.

Therefore, conventionally, when sand, mud, or turf adheres to the club head during play, the caddy or the player wipes it with a cleaning cloth or brush. Or, after finishing the play, a club house staff member provided a service of cleaning the golf club with a cloth to clean it. In addition, in the case of a golf driving range, a cloth or a wire brush with a handle for cleaning the golf club was provided.

However, the face of the club head is provided with a groove for applying a spin to the golf ball, and sand, mud, or turf clogged in this groove cannot be easily removed only by wiping with a cloth. And there are circumstances where securing caddies is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic maintenance device for a golf club, which can immediately clean a club head to which sand, mud, or turf has adhered, without any manual labor.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, an automatic golf club maintenance device according to the present invention is mounted on a golf cart or installed in a club house, a golf driving range, or the like during playing. Alternatively, after cleaning, a dirty club head can be easily and quickly cleaned, and a pair of rotating brushes 2 are placed opposite each other at a predetermined interval.
3, a motor 4 for driving the rotation of the motor 3, a means for connecting and disconnecting electricity to the motor 4, and a water supply means for keeping the rotary brushes 2, 3 in a water absorbing state. As the water supply means, a cleaning nozzle 18 for injecting cleaning water onto the rotating brushes 2, 3 and the club head, a pressurized water supply unit 21 for the cleaning nozzle 18, and an operation control unit thereof may be provided. Or,
As the water supply means, a cleaning water storage tank 34 may be provided in which a part of the rotary brush 2 or 3 is immersed in water. or,
As the energizing / interrupting means, the pair of rotating brushes 2, 3
A photoelectric switch, a micro switch, a proximity switch, or the like for detecting the insertion of the club head between them, or a push switch operated by a hand or a foot may be provided. Then, the rotating brush 4 for wiping is used for wiping off the cleaning water adhering to the club head and for cleaning the club head after playing.
1, 42 may be attached. Further, a brush gap adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial distance between the pair of rotating brushes 2 and 3 may be additionally provided.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. A schematic configuration of an automatic care device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a device) A1 of this embodiment is such that a pair of rotating brushes 2 and 3 are assembled side by side in an upper direction of an upper and lower two-stage machine frame 1, The motor 4 as the drive mechanism is installed in the lower stage. The motor 4 is
It is driven by a 24V DC power supply or a 100V AC power supply.

The rotating brushes 2 and 3 have appropriate rigidity and flexibility so that sand, mud, grass, etc. clogged in the grooves provided on the face surface of the club head can be easily removed. Synthetic resin monofilament, vegetable fiber, animal hair,
Bristles made of fine metal wires are planted. The bristle material of this embodiment uses a nylon monofilament having a thickness of 0.3 mm, and the bristle material of the rotary brush 2 has a length of about 24 mm.
The length of the bristle material of the rotary brush 3 is set to about 17 mm. The outer diameter of the rotating brush 3 is smaller than that of the rotating brush 2. The rotating shafts 5 and 6 of the rotating brushes 2 and 3 are bearings 7 and 8 attached to both sides or one side of the machine casing 1.
Is supported by.

The rotation of the motor 4 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 5 via a belt 11 stretched between a pulley 9 axially fitted to the motor shaft and a pulley 10 axially fitted to the rotary shaft 5. The rotation of the rotary shaft 5 is performed by a belt 14 stretched between pulleys 12 and 13 axially fitted to the rotary shafts 5 and 6, respectively.
It is transmitted to. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the rotating brushes 2 and 3 is about 300 rpm. 1 set of rotating brushes 2, 3
The respective rotation directions of are set in the same directions as indicated by the arrows so that the club head can be easily removed. A gear group may be used instead of the belt and the pulley as a transmission unit for the rotation of the motor 4.

A gap a is provided between the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of rotary shafts 2 and 3. The width of the gap a is set so that the club head can be inserted smoothly and cleaning efficiency can be improved. Although not shown, a brush gap adjusting mechanism having a well-known structure is attached to adjust the gap a, that is, the distance between the two rotating shafts 5 and 6 according to the type of golf club. You should put it. A head stopper 15 is provided below the gap a to determine a limit position for inserting the club head.

Further, photoelectric switches 16A and 16B are attached to the left and right side walls of the machine casing 1 as insertion detecting means for detecting the insertion of the club head into the gap a. The photoelectric switches 16A and 16B are connected to a control device 17 that starts and stops the motor 4. This photoelectric switch 16
A, 16B and the control device 17 constitute a power supply connection / disconnection means for the motor 4.

Further, above the gap a, the rotary brush 2,
3 and a pair of cleaning nozzles 18 for injecting cleaning water toward the club head inserted into the gap a. The number of cleaning nozzles 18 may be one. In order to supply pressurized water to the cleaning nozzle 18, a fresh water tank 20 and the water in this tank are pressurized on a pedestal 19 connected to one side of the machine frame 1, and the cleaning nozzle is also used. A water supply pump 21 for supplying water to 18 is installed. The power supply of the water supply pump 21 and the operation control unit share the power supply of the motor 4 and the control device 17. The fresh water tank 20 and the water pump 21 are
It constitutes the pressurized water supply unit. It should be noted that the water supply pipe and the power supply line are not shown.

The device A1 is covered with a removable cover 30. The top surface of the cover 30 has a front half portion inclined to the front side, and this portion is covered with a rubber or plastic cover (described later) provided with a slit for inserting the club head, so that the cleaning water is used by the operator of the apparatus. To prevent it from hanging over.
A drain receiver 31 is provided below the rotating brushes 2 and 3 to collect cleaning drainage. A wire net 32 is stretched over the drainage receiver 31.

The head stopper 15 has a rotating brush 2
A scraper 33 for removing sand, mud and grass attached to the outer peripheral surface of the is attached. The scraper 33 for the rotating brush 3 may be attached to the drainage receiver 31.
B in the figure is a golf club.

Next, the operation when the device A1 is used by being mounted on the rear portion of the golf cart will be described. The power cords (not shown) of the motor 4 and the water pump 21 are connected to the power supply terminals of the driving battery of the golf cart via the respective control devices (operation control units) 17. Alternatively, a dedicated power storage area may be mounted on the golf cart.

When a player hits the ball with an iron or the like while playing golf, sand, mud, and shredded grass adhere to the club head that kicks the ground. Even if it is still good on sunny days, it is not uncommon for sand, mud, or grass to adhere to the face surface during or after rain.

In this case, there is a sufficient possibility that the groove provided on the face surface for spinning the ball will be clogged with sand, mud or turf, which will affect the control of the hit ball. In such a case, if the device A1 is used, the caddy will not be bothered, and the player's own hands will be wasted and the useless time will not be lost. , Can be surely cleaned.

To use the device A1, the dirty head portion of the golf club B is inserted into the gap a between the pair of rotating brushes 2 and 3 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. , 16B detect the club head, and the detection signal is sent to the controller 17. As a result, the motor 4 and the water pump 21 continue to be energized while the club head is inserted into the gap a. The tip of the inserted club head hits the head stopper 15 and is automatically fixed at the optimum cleaning position.

In this state, the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 18 is sprayed toward the rotating rotary brushes 2 and 3, so that the sand, mud and grass attached to the club head will not be removed from the groove. Efficiently wipes off even if it is stuck in. When a few seconds to a dozen seconds have elapsed after the insertion, the club head is slowly pulled up from the gap a, and cleaning water is jetted toward the club head which is being pulled up for finish washing. The club head may be wiggled up and down during insertion.

The club head has photoelectric switches 16A, 1
When it is further pulled up from the installation position of 6B, the motor 4 and the water pump 21 are de-energized, and the automatic cleaning of the club head is completed.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus A2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the device A1 is that as a water supply means,
Instead of the cleaning nozzle 18 and the pressurized water supply unit 21, a cleaning water storage tank 34 that keeps the rotating brush 3 in a water absorbing state is provided in the drainage receiver 3
It is installed below the rotating brushes 2 and 3 instead of 1.
The lower part of the rotating brush 3 is immersed in the water in the wash water storage tank 34.

Further, the head stopper 15 is omitted, and its role is assigned to the inclined bottom surface 34a of the wash water storage tank 34. Further, the front and rear wall surfaces of the wash water storage tank 34 are provided with a scraper 33 for scraping off the dirt attached to the rotating brushes 2, 3.
I'm wearing The scraper 33 in this case is configured in a screen shape, and also serves as a receiving portion for deposits removed from the rotary brushes 2, 3.

The operation of the apparatus A2 will be described. The rotary brush 3 partially immersed in the water in the wash water storage tank 34 has its entire bristle material always in a water-containing state. And the rotating brush 3
A part of the water contained in the water is splashed off by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the brush and wets the bristle material of the adjacent rotary brush 2.

The bristle material that has been wetted with water reliably removes the sand, mud, and turf that have adhered to both sides of the club head. This wiping action can be understood from the fact that, for example, the "sponge scrubber" used in the kitchen or the like has a markedly different stain removal action depending on whether it is dry or wet.

4 to 7 show the apparatus A3 of the third embodiment. The difference from the device A1 of the first embodiment is that, in addition to the rotary brushes 2 and 3, rotary wipers 41 and 42 for wiping are provided side by side.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the machine frame 1, one set of rotating brushes 2 and 3 is provided adjacent to one set of rotating brushes 5 and 6, and the rotating shafts 5 and 6 are shared. Brushes 41, 42
Has been assembled. The bristle material to be planted on the wiping rotary brushes 41, 42 is slightly different from the bristle materials of the rotary brushes 2, 3 and is a mob material or the like which is excellent in water absorbability and dry dust wiping performance. Good.

The wiping rotary brushes 41, 42 are also useful for wiping off the water adhering to the club head after washing with the rotary brushes 2, 3. Also, regardless of the rain, when cleaning the club head after playing, due to the characteristics of the bristles, the same effect as cleaning with a cloth can be obtained. .

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the inclined portion of the top surface of the cover 30 of the apparatus A3, a hollow window is formed at a position facing the rotating brushes 2 and 3 and the wiping rotating brushes 41 and 42, respectively. Three
5 are provided. A rubber plate or a plastic plate 37 provided with a slit 36 through which the club head is inserted is stretched on each hollow 35. 38 is a drainage receiver, 39 is a waterproof plate for preventing water from splashing on the wiping rotary brushes 41, 42, 4
Reference numeral 0 is an operation panel of the device A3.

The wiping rotary brushes 41, 42 are provided with a dedicated photoelectric switch (not shown) for detecting the insertion of the club head into the gap b. Even if the photoelectric switch detects the club head, the water pump 21 is not energized. In addition, the wet rotary bra 4
A fan or heater may be incorporated to dry 1, 42.

How to use the device A3 when mounted on a golf cart will be described below. The club head soiled with sand, mud or turf is first inserted into the gap a between the rotating brushes 2 and 3 and washed with water as described above. Rotating brush 2,3
Next, the club head pulled out from is inserted into the gap b between the wiping rotary brushes 41, 42, and the wiping rotary brushes 41, 42 rotate, so that the bristle material having a high water absorption adheres to the club head. It absorbs the washing water you are doing. In that case, the rotating brushes 2 and 3 also rotate together. In this way, the maintenance of the club head, which has conventionally been performed using a piece of cloth, a wire brush, or the like, can be completed extremely easily and quickly without the need for manpower.

If a small amount of a care product of a metal product such as a rust preventive agent is included in the bristle material of the wiping rotary brush 41 or 42, the club head can also be repaired at the same time. For that purpose, although not shown, it is advisable to place a sponge roller impregnated with a care agent in contact with the wiping rotary brush 41 or 42.

In the above structure, the object of the present invention can be achieved even if the design of the detailed structure is changed appropriately. For example,
The means for connecting / disconnecting the electric power to the motor and the water pump may be a push-on switch operated by a pedal so that the electric power is supplied only while the pedal is depressed. Also, the rotating shafts 5, 6
The bearings 7 and 8 can be easily attached and detached so that the dirty or damaged rotary brushes 2, 3, 41 and 42 can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the automatic maintenance device for a golf club according to the present invention has excellent practical effects as listed below. (A) By inserting the club head into the gap between the pair of rotating brushes and pulling it out after a while, the sand, mud and grass attached to the club head can be completely removed. (B) Sand, mud, and turf clogged in the grooves provided on the face surface can be reliably removed. (C) If the device is mounted on a golf cart, the player can quickly and surely clean the club head whenever the club head gets dirty, even without a caddy. Become. (D) Unlike the conventional method of rubbing with a cloth piece or a brush with a handle, the hands can be completely kept clean, and the time required for maintenance can be shortened to an extent uncomparable to the conventional one. (E) If the device is installed and placed in a clubhouse, a golf driving range, or the like, a person who wants to care for the golf club after finishing playing can do this in a very short time with little effort.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same with the cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the present invention with a cover removed.

5 is a right side view of the same as above. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the same as the above, with a part of the cover removed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A1, A2, A3 device (automatic maintenance device) B club head 1 machine frame 2,3 rotating brush 4 motor 5,6 rotating shaft 7,8 bearing 9,10,12,13 pulley 11,14 endless belt 15 head stopper 16A , 16B Photoelectric switch (energizing / interrupting means) 17 Controller 18 Washing nozzle 19 Stand 20 Fresh water tank 21 Water pump (pressurized water supply section) 30 Cover 31, 38 Drainage receiver 32 Wire mesh 33 Scraper 34 Wash water storage tank (water supply means) 35 Opening window 36 Slit 37 Rubber plate 39 Waterproof plate 40 Operation panel

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A golf club, which is mounted on a golf cart or installed in a club house or a driving range so that a dirty club head can be easily and quickly cleaned during or after play. A pair of rotating brushes 2 and 3 that are spaced apart from each other, a motor 4 for rotating the rotating brushes, a means for connecting and disconnecting electricity to the motor 4, and a water supply means for keeping the rotating brushes 2 and 3 in a water absorbing state. An automatic maintenance device for golf clubs, which is characterized in that 2. The water supply means comprises the rotating brushes 2, 3
And a cleaning nozzle 18 for spraying cleaning water on the club head,
The automatic maintenance device for a golf club according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressurized water supply unit (21) for the cleaning nozzle (18) and an operation control unit thereof. 3. The automatic maintenance device for a golf club according to claim 1, wherein the water supply means is a cleaning water storage tank 34 in which a part of the rotary brush 2 or 3 is immersed in water. 4. The energizing / disconnecting means is a kind of photoelectric switch, micro switch, proximity switch for detecting insertion of a club head between the pair of rotating brushes 2, 3, or a push operated by a hand or foot. The automatic maintenance device for a golf club according to claim 1, wherein the automatic maintenance device is a switch. 5. A rotating wiping brush 41, 42 for wiping off cleaning water adhering to the club head, and for cleaning the club head after playing, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The automatic maintenance device for the golf club according to 1. 6. The automatic maintenance device for a golf club according to claim 1, further comprising a brush interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting an axial distance between the pair of rotating brushes 2, 3.