US1797000A - Golf-ball washer - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1931. E. M. LAING 3 5 GOLF BALL WA HER- Filed luly 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v ITRFQTJF? c/ March 17, 19.31. E. M. LAING' eow mmvmsusa Filed July 2. 192a mm \\m\ J1 orneeys cri Patented Mar. 17, 1931 FATE a r OFFICE EDWARD M. Lame, oFH'IGHLAN-DPARK, ILLINOIS GOLF-BALL WASHER.

Application filed July 2-, 1928. Serial No. 289,835.-

This invention relates to a golf ball washer, and more particularly to an improved apparatus that may be located near a tee for expeditiously and efficiently cleaning a golf ball. I

One object of the invention is to provide an improved means for reciprocating a golf ball between a pair of brushes immersed in a cleaning liquid such as water, incombination with means for rotating the ball so as to expose different surfaces thereof to the brushes.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting the brushes and ballholding mechanism so that the receptacle for the liquid may be easily removed and cleaned.

Another object is'to' provide an improved reservoir for holding a supply of liquid to replenish the liquid in the cleaning receptacle.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting the washer andreservoir in an easily accessible position.

Other objects and advantagesof this invention will be more apparent from the fol lowing detailed description of one approved form of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete assembly.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3'is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the ball holder and a portion of the operating lever, showing same in the positions-assumed in the opposite stroke from that shown in Fig. 4.

6 is a transverse section, taken substantiallyon the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, looking from the opposite side at the structure shown in Fig. 4.

The supporting standard comprises'a base 1 of sufficient size and weight to carry the parts hereinafter described without danger of upsetting, from the center of whlch project's' upwardly the uprightcylindrical post 2-.- The post 2 terminates at a convenient height to have the washer hereinafter described in position for operation by a person standing alongside the apparatus, and is provided near its upper end with an outstanding annular flange 3 above which is rotatably supported the collar 4 upon the upper end 5 of the" post. I

The horizontal cover plate or closure 6 of the golf ball washer is formed'at one side with an upstanding vertical flange or bracket 7 which is secured by bolts 8 to a flange 9 formed on collar 4. The plate 6 is formed with a longitudinally extending central slot 10, and at either side of this'slot are upstanding flanges or brackets 11. and 12, the bracket 11 being connected with flange 7 by the strengthening web 13. A lever 14 is pivoted at an intermediate point on the shaft 15 j ournaled in the flanges or brackets 11 and 12. A pair of cover flaps 16, adapted to normally close the slot 10, have ears 16 pivoted on shaft 15 at either side of the lever 14. The longer upper arm 17 of lever 14 is formed as an operating handle which may be oscillated back and forth through an arc of substantially 180 above the horizontal plane of the top of plate 6. During this movement the shorter lower arm 18 of lever 14 will project downwardly through slot 10 in cover plate 6 and be oscillated therebeneath.

A pair of similar brushes or other equivalent cleaning devices are mounted in opposed positions beneath the plate 6, the backs 19 of the brushes being secured to the bottom of plate 6 by screws 20 which pass through slots 21 elongated transversely of the plate 6. The slots 21 permit the brushesto be usted toward or from one another. The bristles 22 project toward oneanother so that the space therebetween'is less than the diameter of ,a

golf ball. Thelower end 18 of the lever 14 is adapted to oscillate between these brushes.

An open topped receptacle 23 for holding the water or other cleaning liquid is suspended beneath cover plate Bin any suitable manner. As here shown laterally projecting ears 24 on plate 6 are received between pairs of ears 25 on receptacle 23, and pins 26 passed through these ears serve to support the receptacle A downwardly projecting flange 27 on the lower face of plate 6 fits within receptacle 23 and holds the receptacle in properly centered position.

An annular golf-ball holder 28, of considerably less thickness than the diameter of the golf ball, or the distance between brushes 22, a laterally projecting tongue 29 that is pivoted in a recess 30 formed in the lower portion of lever arm 18, upon a pivot pin 31. The recess 30 projects laterally through one side of arm 18 and has an upper stop surface 32 and a lower stop surface 33 spaced at such an angular distance apart that a limited oscillation of the ball-holder 28 about the pivot pin 31 is permitted. The circular opening 34 in holder 28- is of sufficientlylarge dia1neter to permit the golf ball 35 to, rotate'freely therein and also to have a limited freedom for rolling movement in a substantially vertical direction. Alon the outer edges of opening 34 are inwardly projecting flanges 36 which serve as tracks upon which the ball 35 may roll when the holder is moved in one direction. An arcuate flange 37 formed on the lower portion of arm 18 projects partially across the opening 34 at one side thereof, and has an inner surface 38 extending diagonally to the opening and adapted to engage the ball lVhen the handle 17 is swung down to the right to thedotted line position shown in 4, the holder 28 will be elevated out of the receptacle 23 to the dotted line position so that the ball 35 may be inserted therein. The handle 17 is then swung upwardly and oscillated back .d forth so to oscillate the lower arm 18 of the lever and the ball holder 28 back and forth between the brushes 22. As the lever 17 is first swung in the direction of the arrow (6 (Fig. and the ball hold- .er 28 is moved in the direction of the arrow on the lever arm, this rolling movement tak-' ing place in the inclined plane g (Fig. turning substantially about the inclined axis It will be noted that this rolling movement is at an acute angle to the plane in which the lever and ball-holder swing, so that new surfaces of the ball will be exposed to the brushes 22. The successive rolling movements of the ball as the lever 14 is oscillated back and forth, and as the ball holder 28 oscillates vertically within the recess 30 in the lever, se .ves to continually change the surfaces of the ball'that are directly opposed to the brushes, so that the entire surface of the ball is quickly and elfectively cleaned.

The pivoted flaps 1t; normally cover the slot 10 so as to prevent splashing during the cleaning operation, and to prevent evaporation of the cleaning liquid when the device is not in use. These flaps are automatically lifted by the ball-holder when it is swung out of the receptacle at either side, and close automatically by their own weight.

At the opposite side of post 2 from the golf ball washer just described, a flange plate 39 formed on collar 4 is bolted to and supports a vertical plate 4O projecting upwardly from the rear side of the reservoir 41. This reservoir 41 is partially open at the top as indicated at 42, and is adapted to hold a supply of water or other cleaning liquid substantially at the same level as the liquid supply in receptacle 23. An outlet pipe 43 leads from the rear side of receptacle 41 and is provided with a cut-elf valve or stop-cock 44. A section of flexible tubing 45 is adapted to connect tne end 46 of pipe 43 with an inlet port 47 projecting from the rear side of receptacle 23. When the flexible tube 45 is in place and the valve 44 open, the receptacle 23 will be in open communication with reservoir 41 so that the liquid will seek the same level in both receptacles.

t is sometimes desirable to remove the receptacle 23 for the purpose of removing the dirt therefrom, and cleaning the brushes 22. At such time the valve 44 is closed and the flexible tube 45 detached from port 47, whereupon the receptacle 23 may be easily removed by withdrawing the pins 26.

A liquid container 48, which is closed except fora restricted neck portion 49, is piv otally attached at to the outer upper edge of reservoir 41. When container 48 is swung down to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, the container can be filled with water or other liquid n the usual manner of filling a bottle, preferably with the aid of av funnel. When container 48 is swung up to the position shown in solid lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and shown in section in Fig. 3, the neck 49 will project below the normal liquid level in reservoir 4-1. Atn'iospheric pressure will now serve to hold the contents within the inverted container until such time as the liquid level in reservoir 41 a; d receptacle 23 has fallen below the bottom of. neck 49 whereupon a portion of the liquid will flow out until the level is again raised above the bottom of the neck 49. Since the water supply within receptacle 23 is gradually exhausted by the cleaning operations performed therein, and due to the fact that some liquid will be splashed from the receptacle, it is necessary that this water supply be more or less c0nstantly replenished, and the reservoir 41 and container 48 serve to hold a considerable supply of l quid for automatically renewing the weapon.

supply in receptacle2 3a, The receptacle 48 is held in raised orinverted position; by the removable pin 51 which connects an ear 52. on the receptacle with ears 53 on plate lOz It will be noted-thatthe entire assembly consist-ingot the golf ballfwashe r, and the Water supplytherefor, is rotatabl-y carried by collarfl at the upper end of post 2 so that the washerinay ccfinveni'entlyv be swung to any'positionabout the post and the reservoir l1 ai'idf container l8 will simultaneously be moved out of the way at the other side of the post. The water supply portion of the apparatus also serves as a counter weight for the golf ballwashing apparatus, so that the entire assembly and the standard 2 are substantially balanced at'all times.

\Vhile the water will ordinarily be sufiicient as a cleaning. agent, it is to be understood that other cleaning fluids maybe used in this apparatus. Also other means than brushes might be usedas scrubbing agents, for example pads offelt or similar material. In the following claims, the term brushes is intended to cover all such equivalent devices.

I claim: 7

1. A golfball washer comprisinga-receptacle for holding liqnid, a pair of opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle, a lever pivoted so that its lowerenjd will swing between the brushes, a ball holder movabl y connected with the lever for permitting limited bodily movement of the ball with relation to the lever, the lever having a surface at one side of and inclined at an acute angle to the plane of'movement of the lever upon which the ball rolls during its bodily movement with respect to the lever.

2. A golf. ball washer comprising receptacle for holding liquid, a pairof opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle,-a

lever pivoted so that its lower endwill swing between the brushes, a ball holder movably connected with theleverfor permitting limited bodily movement of the ball'with relation tothe lever, and means on the lever for causing the ball: to rotate during this bodily movement about an axis inclined at an acute angle to. the plane of movement of the lever.

'3. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a pair of opposed brushes mountedwithin the receptacle. a lever pivoted so that its lower-end will swing between the brushes, and an annular ball holder pivot-ally"connected with the. lower end of the lever for limited swinging movement with respect thereto, theholder being of less thickness than a golf ball or the distance between the brushes, the holder having. an opening for recei v 'mg the balfl this opening being of greater diameter than the golf ball, and means for causing the ball to rotate about an axis inclined-at an acute angle to. the. plane of: swinging movement of the lever as the. holder swings with. whip-6 h to. the lever.

4. A golf ball Washer comprising a re.- ceptacl'e forhol ding liquid, apair of opposed brusl1es..mounted within the receptacle, a

lever pivotedsothat itslower end will swing between the brushes, and a ball holder piw. otally connected with the lower end; of; the. lever for limited; swinging.- movement with respect thereto, theholderbeing. of lessthickness thania g'olt ball or the distance between the brushes, the. holder having. an opening for receiving the ball this. opening being larger. than the diameter. ot a golf ball, and means onthe lever engaging the ball: to rotate same. as the holder swings with relationtoithe lever.

5. A; golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding. liquid, a. pair of opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle, a leverpivotedsothat its lower end-will swing between. the. brushes, and an. annular ball holder pivotally connected.- with the. lower end of the lever for limited swinging move: ment with. respect thereto, the. holder being of less thickness than. a golf ball or the distance between the brushes, the holder having an opening for receiving the ball. this opening being of greater diameter than a golf'ball', and an arcuate flange on thelever. projecting partially. across the. opening. in the holder at one side thereof, against which the ball rolls. when the holder swings with relation to the lever, the-"plane of rolling movement being disposed at an acute angle to the plane of swinging movement of the lever.

. 6. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding. liquid, a closure for said receptacle, a pairof' opposed brushes mounted in the receptacle, a lever intermediately pivoted on the cover above the receptacle so that oscillation of. the upper arm of'the lever will cause. the lower arm. tliereotto swing within the receptacle between the. brushes, and a ball holder pivotally connected with the lower end. of. the lever for limited oscillation in the plane of movement of the lever.

7 A golf ball washer comprising. a receptacle for holding. liquid, a closure for said receptacle, a pair of opposed? brushes mounted in the receptacle, a lever intermediately pivoted on the-cover above the receptacle. so that oscillation of the. upper arm of the lever will cause the lower. arm thereof to swing. within the receptacle between the brushes, and an. annular ball holder pivotally connected with the lower end of' the lever for limited swinging movement with respect thereto, the holder being of less thickness than a golf ball and having an opening therein of greater diameter than the ball, and an arcuate. flange on the. lower arm of the lever projecting partially across the opening in. the holder at one side thereof to engage the ball so that't-he'ball will roll on the flange as the holder swings with relation to the lever.

8. A golf ball washer comprising a cover plate having a central longitudinal slot therein and a pair of upstanding brackets either side of the slot, means for supporting the plate, a pair of opposed brushes secured to the lower face of the plate one ateither side of the slot, a lever, means for intermediately pivoting the lever between the brackets so that the lower end thereof projects downwardly through the slot for swinging movement between the brushes, a receptacle for holding liquid suspended beneath the plate so that the brushes are housed therein, an annular ball holder of less thickness than a golf ball and having an opening therein of greater diameter than the ball, the ball holder being pivotally connected with the lower end of the lever for limited swinging movement with respect thereto substantially in the plane of movement of the lever, and an arcuate flange on the lever projecting partially across the openingin the holder at one side thereof so that the ball will roll on the flange as the holder swings with relation to the lever.

9. The combination with a supporting standard and a golf ball washer carried thereby comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid carried by the standard, a pipe connection between the lower portions of the receptacle and reservoir, and a liquid container closed except for a small filling-neck, and means for supporting the container in inverted position with the neck projecting beneath the normal liquid level in the reservoir.

10. T he combination with supporting standard and a golf ball, washer carried thereby comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid carried by the standard, a pipe connection between the lower portions of the receptacle and reservoir, and a liquid container closed except for a small fillingneck, the container being pivotally connected with one side of the reservoir so that it may be swung down to fill the container, or swung up to invert the container in which position the neck projects below the normal liquid level in the reservoir and means for holding the container in this inverted posit-ion.

11. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having an annular shoulder near the upper endthereof, a collar rotatably supported 'on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washer supported by the collar, said washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to and supported from the collar at the opposite-side of the post from the Washer, and a conduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle.

12. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having an annular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatably supported on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washer supported by the collar, said washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to and supported from the col lar at theopposite side of the post from the washer, a conduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle, a liquid container closed except for a small filling neck, and means for supporting the container in inverted position with the neck below the normal liquid level in the container.

13. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having an annular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatably supported on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washer supported by the collar, said washer comprising ai'eceptacle for holding liquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to and supported from the collar at the opposite side of the post from the washer, a conduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle, a liquid container closed except for a small filling neck, the container being pivotally supported from one side of the reservoir so that it may be swung up to inverted position with the neck projecting below the liquid level in the reservoir. h

14;. In combination with a standard comprising an upright post having an annular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatably supported on the post above the shoulder, a golf ball washer comprising a cover plate attached to the collar and projecting laterally therefrom, and means supported by the cover plate and positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf ball, a receptacle for liquid removably suspended from the, plate, areservoir for liquid supported by the collar at the opposite side of the post, an outlet pipe projecting from the lower portion of the reservoir, a valve in the pipe, and a removable flexible pipe connection between the outlet pipe and the receptacle.

15. In combination with a standard comprising an upright post having anannular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatably supported on the post above the shoulder, a golf ball washer comprising a cover plate attached to the collar and projecting laterally therefrom, and means sup ported by the cover plate and positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf ball, a receptacle for liquid removably suspended from the plate, a reservoir for liquid supported by the collar at the opposite side of the post, an outlet pipe projecting from the lower portion of the reservoir, a valve in the pipe, a flexible pipe connection between the outlet pipe and the receptacle, a liquid container having a restricted filling neck, and means for supporting the container in inverted position above the reservoir with the neck projecting beneath the normal liquid level in the reservoir.

16. A golf ball washer comprising a closure for a receptacle, a bracket extending laterally from the upper portion of the closure for supporting the closure, cleaning means supported from the closure and extending downwardly therefrom, an operating handle for the cleaning means extending upwardly from the closure, and a receptacle for a cleaning liquid removably supported from the closure and adapted to-house the cleaning means.

17. A golf ball washer comprising a closure for a receptacle, a bracket extending laterally from the upper portion of the closure for supporting the closure, a pair of brushes supported from the lower side of the closure, a member movably carried by the closure and comprising an upwardly projecting handle and a downwardly projecting ball-holder extending between the brushes, and a receptacle for a cleaning liquid removably supported from the closure and adapted to house the brushes and ball-holder. I

18. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, a closure for the receptacle provided with a longitudinal slot therein, a pair of brackets at either side of the receptacle centrally thereof, a shaft mounted in the brackets, a pair of opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle, a lever pivoted on the shaft so that its lower end will swing between the brushes, a ball holder on the lower end of the lever, and a pair of closures for the slot, said closures being pivoted adjacent the axis of the lever and adapted to be lifted by the ball holder as it is swung up out of the receptacle.

EDWARD M. LAING.

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