US2023932A

US2023932A - Ball washer

Info

Publication number: US2023932A
Application number: US713057A
Authority: US
Inventors: Meikle Stewart Galt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-02-26
Filing date: 1934-02-26
Publication date: 1935-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1952-12-10

Description

S. G. MEIKLE mm, M), 393.

BALL WASHER Filed Feb. 26, 1934 Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to golf-ball washers of the type adapted to be attached to thesand-boxes or other suitable supports at the teeing-off places of golf-courses, and which include a water-container having therein a brush against which the ball to be washed is reciprocated by a plunger.

It is an object of the invention generally to provide a device of this kind that is comparatively simple in construction and economical to produce, and in which worn parts may be replaced easily and cheaply.

When considered with the description herein, the details of construction and arrangement of parts of the device of this invention are apparent from the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, wherein an embodiment of the invention is disclosed, for purposes of illustration.

Although the embodiment disclosed now isconsidered to be a preferable one, it is to be understood that it is not the intention to be limited necessarily thereto in interpretation of the claims, as modifications and adaptations within the limits of the claims can be made Without departing from the nature of the invention.

Like reference-characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawing, of which- Fig. l is an elevation, with one of the containerwalls partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the lower part of the plunger;

Fig. 5 is a view of the cover.

The device includes a somewhat elongated container 5, open at the top, and preferably of sheet metal and rectangular in cross-section, the container being adapted to hold soapy or other water for cleaning balls, and having side walls I, end walls 8, and a bottom 9.

oppositely-positioned longitudinal pairs of flanges or guides Hi and II are fixed to, and extend inwardly from, the side walls. These flanges may be secured to the walls in any suitable manner. Economically, and also for afiording longitudinal reinforcement of the Walls, the flanges may be turned marginal portions of sheet-metal strips l2 welded to the walls.

The pair of guides Ill are sufficiently distant from one of the end walls to accommodate arcuate springs 13, and also a brush-back M or the corresponding part of any other suitable cleaning member, the bristles N3 of the back or other cleaning surface being on the side toward the other end wall. The back is positioned between the springs, which bear against the end wall,

and :the guides l0, .and the springs force the back toward and against the guides H], which marginally overlap the back. The lower end of the back rests on :a :stop member I6 fixed to, and projecting upwardly from, the bottom of the 5 container 6.

The brush is retained in the container by a sheet-metal cover I! over the space between the guides Ill and the end wall. The cover comprises a fiat .or web portion l8, which has 10 at its ends depending portions 19 terminating in inturned flanges 20; and along one of its longer sides an upstanding flange 2| with its material downturned from the top as a lip 22 whereby a channel is .afiorded between the flange and its lip.

The cover -.is 'so proportioned that, when the brush-back is resting on the stop it, it may be pushed downwardly into place with is flanges 28 contactable by the top of the back, the members I9 pressing outwardly against the sides of the container, and the flange 2| and its lip 22 tightly embracing the upper end of the container end wall, whereby the cover is held frictionally in place and the brush maintained in proper position.

A ball-moving plunger is reciprocable in the container opposite to the brush. The plunger comprises a handle 23, a shank 2A, a ball-cup 25 affording a ball-holding depression at or near the 30 lower end, and a plate-like lower terminal portion 26 with substantially parallel sides and of a Width nearly the distance between the side walls of the container. During reciprocation of the plunger, it is guided by the guides H and the side and end walls between which the platel like terminal moves in a raceway thus provided. The plunger is of such length that, when it is at the limit of its downward movement in the container, its handle extends above the top of the container.

The parts are so arranged and proportioned that a golf-ball of standard size in the plungercup extends into the bristle mass of the brush, or against the cleaning surface of any other suitable cleaner. As the ball is reciprocated against the cleaning element, it is rotated in the cup, and all of its surface is cleaned. When the brush is new, it is moved backwardly against the springs as the ball is reciprocated, and there is compensation for wear in that the springs keep the bristles agains the ball until they become much worn.

When it is desired to remove the brush after being worn, for turning end for end, or for replacement by a new one, the cover is pulled off, 5

and then the brush can be pulled straight out of the container and replaced by shoving straight down between the springs and the guides l0, after which the cover is closed by being pushed back into wedging brush-retaining place between the container side walls and over the top edge of the end wall.

One or more members 21 on the container are for securing the device to any suitable support.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A ball-cleaner comprising acontainer, therein a pair of longitudinal oppositely-positioned guides, a cleaning member movable longitudinally and bodily straight into and out of said container in contact with said guides, releasable means whereby said member is retained in saidcontainer, a plunger reciprocable in said container and arranged to reciprocate a ball against said member, and longitudinal guides in said container limiting lateral movement ofs'aid plunger toward said member.

2. A ball-cleaner comprising a container, therein a pair of longitudinal oppositely-disposed guides, a cleaning member movable longitudinally and bodily straight into and out of said container between an end Wall thereof and said guides, an arcuate spring between said end wall and the back of said member and pressing the latter toward said guides, releasable means whereby to retain said member in place, longitudinal guides near the container-wall opposite to the front of said member, and a. plunger reciprocable between said latter wall and said latter guides arranged to move a ball in contact with said member.

3. A plunger formed with a handle at one end, a ball-cup, and adjacent to said cup marginal portions having substantially parallel edges arranged to contact with guides of the raceway of aball-cleaner,

4. A plunger formed with a handle at one end, a ball-cup, and a flat part having substantially parallel edges arranged to contact with sides of the raceway of a ball-cleaner.

5. A plunger comprising an elongated member formed with a handle at one end, and at the other end with a ball-cup and a plate-like part having substantially parallel edges arranged to contact with guides of the raceway of a ballcleaner.

6. In a ball-cleaner comprising a container having an opening and a cleaning member slidably placeable and displaceable through said opening, a retainer for said member comprising inwardly-extending parts frictionally engageable with opposite container-walls and constituting stops toprevent displacement of said member from said container.

7. In a ball-cleaner comprising a container having an opening and a cleaning member slidably placeable and displaceable through said opening, a retainer for said member comprising inwardly-extending parts frictionally engageable with opposite container-walls, said retainer also having a channel capable of frictionally embracing an edge of a container-wall.

8. A mounting for the body of a cleaning member comprising a channel in which said body is slidable, a stop limiting inward longitudinal movement of said body, and a. removable closure for said channel opposite to said stop having inwardly-extending parts resiliently pressing against opposite sides of the channel whereby to hold the closure frictionally in place, said parts constituting stops to prevent displacement of said body from said channel.

9. A ball-cleaner comprising a container having a cleaning member therein, a plunger reciprocable in said container arranged to reciprocate a ball in contact with said member, and guides in said container keeping said plunger from contact with said member.

10. A ball-cleaner comprising a. container, therein a cleaning member adjacent to one of its walls and longitudinal guides adjacent to its opposite wall, and a plunger reciprocable between said latter wall and guides arranged to reciprocate a ball in contact with said member, said guides being positioned to keep said plunger from contact with said member.

STEWART GALT MEIKLE.