Hand held golf ball cleaner

Abstract

The HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER is a device that a golfer may use to clean a golf ball. The device is utilized to clean a ball without any other mechanism or assistance. The device is portable and may be carried with the golf bag or cart as desired. The new cleaner device has features to make its use both functional and simple to operate. The golf ball cleaning device has an abrasive membrane which, when a liquid is added before a golf round, may function to clean a ball whenever required during the round. The ball is introduced into the container and shaken, essentially in a vertical direction, for a few times. Any mud, grass or debris is removed by the scrubber membrane attached to the interior of the container. The clean golf ball is then removed from the device and returned to play.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 547,993 filed Feb. 26, 2004 by Michael Dale Matthews and titled “HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER”.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER device that a golfer or other person may use to clean a golf ball that is dirty or has debris attached to its surface. The device may be utilized by one person to clean a ball without any other mechanism or assistance. [0003] The new cleaner device is made from standard materials and has features built in to make its use both functional and simple to operate. The golf ball cleaning device has various improvements that will be discussed below. Other prior art does not suggest or disclose the features of the present invention. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0004] Not Applicable. SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM Not Applicable. BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION [0005] Primarily, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Accordingly, there are several objects and advantages of the “HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER”. There currently exist complex, non portable and portable devices that cost comparatively much more than this invention. Those devices also need multiple parts and specific actions by the golfer for proper use. This“HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER” provides an improvement because it is designed to simple to use and cost effective to manufacture. The advantages that are provided here will be fully evident to one skilled in the art of golf ball cleaning devices once the fully detailed description of the embodiment, the operation and the drawings are presented below.

[0018] One advantage to this device over other cleaning devices is the simplicity of the present invention. The present device lacks moving parts or complex channels to hold a golf ball. This simplicity eliminates operational errors and malfunctions that plague other, more complex devices. Therefore it is easy and simple to use; yet, when utilized, it is very effective in producing a clean golf ball.

[0019] A further advantage of this device over others in the field is that it is small and lightweight. This affords the user the ability to carry the device on his golf bag, in his pull cart, in a powered golf cart, on his belt loop, or by other similar means. This provides a virtually continuous accessibility to the golfer for a golf ball cleaning device.

[0020] This new invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. There are few parts to be produced. The main components of the preferred embodiment use processes that are already “tooled and ready for production”. For example the capital investments for plastic molding machines and the mold tools are already in place. There have been identified appropriate container and cover (lid) sizes that are tooled and currently in production. The abrasive element is already tooled and in high volume production. Likewise, the assembly of the parts may be accomplished easily for either low or high volume production requirements. There are no environmentally adverse processes in the component production, assembly, or packaging and shipping to increase manufacturing burden or to delay initial production.

[0021] The materials utilized are inexpensive. The main container, the lid, and the abrasive material pads are already in high volume production for other products in different types of industry. This permits a producer the economy of scale and competitive costs regardless of the initial volume needs. This present invention may benefit from the economy of scale for most of the main component parts.

[0022] The advantage of commercial viability has been addressed. Original cost estimates prove a commercially attractive position. Markets may likely include sporting goods manufacturers and distributors; direct sales at golf pro shops; trade show, radio, television, and magazine sales; internet sales; and the like.

Problems solved by technology

Historically, the prior art devices to aid in cleaning golf balls have been complex with many parts and movements and often have been non-portable.

This is stationary and not portable.

In cold and inclement weather, these devices are drained (especially in the northern areas of the United States) and left essentially un-effective as a cleaner.

Again, this is an essentially non-portable device.

However, it consists of several parts and a complex system.

This complex device was motor operated with a brush system and does not teach scrub pads.

It shows a hatch top and multiple, complex which increases the cost to produce the device.

It does not teach a shaking or brush device and shows a device comprised of more parts and complexity which probably results in a more costly design.

None of the above described prior art teaches all of the features and capabilities of the “HAND HELD GOLF BALL CLEANER” in respect to portable golf ball cleaning devices.

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