Hand brush for cleaning a golf club grip

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand brush for cleaning a golf club handle, wherein the hand brush comprises an elongated handle and a brush head attached to a distal end of the handle, wherein the brush head is ring-shaped and surrounds a through-hole, on the circumferential surface of which a brush bristle is formed on the inside.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hand brush, in particular for cleaning a golf club handle, having an elongated handle and a brush head attached to a distal end of the handle.

[0002] Hand brushes of this type are already available in various shapes and for a wide variety of purposes, such as cleaning surfaces. Golf club grips, in particular, must be cleaned regularly, even during a round of golf, to ensure a clean and non-slip grip. However, the cylindrical to conical shape of a golf club grip is only partially and therefore difficult to clean with a conventional hand brush, as the brush bristles cannot fully clean a golf club grip. The brush must therefore be moved not only lengthwise but also circumferentially around the golf club grip. Therefore, golfers usually use a towel to clean the golf club grip by wrapping the towel around the golf club grip and moving it lengthwise.However, towels are only of limited use for cleaning, as they wipe away dirt on the golf club handle but do not remove it.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the object of significantly simplifying the mobile cleaning of a golf club handle with a suitable cleaning device.

[0004] The stated object is achieved according to the invention in that a hand brush for cleaning a golf club handle comprises an elongated handle and a brush head attached to a distal end of the handle, wherein the brush head is ring-shaped and surrounds a through-opening, on the circumferential surface of which a brush trim is formed on the inside.

[0005] The brush bristle is designed to be replaceable. It preferably consists of an elastic, elongated base body with a plurality of bristles arranged on its elongated surface.

[0006] The elongated base body is preferably designed to be elastic so that it can be formed into a virtually closed ring with bristles located inside the ring. In this way, the base body, together with the bristles, can be easily removed from and reinserted into a corresponding receiving device at any time. For this purpose, an annular receiving device is arranged in the brush head, which is located on the inside in the area of ​​the through-opening and accommodates the elastic brush bristles. The brush bristles, shaped into a virtually closed ring, can therefore be inserted into the annular receiving device of the brush head, which is arranged on the peripheral surface of the through-opening and is designed to complement the base body. For this purpose, the receiving device can additionally be covered with a screw-off cover to ensure that the inserted brush bristles are securely held.Such a brush bristle can therefore be replaced at any time, if manufactured inexpensively, with another brush bristle, for example with stronger bristles or differently shaped bristles, or simply with unworn bristles.

[0007] The elongated handle can be cylindrical. The cylinder preferably has an outer diameter of 30 to 60 millimeters, more preferably 35 to 40 millimeters, and preferably a length of 90 to 120 millimeters, more preferably 95 to 105 millimeters. It is also conceivable for the handle to have an ergonomic design, thereby improving the hand grip. The handle preferably has a non-slip surface.

[0008] It is advisable to design the brush head as an extension of the distal end of the handle. It is also conceivable for the brush head to be mounted at the distal end of the handle offset by a first angle in a first plane and / or a second angle in a second plane.

[0009] The brush head is ring-shaped, particularly round or circular. A non-round shape, such as an oval, is also conceivable. Ring-shaped in this context means that a body, in this case the brush head, surrounds a hole or opening. A ring does not necessarily have to be closed along its circumference.

[0010] Due to the special design of the brush head, the through-opening is particularly centrally surrounded, with the inner diameter of the brush head corresponding to the outer diameter of the through-opening. The through-opening therefore represents a type of hole which is surrounded by the annular body of the brush head. The depth of the through-opening is preferably 15 to 60 millimeters, more preferably 20 to 30 millimeters. The peripheral surface of the through-opening is defined by the depth and the orbit of the through-opening, with the orbit being round, circular or non-circular, for example oval, depending on the design of the brush head. The peripheral surface is preferably flat in the depth direction and rounded at the edges. In particular, the edges of the through-opening are chamfered at an angle of 45°. It is also conceivable for the surface to be convex or concave in the depth direction.

[0011] The brush bristles are located on the inside of the peripheral surface, facing the feedthrough opening. The brush bristles are firmly attached to the peripheral surface. The special design of the brush head has the advantage that a golf club handle within the feedthrough opening is completely enclosed by the brush bristles. This makes it possible to clean the golf club handle effectively by friction with the brush bristles simply by moving it along the longitudinal axis of the golf club, removing contaminants such as dust or sweat residue.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the peripheral surface has a gap. The gap completely interrupts the annular brush head. In particular, the gap width is constant in the radial direction of the brush head. A conical design of the gap is also conceivable, with the gap width decreasing towards the center. The gap width corresponds to a conventional diameter of a golf club shaft, preferably between 8 and 10 millimeters, more preferably between 8.5 and 9.4 millimeters. In particular, the gap is located opposite the grip. It is also conceivable for the gap to be at a right angle to the grip or at any other angle from 20° to 340°. The edges of the gap are preferably chamfered at an angle of 45°.

[0013] The gap has the advantage that a golf club shaft can be inserted into the opening perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. This allows the brush head to be placed onto the golf club shaft and positioned lengthwise over the golf club grip.

[0014] As an alternative to a gap, the brush head's opening can be opened to accommodate a golf club shaft. For example, the brush head has a hinge and a closure.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferred that the diameter of the through-opening can be increased by elastic deformation of the brush head and widening of the gap. This is possible by manufacturing the brush head from an elastic material, for example, a plastic such as PU or PVC, especially plastics that can be used in a 3D printing process. The rigidity of the brush head counteracts, in particular, an increase in the gap and results in the brush bristles exerting preferential pressure on the golf club handle when the golf club handle is inserted into the through-opening.

[0016] The advantage of this design is that the diameter of the through-hole adapts to a variable diameter of the golf club grip by inserting a golf club grip through the through-hole. This makes it possible to clean both conical golf club grips, whose diameter varies longitudinally, and different grip sizes of a golf club, such as the "man" and "lady" grips, with a uniform brush head. The hand brush is preferably suitable for golf club grip sizes with a diameter between 13 and 27 millimeters.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment, the brush trim consists of a plurality of bristles, hairs or fibers with a radial extension, wherein the brush trim is evenly distributed over the circumferential surface. Depending on the surface and manufacturer's specifications of the golf club grip, bristles, for example natural hair bristles, artificial or natural hair, or even natural or synthetic fibers are ideal as brush trim. Depending on the bristle or fiber thickness, but also depending on the preferred trim density, a plurality of bristles, hairs or fibers are used. Bristles, hairs or fibers extend in the radial direction of the through-opening and are therefore arranged perpendicular to the circumferential surface. Depending on the nature of the circumferential surface in the depth direction (flat, concave or convex), the bristles, hairs or fibers are arranged parallel, converging or diverging.The bristle trim extends in the central direction in particular over a length of 3 millimeters to 15 millimeters, more particularly 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters. In particular, each brush trim has a combination of different lengths of bristles, hairs or fibers. A combination of different bristles, hairs or fibers on each brush trim is also conceivable. For particularly sensitive golf club grips, for example, particularly soft, fluffy hairs, in particular the finest synthetic hairs with a structure width of 50 micrometers or more, which can be produced using modern CAD printing processes, can be used as the bristle trim. It is also conceivable for the brush trim to have a braided or sponge-like surface suitable for brushing a golf club grip.

[0018] An even distribution of the brush bristles has the advantage that the golf club handle is cleaned evenly along its circumference when guided centrally through the opening. Prioritized cleaning of a specific circumferential section can be achieved by guiding the golf club handle off-center.

[0019] It is further preferred that the handle has a first coupling element at a distal end, and the brush head has a second coupling element, wherein the handle and the brush head are detachably connected to a coupling intermediate piece via the coupling elements. This has the advantage that different handles can be combined with different cleaning heads.

[0020] The coupling intermediate piece advantageously has a third coupling element at a first distal end for connecting to the first coupling element and a fourth coupling element at a second distal end for connecting to the second coupling element.

[0021] Typically, a set of golf clubs required for a round of golf includes different golf clubs, each with a different grip, which, depending on the surface and manufacturer's specifications, requires a specific brush head for optimal cleaning. Therefore, it is preferable to replace a first brush head with a first brush head with at least one second brush head with at least one second brush head. This has the advantage, for example, that only one handle is required for different brush heads. The brush head can also be removed quickly and easily, allowing a new brush head to be inserted.

[0022] In particular, it is conceivable that brush heads with different opening diameters could be interchanged. Furthermore, it is particularly conceivable that other brush head designs could be connected to the handle, such as flat or round brush heads for cleaning golf equipment.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the grip surrounds a hollow body which can be filled with cleaning fluid via a filling element located on the grip. The outer surface and, if applicable, end surfaces of the grip thus enclose the hollow body. In particular, the shell is thin-walled, preferably between 0.5 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters, more preferably between 1 millimeter and 1.5 millimeters. The hollow body is preferably cylindrical. The cleaning fluid is usually water, although it is also conceivable that other liquids can be used for cleaning. The use of fat-soluble, in particular soap-like, rinsing agents and / or disinfectants is preferred for ridding a golf club grip of bacteria and viruses, for example COVID-19 viruses.The use of cleaning fluid also has the advantage that even stubborn dirt particles on the golf club grip can be loosened and removed by brushing. The filling element is preferably a circular opening in the hollow body with a diameter of at least 15 millimeters.

[0024] The circumferential surface preferably has at least three outlet channels evenly distributed over the circumferential surface, wherein the hollow body within the hand brush is fluidically connected to the outlet channels, so that the cleaning fluid can drip from the outlet channels through sudden movements of the hand brush. In particular, the outlet channels are simple holes or bores in the circumferential surface. With a small hole diameter, the surface tension of the cleaning fluid at the outlet channels prevents cleaning fluid from passing through the outlet channels without the action of acceleration forces, for example, due to sudden movements of the hand brush. The hole diameter is preferably between 0.8 millimeters and 3 millimeters, more preferably between 1 millimeter and 1.5 millimeters.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, the peripheral surface has at least 5, particularly preferably at least 9, outlet channels. A uniform distribution of the outlet holes has the advantage that cleaning fluid is evenly distributed on the peripheral surface of the brush, so that a golf club grip is evenly cleaned along its circumference.

[0026] In particular, the body of the brush head is hollow inside, whereby the cavity fluidically connects the hollow body of the handle with the outlet channels of the brush head, so that cleaning fluid from the hollow body reaches the outlet channels by gravity in a horizontal to vertical position, with the brush head located below the handle.

[0027] A particularly advantageous feature is that cleaning fluid can only drip through the outlet channels due to the acceleration forces of a jerky movement, such as a typical brush stroke along a golf club handle. The escaping drops moisten the golf club handle via the brush bristles, and dirt particles are loosened by the cleaning fluid.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the filling element is formed along a circumferential direction within, in particular centrally, the first coupling element. By releasing the coupling elements, the hollow body can be filled by the filling element. By connecting the coupling elements in a watertight manner, the hollow body is fluidly connected to the outlet channels via the filling element. A watertight connection of the coupling elements means that no fluid can penetrate between the first and second coupling elements.

[0029] This arrangement has the advantage that the filling element does not necessarily require a separate locking mechanism. Instead, the filling element is opened and thus filled, as well as closed, using the coupling elements. The filling element serves as the interface between the hollow body of the handle and the cavity of the brush head. This advantageously reduces the number of components of the hand brush.

[0030] Alternatively, the filling element can be arranged in the intermediate coupling piece, or the intermediate coupling piece can serve merely as a passage for the cleaning fluid if the filling element is arranged in the first coupling element, as described above. When the filling element is arranged in the intermediate coupling piece, it is opened and thus fillable and closed by means of the third coupling element, with the filling element serving as an interface between a hollow body of the intermediate coupling piece and the cavity of the brush head.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment, the first and the second coupling element form a screw cap, wherein the first coupling element is designed as a thread and the second coupling element is designed as a screw cap.

[0032] If the first coupling element is designed as a thread, the third coupling element of the coupling intermediate piece can be designed as a screw cap. If the second coupling element is designed as a screw cap, the fourth coupling element of the coupling intermediate piece can be designed as a thread to thereby produce a screw cap.

[0033] A screw cap offers the advantage that it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively, is opened and closed with a simple turning movement and the closure is watertight.

[0034] The handle preferably has a slider, with which the hollow body can be closed watertight via a closing mechanism and fluidically separated from the outlet channels. In particular, the slider is arranged on the handle in such a way that it can be operated with the thumb of the grasping hand. In a first position of the slider, the hollow body of the handle is fluidically connected to the outlet channels of the brush head. In a second position of the slider, the fluidic connection is severed by means of the closing mechanism and the hollow body is closed watertight. As an alternative to the slider on the handle, a closing mechanism is integrated in the brush head, with which the hollow body can be fluidically separated from the outlet channels on the brush head side.

[0035] This has the advantage that even if the hand brush is moved suddenly, for example when being transported in a golf bag, no cleaning fluid penetrates to the outlet channels and unintentional leakage of cleaning fluid from the outlet channels is prevented.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle can be elastically deformed by compression, so that the volume of the hollow body can be reduced and the cleaning fluid contained therein can be forced through the outlet channels. This is possible by making the handle from an elastic material, for example, a plastic such as PU or PVC, especially plastics that can be used in a 3D printing process. The handle is compressed with the grasping hand.

[0037] A particularly advantageous feature of this design is that the amount of fluid dispensed can be controlled manually. For example, particularly coarse dirt on the golf club handle can be cleaned more effectively by adding more water.

[0038] In particular, a connecting element can be attached to the hand brush, for example in the form of a snap hook or a spring clip, so that the hand brush can be attached to the golf bag.

[0039] Further objects, advantages, and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which a hand brush for cleaning a golf club is illustrated and described by way of example. Herein: Fig. 1 shows a hand brush for cleaning a golf club grip in a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a hand brush with a brush head detached from the grip; Fig. 3 shows an exemplary golf club; Fig. 4 shows a hand brush with a brush head mounted offset by a first angle in a first plane; Fig. 5 shows a hand brush with a brush head mounted offset by a second angle in a second plane; Fig. 6 shows a brush head with two different brush attachments according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 shows an intermediate coupling piece for the hand brush according to the invention.

[0040] The Figure 1shows a hand brush 1 for cleaning a golf club 31 in a preferred embodiment. As shown, the hand brush 1 comprises a cylindrical handle 10 and a brush head 20, wherein the brush head 20 is attached to a distal end of the handle 10 in its extension. The brush head 20 is annular and encloses a circular through-opening 25 with a flat extension in the depth direction. On the peripheral surface 21 of the through-opening 25, which corresponds to the inner peripheral surface of the brush head, there is a brush bristle 23. The brush bristle 23 consists of a plurality of bristles with a radial extension, which are evenly distributed over the peripheral surface 21, wherein the individual bristles run parallel in the depth direction. The gap 26 interrupts the annular brush head 20 and is located opposite the handle 10.The gap 26 is just wide enough to allow a golf club shaft to be inserted into the through-opening 25. The edges of the gap 26 are chamfered at an angle of 45°. The gap 26 allows the diameter D of the through-opening 25 to be increased by elastic deformation of the brush head 20 and widening of the gap 26. On the circumferential surface 21, nine outlet channels 24 in the form of drilled holes are evenly distributed along a circumferential direction. The outlet channels 24 are fluidically connected to a hollow body 11 within the handle 10 via a cavity inside the brush head 20. The hollow body 11 extends axially and radially within the handle 10 and is enclosed by a thin outer and end surface of the handle. The handle 10 further comprises a slide control 14 that can be operated with the thumb of a grasping hand.Viewed in the direction of the brush head, a filling element 13 is located in front of the slide control 14 in the hand brush. The handle 10 and the brush head 20 are releasably connected to one another via coupling elements 12, 22 and the intermediate coupling piece 43. The coupling elements 12, 22 and the intermediate coupling piece 43 form a watertight connection, preventing any cleaning fluid from escaping from the hollow body 11 between the first and second coupling elements 12, 22 and the intermediate coupling piece 43.

[0041] Figure 2shows a hand brush 1 with a brush head 20 detached from the handle 10, exposing and filling a filling element 13 for filling the hollow body 11 with cleaning fluid. The filling element 13 is formed within a circumferential direction of the first coupling element 12 in the form of a circular opening centrally in the end face of the handle 10. The first and second coupling elements 12, 22, together with the intermediate coupling piece 43, form a screw cap, with the first coupling element 12 representing a thread and the second coupling element 22 representing a screw cap.

[0042] The Figure 3 shows an example of a golf club 30 with a golf club grip 31, a golf club shaft 32 and an associated longitudinal axis L.

[0043] The Figure 4 shows a hand brush 1 with a brush head 20 offset by a first angle α in a first plane relative to the handle 10.

[0044] The Figure 5shows a hand brush 1 with a brush head 20 offset by a second angle β in a first plane relative to the handle 10.

[0045] In Figure 6a brush head with two brush attachments is shown in unassembled form. This top view shows that the brush attachments 23 each consist of an elastic, elongated base body 23b and associated bristles 23a. Such a brush attachment therefore has an elongated base body 23b, which is made of a preferably elastic plastic material and can be shaped into a ring such that it forms a virtually closed ring with internal bristles 23a. This virtually closed ring, with an opening in the gap area of ​​the brush head, can then be inserted as a brush attachment into an annular receiving device 40 of the brush head 20. For this purpose, an annular cover can be unscrewed from the brush head 20, for example by means of visible screws, in order to have the radial and annular receiving device 40 exposed.The brush trim is then inserted in a ring-shaped manner, and the cover is screwed back on. Alternatively, the brush trim can simply be inserted into a bowl-like annular recess without removing the cover. Its elasticity alone pushes it outward, thereby firmly securing it in the brush head 20. This advantageously arranges the brush trim in a ring-shaped manner on the circumferential surface 21 of the through-hole 25.

[0046] In Figure 7 a coupling intermediate piece 43 is shown, as shown in Figure 1can be arranged between the handle 10 and the brush head 20. The coupling intermediate piece 43 has a third coupling element 44 at a first distal end for connecting to the first coupling element 12 and a fourth coupling element 45 at a second distal end for connecting to the second coupling element 22. A slide switch 14 can be moved from left to right according to the double arrow 14a to close or open the flow of cleaning fluid.

[0047] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features that may be advantageous in and of themselves. The skilled person will immediately recognize that a specific feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without adopting further features from that figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures. List of reference symbols

[0048] 1 Hand brush 10 Handle 11 Hollow body 12 First coupling element 13 Filling element 14 Slider 20 Brush head 21 Circumferential surface 22 Second coupling element 23 Brush trim 24 Outlet channels 25 Through opening 26 Gap 30 Golf club 31 Golf club handle 32 Golf club shaft 40 Mounting device 43 Coupling intermediate piece 44 Coupling element 45 Coupling element D Diameter L Longitudinal axis α First angle β Second angle

Claims

1. Hand brush (1) for cleaning a golf club handle (31), the hand brush (1) comprising an elongated handle (10) and a brush head (20) attached to a distal end of the handle (10), characterized in that the brush head (20) is ring-shaped and surrounds a through-opening (25), on the circumferential surface (21) of which a brush trim (23) is formed on the inside.

2. Hand brush (1) for cleaning a golf club handle (31), the hand brush (1) comprising an elongated handle (10) and a brush head (20) attached to a distal end of the handle (10), characterized in that the brush trim (23, 23a, 23b) is replaceable and consists of an elastic, elongated base body (23b), on whose elongated surface a plurality of bristles (23a) are arranged.

3. Hand brush (1) according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe elongated base body (23b) is designed to be elastic in such a way that it can be formed into an almost closed ring with an internal bristle ring (23a).

4. Hand brush (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the brush trim (23, 23a, 23b) formed into an almost closed ring can be inserted into an annular receiving device (40) of the brush head (20) arranged on the peripheral surface (21) of the through-opening (25) and designed to complement the base body (23b).

3. Hand brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral surface (21) has a gap (26), wherein a golf club shaft (32) of a golf club (30) can be introduced into the through-opening (25) through the gap (26) in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (L).

4. Hand brush (1) according to claim 2, characterized in thata diameter (D) of the through-opening (25) can be increased by elastic deformation of the brush head (20) and widening of the gap (26).

5. Hand brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush trim (23) consists of a plurality of bristles, hairs or fibers with radial extension, wherein the brush trim (23) is uniformly distributed over the circumferential surface (21).

6. Hand brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (10) has a first coupling element (12) at a distal end and the brush head (20) has a second coupling element (22), wherein the handle (10) and the cleaning head (20) are detachably connected via the coupling elements (12, 22), wherein a first brush head (20a) with a first brush attachment (23a) can be replaced by at least one second brush head (20b) with at least one second brush attachment (23b).

7. Hand brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (10) surrounds a hollow body (11) which can be filled with cleaning fluid via a filling element (13) located on the handle (10), wherein the peripheral surface (21) has at least three outlet channels (24) evenly distributed over the peripheral surface (21), wherein within the hand brush (1) the hollow body (11) is fluidically connected to the outlet channels (24) so ​​that the cleaning fluid can drip out of the outlet channels (24) by jerky movement of the hand brush (1).

8. Hand brush (1) according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in thatthe filling element (13) is formed along a circumferential direction within the first coupling element (12), wherein by releasing the coupling elements (12, 22) the hollow body (11) can be filled by the filling element (13) and by watertight connection of the coupling elements (12, 22) the hollow body (11) is fluidically connected to the outlet channels (24) via the filling element (13).

9. Hand brush (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and the second coupling element (12, 22) form a screw cap, wherein the first coupling element (12) is designed as a thread and the second coupling element (22) is designed as a screw cap.

10. Hand brush (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the handle (10) has a slider (14), with which the hollow body (11) can be closed watertight via a closing mechanism and fluidically separated from the outlet channels (24). 11.Hand brush (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the handle (10) is elastically deformable by compression, so that the volume of the hollow body (11) can be reduced and the cleaning fluid contained therein can be pressed through the outlet channels (24).

Images