A golf club carrier with a golf club head cleaner

Abstract

There is provided a golf club carrier comprising a golf club head cleaner including a body having a container including an opening and defining a reservoir for a liquid, the container configured to hold liquid and a brush arrangement extending across at least part of an internal surface of the container; and a housing configured to accommodate the golf club head cleaner, the housing having a mouth configured to expose the opening of the golf club head cleaner when housed within the housing. The reservoir may be configured to hold liquid when the body is pivoted towards the reservoir while the reservoir remains below the opening.

Description

[0001] A GOLF CLUB CARRIER WITH A GOLF CLUB HEAD CLEANER

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims priority from South African patent application number 2023 / 09141 filed on 28 September 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to golf club carriers. In particular, the invention relates golf club carriers including golf club head cleaners.

[0006] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0007] Golf is played on grass, ground, muddy surfaces, wet surfaces, sand and overall dirty surfaces. Often when a golf club is swung, the head of the golf club impacts the surface a golf ball is resting on and a piece of the surface is removed with the swing. The aftermath of the removed piece of surface is called a “divot”. A piece of grass flying off into the air and landing a couple of meters away from a golfer after hitting a golf ball is iconic of taking a divot. Taking divots also means that the face of the golf club is dirty with sand, grass or ground stuck in the grooves of the golf club head.

[0008] It is necessary for the grooves of the golf club head to be clean for a golfer to have the best chance at a good strike at the golf ball. Often golfers take a towel with them when playing golf, and wet the towel before playing and after 9 holes. The golfer would wipe the face of the golf club head with the wet towel after each strike to ensure that the face stays clean for future strikes. However, the towel does not stay wet for too long in ideal golfing conditions as 9 holes typically last more than 2 hours. Furthermore, if a golf club is not cleaned and left for a while the dirt in the groove becomes dry and difficult to remove with the wet towel.

[0009] To combat the difficulty of cleaning dirty golf club faces, golfers often carry a cleaning tool such as a brush with them to scrape off the dirt before wiping the face with a towel. However, this adds to yet another golfing item golfers have to keep in their golf bags. Furthermore, cleaning tools are easily forgotten or lost.

[0010] Often golfers play golf courses with a golf cart. Many golf carts typically include a box cleaner containing a soapy liquid and brushes. The head of the golf club is inserted into the box cleaner after the golfer completes a stroke. The golfer then moves the golf club up and down, with the face against brushes, to clean the face of the golf club. However, not all golfers play golf with a golf cart as it can be expensive to rent a golf cart. Golf carts are often shared between two golfers, and the golf cart may not always be near one golfer after the golfer has played a golf shot, making it easy for the golfer to forget to clean the face of the golf club. The applicant considers there to be room for improvement.

[0011] Some golfers attach a portable golf club cleaner to a golf bag with a swivel hook or swivel clip. These cleaners typically have a soft-shell body, such as a bag, and hang at the side of the golf bag. The cleaner can be filled with a cleaning liquid which increases the weight of the cleaner to ensure that the cleaner remains upright irrespective of the movement or orientation of the golf bag. However, the weight of the liquid may not be enough to keep the cleaner upright and once the cleaner is slightly tilted towards a side, the liquid spills from the cleaner. The applicant considers there to be room for improvement.

[0012] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a golf club carrier comprising: a golf club head cleaner including a body having a container including an opening and defining a reservoir for a liquid, the container configured to hold liquid and a brush arrangement extending across at least part of an internal surface of the container; and a housing configured to accommodate the golf club head cleaner, the housing having a mouth configured to expose the opening of the golf club head cleaner when housed within the housing.

[0015] A plane of the opening of the container, when the cleaner is housed in the housing, may be generally parallel to the major axis of the golf club carrier.

[0016] The opening of the golf club head cleaner may be offset to one side relative to at least a portion of the body such that the portion defines the reservoir. The reservoir may be configured to hold liquid when the body is pivoted towards the reservoir and the opening rotates through an angle between a generally horizontal and a generally vertical condition. The reservoir may operatively be below the opening when the cleaner is housed in the housing. The cleaner may be oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir may operatively be below the opening when the carrier is oriented at any angle between a generally vertical and generally horizontal. The cleaner may be oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir may operatively be below the opening when the carrier is supported by carrier straps and / or by carrier legs. The cleaner may be oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir may operatively be below the opening when the carrier is generally vertical. The cleaner may be oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir may operatively be below the opening when the carrier is positioned to be generally horizontal with a carrier handle facing upwards.

[0017] The brush arrangement may be adjacent to the opening and extend towards the reservoir. The reservoir may define a toe portion of the body which may be configured to accommodate a toe of the golf club head. The container may be shaped such that the internal surface may complement a shape of a golf club head. The reservoir may be located at a first side region of the body and the opening may terminate at a first end near the first side region.

[0018] The container may be defined by the opening, a closed bottom, and a pair of opposed sidewalls connected by end walls. Each sidewall may include the brush arrangement extending across at least part of its internal surface. The reservoir may be located in a region defined by the closed bottom and adjacent to the end walls. A first end wall may be at an acute angle to the closed bottom to accommodate the toe of the golf club head. A second end wall may be at an obtuse angle to the closed bottom to accommodate a heel of the golf club head. The first end wall may extend through an obtuse angle towards the closed bottom such that the first end wall together with the second end wall may provide the body with a sock-like shape.

[0019] The golf club carrier may include an attachment means which may be configured to releasably attach the golf club head cleaner to the housing. The attachment means may include a clip and a cooperating clamp arrangement. Alternatively, the golf club head cleaner may be integral to the housing.

[0020] The housing may be located on a generally lower portion of the carrier. The housing mouth may be sealable. The housing may include a rigid shell configured to accommodate the body of the cleaner.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a golf club head cleaner comprising: a body including a container configured to hold a liquid, the container including an opening; and a brush arrangement extending across at least part of an internal surface of the container; wherein the opening is offset to one side relative to at least a portion of the body such that the portion defines a reservoir configured to hold liquid when the body is pivoted towards the reservoir and the opening rotates through an angle between a generally horizontal and a generally vertical condition.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a golf club carrier including a golf club head cleaner in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 1 resting on support legs;

[0027] Figure 3 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 1 resting on the ground;

[0028] Figure 4 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 1 without hidden detail;

[0029] Figure 5 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 1 with a sealed housing mouth;

[0030] Figures 6 and 7 are front views of a golf club carrier in accordance with another aspect with the housing including a clip and cooperative camp arrangement;

[0031] Figure 8 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 7 resting on support legs; and

[0032] Figure 9 is a front view of the golf club carrier of Figure 7 resting on the ground.

[0033] Figure 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a three-dimensional rear view of a golf club head cleaner in accordance with aspects of the description;

[0034] Figure 11 is a rear view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 10;

[0035] Figure 12 is a front view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 10;

[0036] Figure 13 is an exemplary disassembled three-dimensional front view of another golf club head cleaner in accordance with aspects of the description; Figure 14 is a front view of an internal surface of a first sidewall of the golf club cleaner of Figure 13;

[0037] Figure 15 is an exemplary front view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 10 holding a liquid;

[0038] Figure 16 is a front view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 15 after being tilted;

[0039] Figure 17 is a top view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 10;

[0040] Figure 18 is a three-dimensional rear view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 10 with a disassembled attachment means;

[0041] Figure 19 is a three-dimensional front view of the golf club head cleaner of Figure 18;

[0042] Figure 20 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a carrier, in accordance with aspects of the description, including another exemplary golf club head cleaner; and

[0043] Figure 21 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a carrier in accordance with aspects of the description.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Embodiments of the invention provide a golf club carrier including a cleaner for cleaning the head of a golf club. The cleaner includes a body having a container with an opening through which the head of the golf club may be inserted. The container is configured to hold a liquid which may be a cleaning liquid used to clean the head of the golf club. The cleaning liquid may have a cleaning agent such as soap, or it may be water. The type of liquid the container holds may not be important, but it is important to note that the container is configured to hold liquid.

[0046] The cleaner includes a brush arrangement extending across at least part of an internal surface of the container. The brush arrangement may be configured to scrape unwanted material off the head of the golf club. The brush arrangement may consist of bristle-like members defining a plurality of brushes. The brush arrangement may extend across the entire internal surface of the container, or only a part of the internal surface. The opening of the container may be located at a generally upper portion of the container. The upper portion of the container may be a portion at the top of the container when the container holds the liquid. Therefore, the brush arrangement may be located at the upper portion of the container, when the container is upright and holding the liquid such that the head of the golf club may be inserted shallowly into the golf club to contact the brush arrangement. However, it may be that the brush arrangement may be located at a generally lower portion of the container. The lower portion of the container may be a portion at a bottom portion generally opposing the top of the container. Having the brush arrangement at the lower portion of the container may ensure that the golf club head makes contact with both the liquid and the brush arrangement when it is inserted into the golf club cleaner.

[0047] The golf club carrier includes a housing configured to accommodate the golf club head cleaner. The housing includes a mouth configured to expose the opening of the golf club head cleaner when housed within the housing. The housing may be a compartment or pocket of the golf club carrier which may be specifically shaped and configured to accommodate the golf club head cleaner. The housing may house the cleaner such that the opening of the cleaner may be generally parallel to a major axis of the golf club carrier. More specifically, the cleaner may be housed in such a way that it may be upright and hold the liquid, as explained above, during general use of the carrier.

[0048] The housing may be located at a generally lower portion of the golf club carrier, the upper portion of the carrier defining an end for receiving golf clubs. The housing mouth may be sealable such that the cleaner may be sealed within the housing. Alternatively, the housing may be sealable such that it may be used for other purposes, such as a normal pocket, when a golfer chooses not to store the cleaner within the housing. The housing may also include a rigid shell configured to accommodate the body of the cleaner. The rigid shell may be shaped to accommodate the shape of the cleaner such that the cleaner fits within the rigid shell.

[0049] The opening of the container may be offset to one side relative to at least a portion of the body such that the portion defines a reservoir. The reservoir may be configured to accept, hold, and / or capture liquid when the container, and opening, rotate through an angle between a general horizontal and general vertical. The reservoir may be located at, or at least partially at a side portion of the body, such that the container may be rotated, pivoted, or tilted towards the side portion. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the container such that the reservoir may hold, accept, and / or capture the liquid when the container is rotated towards the portion with the reservoir. The reservoir may be integral or at least partly integral to the container such that at least part of the internal surface of the container extends towards the reservoir. Alternatively, the reservoir may be independent from the container such that the reservoir may be releasably secured to the container. When the reservoir is secured to the container, the combination defines the body of the cleaner. The golf club head cleaner may be integral to the housing, or it may be removable from the housing. The carrier may include an attachment means configured to releasably attach the golf club head cleaner to the housing. The attachment means may include a clip and a cooperating clamp arrangement.

[0050] The golf club carrier may, for example, be a golf bag or any carrier designed to hold and transport golf clubs. Often the golf club carrier may change its orientation in use. For example, the carrier may be generally horizontal when it is lying flat on the ground, it may be angled relative to the horizontal when it rests on one or more supports, or it may be generally vertical when it stands upright with its length substantially aligned with the general vertical.

[0051] The golf club head cleaner may be positioned within the housing such as a pocket of the golf club carrier. The housing may also secure the cleaner to the carrier such that the body of the container may have a constant orientation relative to the golf club carrier. The orientation may take into account the movement of the golf club carrier between a transporting orientation and a resting orientation such that the cleaner does not spill liquid held by the container or reservoir. A transporting orientation may be a general position the carrier is in when the golf clubs are transported by a golfer, i.e. when the golfer is walking with the golf bag. A resting orientation may be a general orientation when the carrier is stationary.

[0052] Figures 1 to 9 illustrate a golf club carrier (190) having a golf club head cleaner (100) including a body (102). Figures 1 to 5 show the golf club head cleaner (100) housed within a housing (194) of the golf club carrier (190). The housing (194) may be shaped to receive the body (102) such that an orientation of the cleaner (100) may be manipulated as the carrier (190) is manipulated. The body (102) includes a container (150) having an opening (152) and defining a reservoir (160) for holding a liquid (D). The container (150) includes a brush arrangement (170) extending across at least part of an internal surface (154) of the container (150). The golf club head cleaner (100) is more clearly described with reference to Figures 10 to 19. The housing (194) may be a pocket, cavity, recess, or the like of the carrier (190). In a preferred embodiment, the housing (194) may include an attachment means (180) configured to attach the cleaner (100) to the golf club carrier (190). However, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, there may be an embodiment where the housing (194) may not have an attachment means (180). In yet a further embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, the housing (194) may be the attachment means (180).

[0053] The container (150) may be filled with a liquid (D) such that a filled volume of the container (150) may be equal to a liquid-carrying capacity of the reservoir (160). When the container (150), filled with liquid (D), is tilted toward the reservoir (160) such that it is titled in die direction of the arrow (E) shown in Figures 2 and 3, the reservoir (160) may accept and hold the liquid (D). Therefore, the opening (152) may be tilted through an angle between the general horizontal (A-A) to the general vertical (B-B) and the cleaner (100) may still hold the liquid (D).

[0054] The reservoir (160) may be operatively lower than the opening (152) when an opening plane is substantially parallel to the general vertical (B-B) such that the reservoir (160) may hold the liquid (D). If the cleaner (100) is housed in the housing (194) such that the opening plane is parallel to the major axis (F), the reservoir (160) may be lower than the opening (152) when the major axis

[0055] (F) is parallel to the general vertical (B-B) and the carrier (190).The carrier (190) with its major axis (F-F) parallel to the general vertical (B-B) may be in a condition in which it may hold golf clubs.

[0056] The golf cart carrier (190) in the exemplary embodiment may include legs (192) used as supports which the carrier (190) may rest on. The legs (192) are used to keep the carrier (190) angled to the general horizontal (A-A). Therefore, in use, the carrier (190) may be tilted between the general horizontal (A-A) and general vertical (B-B) such that a major axis (F) of the carrier (190) may tilt between the horizontal (A-A) and general vertical (B-B). When the carrier (190) is resting on the legs (192), the major axis (F) may be angled to both the general horizontal (A-A) and general vertical (B-B).

[0057] The carrier (190) may also include carrier straps (196) which may be used by a user to carry the golf club carrier (190). In use, the user may wear the straps (196) on the shoulder and the carrier (190) may hang from the straps (196) above the ground. The carrier may hang such that the major axis (F-F) of the carrier may be angled relative to the general vertical (B-B) or general horizontal (A-A).

[0058] The housing (194) may accommodate the cleaner (100) such that the reservoir (160) may operatively be below the opening (152) when the cleaner is housed in the housing (160). Therefore, the cleaner (100) may be oriented in relation to the carrier (190) such that the reservoir (160) may operatively be below the opening (152) when the carrier (190) may be oriented at any angle between a generally vertical (B-B) and generally horizontal (A-A). More specifically, the cleaner (100) may be oriented in relation to the carrier (190) such that the reservoir (160) may operatively be below the opening (152) when the carrier (190) may be supported by the carrier straps (196) and / or by carrier legs (192). Furthermore, the cleaner (100) may be oriented in relation to the carrier (190) such that the reservoir (160) may operatively be below the opening (152) when the carrier (190) is generally vertical. In another embodiment, the cleaner (100) may be oriented in relation to the carrier (190) such that the reservoir (160) may operatively be below the opening (152) when the carrier (190) may be positioned to be generally horizontal with a carrier handle (198) facing upwards, as shown in Figure 3.

[0059] The carrier (190) may have the housing (194) located on a generally lower portion of the carrier. This may ensure easy access to the cleaner (100) during a round of golf. For example, tge carrier (190) may rest on legs (192) next to a golf ball while a player addresses the ball and strikes the ball with a golf club. The player may then move the head of the golf club towards the cleaner (100) while having to lift it a minimal distance from the ground and still holding the golf club grip. The player can then easily insert the head of the golf club into the cleaner (100) effortlessly. The housing mouth may be sealable to enclose the cleaner (100) within the housing (194) or to use the housing (194) for another purpose, such as a sealable pocket in the case where the housing (194) includes the attachment means. It may also be that the housing (194) includes a rigid shell configured to accommodate the body (102) of the cleaner (100) to ensure that the cleaner (100) is stable during operation and to improve effortless insertion of the cleaner (100) into the housing (194).

[0060] It should be appreciated that there may be an embodiment where the cleaner (100) may be housed such that the opening plane is perpendicular to the major axis (F) and the reservoir (160) may be lower than the opening (152) when the major axis (F) is parallel to the general horizontal (A-A).

[0061] Referring to Figures 10 to 19, there is provided an exemplary golf club head cleaner (100) for cleaning a golf club head. The cleaner (100) may be similar to the cleaner of Figures 1 to 9. Figure 10 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the golf club cleaner (100) including a body (102) consisting of a first sidewall (1 10) and a second sidewall (120). The first sidewall (110) is secured to the second sidewall (120) with a securing formation (104). The securing formation (104) may be configured to releasably secure the first and second sidewalls (110, 120) to one another such that the body (102) may be disassembled. Disassembling the body (102) may facilitate cleaning the golf club head cleaner (100) and make for a more compact storage condition compared to an assembled golf club head cleaner (100).

[0062] The body (102) further includes a first end wall (130) and a second end wall (140). Assembling the body (102) by securing the securing formation (104) may result in the construction of the first end wall (130) and the second end wall (140). The body (102) further includes a container (150), more clearly shown in Figures 1 1 and 12, which includes an opening (152). The container (150) may be configured to hold liquid. Therefore, the body includes a closed bottom portion (156) which facilitates the container (150) holding liquid. The opening (152) is offset to one side relative to at least a portion of the body (102) such that the portion defines a reservoir (160). The reservoir (160) may be configured to accept, hold, and / or capture liquid when the body is pivoted or tilted towards the reservoir (160).

[0063] The reservoir (160), as illustrated in the present embodiment, is integral to the container (150) such that an internal surface (154) of the container (150) extends to the reservoir (160). The reservoir (160) and container (150) in this arrangement may share the same space or cavity such that fluid may be easily transferred between the reservoir (160) and the container (150). There may be a plane (C-C) dividing the body (102) into the reservoir (160) and the container (150), as shown in Figures 11 , 12, and 14.

[0064] Pivoting or tilting the body may result in the opening (152) rotating through an angle between a generally horizontal and a generally vertical condition. The generally horizontal condition may be a condition in which the body (102) may be orientated such that the opening (152) is generally parallel to a horizontal plane (A-A), as illustrated in Figure 11 . For the purposes of this description, the cleaner (100) may be upright when it is in the generally horizontal condition. The generally vertical condition may be a condition in which the body (102) may be orientated such that the opening (152) is generally parallel to a vertical plane (B-B). The horizontal plane (A-A) may be parallel to a general plane representing a water level. The vertical plane (B-B) may be perpendicular to the general plane representing a water level.

[0065] The opening (152) may further be configured to facilitate the container (150) to receive and accept a head of a golf club. There is a brush arrangement (170) extending across the internal surface (154) of the container (150), as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The brush arrangement (170) may consist of a plurality of bristle-like members (172) which may be configured to remove foreign objects from grooves of the golf club head when a face thereof contacts the bristle-like members (172). In the present embodiment (100), the brush arrangement (170) does not extend across the entire internal surface (154) of the container (150). The brush arrangement (170) also does not extend towards the reservoir (160). The brush arrangement (170) is positioned near the opening (152) to ensure that the golf club head interacts with the brush arrangement (170) when the golf club head is inserted into the cleaner (100) for cleaning.

[0066] As mentioned previously, the container (150) may be configured to hold liquid. Referring to Figures 14 to 16, the body (102) is filled with liquid (D). The liquid (D) may be held at a lower portion of the body (102), due to the closed bottom portion (156), when the opening (152) is generally parallel with the horizontal (A-A). The golf club head may have to be inserted deep enough into the cleaner (100) to contact and become covered with the liquid (D). Then, upon removing the golf club head from the container (150), the face of the golf club head may come into contact with the brush arrangement (170). The bristle-like members (172) may then remove foreign objects such as dirt, grass, sand, ground, rocks, plastic fibres, and the like from the grooves of the face.

[0067] Each sidewall (110, 120) includes the brush arrangement (170) extending across a major part of its inner surface (154) so that the two brushes (172) operatively face each other within the container (150), or body (102), when the container (150) is assembled, as illustrated in Figure 17. When the container (150) is assembled, the brushes (172) may be configured to face each other such that a space (174) is created between the opposing tips of the brushes (172). The space (174) may provide that the tips are distanced from one another such that the tips contact the golf club head when the golf club head is inserted into the container (150). This arrangement may ensure that the face of the golf club head contacts either the brushes (172) of the second sidewall (120) or the brushes (172) of the first sidewall (1 10). The brushes (172) each may be formed of multiple tufts with ends of the tufts of the brushes (172) opposing each other. The tufts are shown as flared tufts, however, these may be tufts of a cylindrical form.

[0068] The shape of the container (1 10) may be configured to allow an inserted golf club head to move at least in a two-dimensional plane when cleaning. When the brushes (172) contact the face of the golf club, the face is given room to move along an X-axis and a Y-axis while remaining in contact with the brushes (170). Therefore, the face of the golf club may move in a substantially circular cleaning motion along a two-dimensional plane while contacting the brushes (172).

[0069] Returning to Figures 10 to 12, the golf club head cleaner (100) may be shaped such that the internal surface (154) complements a shape of the golf club head. The second end wall (140) may be configured to accommodate a heal of a golf club head and the first side wall region (130) may be configured to accommodate a toe of the golf club head. The portion of the body (102) defining the reservoir (160) may also be a toe portion. The toe portion is located in a region defined by the closed bottom portion (156). The first end wall section (130) is at an acute angle (a) relative to the closed bottom portion (156) such that the acute angle region of the reservoir (160) defines the toe portion accommodating the toe of the golf club head. The second end wall section (140) is at an obtuse angle (P) relative to the closed bottom portion (156) such that the region of the container including the obtuse angle (P) accommodates a heel of the golf club head. These angles (a, P) may ensure that there is a predetermined and preferred orientation at which a dirty golf club head should be inserted into the container (150) to be cleaned by the brushes (172). The grooves in a golf club head are generally parallel to the foot of the club head, and therefore, as the golf club head is inserted into the container (150), the brushes scrape in line with the grooves to clean them. In other words, the brushes are configured to run along the grooves in a golf club head as the head is inserted into the cleaner.

[0070] The first end wall section (130) extends through an obtuse angle (0) towards the closed bottom portion (156) such that the first end wall section (130) together with the second end wall section (140) provides a sock-like shape. In a conventional sock, the toes of a foot are received in a designated toe portion and the heel of the foot is received in a designated heel portion. Similarly, the toe portion of the cleaner (100) is configured to receive the toe of the golf club head and the region including the obtuse angle (P) is configured to receive the heel of the golf club head. The angles (a, P) may accommodate the average lie angle of a golf club head such that it may be inserted into the container (150) with ease.

[0071] As mentioned with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the cleaner (100) is housed within the housing (194) of a golf club carrier (190). In one embodiment, the cleaner (100) may include an attachment means (180) configured to attach the body (102) to the golf club carrier (190). In other embodiments, the cleaner (100) may not include an attachment means (180) as it is integrated into a golf club carrier as described further below.

[0072] Components of the attachment means (180) are more clearly illustrated in Figures 10 and 17 to 19. The attachment means (180), or at least part thereof, may be located on the outer surface of the body (102) of the cleaner (100). In the present embodiment (100), the outer surface to which the attachment means (180) is secured is an outer surface of the first sidewall (110). However, it could be that the attachment means (180) is secured to any outer surface of the body (102), such as the end walls (130, 140) or the second sidewall (120). The attachment means (180) may be configured to releasably attach the body (102) to the golf club carrier (190).

[0073] The attachment means (180) may include a clip (182) and a cooperating clamp (184) arrangement. The clip (182) may be secured to at least one side wall (1 10, 120) and the cooperating clamp (184) may be attached to the golf club carrier (190). It is not important to know how the clamp (184) secures to the golf club carrier (190), only that it does secure to the carrier (190). The clamp (184) may, for example, be secured to the carrier (190) with an adhesive, a thread and screw arrangement, a latch mechanism, a hook, a lanyard, or the like. However, the clamp (184) is secured to the carrier (190) such that the clamp (184) does not move relative to at least part of the carrier (190). The clamp (184) may include a receiving portion (183) configured to receive a part of the clip (182). The cooperating clamp (184) may be a housing element and the clip (182) may be a cleaner element.

[0074] After the clamp (184) is attached to the golf club carrier (190), the clip (182) may be inserted into a clamp slot (183) until the clip (182) is secured in the clamp slot (183). The clip (182) may be a sliding clip which slides into the clamp slot (183) in a direction of the closed bottom (156) of the container (150) and having a biased snap fit to secure the clip in the clamp (184). The snap fit engagement may consist of a tongue (185), including a protrusion, located on the clip (182) and a recess (186) located in the clamp slot (183). The recess (186) may be configured to receive the protrusion. The clamp slot (183) may further include guide slots configured to receive guide flanges located on the clip (182). The clip (182) may be inserted into the clamp slot (183) by inserting the guide flanges into the guide slots. The clip (182) and tongue (185) may slide deeper into the clamp slot (183), with the protrusion pressing on an opposing surface of the clamp slot (183), until the protrusion aligns with the recess (186). Once the protrusion is aligned with the recess (186), it may snap into the recess (186) and prevent the clip (182) from moving relative to the clamp (184). Thereby, securing the clip (182) and body (102) to the clamp (184). The clip (182) may be released from the clamp slot (183) by pressing on the tongue (185) such that the protrusion is removed from the recess (186) and sliding the clip (182) from the clamp slot (183). Therefore, the cooperating clamp (184) may remain attached to the golf club carrier (190) while the body (102) and clip (182) may be placed somewhere else, making it easy to clean the container (150) after use. The removable body (102) also eases draining the container (150) of any liquid (D) it was carrying after use.

[0075] The golf club cleaner (100) may be seamlessly integrated into a golf club carrier (190). This offers golfers a swift and efficient means of maintaining their clubs in optimal condition during and after gameplay. The cleaner (100) is designed to accommodate easy removal from a golf club carrier (190), allowing for independent use as needed.

[0076] The cleaner (100) may comprise a sturdy plastic container which may feature an internal array of specialized bristles (170) positioned to facilitate the effortless cleaning of golf club heads. As golfers insert their club heads into the container (150), the bristles (172) effectively dislodge dirt and debris from the club grooves, ensuring thorough cleaning with each motion. To augment its cleaning capabilities, the container (150) is equipped with a reservoir (160) of liquid that aids in rinsing the club heads, promoting a clean finish.

[0077] There may also be another embodiment of the carrier (194) including a different shaped cleaner (200) as shown in Figure 20. The cleaner (200) includes an opening with two parallel end-walls extending towards a closed bottom. A reservoir of the cleaner (200) may be integral to its container and the reservoir may be configured to hold liquid while the reservoir is below the opening. The cleaner (200) may be or housed in the housing (194), similar to that of the previous cleaner (100).

[0078] Figure 21 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the golf club carrier (190) where the housing (194) may be an open pouch of the carrier (190). The carrier may include a main zip pocket (198), and the housing (194) may be separate from the pocket (198). However, it should be appreciated that the housing (194), as in the previous embodiments, may form part of the main zip pocket (198). In another embodiment, not shown, the main zip pocket may be the housing. It is well known that golf club carriers have many pockets, zips, pouches, and the like. The housing may be within any one of those pockets or compartments. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Finally, throughout the specification and accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A golf club carrier comprising: a golf club head cleaner including a body having a container including an opening and defining a reservoir for a liquid, the container configured to hold liquid and a brush arrangement extending across at least part of an internal surface of the container; and a housing configured to accommodate the golf club head cleaner, the housing having a mouth configured to expose the opening of the golf club head cleaner when housed within the housing.

2. The golf club carrier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a plane of the opening of the container, when the cleaner is housed in the housing, is generally parallel to the major axis of the golf club carrier.

3. The golf club carrier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the opening of the golf club head cleaner is offset to one side relative to at least a portion of the body such that the portion defines the reservoir and is configured to hold liquid when the body is pivoted towards the reservoir and the opening rotates through an angle between a generally horizontal and a generally vertical condition.

4. The golf club carrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reservoir is operatively below the opening when the cleaner is housed in the housing.

5. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaner is oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir is operatively below the opening when the carrier is oriented at any angle between a generally vertical and generally horizontal.

6. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaner is oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir is operatively below the opening when the carrier is supported by carrier straps and / or by carrier legs.

7. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaner is oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir is operatively below the opening when the carrier is generally vertical.

8. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaner is oriented in relation to the carrier such that the reservoir is operatively below the opening when the carrier is positioned to be generally horizontal with a carrier handle facing upwards.

9. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush arrangement is adjacent to the opening and extends towards the reservoir.

10. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir defines a toe portion of the body configured to accommodate a toe of the golf club head.1 1 . The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is shaped such that the internal surface complements a shape of a golf club head.

12. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is located at a first side region of the body and the opening terminates at a first end near the first side region.

13. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is defined by the opening, a closed bottom, and a pair of opposed sidewalls connected by end walls, wherein each sidewall includes the brush arrangement extending across at least part of its internal surface.

14. The golf club carrier as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reservoir is located in a region defined by the closed bottom and adjacent to the end walls, with a first end wall at an acute angle to the closed bottom to accommodate the toe of the golf club head and a second end wall at an obtuse angle to the closed bottom to accommodate a heel of the golf club head.

15. The golf club carrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first end wall extends through an obtuse angle towards the closed bottom such that the first end wall together with the second end wall provides the body with a sock-like shape.

16. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including an attachment means configured to releasably attach the golf club head cleaner to the housing.

17. The golf club carrier as claimed in claim 16, wherein the attachment means includes a clip and a cooperating clamp arrangement.

18. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the golf club head cleaner is integral to the housing.

19. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing is located on a generally lower portion of the carrier.

20. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing mouth is sealable.

21. The golf club carrier as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing includes a rigid shell configured to accommodate the body of the cleaner.

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