BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to brushes for cleaning golf clubs, such as irons and drivers; and more particularly, to a golf club brush configured with a retractable brush element for storing in a housing, the retractable brush element being coupled to a spring-element for accomplishing retractability.
Description of the Related Art
Golf club brushes are articles of manufacture, generally useful for cleaning golf clubs, such as irons and drivers.
Dodson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,953, issued Apr. 5, 1988 (“Dodson”) discloses a dual brush assembly specifically designed for cleaning both iron and wood type golf club heads. A small housing structure is provided and within that housing structure a pair of brushes are movably mounted. One brush is a relatively hard brush designed for brushing and cleaning the head of an iron type golf club. The other brush is a relatively soft brush and specifically designed for cleaning the head of a wood type golf club.
Nichols et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,343, issued Aug. 2, 1994 (“Nichols”) discloses a double brush mechanism for cleaning the grooves of the striking faces of wood and iron golf clubs including a housing having oppositely directed brush openings and forming an actuator slot having locking openings. A brush carrier is movable within the housing and has opposed brushes capable of being selectively projected from the housing for use. A brush carrier actuator is received in movable relation by the carrier and is urged in a locking direction by a compression spring. The actuator incorporates a manual manipulator button that is engaged and moved by the user and incorporates an actuator stem that is movable within the carrier actuator slot. The carrier is lockable at either of three positions along the length of the actuator slot to permit either of the brushes to be selectively exposed for use or locked within the housing for protection
Bruce, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,460, issued Mar. 9, 1999 (“Bruce”) discloses a golf iron brush designed to clean all golf club irons of loose and embedded debris. The device comprises a housing with top and bottom openings and a front slot extending from top to bottom. The housing has interior opposing brushes which define a central gap through which a golf club iron head is swiped. The housing allows the club head to be passed through, in horizontal alignment of the club shaft, in the direction of the control grooves on the face of the club. This allows the brushes to clean within the grooves for a thorough cleaning.
Mummery et al., U.S. D838,476 S, issued Jan. 22, 2019 (“Mummery”) discloses an ornamental design for a golf club cleaning brush cover.
While certain brushes and related articles are generally disclosed in the art, each of which is limited in that they omit useful features, such as, inter alia, spring-bias and retractability.
SUMMARY
In various embodiments, a golf club brush is provided, the golf club brush including a housing including a channel, and a press-button; a carrier assembly configured to be in slideable engagement along said channel within the housing; and a spring coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to provide a bias-force for translating the carrier assembly relative to the channel and housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art of golf clubs and accessories upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a golf club brush according to a first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 2 shows a right-side plan view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment, the golf club brush being configured in a collapsed state;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment, the golf club brush being configured in a expanded state;
FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the golf club brush according to the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 9 shows a partial section view of certain components of the golf club brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 10 shows a focused view of a portion of the golf club brush according to the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 11 shows a focused view of another portion of the golf club brush according to the first illustrated embodiment;
FIG. 12 shows a section view of a golf club brush and clip according to a second illustrated embodiment; and
FIG. 13 shows a section view of a golf club brush according to a third illustrated embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, and a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
General Description of Embodiments
In a first embodiment, a golf club brush is disclosed, the golf club brush comprising: a housing including a channel, a press-button, and a stop; a carrier assembly configured to be in slideable engagement along said channel within the housing; and a spring coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to provide a bias-force for translating the carrier assembly relative to the channel and housing.
In the first embodiment, the carrier assembly may further comprise: a proximal end and a distal end, a spring-engagement element disposed about the carrier assembly at the proximal end, and a catch disposed about the carrier assembly at the distal end, wherein the spring-engagement element is configured to engage the spring, and wherein the catch is configured to form a releasable locking mechanism with the stop of the housing, the locking mechanism being releasable upon actuating the press-button to separate the catch from the stop of the housing.
Generally, the carrier assembly comprises a carrier and a brush-element coupled to the carrier. The brush-element may further comprise a slot configured to engage a portion of the carrier, or may be coupled by any means known to one having skill in the art, for example and not limitation, magnetic attachments, adhesives, friction fits, mechanical attachments, or other means.
In the first embodiment, the housing may comprise a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to engage at least a portion of a surface of the housing, and the sleeve further comprises a spring anchor configured to engage a portion of the spring. In one example, and without limitation, the sleeve can comprise a prong, wherein the prong is configured to engage an aperture of the spring at one end thereof.
In some embodiments, the bias-force is configured to deploy the brush-element to a position outside the housing.
In other embodiments, the bias-force is configured to retract the brush-element to a position inside the housing.
In some embodiments, the golf club brush may further comprise a clip, wherein the clip is configured to engage a golf bag, a towel, or a belt. The clip can be coupled to the housing of the golf club brush.
In a second embodiment, a golf club brush may comprise: a housing including a channel, and a press-button; a carrier assembly configured to be in slideable engagement along said channel within the housing; and a spring coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to provide a bias-force for translating the carrier assembly relative to the channel and housing.
In the second embodiment, the carrier assembly may further comprise: a proximal end and a distal end, a first spring-engagement element disposed about the carrier assembly at the distal end, and a second spring-engagement element disposed about the housing, wherein the carrier assembly is configured to be deployed by a user exerting force upon the press-button and translating the carrier assembly to an expanded state; and wherein the first and second spring-engagement elements combine to bias the carrier assembly in a retracted state within the housing. In this and other embodiments, upon the carrier assembly being translated to an expanded state, the spring is expanded.
Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the carrier assembly may further comprise: a proximal end and a distal end, a first spring-engagement element disposed about the carrier assembly at the proximal end, and a second spring-engagement element disposed about the housing, wherein the carrier assembly is configured to be deployed by a user exerting force upon the press-button and translating the carrier assembly to an expanded state; and wherein the first and second spring-engagement elements combine to bias the carrier assembly in a retracted state within the housing. In this and other embodiments, upon the carrier assembly being translated to an expanded state, the spring is compressed.
Various components of the golf club brush, including, without limitation, the housing, sleeve, carrier, and at least a portion of the brush element may be fabricated from thermoplastic material using molding or etching, or may be 3D-printed, or otherwise fabricated using these and other techniques known in the art. Alternatively, some or all components may be fabricated from metals, wood, or other composite materials.
A function of the brush device is to provide a device with a retractable brush head (brush-element) for exposing the brush when needed and otherwise retracting the brush head. A complimentary clip may be integrated with the brush device to couple with a golf bag, user's belt or other article. The brush device is differentiated as having a spring-bias to expand or retract the brush head.
First Illustrated Embodiment
Now turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a golf club brush (100) according to a first illustrated embodiment. The golf club brush is shown comprising a sleeve disposed on an outer surface covering the housing (101, FIG. 2). Within the housing is disposed a carrier (109), which is configured to translate back and forth along a channel (119, FIG. 9), wherein the channel is disposed within the housing. The press-button (110) is generally configured to engage the carrier for causing slideable translation relative to the channel and the housing.
FIG. 2 shows a right-side plan view of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. Shows components of the golf club brush from an alternative view, namely, the housing (101), sleeve (102) integrated with the housing and engaging at least a portion of the surface thereof, press-button (110), and carrier (109). Here, only a portion of carrier (109) is exposed at a front (distal) end of the golf club brush as the carrier is configured to be nested within the housing in the collapsed state.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. Here, each of the housing (101), sleeve (102) engaged with the housing, the press-button (110), and carrier (109) are shown from an alternative view.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. Here, the sleeve (102) is further identified by encapsulating at least a portion of the housing (101). The carrier (109) is further shown with a brush-element (113) engaged therewith. The brush element may be coupled to the carrier via a slot, the slot may be configured to engage a portion of the carrier, or may be coupled by any means known to one having skill in the art, for example and not limitation, magnetic attachments, adhesives, friction fits, mechanical attachments, or other means. Also, the press-button (110) is shown disposed at an upper side of the golf club brush according to the orientation as illustrated in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the golf club (100) brush in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. The sleeve (102) is shown from a rear side of the golf club brush.
In the various views it can be recognized that the sleeve (102) may provide an ergonomically beneficial grip for holding the golf club brush (100).
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment, the golf club brush being configured in a collapsed state. Here, the golf club brush is further characterized by a housing (101) and a sleeve (102) coupled to the housing, wherein the carrier (109) is nested within the housing. Brush-element (113) is shown being coupled to the carrier. Accordingly, with the carrier being nested within the housing the golf club brush is said to be in the collapsed state. The sleeve is shown with the press-button (110) on an upper portion thereof relative to the orientation of that shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment, the golf club brush being configured in the expanded state. Here, with the golf club brush being configured in the expanded state, the carrier (109) is protruding from the interior cavity of the housing (101), such that the brush-element (113) coupled to the carrier is exposed for use. Looking further at the carrier as it is translated from the housing, it can be appreciated that the carrier further comprises each of a catch (111) and a catch-spring (120). The sleeve (102) provides ergonomic grip and stability for holding the golf club brush and is shown surrounding at least a portion of the housing. Moreover, the sleeve is shown comprising press-button (110), wherein the press-button is configured to deploy the carrier and brush coupled therewith.
FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the golf club brush (100) according to the first illustrated embodiment. Here, the golf club brush is shown comprising each of a housing (101), sleeve (102), spring (103), carrier (109), and brush-element (113). The housing includes a channel (119) integrated therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and slideably engage the carrier. The carrier comprises each of a catch (111) and a catch spring (120) disposed at a distal end configured to be near a front of the golf club brush, wherein the combination of the catch and catch spring provides a means for engaging the carrier at a portion of the housing. The carrier further comprises a spring-engagement element (104) that is adapted to engage a portion of the spring. The spring may further engage to the housing, sleeve, or a combination thereof, by a mating of a prong (117, FIG. 9) at aperture (118). Here, in the first illustrated embodiment, the press-button (110) of the sleeve may be configured to engage a corresponding press-button (110b) of the housing, thereby forming a unitary combination. Alternatively, either of the sleeve or housing may individually comprise the press-button for actuating the translation of the carrier about the channel and housing. The brush element is shown comprising a brush-base (121) with a slot (122) disposed on a first side thereof, and a plurality of bristles (123) coupled to the brush-base at a second side thereof opposite the first side. For purposes herein, the carrier assembly comprises a combination of the carrier and the brush-element coupled to the carrier.
FIG. 9 shows a partial section view of certain components of the golf club brush (100) in accordance with the first illustrated embodiment. The housing (101) is shown from a section view revealing channel (119). The carrier (109) is engaged with the channel for translation and slideable engagement. The carrier further comprises each of a catch (111) and a spring-engagement element (104), wherein the catch is configured to releasably engage stop (112) for locking the carrier assembly in a closed configuration referred to herein as the “collapsed state,” and wherein the spring-engagement element is configured to abut the spring for providing a surface from which spring-bias may be provided. Brush element (113) is shown coupled to the carrier forming the carrier assembly. The housing is shown with press-button (110b), which is configured to release the catch of the carrier from the stop of the housing upon receiving user-initiated force or being pressed. Sleeve (102) is shown in sectioned view and is adapted to cover at least a portion of the housing surface. The sleeve further comprises a prong extending inwardly from a rear-side of the sleeve, wherein the prong is adapted to engage an aperture (118) of the spring.
FIG. 10 shows a focused view of a portion of the golf club brush (100) according to the first illustrated embodiment. Here, the carrier assembly, including carrier (109) and brush-element (113) coupled to the carrier, is shown retracted into the cavity of the housing (101), and is being released to translate toward the expanded state. To achieve release, the press-button (110) receives force from a user and pushes the catch (111) downwardly relative to the drawing, wherein the catch is released form the corresponding stop (112). Upon releasing the catch, the carrier assembly is capable of slideable translation about the channel (119, FIG. 9) and housing. As noted herein, the push-button may be implemented at the housing, the sleeve (102), or both the housing and the sleeve.
FIG. 11 shows a focused view of another portion of the golf club brush (100) according to the first illustrated embodiment. Here, the locking mechanism is shown in more detail, wherein the press-button (110) is configured to apply force to release the catch (111) from engagement with stop (112) of the housing, whereby the carrier assembly is adapted for translatable movement. The catch is coupled to catch spring, which may comprise a torsion spring, and the combination of the catch and catch spring enables flexible movement for effectuating release from the corresponding stop.
Second Illustrated Embodiment
FIG. 12 shows a section view of a golf club brush (200) and clip (214) according to a second illustrated embodiment. The clip may be attached to the golf club brush in any configuration, but generally may be preferably attached by a friction fitment. Here, the golf club brush comprises a housing (201) with a channel (219), wherein a carrier is configured to translate about the channel and housing between an expanded and collapsed state. The carrier assembly, which includes the carrier and the brush-element (213) coupled to the carrier, is shown retracted such that the golf club brush is shown in the collapsed state. Spring (203) is shown coupled first spring-engagement element (205), which is coupled to the carrier near the distal end thereof, and the spring is further coupled to the housing at second spring-engagement element (206). When in the collapsed state, the spring is loaded, and possesses potential energy to slideably translate the engaged carrier element upon release using the push-button.
Third Illustrated Embodiment
FIG. 13 shows a section view of a golf club brush (300) according to a third illustrated embodiment. Here, the golf club brush comprises a housing (301), an optional sleeve (302) covering at least a portion of the housing, a carrier assembly, and a spring (303). The carrier assembly generally comprises a brush-element (313) coupled to a carrier (309) forming a combination referred to as the “carrier assembly”. In this embodiment, the spring is configured to provide a bias-force, wherein the carrier assembly is adapted to retract into the housing via the bias-force. The spring is shown engaged with each of a first spring-engagement element (305) and a second spring-engagement element (306), wherein the first spring-engagement element is coupled to the carrier at the distal end thereof and the second spring-engagement element is coupled to the housing at a location between the first spring-engagement element and a rear side of the housing. Also shown is press-button (310), which is configured to receive user-applied force for translating the carrier assembly and corresponding brush-element from the collapsed state to the expanded state, wherein the brush is adapted for use when in the expanded state.
While a number of features, configurations and embodiments are disclosed herein, it should be understood that the disclosure is provided for purposes of enablement only, and shall not be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the invention in any way as set forth in the appended claims.
FEATURE LIST
- golf club brush (100; 200; 300)
- housing (101; 201; 301)
- sleeve (102; 302)
- spring (103; 203; 303)
- spring-engagement element (104)
- first spring-engagement element (105; 205; 305)
- second spring-engagement element (106; 206; 306)
- spring anchor (107)
- carrier assembly (108)
- carrier (109; 309)
- press-button (110; 310)
- catch (111)
- stop (112)
- brush-element (113; 213; 313)
- clip (114; 214)
- proximal end (115)
- distal end (116)
- prong (117)
- aperture (118)
- channel (119; 219)
- catch-spring (120)
- brush-base (121)
- slot (122)
- bristles (123)
Patent Application
20210023427
