Patent Application
20100064467
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates generally to the field of groove cleaning devices and more specifically to RETRACTABLE GROOVE CLEANING TOOLS FOR CLEANING THE GROOVES ON THE FACE OF THE HEAD OF A GOLF CLUB.
This invention relates generally to the field of golf club groove cleaners and more specifically to groove cleaning devices that are retractable.
This invention relates to groove cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a portable cleaning device for cleaning the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club. The face of a golf club is typically made with narrow grooves. As a general design most golf club heads have parallel grooves spaced across the surface. The object of the grooves is to provide friction between the face of the club and the ball. The friction is necessary for a clean strike to the golf ball and allows for backspin and directional control when desired. During use the grooves tend to become embedded and clogged with dirt, grass, sand and other debris. When the grooves are clogged, there will not be an efficient transfer of energy from the club head to the ball, and the ball will not have backspin. Frequently between shots, the golfer is found standing on the tee box or the fairway removing debris from the grooves on the face of the head of the golf club with a wet towel, golf tee, brush, or some combination thereof. However, these devices are not designed to efficiently clean the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club and further they are generally inconvenient and ineffective to satisfactorily clean the grooves. Further, to the extent that these devices can clean the grooves, such cleaning requires an inordinate amount of time thereby slowing play. To try and clean the grooves with a golf tee, the pointed end of the golf tee is pushed down into the grooves and forced along the length of the grooves. However, the grooves are more narrow than the pointed end of the golf tee and it cannot completely penetrate into the grooves. Using a golf tee in this manner can result in a broken golf tee, an injured hand, or both. Using a wet towel is also an ineffective way to clean the grooves because it is impossible to apply enough force to push the towel completely into the grooves. Other devices incorporate brushes or comb-like aspects, some with covers or lids to protect their working surfaces, these are cumbersome and time consuming. Effective groove cleaning devices for removing dirt, grass, sand and other debris from the face of the head of a golf club has always been a desire of golfers. What golfers around the world want is to have a groove cleaning device which is lightweight, portable and compact while also being easy to use to enhance a golfer's accuracy and enjoyment of the game. In response to this problem various types of groove cleaning devices have been developed.
Prior technology of these inventions do not allow for the ease of use and are not effective groove cleaning tools. Some have covers or lids to protect the tip and its user. Removing these covers or lids are cumbersome, time consuming and could easily be lost if dropped or misplaced. Such devices also require the use of both hands. This requires the user to put down the club in need of cleaning to prepare the groove cleaner for use. Other prior inventions have multiple tips attempting to clean more than one groove on the face of the head of a golf club at once. The problem with such prior technology is that the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club are not all of the same length so not all of the grooves can be cleaned at the same time. Other devices have been developed which have brushes to clean the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, such brushes will clean the face but not effectively clean each groove without wetting or applying excessive pressure to the brush. The wetting process or the applying of excessive pressure to the brush is time consuming and requires extra energy. Other prior inventions are comprised of materials that are equal to the hardness of the head of a golf club. This hard material could cause damage to the shape and integrity of the grooves which could cause adverse ball flight when striking the ball in the game of golf. There is thus a need in the prior art for an easy to use one hand operation device with no lids or covers to fumble with or loose. There is also a need for a groove cleaning device that is of proper shape, hardness and design to do the cleaning job properly without damage to the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club. A proper groove cleaning device will enhance the golfer's accuracy and enjoyment of the game without worry as to how well or effectively the golf club has been cleaned.
The primary object of the invention is the retractable alloy tip that is housed in a pen shaped case for cleaning the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club.
Another object of the invention is the pen shaped case is not a writing instrument, but a groove cleaning tool.
Another object of the invention is the device has a retractable alloy tip that will not damage the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club.
Another object of the invention is it provides clean grooves for better contact with the golf ball.
A further object of the invention is better contact promotes a clean strike to the golf ball and allows for backspin when desired.
Yet another object of the invention is it will clean grooves that are clogged with dirt, grass, sand and other debris.
Still yet another object of the invention is the alloy tip is housed in a plastic pen shaped case containing a spring assisted retractable mechanism.
Another object of the invention is it has the ease of one hand operation, the golf club does not have to be put down to prepare the device for use.
Another object of the invention is it is easy to depress the retractable mechanism to expose the alloy tip for cleaning, and depress again for storing.
A further object of the invention is the alloy tip retracts so as not to harm the user, its clothing, pouch or golf bag.
Yet another object of the invention is it has a clip for attaching to the user's clothing, pouch or golf bag.
Still yet another object of the invention is the clip makes the groove cleaning tool more accessible for use when needed.
Another object of the invention is it can go with the user anywhere for cleaning the club whenever necessary.
Another object of the invention is it is beneficial to all golfers regardless of skill levels.
A further object of the invention is it is an affordable cleaning device.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed RETRACTABLE GOLF CLUB GROOVE CLEANING TOOL comprising: a retractable alloy tip for removing dirt, grass, sand and other debris from the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the alloy tip fits properly into each groove on the face of the head of a golf club for the purpose of cleaning, the alloy tip is of proper hardness so as not to cause excessive wear or any damage to the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the alloy tip may be constructed of any material to achieve the proper hardness for cleaning the grooves without damage, proper hardness can achieved by utilizing any material, the preferred example is a copper based alloy such as bronze, a bronze alloy is softer than the material that most common golf club heads are made of such as chrome plated steel, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten or combinations of these metals, said alloy tip is housed in an easily recognizable retractable pen shaped device, it is a cleaning device that has a plastic pen shaped case and plastic clip for attaching to the user's clothing, pouch or golf bag, the retractable pen shaped device is used as a housing for the solid alloy tip and does not contain a roller ball insert that holds ink, as is in a writing instrument
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed RETRACTABLE GOLF CLUB GROOVE CLEANING TOOL comprising: the alloy tip is housed in a plastic pen shaped case containing a spring assisted retractable mechanism, the retractable mechanism is the means by which the alloy tip is extended for use and retracted for storage, the retractable mechanism allows for one hand operation, which requires no need to put the club down to prepare the device for use, said device is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use, and said device has a unique design that has no covers or lids to fumble with or loose,
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed RETRACTABLE GOLF CLUB GROOVE CLEANING TOOL comprising: a retractable alloy tip for removing dirt, grass, sand and other debris from the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the alloy tip is of the proper shape and length for fitting in the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the device cleans the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the device has an alloy tip that is softer than the metals that a common golf club head is made of, the alloy tip will not damage the grooves on the face of the head of a golf club, the device provides clean grooves for better contact with the golf ball, the alloy tip will clean grooves that are clogged with dirt, grass, sand and other debris, and the alloy tip is housed in a plastic pen shaped case containing a spring assisted retractable mechanism, the alloy tip is used instead of a ball point pen insert and the device is a groove cleaning tool and not a writing instrument
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
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While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
