U.S. patent application number 09/842066 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-27 for golf club cleaning rack.
Invention is credited to Cabrera, Luis H..
Application Number | 20010054595 09/842066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46257713 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010054595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cabrera, Luis H. |
December 27, 2001 |
Golf club cleaning rack
Abstract
A multiple golf club cleaning aid rack for cleaning clubs, which
is a vertically arrayed, rectangular fabric sheet reinforced with a
plurality of horizontal metal strips in pockets and supporting a
double row of clamps for holding golf clubs vertically. The rack is
suspended from clamps for cleaning by a power wash in car wash
establishment. Suspending apertures are formed through the top of
the rack for suspending it on a wall for use elsewhere, such as at
home.
Inventors: |
Cabrera, Luis H.; (Fulks
Run, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
46257713 |
Appl. No.: |
09/842066 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09842066 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
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09593388 |
Jun 14, 2000 |
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6299000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/70.2 ;
211/104; 211/89.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/60 20151001;
A47B 81/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/70.2 ;
211/89.01; 211/104 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A multiple golf club cleaning aid rack for cleaning clubs
arranged vertically comprising: a rectangular flexible base made of
a durable fabric, and having a top portion, an intermediate portion
proximate the top portion, and a bottom portion, and wherein said
top, intermediate and bottom portions are configured with
horizontal pockets; a support and stiffening strip inserted in each
of said pockets; each of said horizontal pockets of said
intermediate and bottom portions including projecting brackets for
holding golf clubs; and means on said rack for cooperating with
suspending means, for holding the rack in position for cleaning
golf clubs.
2. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 1,
wherein the brackets are mounted onto and project from the support
strips, the brackets being divided into sets for woods and
irons.
3. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 1,
wherein the support strips are made of metal.
4. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 5,
wherein the metal strips are aluminum.
5. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 1,
wherein said means on said rack for cooperating with suspending
means comprise apertures formed in the upper portion, for support
of the rack by hooks.
6. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 1,
wherein said means on said rack for cooperating with suspending
means comprise the uppermost one of said support strips and the
pocket into which the uppermost strip is inserted, which are
configured to be grasped by clamps affixed to a vertical wall
surface.
7. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 1,
wherein the club holding brackets are made of stiff rubber or
plastic material.
8. A multiple golf club cleaning aid rack for cleaning clubs
arranged vertically comprising: a rectangular flexible base made of
a durable fabric, and having a top portion, an intermediate portion
proximate the top portion, and a bottom portion, and wherein said
top, intermediate and bottom portions are configured with
horizontal pockets; a support and stiffening strip inserted in each
of said pockets; each of said horizontal pockets of said
intermediate and bottom portions including projecting brackets for
holding golf clubs, said brackets mounted onto and projecting from
the support strips; and means on said rack for cooperating with
suspending means, for holding the rack in position for cleaning
golf clubs.
9. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 8,
wherein the brackets are divided into sets for woods and irons.
10. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 8,
wherein the support strips are made of metal.
11. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 10,
wherein the metal strips are aluminum.
12. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 8,
wherein said means on said rack for cooperating with suspending
means comprise apertures formed in the upper portion, for support
of the rack by hooks.
13. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 8,
wherein said means on said rack for cooperating with suspending
means comprise the uppermost one of said support strips and the
pocket into which the uppermost strip is inserted, which are
configured to be grasped by clamps affixed to a vertical wall
surface.
14. The multiple golf club cleaning aid rack according to claim 8,
wherein the club holding brackets are made of stiff rubber or
plastic material.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/593,388, filed Jun. 14, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices.
More specifically, the invention is a golf club set cleaning rack
made of water repellant fabric, for hanging up with carpet holders
in a car wash establishment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The related art of interest describes various golf ball or
club head cleaning devices, but none discloses the cleaning rack
for a car wash establishment. There is a need for an efficient and
quick washing apparatus utilizing the power washing available in a
car wash establishment, but also useful elsewhere, e.g., at home.
The relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived
relevance to the present invention.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,719,360 issued on Jul. 2, 1929, to Ulric C.
Deike describes a golf club rack comprising a transversely L-shaped
notched support bar wherein each notch has a locking member
pivoting on a pivot pin. Another horizontal bar positioned below
has spaced notches to align the handles. The rack is
distinguishable for requiring permanent installation by fasteners
to a wall and the lack of a connecting portion between the two
support bars.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,678,353 issued on Jul. 24, 1928, to William
F. Reach describes a holder rack for storing and displaying a set
of golf clubs vertically. The rectangular rack includes three
grooved horizontal crossbars and two rotatable holding crossbars.
The rack is distinguishable for its different structure for holding
the clubs vertically.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,894 issued on Feb. 13, 1990, to Gregory
A. Crump describes a magnetic golf club holding apparatus for
holding golf clubs in an address position. Magnetic bars are
horizontally arranged on a vertical slat wall in a third
embodiment. The slat wall apparatus is distinguishable for its
required magnetic golf club holders.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,539 issued on May 11, 1993, to Michael
Atalay describes a portable golf club carrier and support device
capable of being stored in a golf bag comprising a pair of
downwardly extending, planar leg supports pivotally engaged on top
and ending in triangular feet. Eight clips on each side support
golf clubs horizontally. A cylindrical housing for golf balls are
positioned proximate the feet. The device is distinguishable for
requiring a bipod structure.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 1,835,632 issued on Dec. 8, 1931, to Alfred E.
Buhrke describes a golf club clamping device comprising two
rectangular sheet metal parts (each with semicircular openings
padded with rubber sponge), a hinge at one end, and a closure at
the opposite end. A pair of these clamps can be used to hold a set
of clubs together. The clamping devices are distinguishable for
requiring unconnected clamps to hold a set of golf clubs.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,555 issued on Jan. 24, 1995, to Robert
J. Weinmeier describes a golf club securer and organizer device for
insertion in a golf club bag comprising a stiff peripheral frame
molded in a ring having a series of increasing height and mounting
a resilient clamp. The ring is clamped to the bag by a rod and
clamp system. The device is distinguishable for its structure for
fitting inside a golf club bag.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,229 issued on Apr. 14, 1998, to Brian D.
Fairweather describes a golf club display rack comprising two
horizontal semicircular rack portions having J-shaped slots and
decreasing diameters (from top to bottom) and two lower and smaller
diameter semicircular bases fastened to a wall in FIGS. 1-3. The
rack is distinguishable for its dissimilar structure.
[0013] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 384,503 issued on Oct. 7, 1997, to Geoff
Kyrwood describes an ornamental golf club holder for positioning on
top of a golf club bag comprising a horizontal rack with upwardly
facing parallel bookend-type separators on three legs which attach
to the golf bag with the center leg being hinged. The holder device
is distinguishable for its unique bookend structure.
[0014] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 364,912 issued on Dec. 5, 1995, to G.
Wayne Sowers describes an ornamental golf club holder as best
understood comprising a flexible piece having a hooked portion
having an arcuate opening in front and overlying a horizontal plate
on a base portion. The device is distinguishable as being an
individual golf club holder.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,346 issued on Oct. 12, 1999, to James C.
O'Connor describes an add-on golf club organizer inserted on the
top outside edge of a golf bag comprising a flexible strip having
clamps to grip the bag and slots with cantilever fingers to prevent
the extra golf clubs from slipping out. The device is
distinguishable for its limitation to a golf bag.
[0016] European Patent Application No. 0 488 970 A1 published on
Jun. 3, 1992, for Vincenzo Sciola describes a wall shower apparatus
comprising a rectangular body case having bristles, sponge or
horsehair in front, said case incorporating a tank of soapy water
and a finger pump. The apparatus has four guide rods for attaching
to a shower wall. The apparatus is distinguishable for its
limitation to an integrated wall shower cleaner.
[0017] Canadian Patent Application No. 2,110,481 published on Aug.
12, 1997, for Fang-Li Wu describes a golf club and ball rack for
posting vertically in the ground temporarily comprising a vertical
rod having a bent section for holding a four-ball carrier, a
locating disk for holding club shafts, a support base with cups for
holding the golf club handles, a round below the support base, a
ground spike, a binding band to hold the clubs, and a carrying
strap. The rack is distinguishable for its grouping of the clubs in
a circle around the vertical rod.
[0018] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 367,908 issued on Mar. 12, 1996, to David
D. Byers describes an ornamental ball caddy for ball washing
comprising three ball containers joined with a snap clip hanger. It
is unclear how the balls are held by the holder. The ball caddy is
not relevant to the present invention involving only golf
clubs.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,906 issued on Oct. 30, 1990, to Edward
Mauro describes a combination golf ball and club head cleaning
device mountable on a post or a golf cart. A housing has two
compartments for separately and manually cleaning golf balls and
club heads. Each compartment contains brushes and aqueous cleaning
solutions. The device is distinguishable for cleaning only single
club heads.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,066 issued on Oct. 1, 1996, to Mark W.
McDivitt describes a portable golf club head cleaning device having
a rotatable brush and recirculating pump powered by a power supply.
The device is distinguishable for its required motorized brush
cleaning of golf club heads.
[0021] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 308,766 issued on Jun. 26, 1990, to
Johannes C. J. Van Rensburg describes an ornamental golf club
cleaner comprising a series of aligned bristles inside and outside
an open casing operated to move by a battery in an angled handle.
The casing has a full removable cover. The device is
distinguishable for its hand operated mechanism.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,339 issued on Aug. 28, 1990, to Stephen
C. Braun describes a motor powered cleaning machine for golf clubs
comprising an L-shaped housing on a base. The club head is inserted
into a tray containing a cleaning solution and a round brush. The
machine is distinguishable for its motorized structure.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,432 issued on Jun. 29, 1999, to Marcus
A. Trummer describes a golf club cleaner device for deep cleaning
club heads after each stroke of play comprising a handheld, water
resistant, rechargeable, battery operated module having multiple
horizontal and vertical bristle brushes. The device is
distinguishable for its brush and handheld structure.
[0024] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 350,630 issued on Sep. 13, 1994, o Eric
L. Smith describes an ornamental golf ball cleaner comprising a
replica of a golf ball on a circular stand having a hinge for the
hemispheres and a hinge for a small door in the upper hemisphere.
The device is distinguishable for its unique singular golf ball
structure.
[0025] French Patent Application No. 2 701 657 published on Aug.
26, 1994, for Maurice Le Floch describes an apparatus for cleaning
golf club heads comprising a housing on legs including a
longitudinal top opening for insertion of the golf club head
between two counter-rotating brushes driven by a motor and a tray
for collection of the debris. The apparatus is distinguishable for
its motorized brush cleaning structure.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 2,737,990 issued on Mar. 13, 1956, to Joseph
J. De Marco describes a golf club mounted and golf ball carrier
having an aluminum tubing frame and a bottom spike for driving into
the ground for play and carrying the clubs and balls by the fabric
sleeved top cross arm. The clubs are mounted horizontally in pairs
by spring clamps on the side arms. The device is distinguishable
for its spiked frame structure.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,364 issued on May 25, 1993, to Dana L.
Theckston describes a golf club holder and dispenser device mounted
on the rear of a golf cart. A housing contains a rotating motorized
frame with notches to hold the clubs accessible by a transparent
cover on top. Some clubs are held by brackets on the rear of the
housing. Two drawers are added below the housing. The housing
device is distinguishable for its motorized club holding frame.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,999 issued on Mar. 7, 2000, to Michael
T. York et al. describes a golf club and accessory carrier having a
top handle connecting two Christmas tree shaped ends having clips
for holding clubs on its sides. A lower frame holds golf balls. The
thin portion of the sides above the feet has clips for tees. The
carrier is distinguishable for having a Christmas tree
configuration for holding golf clubs horizontally.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,358 issued on Apr. 18, 1989, to Charles
W. Wychoff et al. describes a golf club head cleaner device for
mounting on posts or to a golf cart comprising an upright
cylindrical housing with a removable top cover having an elongated
slot for insertion of an iron club head. Two opposing brush blocks
are held inside with cleaning fluid, and the club head is moved
vertically for cleaning. The device is distinguishable for its
limitation to cleaning only one club head at a time.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,883 issued on Oct. 20, 1993, to Raymond
L. Legault describes a combination golf club head and ball washer
device comprising a box with an external crank handle rotating two
brushes by gearing in counter rotation. The box contains an aqueous
detergent solution. The lid has a tubular member for inserting golf
balls. The lid can be tilted up for insertion of a club head for
cleaning. The device can be attached to a vertical wall. The device
is distinguishable for its individual washing of club heads and
golf balls in a box with a crank driving two brushes and containing
a cleaning solution.
[0031] U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,918 issued on Aug. 24, 1999, to Marc R.
Binette describes an apparatus for cleaning a golf club head
comprising a housing having a top with separate openings for right
and left handed club heads for brushing by an external crank
handle. No cleaning solution is involved. The apparatus is
distinguishable for its dry brushing of a single club head.
[0032] U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,799 issued on Dec. 16, 1952, to David E.
Wilson describes an U-shaped collar for golf clubs.
[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,676 issued on Jul. 31, 1973, to Allyn G.
Warren et al. describes a golf club ball wash rack.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,979 issued on Nov. 18, 1997, to Dean A.
Plevka describes storage attachments for wheelbarrows.
[0035] U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,604 issued on Nov. 3, 1998, to Henry F.
Brophy describes a golf club rack apparatus.
[0036] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant
invention as claimed. Thus, a golf club cleaning rack solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The invention is a golf club set cleaning aid for use in car
wash establishments which provide hanging clamps and the
pressurized washing fluids. This device has a rectangular fabric
mesh having pockets located on the top edge, proximate the top edge
and at the bottom edge. The pockets include planar aluminum strips
for maintaining a degree of rigidity for the device. The pockets
support brackets or clips at two levels, i.e., the bottom pocket
and its adjacent pocket, and in-line to hold the golf clubs
vertically. The top pocket and the aluminum insert can have
apertures for hanging the invention.
[0038] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a multiple golf club cleaning rack for hanging the golf
clubs vertically on a car wash or the like wall.
[0039] It is another object of the invention to provide a multiple
golf club cleaning rack made essentially of a fabric mesh
support.
[0040] It is a further object of the invention to provide the
fabric mesh support with three horizontal pockets.
[0041] Still another object of the invention is to provide the
three horizontal supports with a planar metal inserted in each
pocket.
[0042] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0043] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a prototype
embodiment of a golf club cleaning rack according to the
invention.
[0045] FIG. 2 is an environmental front perspective view of a golf
club cleaning rack according to the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the golf club hanging
rack as shown in FIG. 2.
[0047] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0048] The present invention in FIG. 1 describes a multiple golf
club cleaning rack 10 for mounting on a wall of a car wash
establishment. The golf clubs are conveniently arranged vertically
in groups such as the woods 12 and the irons 14, which differ in
shaft lengths and club head sizes. The rack 10 is made up of a
first horizontal set of two parallel bars 16 at a first height
connected by fasteners 18 at each end to leave a space between them
for clamping by the wall clamps 20, conveniently provided in some
car wash establishments for cleaning car mats and rugs; cleaning is
accomplished by using pressurized hot and soapy water.
[0049] A second horizontal set of two spaced parallel bars 22
connected by fasteners 18 at each end is positioned below the first
set of bars 16. The parallel bars are connected proximate their
ends by vertically oriented crossbars 24 which are hinged at a
midpoint 26 in order to conveniently fold or collapse the rack 10
for portage or storage.
[0050] Each front bar 28 of the first and second sets of parallel
bars 16, 22, respectively, has brackets for holding the golf clubs
12, 14. A pair of clamps 20 are usually positioned on a car wash
wall for washing car rugs or mats by soap and a powered hot water
hose. Therefore, the rack 10 can be conveniently held by the
available wall clamps 20 for cleaning the arrayed clubs with a
power wash. There is a distinct and unexpected advantage for
holding the clubs 12, 14 in a vertical position, because one does
not have to stoop to clean the sides of the club heads, which might
be necessary if the clubs were placed in a horizontal attitude.
[0051] The upper golf club holding brackets 32 are mounted on a
continuous plastic clamp 34 having a bulbous head to project the
golf club heads 36 slightly forward. The lower brackets 38 are
divided into two sets for the wood drivers 12 and for the iron
clubs 14. The rack 10 is made of aluminum strips 40 except for the
club holding brackets 32 and 38 which are made of flexible rubber
or plastic material.
[0052] Each end of the first and second horizontal sets of bars 16
and 22 are separated by fasteners 16 which are covered with plastic
tubing 42.
[0053] It should be noted that the rack 10 can be mounted on a
homeowner's garage wall for cleaning the clubs with a hose and
brush, for example.
[0054] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, the invention is a multiple
golf club cleaning aid rack 44 for cleaning vertically arranged
clubs 46. The rack 44 is made up of a rectangular flexible base 48
made of a durable fabric having a top portion 50, an intermediate
portion 52 proximate the top portion, and a bottom portion 54. The
top, intermediate and bottom portions are configured with
horizontal pockets 56, 58 and 60, respectively. Metal support
strips 62 such as aluminum is inserted in each pocket 56, 58 and
60. Of course, the strips 62 could be made of other stiff material,
e.g., plastic, hard rubber, etc., if desired.
[0055] Pockets 58 and 60 have brackets 64 fastened through the
fabric and directly to the enclosed support strips 62. The brackets
64 project outwardly from the rack, and are spaced equidistantly in
two groups for holding golf clubs 46. The brackets 64 are formed of
metal, resilient rubber or plastic and the like, and are aligned to
support clubs 46 vertically.
[0056] Grips, such as clamps 66 which are normally positioned on a
wall 68 of a car wash establishment, are used for suspending the
multiple golf club holding rack 10, so that the golf clubs 46 may
be cleaned with a power wash normally found in such establishments.
The uppermost strip 62 and its pocket 56 are dimensioned and
configured such that the rack may be securely held and grasped by
the clamps 66. As set forth above, the brackets 64 are conveniently
divided into two sets for the wood drivers 76 and for the iron
clubs 78. A set of apertures 80 are conveniently formed in the
upper portion for support of the rack 10 by available hooks (not
shown) on a home wall, for example, or other convenient
location.
[0057] This cleaning rack has the advantage of being readily folded
for portage or storage, and requires a minimum of metal or other
material strengthening parts. Also, it is versatile in use, in that
it can be deployed in a car wash establishment, or it could be used
most any place, such as at home, suspended on an outside wall.
[0058] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *