US4683603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf ball cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-23
•
Granted: 1987-08-04
•
Expires: 2005-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A cleaning device having particular utility for cleaning a golf ball is disclosed. A holding element includes a bottom, an upstanding wall, and an inwardly directed lip which forms an opening. A cleaning element is held within the device such that it is easily engaged by inserting a portion of the golf ball through the opening. The lip extends inwardly by a distance such that, when the cleaning device is in a generally vertical orientation, the lip, wall, and bottom form a reservoir to prevent the leakage of a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid is preferably water. The cleaning element is made of synthetic material and includes a woven pad backing and upwardly directed filaments. The woven backing provides a plurality of cavities for holding the cleaning fluid, while the filaments provide a surface for scrubbing the portion of the golf ball. Artificial turf is the preferred material for the cleaning element.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Purlia
- 👤 Stephen J. Jankowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:23
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B47/00; A63B47/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for cleaning a golf ball consisting of cleaning means for engaging a portion of the exterior surface of a golf ball and cleaning said portion, and holder means for holding said cleaning means and a cleaning liquid in sufficient quantity to allow said cleaning means to clean said portion, said holder means consisting of a generally flat bottom engaging said cleaning means, a wall extending upwardly from the outer perimeter of said bottom to an upper terminus, and a lip extending inwardly from said upper terminus to form an opening for allowing a golf ball to be inserted to engage said cleaning means, said cleaning means consisting of a pad having filaments extending upwardly therefrom to a height equal to or less than the top of said wall and substantially covering said bottom, wherein said wall and said bottom are secured together to provide a liquid-tight seal, and wherein said lip extends inwardly to form with said bottom and said wall a chamber of adequate size and containing a portion of said pad and filaments to prevent said cleaning liquid from flowing out of said opening when said opening lies in a vertical plane and said holder means contains said quantity of said cleaning liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for cleaning a golf ball consisting of cleaning means for engaging a portion of the exterior surface of a golf ball and cleaning said portion, and holder means for holding said cleaning means and a cleaning liquid in sufficient quantity to allow said cleaning means to clean said portion, said holder means consisting of a generally flat bottom engaging said cleaning means, a wall extending upwardly from the outer perimeter of said bottom to an upper terminus, and a lip extending inwardly from said upper terminus to form an opening for allowing a golf ball to be inserted to engage said cleaning means, said cleaning means consisting of a pad having filaments extending upwardly therefrom to a height equal to or less than the top of said wall and substantially covering said bottom, wherein said wall and said bottom are secured together to provide a liquid-tight seal, and wherein said lip extends inwardly to form with said bottom and said wall a chamber of adequate size and containing a portion of said pad and filaments to prevent said cleaning liquid from flowing out of said opening when said opening lies in a vertical plane and said holder means contains said quantity of said cleaning liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning means is made of artificial turf.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the height of said wall is such that a space exists between upper ends of said filaments and a bottom surface of said lip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pad and said filaments are of synthetic material and said pad is woven to provide a plurality of openings for holding said cleaning fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said wall has a height less than three-quarters of an inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said wall has a height of approximately one-half inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said bottom is circular and has a diameter between two and three inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said holder means comprises an inner element having a generally flat said bottom and a first cylindrical element extending upwardly from said bottom, and an outer element having a second cylindrical element fitting over said first cylindrical element, said first and second cylindrical elements being secured together by engagement of a ridge in a groove and wherein said lip is contiguous with said second cylindrical element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-03 | 1991-02-02 | 1991-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-03 | 1995-02-02 | 1995-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-03 | 1999-02-02 | 1999-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |