Cleaning device

Abstract

A golf equipment cleaning device is provided wherein the cleaning device selectively expels a pressurized fluid that a golfer may use at any point on the golf course. A golfer may use a hand pump to pressurize a container that comprises a fluid. Then, the golfer may release the pressurized fluid through the end of a bristled brush such that the golfer may scrub a golf ball or golf club with a bristled brush and a pressurized fluid.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising: a container adapted for holding fluid having an opening and an outlet; a pump device connected to said opening of said container; a hose having a proximal end connected to said outlet of said container; a valve interconnected to a distal end of said hose, wherein said container, said pump device, said hose, and said valve at least partially define a hermetically sealable volume; a brush connected to said hose, said brush comprising at least one brush outlet to dispense said fluid when said valve is opened; wherein said brush comprises; a primary valve stem having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said primary valve stem being connected to said valve; a first substantially planar member hingedly connected to a distal end of said primary valve stem; a second substantially planar member hingedly connected to said distal end of said primary valve stem, wherein said second substantially planar member is disposed opposite said first substantially planar member; a first plurality of bristles disposed on an inner surface of said first substantially planar member; a second plurality of bristles disposed on an inner surface of said second substantially planar member; and wherein said first and second substantially planar members are rotatable such that said first and second plurality of bristles may overlap.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a third plurality of bristles disposed on a distal end of said third stem, wherein a portion of said fluid flows through said primary valve stem, through said third stem, and past said third plurality of bristles.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein said first plurality of bristles, said second plurality of bristles, and said third plurality of bristles are oriented about a radius of curvature, wherein said radius of curvature is between approximately 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising: a second container having a second container outlet; a second hose connected to said second container outlet, and a Y connection of said second hose, wherein said second container is in fluid communication with said hose; and wherein an entrained fluid is adapted to be held within said second container, wherein when the fluid flows through said second hose, the entrained fluid is at least partially moved out of said second container and into contact with fluid flowing through said hose.

5. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising: a heating element disposed about said primary valve stem of said brush, wherein engagement of said valve causes said heating element to heat said primary valve stem and the fluid.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising: a pedal operatively connected to said valve, wherein a user may depress said pedal to open said valve.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle disposed about said primary valve stem, wherein said valve is disposed within said handle, said valve comprising an actuator that protrudes through said handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, explain the principles of these inventions.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a detailed front elevation view of the brush and hose of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a detailed front elevation view of the container and piston rod of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a container that comprises a second container;

(6) FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a brush that comprises two stems and two pluralities of bristles;

(7) FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a brush that comprises two stems and two pluralities of bristles;

(8) FIG. 5C is a top plan view of an embodiment of a brush that comprises two stems and two pluralities of bristles;

(9) FIG. 6A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the brush that comprises three stems and three pluralities of bristles;

(10) FIG. 6B is a top plan view of an embodiment of the brush that comprises three stems and three pluralities of bristles;

(11) FIG. 7A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the brush that comprises two members hingedly connected to a valve stem;

(12) FIG. 7B is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the brush that comprises two members connected to a valve stem;

(13) FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a cleaning system of another embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a washer bottle used in the system of FIG. 8;

(15) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9;

(16) FIG. 11 is a detailed view of FIG. 10;

(17) FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a brush assembly employed by the system of FIG. 8;

(18) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12;

(19) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that utilizes a squeezable bottle;

(20) FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14;

(21) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a pump valve interconnected to a rigid bottle;

(22) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 16 that employs a sleeve;

(23) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that employs a squeezable bottle adapted to clean a golf ball;

(24) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 18 that includes a scraper;

(25) FIG. 20 is a detailed view of FIG. 19;

(26) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention that has a cap with the scraper; and

(27) FIG. 22 is a top plan view of FIG. 21.

(28) To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

(29) TABLE-US-00001 No. Component 2 Cleaning Device 6 Handle 10 Piston Rod 14 Cap 18 Container 22 Band 26 Container Outlet 30 Hose 34 Valve 38 Brush 42 Bristles 46 Brush Outlet 50 Second Container 54 Second Container Outlet 58 Entrained Fluid 62 Valve Stem 66 First Stem 70 Second Stem 74 First Bristles 78 Second Bristles 82 Radius 86 First Stem Angle 90 Third Stem 94 Third Bristles 98 Second Stem Angle 102 Third Stem Angle 106 First Member 110 Second Member 114 First Flexible Hose 118 Second Flexible Hose 200 Cleaning System 204 Bottle 208 Pump 210 Sprayer Assembly 212 Hose 216 Valve Button 220 Bottle Portion 224 Inner tube 228 Piston 232 Piston Head 236 Member 240 Inner Surface 244 Air Vents 248 Valve 252 Seal 256 Upper End 260 Cap 264 Fitting 268 Handle 272 Hose 276 Valve 280 Fitting 284 Member 288 Nozzle 292 Brush Holder 296 Bristles 297 Opening 298 Fluid 300 Cleaning System 304 Bottle 308 Brush 310 Cap 312 Valve 316 Golf Ball 320 Rigid Bottle 324 Sleeve 328 Pump Valve 332 Cover 336 Ridges 340 Scrapper

(30) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(31) As described below, various embodiments of the present invention include a cleaning device 2 that provides a pressurized fluid. Embodiments of the present invention have significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims to be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the described invention or inventions despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by referring to specific disclosed examples.

(32) FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of a cleaning device 2 used to clean golf equipment. The primary housing for the fluid is the container 18, which in this particular embodiment is a generally cylindrical vessel with a top opening and a container outlet 26. A cap 14 is disposed over the top opening of the container 18 forms a hermetic seal with the container 18. In this embodiment, the cap 14 screws onto threads disposed on the outer surface of the container 18. One skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments the cap 14 may snap onto the container 18, latch onto the container 18, be bolted or riveted onto the container 18, or connected to the container 18 using any fastening means described elsewhere herein or known in the art.

(33) The container 18 depicted in FIG. 1 is generally cylindrical in shape, however, other embodiments may comprise a container 18 which is a different shape. For example, in one embodiment, the container is crescent shaped like a flask. In this embodiment the container may be more easily interfaced with curved surfaces such as the perimeter of a golf bag or a portion of a golf cart. The interface between the concave portion of the container and the curved or even non-curved surface provides a more stable interface.

(34) In other embodiments, the container is a flexible material with an amorphous shape. Thus the container may be folded or compressed to fit into smaller enclosures such as the pocket of a golf bag or golf cart. The container may comprise of any material that provides a nonpermeable layer to the container. In some embodiments, a steel braided container provides a nonpermeable container that also may be flexible or non-rigid. In other embodiments, the container may comprise one or more polyethylene sheets surface by a nylon fabric such as 1000 Denier. In yet further embodiments, the container may comprise a fabric coated or dipped in rubber. One skilled in the art will appreciate a container that comprises many materials and combinations of materials to create a container that may pressurize a fluid and gas, yet retains a degree of flexibility.

(35) In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 2 is manually powered. Extending upward from the cap 14 is a piston rod 10 and a handle 6 disposed on the uppermost end of the piston rod 10. When a user wants to pressurize the fluid within the container 18, the user grasps the handle 6 and drives the piston rod 10 into the container 18, which pressurizes the fluid. After the drive motion, the user pulls the handle 6 and pulls the piston rod 10 out of the container 18. A one way valve or check valve remains hermetically sealed during the drive stroke but allows additional air to enter the container 18 during the pull stroke. Thus more and more air is added into the container 18 which creates a greater and greater pressure. One skilled in the art will appreciate other pumping devices known in the art and discussed elsewhere herein.

(36) One skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of power alternatives. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention the cleaning device 2 is operatively connected to the power source that drives a golf cart. In other embodiments, the cleaning device 2 is pressurized via a foot pedal or hand pump. This configuration may be disposed on the passenger side of a golf cart, wherein the passenger may power the pedal on the floor of the golf cart to pressurize a cleaning device disposed in relative proximity to the golf cart. Some embodiments may also include an additional pedal or button or other similar means to release the pressure from the cleaning device 2 such that a user may clean a golf club, golf ball, or other object with accumulated dirt and debris.

(37) The other opening of the container 18 is the container outlet 26, which in this embodiment is disposed on the outer, rounded surface of the container 18. Extending outward and laterally from the container 18 is a hose 30, which is coiled in this embodiment. At the end of the hose 30 is a valve 34 that provides a hermetic seal such that the pressurization that occurs in the container 18 does not leak out of the hose 30.

(38) On the other side of the valve 34 is a brush 38, which comprises bristles 42 and a brush outlet 46. Once the user has achieved the desired fluid pressure within the container 18, he or she may engage the valve 34 and release the pressurized fluid through the hose 30 and out of the brush outlet 46 disposed on the brush 38. Between the bristles 42 extending outward from the brush 38 and the pressurized fluid ejecting from the brush outlet 46, the cleaning device 2 cleans any golf equipment and the small features that are commonly found on golf equipment.

(39) Now referring to FIG. 2, a more detailed view of the brush 38 is provided. Here, the valve 34 is an inline valve that regulates fluid flow through a tubing configuration. In this embodiment, the valve 34 is regulating fluid flow between the hose 30 and the brush 38. The valve receives a stem portion of the brush 38 via an interference or friction fit. Likewise, the valve 34 receives the hose 30 via an interference or friction fit. One skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments of the present invention the valve 34 may connect to the brush 38 or the hose 30 with a hose clamp, via a traditional threaded connection, with a latching configuration, or any other fastening means discussed elsewhere herein or commonly known in the art.

(40) When the handle of the valve 34 is closed, e.g., perpendicular to the housing of the valve 34, the pressurized fluid is hermetically sealed within the container 18 and the hose 30. When a golfer wants to release the pressurized fluid, he or she opens the handle of the valve 34 such that the handle is substantially parallel with the housing of the valve 34. In this configuration, the valve 34 allows the pressurized fluid to flow into the brush 38 and out of the brush outlet 46. One skilled in the art will appreciate several locations for a valve 34, inline or otherwise. For example, a valve may be disposed at the container outlet 26 where the container 28 connects to the hose 30. Therefore, only the container 18 stores pressurized fluid before release instead of both the container 18 and the hose 30. If the hose 30 need not be designed to hold a pressurized fluid, then the hose 30 may be made to less expensive design specifications. This is only one example of an alternative location for a valve 34, and one skilled in the art will appreciate many more alternative locations.

(41) Also shown in FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the brush 38, bristles 42, and brush outlet 46. In this embodiment, the brush 38 and the bristles 42 are configured to with a concave radius of curvature. In some embodiments the radius of curvature of the bristles 42 is between approximately 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches. In preferred embodiments, the radius of curvature of the bristles 42 is approximately greater than 0.5 inches. In a further preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bristles 42 is between approximately 1.13 and 2.13 inches. In a most preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bristles 42 is approximately 1.68 inches.

(42) Further in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the radius of curvature exists only in one plane. In other words, the bristles 42 are curved only in the longitudinal dimension of the brush 38. In other embodiments, the bristles 42 may also be curved in a lateral dimension or any other dimension. In addition, the shape of the bristles 42 or the brush 38 is not limited to curved shapes. In some embodiments, the bristles 42 and the brush 38 may be substantially planar. In other embodiments, the bristles 42 and the brush 38 may form the shape of a rectangular prism, triangular prism, rectangular pyramid, triangular pyramid, cube, cylinder, code, sphere, trefoil, tetrafoil, pentafoil, etc. The shape of the bristles 42 and the brush 38 may also include amorphous shapes, fractal shapes, and/or disjointed, discretized, shapes. The shape of the bristles 42 may also differ from the shape of the brush. In one example, the bristles 42 are curved like those in FIG. 2, but the brush 38 is substantially planar such that the central bristles 42 are stiffer than the outer bristles 42. One skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of combinations of bristle 42 and brush 38 shapes and stiffnesses to suit a variety of needs.

(43) In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, a brush outlet 46 is disposed in a central location on the end of the brush 38 and between the bristles 42. As the pressurized fluid exits the brush outlet 46, the pressurized fluid impinges upon a surface of the golf equipment needing cleaning. The impinging fluid creates an environment where the fluid splashes back onto the bristles 42 such that the bristles 42 help clean the golf equipment with the aid of the excess or spent fluid.

(44) FIG. 3 shows an addition view of the cleaning device 2 wherein a handle 6 is disposed on top of a piston rod 10, and the piston rod 10 is disposed through a cap 14 of a container 18. A fluid may be disposed within said container 18 such that reciprocation of the handle 6 pressurizes the fluid. A brush 38, valve 34, and hose 30 are connected to a container outlet 26 of the container 18 such that a user may engage the valve 34 and allow the pressurized fluid to flow out of the brush 38.

(45) Now referring to FIG. 4, a side view of an embodiment of the present invention with a second container 50 is provided. In this particular embodiment, the second container is 50 affixed to the outer surface of the first container 18. A second container outlet 54 is disposed on the top surface of the second container 50. A tube running from the second container outlet 54 interconnects to the hose 30 that extends from the container outlet 26. Thus the second container 50 is in fluid communication with the hose 30. The contents of the second container 50 are depicted in FIG. 4, which in this embodiment is an entrained fluid 58.

(46) As mentioned elsewhere herein, once the user has achieved the desired fluid pressure within the container 18, he or she may release the pressurized fluid out of the container 18 and through the hose 30. The relationship between movement of the fluid and the resulting pressure is shown by the Bernoulli equation:

(47) $P_1+\frac{1}{2}{v}_1^2=\mathrm{constant}$

(48) Where P.sub.1 is pressure, is the density of the fluid, and v.sub.1 is the velocity of the fluid. Thus, as the pressurized fluid flows through the hose 30, there is necessarily a decrease in pressure. The low pressure creates a pressure gradient between the hose 30 and the second container 50 such that the entrained fluid 58 rises and flows out of the second container outlet 54 and joins the pressurized fluid flowing through the hose 30.

(49) The entrained fluid 58 may be a variety of fluids or even gases. In some embodiments, the fluid is a surfactant that lowers the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and/or dispersants. Surfactants may be further distinguished as anionic (e.g., soap), cationic (e.g., benzalkonium chloride, which is the active ingredient in Lysol), non-ionic (e.g., poloxamer, which is known by the trade name synperonics), and zwitterionic (e.g., cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, which is found in personal care products).

(50) In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the second container 50 is affixed to the side of the container 18. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate different configurations of the second container 50 and the container 18. For example, the second container 50 may be disposed within the container 18, and the second container outlet 54 may be selectively connected to the outer surface of the container 18 such that a user can unscrew the second container outlet 54 to refill the second container 50 with more entrained fluid 58. In yet another example, the second container 50 may be selectively interconnected to the outer surface of the container 18 such that a user may include or omit the second container 50 from the golf equipment cleaning device. In the instance where the user omits the second container 50, he or she may cap off a Y fitting on the hose 30 such that the pressurized fluid flows past the Y fitting and towards the brush outlet 46.

(51) The second container 50 may comprise a variety of shapes. In some embodiments, the second container 50 has an annular shape and is concentrically disposed about the container 18. In yet further embodiments, two or more second containers 50 are disposed about the outer surface of the container 18. Thus the flow of pressurized fluid through the hose 30 may entrain fluid from more than one second container 50.

(52) Now referring to FIG. 5A, a side view of a brush 38 that has two stems is provided. In this embodiment, the brush 38 comprises a valve stem 62 connected to a valve 34 (shown in FIG. 1). The valve stem 62 splits into a first stem 66 and a second stem 70 at a downstream or distal end of the valve stem 62. The first and second stems 66, 70 may be the same tubular diameter as the valve stem 62. In other embodiments, the first and second stems 66, 70 may be a smaller or larger diameter to either speed or slow the flow of the pressurized fluid. Further, while the diameters of the first and second stems 66, 70 are identical in FIG. 5A, other embodiments of the present invention may comprise first and second stems 66, 70 with different diameters.

(53) In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5A, the pressurized fluid flows through the first and second stems 66, 70 before passing through a 90 degree turn and exiting past first bristles 74 and second bristles 78. The first and second stems 66, 70 are symmetric about a plane through a longitudinal axis of the valve stem 62, and the first and second bristles 74, 78 are oriented about a common radius 82, which in preferred embodiments corresponds to the radius of a golf ball or a thickness of a club head. In some embodiments the radius 82 is between approximately 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches. In preferred embodiments, the radius 82 is approximately greater than 0.5 inches. In a further preferred embodiment, the radius 82 is between approximately 1.13 and 2.13 inches. In a most preferred embodiment, the radius 82 is approximately 1.68 inches.

(54) Now referring to FIG. 5B, a brush 38 comprising first and second stems 66, 70 without 90 degree turns is illustrated. Rather, the first and second stems 66, 70 are continuously curved between their proximal end at the valve stem 62 and their distal end at the first and second bristles 74, 78, respectively. Similar to the brush 38 depicted in FIG. 5A, the first and second stems 66, 70 are symmetric about a plane through the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 62.

(55) Now referring to FIG. 5C, a brush 39 comprising first and second stems 66, 70 is depicted in a top plan view. In this embodiment, the first and second stems 66, 70 are not symmetric about a plane through the longitudinal axis of the valve stem 62. Rather, the first and second stems 66, 70 and the corresponding first and second bristles 74, 78 are offset from one another by a first stem angle 86. This configuration of stems allows a user to concentrate pressurized fluid on one side of the dirty object such as a golf ball, which may have certain advantageous. In some embodiments, the first stem angle 86 is between approximately 170 degrees and 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the first stem angle 86 is less than approximately 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the first stem angle 86 is between approximately 110 degrees and 70 degrees. In one embodiment, the first stem angle 86 is approximately 90 degrees.

(56) Now referring to FIG. 6A, a brush 38 comprising first, second, and third stems 66, 70, 90 is illustrated in a side elevation view. Like the first and second stems 66, 90, the third stem 90 comprises a third set of bristles 94. In this embodiment, the three stems 66, 70, 90 are equally spaced about a longitudinal axis of the valve stem 62, and similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the stems 66, 70, 90 include 90 degree turns. One skilled in the art will appreciate three-stem embodiments are not limited to 90 degree turn configurations. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A also includes the radius 82 where the bristles 74, 78, 94 are oriented about the radius 82, which in preferred embodiments corresponds to the radius of a golf ball.

(57) Now referring to FIG. 6B, a brush 38 comprising first, second, and third stems 66, 70, 90 is illustrated in a top plan view. The equal spacing between the stems, 66, 70, 90 is more clearly shown in FIG. 6B where the angle between the third stem 90 and the first stem 66 is the second stem angle 98, and the angle between the third stem 90 and the second stem 70 is the third stem angle 102. In some embodiments, the second stem angle 98 is between approximately 170 degrees and 10 degrees. In further embodiments, the second stem angle 98 is greater than 10 degrees. In more preferred embodiments, the second stem angle 98 is between approximately 80 degrees and 40 degrees. In a most preferred embodiment, the second stem angle 98 is approximately 60 degrees.

(58) Similarly for the third stem angle 102, in some embodiments, the third stem angle 102 is between approximately 170 degrees and 10 degrees. In further embodiments, the third stem angle 102 is greater than 10 degrees. In more preferred embodiments, the third stem angle 102 is between approximately 80 degrees and 40 degrees. In a most preferred embodiment, the third stem angle 102 is approximately 60 degrees.

(59) One skilled in the art will appreciate further embodiments of the present invention wherein more than three stems are utilized. In some embodiments, one or more stems interconnect to a continuous ring that comprises a bristled inner surface. Further yet, one skilled in the art will appreciate various combinations of stems and other components that may comprise a brush 38. For example, in some embodiments, the stem may not comprise an inner diameter for fluid to flow through. Instead, in some embodiments, the stem simply supports a bristled surface. Thus, for example, some embodiments of the present invention may comprise three stems where only one stem has an inner diameter for fluid to flow through. This may be advantageous to provide a more pressurized stem and bristle combination, where the other two stem and bristle combinations clear debris from the dirty object.

(60) Now referring to FIG. 7A, a brush 38 comprising rotatable members is illustrated. A valve stem 62 extends from a valve 34 and terminates with a solid portion that comprises at least two protrusions on a distal end of the valve stem 62. These two protrusions comprise at least one aperture by which members may rotate about. A first member 106 is hingedly connected to one aperture, and a second member 110 is hingedly connected to another aperture. The first and second members 106, 110 are L-shaped with the longer side of the L extending outwardly and the shorter side of the L extending toward the opposite member. Each member 106, 110 has bristles disposed on an inner surface.

(61) A first flexible hose 114 and a second flexible hose 118 extend from the valve stem 62, and each flexible hose 114, 118 is in fluid communication with the valve stem 62. The first flexible hose 114 extends to the back side of the first member 106 such that a pressurized fluid flows through the first flexible hose 114, through the first member 106, and past bristles disposed on the first member 106. Likewise, a second flexible hose 118 extends to the back side of the second member 110 such that a pressurized fluid flows through the second flexible hose 118, through the second member 110, and past bristles disposed on the second member 110.

(62) The short side of the L shape of the members 106, 110 is configured to receive a dirty object. For example, as a golf club head is pressed downward into the short side of the L shape of the members 106, 110, the members 106, 110 rotate about their respect hinged connections to the valve stem 62 such that the bristles disposed on the members 106, 110 press into the side of the golf club head. Once the dirty object such as a golf club head is received in the bristles of the members 106, 110, then a user may operate the pumping device to pressurize fluid and dispense the same on the dirty object.

(63) Now referring to FIG. 7B, a brush 38 comprising fixed members is illustrated. In this embodiment, the fluid flow from the valve stem 62 is directly routed to a first member 106 and a second member 110. Bristles are disposed on the inward surfaces of both the first member 106 and the second member 110. The fluid routed through the first member 106 passes through the bristles disposed on the first member 106, and the fluid routed through the second member 110 passes through the bristles disposed on the second member 110. A dirty object may be pressed between the two fixed members 106, 110, and moved about while the user functions the pumping device and valve.

(64) One skilled in the art will appreciate additional features that may enhance the ability of the cleaning device 2. For example, a heating element may be disposed about the valve stem 62 to heat the pressurized fluid as it passes through the valve stem 62. Heating the pressurized fluid will cause the fluid to expand and further increase the speed at which the fluid impinges upon the dirty object. Further, the heated fluid will have a steamer effect on the surface of the dirty object which helps loosed debris.

(65) In another embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a pedal-actuated valve 34. Pedals are known in the art, and the depression of a pedal may actuate the valve 34 into an open position. This may be achieved by a cable operatively connected to both the pedal and the valve. When the user depresses the pedal, the cable is pulled towards the pedal, which pulls the cable away from the valve. The cable actuates the valve, placing the valve in an open position. One skilled in the art will appreciate other means to operatively connect a pedal or other device to a valve. In this additional feature, the user has a free hand to manipulate the brush and/or the object to be cleaned. Further, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a stand for the brush 38. In this configuration, the user does not use his or her hands to manipulate the brush 38 since the stand fixes the brush. Now the user may use his or her hands to manipulate the object to be cleaned.

(66) In a further embodiment, the cleaning device 2 comprises a handle for the brush 38. A handle may be disposed about several location of the cleaning device 2. For example, a handle may be disposed about a stem portion of the brush 38. The handle provides a more secure location to grip the brush and the user is not affecting the structure integrity of the stem of the brush 38. Further yet, the valve between the hose 30 and the brush 38 may be disposed with the handle, and a button or trigger may extend through a portion of the handle such that a user may actuate the valve while gripping the handle.

(67) In yet a further embodiment, the embodiments described herein to clean golf clubs may be combined with embodiments described herein to clean golf balls. For example, a splitter device may be affixed to the end of the hose 30 such that any number and combination of brushes 38 may be used together on the same cleaning device 2. This feature may be useful for golfing tournaments where many golfers may need to clean their equipment at the same time, and the feature may also be useful for an individual who wants ready access to both a golf club brush 38 and a golf ball brush 38.

(68) FIGS. 8-13 show another cleaning system 200 that employs some or all of the features of the embodiments described above. Here, a washer bottle 204 is provided that is pressurized by manual pump 208. The water bottle 204 is interconnected to a sprayer assembly 210 by way of a flexible hose 212. In operation, the bottle 204 is pressurized with the manual pump 210 and water or cleaning fluid is selectively expelled through the sprayer assembly 210 when a spray valve button 216 is depressed.

(69) FIGS. 9-11 show the washer bottle 204 of one embodiment of the present invention. The washer bottle 204 includes a bottle portion 220 for storing water or cleaning fluid. An inner tube 224 is positioned within the bottle portion 220 and is adapted to operatively receive a piston 228. The piston 228 terminates at a piston head 232 that includes sealing member 236 that interfaces with the inner surface 240 of the inner tube 224. The inner tube 224 includes air vents 244 selectively blocked by a valve 248. The inner tube 224 is interconnected to the bottle portion 220 via a seal 252 that forms hermetically sealed system. More specifically, an upper end 256 of the inner tube 224 is in contact with a cap 260 that is threadingly engaged onto the bottle portion 220, which will be described in further detail below.

(70) Referring now specifically to FIG. 11, an upper portion of the water bottle has threads that receive the cap 260. The cap 260 is designed to interface with threads of the bottle portion 220 to seal the same. However, the piston 228 associated with the pump penetrates the cap 260. Areas exterior to the inner tube 224 are hermetically sealed but the inner tube 224 can receive outside air used to pressurize the bottle portion.

(71) In operation, the pump 208 is driven downwardly such that the piston head 232 moves closer to the end of the inner tube 224. Air trapped within the inner tube 224 is pressurized and can escape the air vents 244 positioned at the end of the inner tube 224. The pressure with the inner tube must overcome the resistance provided by the valve 248 positioned at the end of the inner tube 224. In this embodiment, the valve 248 is an umbrella valve that selectively deforms when the pressure within the inner tube 224 increases above a predetermined level. After the pressurized air escapes the inner tube 224, the interior volume of the bottle portion 220 is pressurized and, thus, is able to pressurize fluid in the flexible hose 212. Upon depression of the spray valve button 216, pressurized fluid escapes the sprayer assembly 210, similar to that described above. As the piston head 232 is pulled away from the bottle portion 220, the piston head 232 will move away from the end of the inner tube 224, thereby reducing the pressure and allowing the valve 248 to close. Cycling of the pump 208 pressurizes the bottle portion 220 or helps maintain the pressure within the bottle portion 220.

(72) FIGS. 12 and 13 show the sprayer assembly 210 of one embodiment of the present invention. The sprayer assembly 210 has a fitting 264 adapted for interconnection to the hose. This fitting is similar to a fitting provided on the water bottle shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The fitting 264 is interconnected to a handle 268 that provides an ergonomic gripping surface. A hose 272, which is associated with a valve 276, delivers fluid from hose 212. The valve 272 is selectively actuated by the valve button 216. A second fitting 280 is provided that is interconnected to an inner member 284 that secures a spray nozzle 288. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the nozzle 288 may be selectively adjustable such that the amount and nature of spray exiting the sprayer assembly 210 can be altered. Finally, a brush holder 292 and associated bristles 296 are provided that includes an opening 297 that accommodates fluid 298 exiting the spray nozzle 288.

(73) In operation, when the fluid within the system is pressurized, the valve button 216 is depressed, which opens the valve 276 positioned within the handle 268, and allows pressurized fluid to communicate with the spray nozzle 288. Fluid 298 is then projected through the bristles 296 and onto the surface to be cleaned. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that although one nozzle 288 and brush holder 292 is provided, the concept provided above with respect FIGS. 5-7 may be incorporated onto the handle 268.

(74) FIGS. 14 and 15 show another embodiment of a cleaning system 300 that employs a squeezable bottle 304, so a pump is not required. The squeezable bottle 304 holds water, cleaning fluid, or a combination thereof. The squeeze bottle 304 is sealed with a cap 308 that opens when the water or cleaning fluid is pressurized by squeezing the bottle. The water bottle may employ a lanyard so it can be secured to a golfer's bag or a golf cart.

(75) In operation, a golf ball 316 or other golf related item, such as a club head, is placed in contact with the brush 308 and the bottle 304 is squeezed, which pressurizes the fluid within the bottle 304 to open the valve 312 to wet the item being cleaned or the brush 308.

(76) FIGS. 16 and 17 show another embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15. Here, however, a rigid bottle 320 is employed, which may be associated with a soft sleeve 324 that enhances gripping. A pump valve 328 is associated with an outer surface of the rigid bottle 320. The pump valve 328 can be interconnected to a hand pump and flexible hose as described in the embodiments disclosed above, or interconnected to other manual, hydraulic, or pneumatic pumps generally known in the art. The pump, regardless of its type or manufacture, allows the fluid within the rigid bottle 320 to be pressurized. That is, similar to the operation of the embodiments described above, this embodiment allows the user to selectively operate the pump valve 328 to pressurize the fluid within the rigid bottle 320. Fluid pressurization will open a valve 312 and expel fluid at a high pressure through the cap 310 and around the brush 308.

(77) FIGS. 18-20 show yet another embodiment of the present invention that includes a cover 332 selectively interconnected over the cap 310. Here, the bottle can be rigid or squeezable, but in this example, the bottle 304 is squeezable. Thus this cleaning system operates similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The cover 332 may have a plurality of ridges 336 extending from an inner surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 20 the ridges 336 help secure the golf ball 316 in a predetermined location such that when pressurized fluid exits the cap 310, the golf ball is washed effectively.

(78) As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the cover 332 may also include a scraper 340 extending therefrom. The scraper 340 is used to remove large debris from a club head, for example. The scraper 340 may terminate at a point such that it can clean cleats or club head grooves. Furthermore, the scraper 340 may include a plurality of bristles (not shown) extending therefrom to provide yet another means to clean items wherein the user would hold the bottle 304 and use it as a brush handle.

(79) FIGS. 21 and 22 show yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cap 310 has an integrated scraper 340. Again, the scraper 340 allows for the cleaning system to be used in more ways, such as to remove large items from a club head. The scraper 340 may also include a downwardly extending portion somewhat like the scraper shown in the previous figures. In this example, the downwardly extending scraper may have a plurality of bristles that are designed to remain dry and remove larger and stubborn debris from a club head. Thereafter, the item being cleaned could be exposed to the softer and wet bristles of the cap 310.

(80) For exemplary purposes only, most embodiments of the present invention described herein have been directed toward golf equipment cleaning devices. However, the present invention should not be limited to only these cleaning devices. The present invention is applicable to any device that may benefit from present invention and the devices described herein. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be utilized on a hot day to cool one's temperature or to clean other sports equipment such as baseball or lacrosse equipment.

(81) The phrases at least one, one or more, and and/or, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions at least one of A, B, and C, at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, or C, and A, B, and/or C means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

(82) Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification, drawings, and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about or approximately.

(83) The term a or an entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms a (or an), one or more and at least one can be used interchangeably herein.

(84) The use of including, comprising, or having, and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms including, comprising, or having and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

(85) It shall be understood that the term means as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term means shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts, and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

(86) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

(87) Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.