Abstract:
An automated apparatus for cleaning golf balls constructed of light weight, portable type material and operable via standard battery power. The apparatus utilizes a housing having a fluid reservoir in the lower portion for holding a cleaning fluid, and a screw-type driven auger along with a pair of driven brushes and a fluid spray nozzle in the upper portion. A driven pump transports the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid on the golf ball as the auger and brushes engage the ball and remove the soil, respectively. Multiple sensing means are employed to energize and disable the apparatus upon the occurrence of predetermined events.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of golf ball cleaning apparatus used to remove soil, grass stains, and other debris from golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf ball cleaning apparatus which is lightweight, portable, and can be easily mounted on a golf cart or a stationary stand. With even greater particularity, the present invention relates to a golf ball cleaning apparatus which can be attached to a golf cart or stationary stand and is capable of cleaning more than one ball at a time. With even further particularity, the present invention relates to a battery operated multiple golf ball cleaning apparatus which can be attached to a golf cart or stationary stand. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Continual equipment maintenance is a common and well known obstacle encountered by nearly all sportsmen while participating in their respective sports. Although certain ball related sports do not allow for washing of the ball during play, in the case of golf, it is highly desirable to periodically wash the ball such that debris or grass stains on the ball surface will not affect the ball&#39;s flight characteristics. Golf courses typically attempt to remedy this problem via the placement of manually operated ball washers near the tee boxes of each hole; however, such apparatus are clumsy, difficult to use, and troublesome to maintain given their inherent distance from the maintenance facilities of the golf course. 
     The prior art reveals a number of golf ball cleaners, which are easily categorized as the following: First, heavy-duty electrical ball washers which are designed to wash a large quantity of balls in a relatively short time and are not portable; Second, hand operated ball washers which are both fixed and portable; and Third, portable hand-held ball washers which typically operate on a battery. 
     The first category of machines, those designed to clean a high volume of balls and typically operate on a standard AC power source, are evidenced in U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,633, which discloses an apparatus for cleaning a high volume of golf balls utilizing a hopper having a rotatable drum and a pair of cleansing brushes rotating in opposite directions through which golf balls pass and are cleaned. U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,877 also discloses a high volume fixed type machine, which utilizes a bin placed above a hopper for manipulating balls into a staging section. The staging section transports the balls through both rotating and stationary brushes, which are sprayed with a cleaning solution. Upon exit from the cleaning brushes, the balls are rinsed and dried via forced air, and are then deposited in a collection bin proximate the apparatus. Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,772,778 and 4,881,287 disclose similar fixed type high volume golf ball cleaning apparatus. 
     Hand operated machines present in the prior art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,155,883 and 4,011,619. The &#39;883 patent discloses combination golf ball and club washer having a water tight housing with a plurality of brushes mounted within, such that a golf ball or club can be manually agitated within the housing proximate the brushes so that dirt and soil are removed. The &#39;619 patent reveals a hand operated golf ball washer, which scrubs, cleans, and dries the balls. The apparatus includes a hand-crank operated washer comprising a cylindrical container in which there is an elongated drive shaft connected to the exterior hand-crank, which is supporting a scrubbing element, a cleaning element, and a drying element on the interior of the cylinder. 
     The hand-held battery operated ball washers in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,597, for an Electric Roller Ball Cleaning Device. This device includes a cup having brushes mounted therein for holding a ball to be cleaned. Opposite the cup is an agitation means, which rotates the ball within the cup having brushes upon engaging the ball. U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,455 also discloses a hand-held type golf ball washer which operates on batteries. This apparatus includes a receiving chamber wherein a ring-shaped driven brush is positioned such that when the receiving chamber is closed, the brush agitates and cleans the ball. Another battery operated hand-held washer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,311. This washer also incorporates a ball receiving chamber and a motor for driving a ball washing brush when the chamber is closed. 
     Therefore, although numerous apparatus and devices are present in the prior art for washing golf balls, the present ball washers are typically fixably mounted and capable of washing multiple balls, or portable and not capable of washing multiple balls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an automated golf ball washer utilizing light weight and inexpensive materials. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated golf ball washer capable of washing more than one ball at a time. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated golf ball washer which is portable. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated golf ball washer which operates on typical battery voltages. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An apparatus embodying the features of the present invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings, which form a portion of this disclosure, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus with the upper housing removed; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of the principles of operation and structure of the invention, it will be seen that FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus. The apparatus provides a housing  12  having a pivotally mounted door  16  positioned on the upper portion  13  of housing  12 , which shields the golf ball entry channel  14 . The front portion  17  of housing  12  has an elongated exit channel  20  for holding the clean golf balls exiting the apparatus, along with a main power switch  18 . The lower portion  15  of housing  12 , also shown in FIGS. 4,  7 , and  8 , shows the general mounting connections  21  for the cleaner, the exterior of an elongated cleaning fluid reservoir  22 , and the cleaning fluid reservoir drain hole  70 . Mounting connections  21  are designed to accept numerous general purpose mounting schemes, including typical bolt type mounting schemes. 
     The top view of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, clearly illustrates the internal elements of the apparatus. An elongated screw-type auger  28  is rotatably mounted between inner vertical support members  32   a  and  32   b , which are attached and supported by horizontal support member  65 . Auger  28  functions to urge the golf balls to be cleaned through the apparatus, while also causing a skewed rotation of the ball, such that all surfaces of the ball are exposed to the cleaning elements of the apparatus. Positioned above auger  28  is a pair of elongated steel shaft nylon bristle brushes  24 , for removing soil and grass stains from the golf balls, which are also rotatably mounted between inner vertical support members  32   a  and  32   b . Pair of brushes  24  are mounted above auger  28 , such that a triangular configuration between brushes  24  and auger  28  is formed, as shown in FIG.  7 . The center of the triangle created by brushes  24  and auger  28  represents the path of the golf ball to be cleaned by the apparatus. Although the preferred embodiment utilizes a screw-type auger  28  for urging the golf ball through the cleaner, alternative structures for urging the ball through the apparatus are contemplated. Such alternative structures include, but are not limited to various belt and pulley assemblies, conveyors, and gravity feed type devices. Additionally, alternative structures accomplishing the scrubbing or cleaning function of the elongated steel shaft nylon bristle brushes  24  are contemplated. 
     A first electric motor, brush motor  26 , causes brushes  24  to rotate during the cleaning operation of the apparatus. A brush belt  34  engages brushes  24  and causes their rotation via three pulleys mounted between inner vertical support member  32   a  and outer vertical support member  33   a , which are shown in FIG.  8 . The three pulleys are: First, brush motor pulley  35 ; Second, first brush pulley  36 ; and, Third, second brush pulley  37  which is of equal size to first brush pulley  36 . Brush belt  34  is driven by brush motor  26  via brush motor shaft  62  and brush motor pulley  35 . Brush belt  34  fully engages second brush pulley  37 , which is attached to the rotating axis of brush  24 , such that brush  24  attached to second brush pulley  37  rotates in the same direction as the brush motor pulley  35 . Brush belt  34  partially engages brush pulley  36 , which is attached to the rotating axis of brush  24 , such that brush  24  attached to first brush pulley  36  rotates in the opposite direction of brush motor pulley  35  and second brush pulley  37 , thus creating a pair of counter-rotating brushes  24  in the preferred embodiment. The rate of rotation of brushes  24  can be adjusted by varying the pulley ratio between brush motor pulley  35  and the two brush pulleys  36  and  37 . A higher pulley ratio yields faster brushes  24 . Additionally, it is contemplated that brushes  24  or brush pulleys  36  and  37  could be of different sizes, such that brushes  24  rotate at different speeds. These variances in rotation speeds between brushes  24  are likely to cause the ball to rotate within auger  28 , such that the ball is better cleaned and possibly further urged through the apparatus. It is also contemplated that the pulley and brush assembly be configured such that brushes  24  rotate in the same direction, again causing the ball to rotate on the auger and therefore causing a greater exposure of the ball surface to the cleaning elements of the apparatus. 
     A second electric motor, auger motor  30 , causes auger  28  to rotate during the operation of the apparatus via auger belt  38 . Auger belt  38  is engaged by auger motor  30  via direct connection to auger motor pulley  40 . Auger belt  38  extends from auger motor pulley  40  to auger pulley  41 , which connects directly to the rotating axis of auger  28 , such that auger  28  is caused to rotate in the same direction as second electric motor  30 . The direction of rotation of auger motor  30  is predetermined to be the direction of rotation which will rotate auger  28  in a direction which will transport golf balls through the apparatus from entry channel  14  to exit channel  20 . The rate at which the ball to be cleaned travels throughout the apparatus can be adjusted by varying the pulley ratio between auger motor pulley  40  and auger pulley  41 . A higher ratio translates to a faster transmission through the apparatus; however, the quicker rate yields a lesser time the ball will be scrubbed by brushes  24 . The apparatus will generally be able to clean a heavily soiled ball utilizing approximately six to eight seconds of exposure to the brushes. The utilization of a dual motor system along with gear type belts and pulleys in the preferred embodiment, although effective, is nonetheless not meant to limit the scope of this disclosure. Single or multiple motors are contemplated, along with various belt, pulley, gear, and brush rotation schemes. 
     An elongated nozzle  42  having a plurality of apertures  44  on the side of elongated nozzle  42  proximate auger  28 , is positioned directly above the axis of rotation of auger  28 , above and between brushes  24 . Although nozzle  42  is immediately above auger  28 , it is of a sufficient distance from auger  28  to allow for a golf ball to be transported by auger  28 . Nozzle  42  is connected to pump  46  via fluid hose  48 . Pump  46  includes a fluid pickup hose  50  having a screen type filter  51  attached to the end of fluid pickup hose  50 , which extends from pump  46  into fluid reservoir  22 , through horizontal support member  65 . Pump  46  transports a cleaning fluid from reservoir  22  to nozzle  42  via hose  48  and pickup hose  50 , such that nozzle  42  is pressurized by the cleaning fluid. Pressurization of nozzle  42  causes the cleaning fluid to be sprayed upon a golf ball being transported by auger  28 , through apertures  44 . Although the preferred embodiment utilizes elongated nozzle  42  for spraying fluid on the golf balls being cleaned by the apparatus, numerous methods and structures for spraying fluid are currently available, and are thus contemplated for use within the current apparatus. Reservoir  22  can be filled with cleaning fluid by simply opening door  16  and pouring the fluid into the apparatus. The fluid will be directed into reservoir  22  by trough  52  and fluid return drain  54 . 
     The fluid sprayed on the golf ball by elongated nozzle  42  is maintained proximate auger  28  and brushes  24  by trough  52 , which is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Trough  52  extends longitudinally between inner vertical support members  32   a  and  32   b , and includes a fluid return drain  54  for returning the fluid sprayed by apertures  44  to the fluid reservoir  22 , such that the fluid can be reused by the apparatus. Pivotally mounted float  66 , which is positioned within reservoir  22 , operates to indicate the level of fluid in reservoir  22  to electronic controller  55 . Pivotally mounted float  66  has an indicator end  64  and a float end  67 . Float end  67  is constructed of a material having a lesser density than the cleaning fluid present in reservoir  22 , such that float end  67  is continually positioned proximate the top of the fluid level present in reservoir  22 . Indicating end  64  is caused to pivot upward by float end  67  and indicate proximity to fluid proximity sensor  68 , which is in electrical connection with electronic controller  55 , when the fluid level in reservoir  22  becomes low. Although fluid proximity sensor  68  is depicted as being positioned within reservoir  22 , the nature of proximity sensors allows for placement of fluid proximity sensor  68  in various locations. Additionally, numerous alternative fluid level sensors are contemplated for use in the present invention in place of the float-type proximity sensor utilized in the illustrated embodiment. 
     The apparatus is caused to operate in a two step process: First, the main power switch  18  must be placed in the “on” position; and, Second, a ball must be deposited in the entry channel  14  under door  16 . Initiating power switch  18  does not activate the apparatus, it only provides power to the electronic controller  55  of the apparatus, which enters into a standby mode. Door  16 , which covers entry channel  14 , has an indicating device  56  mounted on the underside of door  16 , which is detected by door proximity sensor  71 , located immediately within housing  12 , proximate door  16 . Door proximity sensor  71  is in electrical connection with electronic controller  55 , such that electronic controller  55  stops the apparatus upon indication of the opening of door  16 . When a ball is inserted into entry channel  14 , it falls directly onto auger  28 , and is detected by a photo-detection device  58 . Photo-detection device  58  is mounted within inner vertical support member  32   a  just above auger  28 , such that photo-detection device  58  is directly in the path of a golf ball engaged by auger  28 . Positioned immediately opposite photo-detection device  58  is a light emission source  59 , which is mounted within outer vertical support member  33   b . Light emission source  59  projects light towards photo-detection device  58  directly in the path of a golf ball engaged by auger  28 , such that photo-detection device  58  is able to indicate the presence of a golf ball in auger  28 . Photo-detection device  58 , being in electrical connection with electronic controller  55 , causes the apparatus to energize when a ball is inserted into entry channel  14  and falls onto auger  28 , as photo-detection device  58  indicates the presence of a golf ball to be cleaned to electronic controller  55 . Electronic controller  55  causes auger motor  30 , brush motor  26 , and pump  46  all to initiate operation. Auger  28  thereafter begins to move the ball through the apparatus such that all surfaces of the ball contact counter-rotating brushes  24  as nozzle  42  simultaneously sprays a cleaning fluid on the ball, all of which results in the soil being scrubbed from the ball&#39;s surface. When the ball exits from auger  28 , it is deposited in exit channel  20  for removal by the golfer. The apparatus also incorporates a mechanical limit type sensor  60  for determining the presence of excess balls in the exit channel, positioned proximate the termination point of auger  28 , such that when exit channel  20  becomes full of clean balls, the apparatus is caused to shut down by electronic controller  55 , thus avoiding binding or jamming of the apparatus due to excess balls in exit channel  20 . 
     Electronic controller  55 , as shown in FIG. 5 regulates the operation of the apparatus. Electronic controller  55  utilizes standard comparator type circuit logic for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and can be constructed using common operational amplifiers, diodes, resistors, and capacitors in typical configurations. Electronic controller  55  utilizes input from power switch  18 , door proximity sensor  71 , located proximate door  16  on housing  12 , photo-detector  58 , located directly above the auger  28 , mechanical limit type sensor  60  located proximate the termination point of auger  28 , and fluid proximity sensor  68 . Power switch  18  initializes electronic controller  55 , such that the apparatus is ready for operation; however, standby mode is initially maintained by electronic controller  55 . Actual operation of the apparatus is initiated by photo-detector  58 , which senses the presence of a ball deposited onto auger  28  via entry channel  14 . Once photo-detector  58  indicates the presence of a ball, electronic controller  55  energizes auger motor  26 , brush motor  30 , and pump  46  such that all functions of the apparatus are operating to clean the ball. The ball is transported by auger  28  through counter-rotating brushes  24 , while pump  46  simultaneously causes nozzle  42  and apertures  44  to spray cleaning fluid on the ball. 
     Operation of the apparatus is automatically caused to halt by one of five occurrences. First, if the ball inserted into the apparatus is transported through brushes  24  by auger  28 , and is deposited in the exit channel  20 , then photo-detector  58 , which is positioned immediately above auger  28 , will indicate the presence of no balls to be cleaned on auger  28  to electronic controller  55 , which de-energizes pump  46 , auger motor  26 , and brush motor  30 . Second, if door  16  is opened during the operation of the apparatus, then proximity sensor  56  will indicate the open door to electronic controller  55 , which again de-energizes pump  46 , auger motor  26 , and brush motor  30 . The third method of shut-down of the apparatus occurs when exit channel mechanical limit type sensor  60  indicates that exit channel  20  is full of clean balls. The apparatus is shut-down in this instance to avoid jamming or binding auger  28 . The fourth method of shutting down the apparatus occurs when fluid proximity sensor  68  indicates a low level of cleaning fluid in reservoir  22 . This method of halting the operation of the apparatus is designed to insure that pump  46  is not operated without fluid in reservoir  22 , such that the pump life is significantly extended. The final method of shutting down the apparatus involves the manual switching of power switch  18  to the “off” position, removing power from the apparatus. 
     It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown is a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope as defined in the following claims.