Abstract:
An attachment for fastening a brush to a shoe having a sole. The attachment having a disk-like flange for fitting in a snug and gripping manner against the shoe&#39;s sole. This flange having a bottom surface opposite an upper surface. Extending down from the bottom surface are a number of bristles for supplying brushing surface for brushing an object. Extending up from the center of the upper surface is a threaded stud for removably attaching the attachment to the shoe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to sporting goods, and more particularly relates to athletic shoes and attachments for athletic shoes.  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    In the sport of golfing, a club is used to strike a ball lying upon or slightly elevated above a ground surface. Through this process, frequently the head of the golf club will become soiled with pieces of vegetation, soil, and other pieces of detritus when the club engages the ball at or near the surface of the ground. This club head soiling is accentuated when the golf club is utilized on a driving range and dozens to hundreds of ball strikes occur within a short period of time. This club head soiling effects the use and accuracy of the club and must regularly be removed.  
           [0005]    Golfers have utilized many different means for cleaning soil, grass clippings, sand and dew from golf heads. For instance, it is known to carry a “golf towel.” The golf towel is merely a cloth towel, often able to be directly attached to the golfer&#39;s golf bag, which is used to wipe down the golf club&#39;s face and any other soiled surface. However, golf towels are not very abrasive and thus have a difficult time removing ground in dirt. Such towels are also frequently soiled to the point where they need to be washed, and they are typically, as mentioned, connected to the golf bag which often at times is not in close proximity to the golfer.  
           [0006]    Another device utilized by golfers for removing of soil and other materials from the golf club face is a handheld golf brush. Such a handheld brush has a handle having extending from it a number of bristles, typically of a stiff synthetic material or metal. Such a brush is typically connected to the golf bag, which is not always near to the golfer. Utilization of a golf brush is awkward in that the user often needs to hold the club in one hand and the brush in the other hand while scrubbing the club face. A golf brush typically is useless for removing dew or grass from the golf club head.  
           [0007]    A third type of device is a small housing containing two brushes of varying materials that are enclosed in a housing and can typically be carried in the pocket of a golfer. One brush at a time can be used by pushing up through an opening in either end of the housing. The disadvantage to this product is that it can be difficult to use for those with poor hand strength, and requires a certain level of dexterity to operate. Furthermore, any material removed from the face of the golf club is likely to end up back in the golfer&#39;s pocket.  
           [0008]    What is needed is a device for use in cleaning soiled golf club faces, which is an improvement over the prior art in that it is abrasive enough to remove soil which has become encrusted upon the club head face, which is never located in a position distant from the golfer thereby making the golfer have easy and convenient access to the device, which is easy and non-awkward to use, and which does not clutter or dirty the clothing of the user. The present invention solves these needs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention is an attachment for fastening a brush to a shoe. In the preferred embodiments, this the shoe is a golf shoe and the brush is used to clean golf club heads.  
           [0010]    In one embodiment the golf shoe wiping attachment is adapted to be attached to a golfer&#39;s shoe for cleaning golf club heads. Such a golfer&#39;s shoe will have a side wall. The attachment itself comprises a generally L-shaped plate having a first flange generally perpendicular to a second flange. The first flange being formed with at least one orifice defined therein able to receive and to be frictionally held by a single spike projecting from the underside of the golfer&#39;s shoe. The second flange having an inner side opposite an outer side. The inner side facing and generally perpendicular to the golfer&#39;s shoe side wall when the first flange is frictionally held by the spike. The attachment further comprises a wiping element for wiping, contacting or scrubbing a surface. Furthermore, the attachment comprises a connection for connecting the wiping element to the second flange, this wiping element extending from the golfer&#39;s shoe generally perpendicular to and away from the outer side of the second flange. This wiping element being operative to clean a golf club head by a sweeping movement of said golf club head against the same. It is preferred that the wiping element is a brush. It is preferred that this attachment embodiment also comprise a plurality of overlapping orifices thereby allowing said attachment second flange to be spaced a desired distance from said golf shoe side wall. It is also preferred that the connection for connecting be releasable, thereby allowing the wiping element to be detached from the second flange.  
           [0011]    In a second embodiment, the golf shoe brush attachment is adapted to be attached to a golfer&#39;s shoe for cleaning golf club heads. The attachment comprises a disk-like flange having an upper surface, this disk-like flange for placement underneath and in contact with the sole of the golfer&#39;s shoe. This disk-like flange also having an opposing bottom surface. The attachment further comprises a plurality of bristles, these bristles extending down from the bottom surface for the flange. These bristles for cleaning golf club heads. The attachment further comprises an fastener extending from the upper surface. This fastener for removably attaching the attachment to the golfer&#39;s shoe. It is preferred that the fastener comprise a threaded stud extending axially up from the upper surface, this stud for screwing into the bottom of the golfer&#39;s shoe, preferably into a threaded hole provided therein.  
           [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a removable athletic shoe attachment for use with an athletic shoe having a sole. This attachment comprising a disk-like flange for fitting in a snug and gripping manner against the shoe sole; a plurality of bristles extending down from the bottom surface of the flange for supplying brushing surface for brushing an object; and a threaded stud integrally formed with and extending up from the center of the upper surface of the flange for removably attaching the attachment to the athletic shoe.  
           [0013]    Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a reverse perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an environmental view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is an end view of the embodiment view shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a side, environmental view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a second side sequential view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a third side sequential view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a top view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 18.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 18.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21 is a side view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 22 is a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 21.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 21.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 24 is an environmental side view of an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 24. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.  
         [0040]    The present invention is an attachment for fastening a wiping element to a shoe. Any type shoe can be used, as can any wiping element. In the preferred embodiments, the present invention is an improved golf shoe brush attachment adapted to be attached to a golfer&#39;s shoe for use in the cleaning of golf club heads and other items, such as golf cleats.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown are the two main embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the golf shoe toe brush embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is shown used upon a golf shoe  3  having a number of cleats  2  and a sole  6 . The golf shoe brush attachment  10  comprises a disc-like flange  50  attaching to the sole  6  of the shoe  3  through use of a fastener, such as the threading used by a standard golf shoe spike. The disc like flange  50  having a number of bristles  56  extending therefrom. The preferred placement of the golf shoe brush attachment  10  would be the as a replacement of the toe cleat, as shown.  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the other main embodiment of the golf shoe brush attachment  100  utilizes a first flange  20  extending to a second flange (not shown) to which a wiping element  40  attaches. The first flange  20  having at least one orifice defined therethrough for receiving the stud of a golf spike  102 . The golf shoe brush attachment  100  is able to be attached to the golf shoe  3  through first unscrewing an existing golf shoe spike  102 , aligning the orifice of the first flange  20  with the spike&#39;s  102  threaded orifice located in the shoe&#39;s sole  6  and then inserting the spike stud of the spike  102  through the orifice and into the threaded hole located within the sole  6  of the golf shoe  3 . Removal of such an embodiment is just as easy—it is removed by unscrewing and removing the spike  102  retaining the golf shoe brush attachment  100 , removing the golf shoe brush attachment  100 , and replacing the golf spike  102 .  
         [0043]    Preferably, the golf shoe brush attachment  100  is located at the foremost outside golf shoe heel spike location, as shown. However, placement of the golf shoe brush attachment  100  could be made at any golf shoe spike location, with the outside spikes obviously being more preferred than the inside spikes.  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, shown is the preferred embodiment of the golf shoe brush cleat attachment  10  embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a disc-like flange  50 , preferable similar in size and structure as a typical golf shoe spike disc-like flange. This disc like flange  50  having an upper surface  52  opposite a bottom surface  54 . Extending from the upper surface  52  is a fastener  58 , such as the threaded stud  60  shown. This threaded stud  60  being of the same threading as a usual golf shoe spike thereby enabling said stud to be easily screwed into an existing threaded spike orifice located in a golf shoe&#39;s sole. The length, diameter and threading of the threaded stud  60  may be varied to accommodate many different makes, models and styles of golf shoes. The disc-like flange and the fastener can be composed of any suitable material, but will be composed most preferably of a plastic. The fastener could comprise any manner of fastening, including but not limited to screws, nails, rivets, adhesives, etc.  
         [0045]    Extending from the bottom surface  54  are a plurality of bristles  56 . It is preferred that these bristles be generally perpendicular to the bottom surface, however angular mounts are also possible. The preferred bristle matter of composition is nylon, however other bristle compositions are also possible, including, but not limited to animal hair, plastics, composites and metals. Any number of bristles or clusters of bristles may be utilized with the present invention, for instance the entire bottom surface  54  may be covered with bristles. The type, length, orientation, manufacture and style of the bristles used on one attachment can be varied as well.  
         [0046]    Preferably at least one fastening notch  62  (ideally an opposing pair as shown) are provided for allowing a user to utilize a key or other device to assist in the screwing or unscrewing of the threaded stud  60  into a threaded golf shoe spike hole located within a golf shoe sole.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS.  7  though  11 , shown is one embodiment of the golf shoe brush side attachment  100  embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the golf shoe brush attachment  100  attaches to a golf shoe  3  through the attachment&#39;s first flange  20  being held against the heel/sole  6  of the shoe  3  by a spike  102 . This embodiment of the golf shoe brush attachment  100  comprises a first flange  20  extending to a second flange  30 . It is preferred that the first flange  20  be generally perpendicular to the second flange  30 .  
         [0048]    The first flange  20  having at least one orifice  22  able to receive therethrough the spike stud of a golf shoe spike. In such a manner, the present invention can be attached to the sole of a golf shoe. In this embodiment, the second flange  30  has an inner side  32  and an outer side  34 . This inner side  32  generally facing the shoe side wall  8 , whereas in use the outer side  34  generally faces away from said shoe side wall  8 . Attaching to the second flange  30  is the wiping element  40 .  
         [0049]    It is preferred that such an attachment be releasable so that the wiping element  40  can be attached and detached to the second flange  30 . For instance, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 11 so the use of a squeeze clip buckle style attachment, whereby attaching to the second flange  30  is the male portion of the buckle, and formed within the wiping element  40  is the female portion of the buckle. Other releasable attachments include but are not limited to: hook-and-loop style attachments, magnets, snaps, adhesives, groves, dove tails, etc. In being detachable, the present invention can be selectively removed from the golfer&#39;s shoe, a benefit to the golfer should the golfer prefer not to have the attachment  100  attached and/or visible when the golfer is not on the course or at the driving range. While releasable attachment is preferred it is also understood that the wiping element could be fixedly attached to the second flange.  
         [0050]    In this embodiment, extending from the wiping attachment  40 , preferably generally perpendicular to the second flange  30 , are a plurality of bristles  42 . These bristles may be shaped however desired by the user or manufacturer and are not intended to be limited to the gently sloping embodiment shown in the figures. For instance, the brush shape could be rectangular, circular, triangular, etc. Any number rows of bristles may be used, or a single stand of bristles may be present. These bristles may comprise animal hair, synthetic materials, or even stiff a metal. Alternatively, the wiping attachment  40  may comprise a putter brush  43  comprising a cloth or chamois for wiping dew and grass off a putter face, as shown in FIG. 17. A variety of interchangeable wiping attachment/elements can be provided for different uses and conditions.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIG. 12, shown is an alternate embodiment of a golf shoe brush attachment  100 ′, this embodiment showing the ability to use a spacer insert  24  within the first flange  20 . This insert able to be inserted into a trough inlaid within the first flange  20 . Utilization of such an insert would be useful where the golf shoe spike stud utilized has a much narrower diameter whereby necessitating the need for smaller diameter orifices  22 ′. Utilization of such an insert would allow for greater interchangeability between the present invention and various makes, models and styles of golf shoes. This can be further seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, which would utilize a spacer ring  26  rather than the spacer  24  shown in FIG. 12. This spacer ring  26  having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the orifice  22  into which it is set.  
         [0052]    Use of such inserts and the like allow the present invention to be adjustable two ways. First, allowing the present invention to be usable with various different styles of shoes and therefore spike varieties and spike post sizes. Second, the present invention would be adjustable with regard to the distance between the spike and the vertical turn (the junction between the first flange and the second flange). This is particularly useful because the spikes on the heel of a golf shoe are typically closer to the outside edge of the sole than the spikes on the toe/ball portion of the golf shoe. Thus, the golfer would be able to purchase one device able to be utilized on both the heel spikes and the toe/ball portion spikes.  
         [0053]    Additionally, the first flange could be configured similar to the shape of a nutcracker in that it would have a hinge that would allow the first flange to flex laterally to separate and fit around the spike post while it was partially unscrewed from the spike hole. In such a manner, the first flange could be bent, flexed or stretched over the spike and then released, thereby engaging the spike appropriately without necessitating the removal of the spike from the sole.  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIGS. 14 through 16, shown is an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the golf shoe brush attachment  200  comprises a wiping element  40  having extending therefrom a pair of flanges or tabs  27 ,  28  wherein the flanges or tabs could cooperate with the first flange  20  and/or the second flange  30  for locking the wiping element  40  upon the second flange  3   0 . In the embodiment shown, the tab  27  is able to be inserted through an orifice  23  defined within the first flange  20  and the second tab  28  is able to resiliently be flexed in order to snap over the top portion of the second flange thereby locking the wiping element having bristles  42  upon the second flange  30 .  
         [0055]    Referring now to FIG. 18, shown is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the attachment  300  could also be used in conjunction with spikes  202  or the spikes  202  could be used in conjunction with the attachment  300 . In such an arrangement, the bristles  142  would be placed in the middle of the existing spike teeth  202 . The bristles  142  which are softer than the spike teeth  202  would then fold or collapse allowing the spikes  202  to enter the turf. The spike  202  could also be developed so that the brush would actually collapse into a recessed pocket  90  when a certain amount of force is applied. This recessed pocket could also be filled with a compressible material, such as a foam, a spring, etc. The brush  202  could not collapse into the pocket  90  at the presence of any force or it would not work when a club face was rubbed against it for the purpose of cleaning.  
         [0056]    Referring now to FIGS.  21 - 23 , shown in an alternative embodiment for the first and second flanges  120 ,  130 . In this embodiment, the flanges would be made of a malleable or adjustable material that could be curved to fit different shoes. Creases  125  or other means for aiding in regular curving may also be provided. Additionally, the flanges themselves could have a spike post attached to it and be screwed into the spike hole with and then bent up and around the sole to a vertical position to accept the brush attachment. The adjustment insert could also potentially be replaced by spike holes that were self-adjusting. This may be accomplished by having a forming material that would fit around any spike.  
         [0057]    Referring now to FIG. 24, shown is another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the attachment  400  could also be adapted to have the brush portion able to be affixed to the heel  5  of the golf shoe  3  using screws or an adhesive.  
         [0058]    Although not shown in the figures, it is expressly understood that the utilization of the present invention with the side embodiments may require the provision of a replacement spike having a longer than average spike post. This longer spike post may be necessary to compensate for the thickness of the first flange. Additionally, such a spike could be designed with a lower profile, thereby compensating for the addition of the first flange which would reside between the spike and the sole.  
         [0059]    While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims.  
         [0060]    From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.