Patent Publication Number: US-8992176-B2

Title: Detachable debris removal apparatus

Description:
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/385,189, filed Sep. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When golfing, it is common for the putting green to contain leaves, dirt, and other debris. It is ideal to putt from a clear green to ensure that the ball is not deflected by the debris. Many golfers attempt to clear the putting surface themselves using their shoes or their clubs. This can be a time consuming and frustrating process. A more efficient method is needed. 
     A variety of attempts to solve this problem have been made. Some solutions were simply a brush that had been permanently integrated with a golf club handle. This solution represented an improvement over using one&#39;s foot, but still required significant effort on the part of the user to clear substantially long paths, if so required. 
     Further solutions have included transportable stand-alone blowers. However, these solutions require long conduits for the air, making the solution unwieldy and take up more space either in the golf bag of the user or elsewhere, in an activity where storage space is at a premium. 
     Yet further solutions have included permanently integrating blowers with common golfing paraphernalia, such as golf clubs and umbrellas. However, such integrations have a number of undesirable consequences. First, the weight of the blower can render the original article cumbersome and unmanageable for its original intended purpose. This is true for both umbrellas and golf clubs, the latter of which is particularly impacted by issues of balance and weight. Second, the configuration of the original article to integrate the blower can also have deleterious effects. In the instance of a putter, the presence of tubing at the head of the club, or integrated into the head itself, can reduce the effectiveness of the club for putting in a variety of ways, including unfavorable weight distributions, reduced stiffness, etc. As such, integration of a blower with a golfing article presents the user with the undesirable result of using a less-than-adequate golf club or carrying a standard club in addition to the club integrated with the blower. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for solution to moving debris from a putting green that meets the needs of portability and efficiency without undesirable effects such as occupying too much space or diminishing the performance of the attached golfing article. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is one object of the invention to provide a detachable portable blower for removing debris from a putting green. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a housing surrounding a motor, a fan operably coupled to the motor, and a power supply electrically coupled to the motor. The housing comprises a first opening on one surface and a second opening on another surface. The housing further comprises an interior cavity configured to accommodate the above motor and fan as well as permit air flow from the first opening to the fan and from the fan to the second opening. The housing further comprises a control switch for starting the invention, such as a spring-loaded on/off button or switch. Finally, the housing is configured to detachably couple with a golf club. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the attachment member the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachment member. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the control switch. 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the figures, like numbers refer to like elements. 
     In the following description, spatial orientation descriptors “distal” and “proximal” are used relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter assembly. Thus, a “proximal” side refers to a side of an element generally facing the user and away from the putting green and, conversely, a “distal” side refers to a side of an element generally facing away from the user and toward the putting green. Likewise a pair of elements described as “proximal” and “distal” elements are understood to have the same spatial relationship as described hereinabove for the sides of an element. 
     One embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The debris removal apparatus  100  includes a housing  102  having a first opening  104  on at least a first surface  106  and a second opening  108  on at least a second surface  110 . The first surface  106  and the second surface  110  are optionally the same surface or different surfaces as employed in different embodiments of the present invention. The housing further comprises an interior cavity  112  that is in fluid communication with the first opening  104  and the second opening  108 . 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  can further comprise a motor  114 . The motor can be any type of motor, such as an electric motor; in one embodiment, the motor is an electric motor having a design that is suitable for use in a portable vacuum or blower, as is known generally in the art. The motor  114  is disposed within the interior cavity  112  and fixedly attached to an inside surface  116  of the housing  102  by any suitable means, such as by screw, weld, staple, adhesive, nut-and-bolt, or any other fastener. 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a means for transferring air, such as a fan  118 . The fan  118  is configured to be coupled operably to the motor  114 . For example, the fan can be fixedly attached to an axle  117  that is driven by the motor  114 . When in operation, the fan  118  creates a flow of air such that a negative pressure is created at one of the first opening  104  and the second opening  108  and a corresponding positive pressure is created at the other of the first opening  104  and the second opening  108 , thereby creating a flow of air between the first opening  104  and the second opening  108 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  102  further comprises an attachment member  122 . The attachment member  122  is configured to attach removably the debris removal apparatus  100  to a shaft, for example, a golf club handle or a broom. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the attachment member  122  comprises a tubular receiving section  124  formed in a proximal section  126  of the housing  102 . The tubular receiving section  124  is configured to accommodate a shaft therein. Optionally, the tubular receiving section  124  includes a taper, narrowing from the proximal end  128  of the tubular receiving section  124  to the distal end  130  of the tubular receiving section  124 . The tapering of the tubular receiving section  124  creates an interference fit between the shaft and the tubular receiving section  124 , removably attaching the housing  102  to the shaft. 
     In yet another embodiment, the tubular receiving section  124  is cylindrical and without a taper. An interference fit between the tubular receiving section  124  and the shaft is accomplished by the shaft having a taper, the taper of the shaft causing the shaft to interface with the tubular receiving section  124 . 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  further comprises a mesh  127  disposed at the distal end  130  of the tubular receiving section  124 , serving as a protective barrier between the shaft and the distal end  130 . 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a power supply  119 . In the instant embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the power supply  119  includes a plurality of batteries. The plurality of batteries can include two, three, four, five, or about six standard sized 1.5 V batteries, such as, for example, AA, B, C, or D batteries as known in the art. Other power supplies that may alternatively be used in the context of the present invention include other sources or storage units of electric energy that are capable of delivering a sufficient flow of energy to drive the motor, including, for example, a single battery, one or more rechargeable batteries, and external power supplies, such as an electrical connection to an external source of power. The power supply  119  is coupled electrically to the motor  114  and provides the electromotive force to drive the motor  114  that in turn drives the air transferring means, i.e., a fan, for example. 
     The power supply  119  can be positioned in a variety of locations. In the present embodiment, the debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a power supply housing  120 . The power supply housing  120  is configured to attach to the housing  102 . In the present embodiment, the power supply housing  120  comprises a distal attachment section  121  configured to reside within the internal cavity  112  and attach removably to the housing  102 . The power supply housing  120  further comprises a proximal section  125  that resides outside the housing  102 . In the embodiment displayed in  FIG. 1 , the power supply  119  is disposed within the power supply housing  120 . The power supply housing  120  is configured to couple electrically the power supply  119  to the motor  114 . For example, the power supply housing  120  can comprise a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the power supply  119 , and the housing  102  can similarly comprise a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the motor. When the power supply housing  120  attaches to the housing  102 , each of the electrical contacts of the power supply housing  120  communicates with a corresponding electrical contact on the housing  102 . 
     As shown  FIG. 1 , the power supply housing  120  is adjacent to the attachment member  122  of the housing. In order to allow attachment of the housing  102  to the shaft, the power supply housing  120  further comprises a central axis channel  130  (not shown) located along a substantially central axis of the power supply housing  120 . In one embodiment, the central axis channel  130  is configured to permit the shaft to pass therethrough and extend to the attachment member  122 . 
     In another embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the attachment member  122  comprises a hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144  configured to accommodate the shaft, having an open edge  146 . In this embodiment, the attachment member  122  is attached to an outside surface  145  of the housing  102  such that the open edge  146  is directed generally radially outward from the housing  102 . In one embodiment, the attachment member  122  defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing  102 . The shaft is then inserted into the attachment member  122  by translating the shaft radially inwards into the attachment member  122  through the open edge  146  forming an interference fit with the attachment member  122 . The housing  102  is detached from the shaft by translating the shaft either longitudinally out the proximal end  147  or the distal end  149  of the hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144  or translating the shaft radially outward through the open end  146 . 
     In a further embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 3 , the attachment member  122  comprises a hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144  as above, and further comprises one or more attachment straps  148  permanently attached at a first end  149  to the outside surface  151  of the hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144 . When the shaft is disposed within the attachment member  122 , the attachment straps  148  transverse the open edge  146  and attach removably to the outside surface  151  of the hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144  at a second end  153 . Suitable methods of removable attachment employed in the context of the present invention include snaps, hook-and-loop, buckles, clasps, eye-and-hook, and magnets, among others. The second end  153  of the attachment straps  148  are detached from the outside surface  151  of the hollow horizontal cylindrical segment  144 , permitting removal of the shaft from the attachment member  122  and detachment of the housing  102  from the shaft. 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a control switch, an embodiment of which is depicted in  FIG. 4  as element  132 . The control switch  132  is configured to selectively open and close the electrical circuit between the power supply  119  and the motor  114 . In the present embodiment, the control switch  132  takes the form of a spring-loaded switch  134  disposed at the distal end of the housing. The spring-loaded switch  134  comprises an attachment section  135  and a nozzle member  136 . The attachment section  135  attaches the spring-loaded switch  134  to the housing  102  at the second opening  108 . Both the attachment section  135  and the nozzle member  136  are configured to permit fluid flow from the second opening  108  through the attachment section  135  and the nozzle member  136 , such as by forming a conduit  137 . In the current embodiment, the second opening  108 , the attachment section  135 , and the nozzle member  136  form a conduit  137  having a generally triangular configuration. Other configurations included in the invention are circles, squares, rectangles, and all other polygons—in essence, any transverse shape so long as sufficient area is provided that allows a sufficient amount and rate of airflow. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the nozzle member  136  is attached to the attachment section  135  so as to allow the nozzle member  136  to translate longitudinally with respect to the attachment section  135 . In the present embodiment, the attachment member  135  is comprised of a proximal attachment section  139  and a distal flap  141 . The proximal attachment section  139  attaches to the housing  102  at the second opening  108  by any suitable method, such as by welding, soldering, adhesives, tapes, glues, snaps, screws, staples, or any other fasteners. The distal flap  141  is configured to bend, overlapping with itself and the proximal attachment section  137 , so as to permit the nozzle member  136 , to which the distal flap  141  is attached, to translate proximally with respect to the proximal attachment section  139 . Accordingly, the distal flap  141  is composed of a flexible material, such as rubber or a suitable synthetic that emulates the properties of rubber. The distal flap  141  is attached to the nozzle member  136  by any suitable means, including adhesives, tape, glue, or any other fasteners. 
     When the nozzle member  136  translates proximally, it interfaces with an activation member  138  (See  FIG. 1 ) of the motor  114  that, when translated proximally, closes the electric circuit between the motor  114  and the power supply  119 , causing the motor  114  to operate. When released, the nozzle member  136  will return to its original orientation with respect to the attachment member  135 , and the flow of air from the fan  118  will be directed through the second opening  108 , through the conduit  137 , and out the distal end  140  of the nozzle member  136 . When the nozzle member  136  is translated longitudinally again, it will again interface with the activation member  138  of the motor  114 , this time opening the circuit between the motor  114  and the fan  118 , terminating the operation of the motor  114 . When released, the nozzle member  136  will return to its original orientation with respect to the attachment section  135 . 
     The control switch  132  of the present embodiment is an example only and does not limit the scope of switches included in the invention. Other types of switches include toggle switches, knob switches, push-buttons, slide switches, and throw switches, and the like. 
     The debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a slotted cover  142  configured to attach to the housing  102  so as to cover the first opening  104 . The slotted cover  142  protects against foreign debris entering the internal cavity  112  of the housing, potentially damaging the motor  114 , the fan  118 , the power supply  119 , or any other part of the debris removal apparatus  100 , while still permitting fluid flow through the first opening  104 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the debris removal apparatus  100  further comprises a clip  154  configured to attach the housing  102  removably to an external body, such as a golf bag. The clip  154 , in one embodiment, comprises a radially extending body member  146  that attaches to an outside surface of the housing  102 . The method of attachment is by any suitable joining means include welding, adhesives, screws, hook-and-loop, rivets, snaps, or any other fastening apparatus or method. The clip  154  can further comprise a longitudinally extending arm  148  configured to project from the radially extending body member  146  in a generally longitudinal direction with respect to the housing  102 . The longitudinally extending arm  148  is configured to be spaced a distance radially apart from an outside surface of the housing  102  to accommodate an external body there between. In use, the external body is disposed between the longitudinally extending arm  148  and the outside surface of the housing  102  and abuts the radially extending body member  146 . 
     The housing  102 , power supply housing  120 , slotted cover  142 , nozzle member  136 , and clip  154  are fabricated from any material appropriate to accomplish the above requirements. Such materials include synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, melamine formaldehyde, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Other materials include metals, such as stainless steel. If a metal is used, the metal can optionally be coated with a polymer. 
     In an alternative embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 5A , the debris removal apparatus  500  comprises a housing  502  having a first opening  504  on at least a first surface  506 , a second opening  508  on at least a second surface  510 , and an internal cavity  512 , a motor  514 , a fan  516 , a power supply  518 , and a control switch  520 . In another alternative embodiment, the debris removal apparatus  500  further comprises a collection assembly  522  comprising an annular receptacle  524 , a central column  526 , one or more deflector supports  528 , a deflector  530 , and a filter  532 . 
     The collection assembly  522  is disposed within the internal cavity  512  between the distal end of the housing  502  and the motor  514 , the fan  516 , the power supply  518 , and the second opening  508 . The collection assembly  522  attaches to the inside surface of the internal cavity  512  so as to form a fluid barrier, preventing the flow of air through the internal cavity  512  except for through the collection assembly  522 . The annular receptacle  524  comprises a generally flat plate  525 , a lip  527  about an outside perimeter of the plate  525 , and a void at about the center of the plate  525 . The lip  527  attaches to the inside surface  513  of the internal cavity  512 , thereby attaching the collection assembly  522  to the housing  502 . The central column  526  attaches to the plate  525  and is disposed about the void of the plate  525 . The method of attachment can be any suitable method, including welding, soldering, and adhesives. Alternatively, the central column  526  and the plate  525  can be a single integral piece. 
     The deflector  530  of the collection assembly  522  is configured to deflect particulates in the air flow coming through the central column  526 . In the present embodiment, this is accomplished by disposing the deflector  530  at a location proximal the central column  526  along a longitudinal axis defined by the central column  526 . In order to maintain this position, one or more deflector supports  528  are used. The deflector supports  528  are attached at a first end  534  to a point on the deflector  526  and at a second end to a point on the central column  526 , such as the proximal end  536 . The attachment of the deflector supports  528  to the deflector  530  and the central column  526  bear the weight of the deflector  530  as well as maintain the position of the deflector  530  when the fan  516  is operated, creating a variable pressure within the internal cavity  512 . The method of attachment of the deflector supports  528  is any suitable method, including welding, soldering, adhesives, and optionally forming two or more of the deflector supports  528 , the deflector  530 , and the central column  526  as a single integral piece. 
     The filter  532  of the collection assembly  522  is generally located proximally of the deflector  530 . The filter  532  is configured to form a gas-permeable barrier between the distal and proximal ends of the internal cavity  512 , preventing the flow of particulates into the proximal end of the internal cavity  512 . One such configuration is to attach the perimeter of the filter  532  to a circumferential section of the internal cavity  512  by a suitable attachment method, thereby permitting air flow to the proximal end of the internal cavity  512  only through the filter  532 . The filter  512  may be fabricated of any suitable material, including wire mesh, foam, paper, and cotton. 
     The debris removal apparatus  500  is configured to create a negative pressure at the first opening  504 , which is located at the distal end of the housing  502 , and a positive pressure at the second opening  508 , which is located towards the proximal end of the housing  502 . This pressure system is created by configuring the fan  516  to create a flow of air exiting the internal cavity  512  at the second opening  508 . In order to increase the negative pressure at the first opening  504 , the housing  502  may further comprise a tapered section  534  on the distal side of the housing  502 , with the first opening  504  defining the distal end of the tapered section  534 . Reducing the size of first opening  504  with respect to the second opening  508  will increase the negative pressure at the first opening  504 . 
     In operation, the control switch  520  in the closed position completes the circuit between the power supply  518  and the motor  514 , causing the fan  516  to turn. The fan  516  then creates a positive pressure at the second opening  508 , causing a flow of air out through the second opening  508 . A corresponding negative pressure will be created at the first opening  504 , drawing in air and particulate matter from the environment. The flow of air from the first opening will travel proximally through the tapered section  534  into the central column  526  and collide with the deflector  530 . Particulate matter will bounce off the deflector  530 , exit the flow of air, and fall to the plate  524  of the annular receptacle  522 . The air flow will continue to travel proximally around the deflector, through the filter  532 , and up to the second opening  508 . The filter  532  will prevent particulate matter that is not deflected to the plate  524  by the deflector  530  from damaging the motor  514 , the fan  516 , or the power supply  518 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the collection assembly  522  depicted in  FIG. 5A  is reconfigured to be contained within a collection housing  540  as depicted in  FIG. 5B . The collection housing  540  as shown for one embodiment comprises a base  542  defined by a distal surface of the annular receptacle  524 , wall surfaces  544  dimensioned to be disposed within the internal cavity  512  of the housing  502 , and a top surface defined by the filter  532 . In some embodiments, the filter  532  is fixed in place, in which case the collection housing  540  is itself disposable and thus replaceable with a replacement such unit. In other embodiments, the filter  532  is itself removable and replaceable, which would elongate the usable life of the collection housing  540 . 
     The housing in some embodiments further comprises a closable hatch (not shown) for allowing the placement and removal of the collection housing  540  in the internal cavity  512 . When disposed within the internal cavity  512 , the collection housing  540  forms an interference fit with the inside surface  513  of the internal cavity  512 , thereby preventing fluid flow through the internal cavity  512  except through the collection housing  540 , which performs identically to the collection assembly  522  described hereinabove. In yet further embodiments, the connection of the collection housing  540  at its base  542  to the housing  502  is achieved using a suitable attachment means that holds the collection housing  540  in place. Suitable attachment means has the ability to hold the collection housing  540  in place while being jostled from being attached to a golf bag while being carried or driven about a golf course, for example, or placed on the handle of a golf club or broom stick. Suitable attachment means include, without limitation intended, a weak adhesive, a high temperature melting grease, paired strips of hooks and eyes, as in a VELCRO® brand hook and loop fabric product, and the like. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, the motor  514  is configured to operate in a bi-directional capacity; that is, when the polarity of the DC circuit connected to the motor  514  is reversed, the direction of operation of the motor  514  is similarly reversed, thereby turning the fan  516  in the opposite direction and reversing the flow of air through the internal cavity  512 . Such a reversal in polarity is enabled by configuring the control switch  520  to have settings for both directional operations of the motor  514 , such as, for example, “forward” and “reverse,” or “vacuum” and “blower.” This is accomplished using the same types of switches described hereinabove. In one embodiment of the present invention, as one example, the control switch  520  is a three-position toggle switch that is configured, for example, with the off position centrally located between either of the aforementioned pairs of labeled switch positions. To maximize the positive pressure created at the first opening  504 , it is preferable to remove the collection housing  540  from the inside cavity  512 , however the overall design does not require doing so such that the collection housing  540  can be fixed within the housing  502 . One further alternative embodiment of the present invention has the filter  532  removably inserted into receiving slots or slides (not shown) on the inside of the housing  502 , allowing the collection housing  540  to fill with particulates when used in the vacuum mode in the annular space defined by the outside of the central column  526  and the inside wall  544 . When full, the collection housing  540  is removed from the housing  502 , allowing the user to dispose of the collected debris, then replace the collection housing  540  into the housing  502 , thereby readying the detachable debris removal apparatus to be used to clear another putting path, as one exemplar use of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.