US-12616879-B1 - Collapsible golf ball washer

US12616879B1US 12616879 B1US12616879 B1US 12616879B1US-12616879-B1

Abstract

The disclosure pertains to a golf ball washer featuring a collapsible design for accommodating either one or two golf balls. It includes a corrugated sidewall with alternating rings and folds for easy expansion or collapse, internal scrubbers for debris removal, and a pre-cleaning brush. Additional functionalities encompass a retention loop for bag attachment, a lid to secure contents, and a pocket for ball marker storage. Constructed from durable materials like rubber and silicone, this portable device facilitates the convenient cleaning of golf balls on the course, aiming to enhance the golfing experience through improved maintenance and readiness of golf equipment.

Inventors

Michael W. Bybee
Lizzette L. Bybee

Assignees

Michael W. Bybee
Lizzette L. Bybee

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240312

Claims (10)

1 . A collapsible golf ball washer comprising: a golf ball container having a side wall, a bottom wall, and a lid, wherein the side wall forms a hollow cylindrical tube sealed at one end by the bottom wall and capable of being covered at the opposite end by the lid; the side wall comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of folds, where the plurality of rings and the plurality of folds alternate, enabling the golf ball container to expand and collapse between configurations for holding a single golf ball and a pair of golf balls; a brush operable to remove debris from a golf ball prior to placing the golf ball into the golf ball container; a plurality of scrubbers located within the golf ball container for cleaning the golf ball when the golf ball is placed within the golf ball container and the container is in either an expanded or collapsed configuration; a retention loop attached to an exterior surface of the side wall for detachably coupling the golf ball container to an object; a ball marker pocket located at the bottom wall of the golf ball container for storing a ball marker; the lid configured to cover the golf ball container and retain a cleaning solution within the golf ball container when in place, the lid having a lip to secure over a top aperture of the golf ball container; and, an attachment strap tethering the lid to the golf ball container; and, wherein the brush comprising a brush handle and a plurality of bristles is retained to the lid by a brush lanyard; and, wherein the brush is configured to be storable within the golf ball container when the brush is not in use.
2 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein the side wall's plurality of rings are rectangular toroidal rings aligned around a central vertical axis, and the plurality of folds are made of a material thinner than the material of the plurality of rings, allowing the folds to deform to enable the expansion and collapse of the golf ball container.
3 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 2 , wherein an individual fold comprises an upper fold segment and a lower fold segment, a top of the upper fold segment being coupled to a ring located above the fold, and the bottom of the lower fold segment being coupled to a ring located below the fold, facilitating a movement of the fold segments towards and away from the center of the golf ball container as it collapses and expands, respectively.
4 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of scrubbers are bristles projecting inward from an interior side of one or more of the plurality of rings, operable to clean the golf ball as it is inserted into and removed from the golf ball container.
5 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein the retention loop is positioned at the topmost of the plurality of rings on the side wall, and is configured to facilitate attachment of the golf ball container to a golf bag or similar object via a retainer clip.
6 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein the golf ball container, the lid, and the attachment strap include one or more of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a silicone, and a neoprene.
7 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , further comprising: a brush loop located on an interior surface of the lid serving as an attachment point for the brush lanyard, thereby ensuring that the brush remains connected to the golf ball washer when not in use.
8 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein the brush's plurality of bristles are oriented to be parallel to each other and project perpendicularly away from one end of the brush handle, designed to effectively remove large debris from the golf ball or a face of a golf club before the golf ball is placed into the golf ball container.
9 . The collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , wherein a set of dimensions of the golf ball container, in the expanded configuration, are configured to specifically accommodate a pair of golf balls, and in the collapsed configuration, to snugly fit a single golf ball, with precise measurements provided to ensure compatibility with standard golf balls.
10 . A method of using the collapsible golf ball washer of claim 1 , comprising the steps of: initially cleaning a soiled golf ball with the brush to remove debris; placing the cleaned golf ball into the golf ball container; adding a cleaning solution to the golf ball container; securing the lid over the golf ball container; shaking the golf ball container manually to further clean the golf ball with the plurality of scrubbers and the cleaning solution; expanding the golf ball container to hold a pair of golf balls or collapsing it to hold a single golf ball as needed; and, storing a ball marker in the ball marker pocket located at the bottom of the golf ball container.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS None. FIELD OF THE DEVICE The present device relates generally to a golf ball washer and more specifically to a golf ball washer that is collapsible. BACKGROUND OF THE DEVICE Golf, a sport enjoyed globally for its combination of skill, strategy, and engagement with the outdoors, necessitates the regular maintenance of equipment, including the cleanliness of golf balls for optimal performance. Traditional methods for cleaning golf balls have included manual brushes and stationary cleaning stations on golf courses, which may not always offer convenience or flexibility for players on the move. The introduction of a collapsible golf ball washer addresses these challenges by providing a portable, efficient, and adaptable solution for golf ball maintenance. This device reflects an ongoing effort to enhance the practical aspects of golf accessories, focusing on the ease of maintaining clean golf balls for players at any location. The collapsible golf ball washer features a design that allows it to adjust its capacity to clean either one or two golf balls, catering to the user's immediate needs. Its compact and portable nature is a significant improvement over traditional cleaning methods, offering golfers the ability to carry a personal cleaning device that adapts to different situations on the golf course or at the driving range. The device is comprised of a golf ball container with a corrugated sidewall that expands or collapses, facilitating volume adjustment. This feature is coupled with a series of internal scrubbers and a designated brush, ensuring the removal of common debris such as dirt, sand, mud, and grass from the golf balls. The design also includes practical features like a retention loop for attachment to a golf bag, a lid to secure the balls and solution, and a pocket for a ball marker. Materials such as rubber and silicone are used in its construction to ensure durability and weather resistance. Overall, the collapsible golf ball washer is designed with the aim of improving the golfing experience by providing a convenient, effective solution for golf ball maintenance. Its development is indicative of the evolving landscape of golf accessories, focusing on addressing the real-world needs of golfers with an emphasis on functionality and convenience. SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE In order to overcome the defects of the existing golf ball washers, the instant device provides a collapsible golf ball washer comprising a golf ball container with a side wall, a bottom wall, and a lid. In some embodiments, the side wall forms a hollow cylindrical tube that is sealed at one end by the bottom wall and capable of being covered at the opposite end by the lid. The side wall includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of folds, with the rings and folds alternating to enable the golf ball container to expand and collapse. This design allows for configurations suitable for holding either a single golf ball or a pair of golf balls. Furthermore, embodiments may feature a brush designed to remove debris from a golf ball before it is placed into the golf ball container. A plurality of scrubbers, located within the golf ball container, cleans the golf ball when it is positioned inside the container, regardless of whether the container is in an expanded or collapsed configuration. Additional embodiments include a retention loop attached to the exterior surface of the side wall for detachably coupling the golf ball container to an object, such as a golf bag. A ball marker pocket, situated at the bottom wall of the golf ball container, provides storage for a ball marker. In some embodiments, the lid is configured to cover the golf ball container and retain a cleaning solution within when in place, featuring a lip that secures over the top aperture of the golf ball container. An attachment strap may tether the lid to the golf ball container. In some embodiments, the brush, which includes a brush handle and a plurality of bristles, is retained to the lid by a brush lanyard and can be stored within the golf ball container when not in use. In certain embodiments, the side wall's plurality of rings are rectangular toroidal rings aligned around a central vertical axis. The plurality of folds are made of a material thinner than that of the rings, allowing the folds to deform and enable the expansion and collapse of the golf ball container. An individual fold includes an upper fold segment and a lower fold segment, with the top of the upper fold segment coupled to a ring located above the fold, and the bottom of the lower fold segment coupled to a ring located below the fold. This design facilitates movement of the fold segments towards and away from the center of the golf ball container as it collapses and expands, respectively. The plurality of scrubbers, which may be bristles projecting inward from the interior side of one or more of the plurality of rings, are operable to clean the golf ball as it is inserted i