Apparatus and method for protecting and wiping a surface

Abstract

An exemplary apparatus for use with a surface of an implement, such as the grip of a golf club, is disclosed that provides one or more of the advantages mentioned herein, such as the capability to protect, wipe, and clean the grip of a golf club. The exemplary apparatus includes an outer cover and an absorbent member. The outer cover includes a top and a bottom portion, an interior surface, an opening formed at the bottom portion of the outer cover, an internal volume defined as the volume bordered by the interior surface of the outer cover and the opening of the outer cover, and an exterior surface. The absorbent member is positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover and is operable to receive the surface through the opening of the outer cover.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a surface of an implement, the apparatus comprising: 
 an outer cover that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, an interior surface, an opening formed at the bottom portion of the outer cover, an internal volume defined as the volume bordered by the interior surface of the outer cover and the opening of the outer cover, and an exterior surface; and    an absorbent member positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover, the absorbent member operable to receive the surface through the opening of the outer cover.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover prevents water from penetrating from the exterior surface of the outer cover to the absorbent member positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is water-resistant.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is a sponge.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is a cellulose material.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is made of a nylon reinforced cellulose material  
     
     
         7  The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is made of a chamois material.  
     
     
         8  The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is made of an artificial chamois material.  
     
     
         9  The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is folded before being positioned in the outer cover.  
     
     
         10  The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is cylindrical shaped.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the absorbent member includes a top portion, a bottom portion, an absorbent interior surface, an absorbent member opening formed at the bottom portion of the absorbent member, and an absorbent member internal volume defined as the volume bordered by the absorbent interior surface of the absorbent member and the opening of the absorbent member, and wherein the absorbent member is operable to receive the surface through the opening of the absorbent member and into the absorbent member internal volume.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is rectangular shaped and is positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover in a folded position.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is generally cone shaped with an open end and a closed end, the absorbent member positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover such that the open end is positioned adjacent the opening formed at the bottom portion of the outer cover.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member includes an antibacterial substance to inhibit bacteria growth.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member includes an antifungal substance to inhibit a fungal growth.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an absorbent member positioned within the internal volume of the absorbent member.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is a latex.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is a foam.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is a cloth material.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cloth material positioned over the exterior surface of the outer cover.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is a closed-cell foam.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a logo displayed on the exterior surface of the outer cover.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an advertisement displayed on the exterior surface of the outer cover.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover includes a rounded top portion.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover includes a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface, wherein the first exterior surface of the outer cover and the second exterior surface of the outer cover are substantially flat from the top portion to the bottom portion.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover includes ventilation openings that extend from the exterior surface of the outer cover to the interior surface of the outer cover.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover includes a second opening formed at the top portion of the outer cover, and further comprising: 
 a cap positioned in the second opening of the outer cover.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fastener coupled to the outer cover, wherein the fastner is one of the group consisting of a clip, a hook, a string, a band, and an elastic band.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a retaining collar positioned circumferentially within the opening of the outer cover and operable to inhibit the removal of the absorbent member from the internal volume of the outer cover    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a retaining ledge positioned within the opening of the outer cover and operable to inhibit the removal of the absorbent member from the internal volume of the outer cover.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the implement is a fishing pole.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the implement is a grip of a golf club.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a surface of a football.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is nylon.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is leather.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is rubber.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is plastic.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is made of one of the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, polyolefin, vinyl/nitrile, ARMAFLEX, RUBATEX, and polyurethane.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover is generally cylindrically shaped.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a loop connected to the top portion of the outer cover.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a compound positioned in the absorbent member to impart a tacky grip.    
     
     
         42 . A method for using an apparatus for use with a surface of an implement, the method comprising: 
 inserting the surface of the implement into an opening and an internal volume of an outer cover of the apparatus;    contacting the surface of the implement with an absorbent member of the apparatus positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover; and    removing the surface of the implement from the opening and the internal volume of the apparatus.    
     
     
         43 . A method for making an apparatus for use with a surface of an implement, the method comprising: 
 forming an outer cover that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, an interior surface, an opening formed at the bottom portion of the outer cover, an internal volume defined as the volume bordered by the interior surface of the outer cover and the opening of the outer cover, and an exterior surface;    forming an absorbent member; and    positioning the absorbent member within the internal volume of the outer cover, wherein the absorbent member is positioned within the internal volume of the outer cover to receive the surface through the opening of the outer cover.