Apparatus for cleaning golf equipment

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning golf equipment is provided. The apparatus includes a brush head assembly having a brush head having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the brush head having bristles, and a neck connected to the brush head, the neck having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The apparatus also includes an ultrasonic transducer in vibratory communication with the bristles. The apparatus also includes a handle connected to the proximal portion of the neck, wherein the handle houses a power source in electrical communication with the ultrasonic transducer.

2 . An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein the handle houses the ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein the brush head assembly houses the ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the distal portion of the neck is narrower than the handle and the brush head. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a width of the distal portion of the neck is less than one half of a width of the handle, the width of the distal portion of the neck is less than one half of a major dimension of the brush head, and a thickness of the distal portion of the neck is less than one quarter of a thickness of the handle. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the handle is detachably connected to the proximal end of the neck. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising a shaft extending from the ultrasonic transducer to at least some of the bristles through hollow portions of the handle, the neck and the brush head to enhance vibratory communication between the ultrasonic transducer and the at least some of the bristles. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the brush head comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the major dimension is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein the major dimension is at least twice the minor dimension. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the major dimension is at least 4.5 cm and the minor dimension is at least 2 cm. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the brush head is connected to a lower surface of the neck. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the brush head is detachably connected to the lower surface of the neck. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the brush head is slidably connected to the lower surface of the neck. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the brush head further comprises a scraper fixed adjacent to or along an edge of the brush head. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the scraper is fixed adjacent to or along a distal edge of the brush head. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the scraper comprises a rectangular, tapered blade. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the scraper spans up to a major dimension of the brush head. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the scraper extends at an upward angle relative to a central plane of the brush head. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein a tapered edge of the scraper has a thickness of less than 0.9 mm. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the neck extends from an upper position to a lower position in the proximal to distal direction, wherein a central plane of the brush head is lower than a central plane of the handle by at least 2 cm. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein a diameter of each bristle of the brush head ranges from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein a second array of bristles is disposed on the upper surface of the brush head or an upper surface of the neck. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to claim  1  wherein the ultrasonic transducer comprises an electric motor, wherein transfer means transfer rotation of a shaft of the electric motor to at least some of the bristles, and wherein translation means translate the rotation of the shaft into a rotary and/or reciprocating linear motion of the at least some of the bristles, the transfer means and translation means comprising one or more suitably configured shafts and/or gears.