BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The purchase of golf clubs represents a significant investment for a golfer. Golfers will generally protect their investment by providing maintenance to their golf clubs. Golf clubs require maintenance to retain their usefulness to the golfer. This maintenance generally involves cleaning the head, shaft, and grip of the golf club. In the past the cleaning of golf clubs was accomplished by simply wiping them off with a cloth or towel after usage. The wiping of golf clubs only removes solids like dirt or grime deposited there from the golf course. Simple wiping does little to remove imbedded dirt or grime.

Simple wiping does nothing to remove body oils or perspiration that is deposited on the clubs from usage. The embedded debris, body oils, and perspiration over time deteriorate the golf clubs; thereby diminishing the useful life of the golf clubs.

Golf club cleaning machines are well known in the golfing industry. Some of these machines involve rotating or moveable brushes that come into contact with the clubs to effect the cleaning of the clubs. Brushes that engage golf clubs for cleaning purposes tend to unduly wear the golf clubs. Brushes and the like have given way to ultrasonic cleaning of golf clubs. Using ultrasonic energy to clean golf clubs involves immersing the clubs in a cleaning media bath to provide a means for the ultrasonic energy to be imparted to the golf clubs. The ultrasonic action removes debris, mud, body oils, and perspiration from the golf clubs with minimal deleterious effect on the equipment.

The cleaning media is generally contained in a vessel or tank. The tank generally is open at the top to allow the entry of the golf clubs. The tank provides a convenient holder for the clubs as well as containing the cleaning media. An ultrasonic generator is generally deposed adjacent to the tank. The tank and generator are generally mounted in a super structure or housing. This housing provides a convenient manner for the owner of the cleaning machine to position the machine in convenient places about the golf course to enable the user or golfer to clean his clubs.

A golf club cleaning machine with an open tank presents problems in maintaining the purity of the cleaning media. If the cleaning machine is positioned outdoors (as they generally are) rain water will dilute the cleaning media. Debris, such as leaves, branches, grass, and/or trash will accumulate in the tank. If a lid is provided to cover the tank to prevent unwanted debris from accumulating in the tank it generally interferes with the insertion of the golf clubs into the tank. If a lid is provided to cover the tank it is generally left open during and after usage thereby defeating the purpose of the lid. As such, there is no system which provides for controlled access to the unit and which prevents contamination of the interior elements.

Prior to the present invention attempts have been made to provide a convenient ultrasonic cleaning machine that cleaned golf clubs as well as maintained the purity of the cleaning media. One such attempt is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,385, 160 issued January 31,1995, to Brinkman, which discloses a tank and ultrasonic generator disposed in a typical housing and a basket disposed in the bottom of a tank to receive golf clubs.

Brinkman does not provide a lid or cover for the tank; consequently, this cleaning machine is subject contamination by the elements if positioned outdoors. If Brinkman's apparatus is used indoors it would represent health and environmental risks due to outgassing of the cleaning media through the unguarded opening. Another attempt is disclosed in US Patent No. 3,101,089 issued on August 20,1963 to Brown et al., which discloses an apparatus similar to Brinkman. Brown et al. does not disclose a golf club cleaning machine with a lid to cover the tank thereby Brown et al. suffers from the same deficiencies as Brinkman. The cleaning apparatus that exists fails to adequately protect against unwanted access and entry, such as by children's fingers and hands, or by vandals.

It would be desirable to have an ultrasonic golf club cleaning machine that could be located indoors in a golf course club house or positioned outdoors for the convenience of the golfer. This ultrasonic golf club cleaning machine would provide, among other things, a lid or cover that would prevent debris from contaminating the cleaning media and provide safe useable operation of the cleaning machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a controlled access system for cleaning golf clubs and other articles. The system allows a user of the golf club cleaning machine to easily clean his golf clubs and golf balls after use. Each user is issued an identity card containing pertinent information about the user. When the user desires to clean his golf clubs or golf balls he will present the identity card to an identity card reader disposed within the present invention. The present invention has a controller disposed within the system that constantly polls the card reader. The card reader receives the user identity card thereby activating a request by the user to clean his golf clubs or golf balls. The controller verifies the user information according to selected conditions such as the name of the user. The controller then commands a shutter that protects the interior of the present invention to open. When the shutter is fully open the user is prompted to insert his golf clubs or golf balls into a tank containing a cleaning media. The user is then prompted to press a start switch that communicates to the controller that golf clubs are positioned in the tank ready to be cleaned. The controller commands the shutter to close. At least one detector is provide to sense the presence of golf clubs positioned in the tank. The detector is polled by the controller to determine the approximate engagement of the shutter to the golf clubs to be cleaned. Once this approximate position is determined by the controller the shutter movement is stopped. Once the controller detects the shutter is fully stopped it commands an ultrasonic generator to provide the tank with sufficient sonic energy to clean the golf clubs or golf balls. The time duration of cleaning is selectable. When the selected time period is expended the controller commands the ultrasonic generator to stop. The user is prompted to press the stop switch. The controller detects the actuation of the stop switch and commands the shutter to open. The user is prompted to remove his golf clubs before extracting his identity card. The controller polls the card reader in response to the prompt to the user to withdraw his identity card whereupon the controller commands the shutter to close. The controller then returns to polling the card reader thereby awaiting the next cleaning cycle request.

The controller continuously monitors at least one sensor disposed within the system to monitor such conditions as temperature of the cleaning media, ambient temperature, and others. If such a sensor indicates a variance that is not within a selected range of operation the controller is notified and appropriate action is taken. Such action may be, for example, warming the cleaning media to prevent freezing of the media.

It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club cleaning machine with a retractable shutter that covers the interior of the cleaning machine. The retractable shutter is computer controlled via the insertion of an identity card into a card reader. The computer of the present invention commands and controls all aspects of the cleaning cycle for golf clubs and golf balls.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which: Fig. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates an operating system block diagram of the present invention; Fig. 4 illustrates an operational flow chart of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus 10 for cleaning golf clubs and is generally illustrated at 10, Fig. 1. The apparatus 10 may, if desired, be contained in a housing 12. The housing 12 may be any convenient geometry to facilitate the operation of the apparatus 10. Preferably housing 12 is substantially rectangular.

Housing 12 may be uni-body construction or may comprise a front panel 14, Fig. 2, right side panel 16, Fig. 1, left side panel 18, bottom panel 17 (not shown), and rear side panel 20. The side panels 16,18, and rear panel 20 are generally positioned and connected perpendicular to one another and may, if desired, be positioned and connected in any convenient relationship and manner. Front panel 14 may also be positioned and connected in a perpendicular relationship to adjoining panels 16,17, and 18. If desired, front panel 14 may be positioned and connected to panels 16,17, and 18 at any convenient angle to facilitate the operation of the apparatus 10. Housing 12 may be positioned on any surface and bottom panel 17 may be contiguous with that surface.

Housing 12 may, if desired, have legs 21,22,23, and 24 depending from bottom panel 17. The top portion of housing 12 has an access port 25. Port 25 provides access to the interior of housing 12. Access to the interior of housing 12 through port 25 may, if desired, be unobstructed in any manner or access may be restricted by a shutter 26.

Shutter 26 in conjunction with the system operation opens and closes thereby restricting access to the interior of housing 12. Shutter 26 is positioned over port 25 by drive wheel 27. Movement of drive wheel 27 extends or retracts shutter 26 over port 25. Force to move the drive wheel 27 may be provided by any convenient means to facilitate the movement of shutter 26. Drive wheel 27 may, if desired, be motor driven. Shutter 26 may, if desired, be constructed of any convenient material to facilitate the opening and closing of the shutter 26. A typical example of the shutter 26 is a number of slats joined together in a roll-top fashion with the ends of the slats sliding within a pair of grooves (not shown) in the housing. The slats can be made of metal, wood, composite, synthetic or other material having suitable rigidity and durability characteristics.

At least one cleaning tank 28 (several tanks are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention) is mounted inside housing 12 by welding, adhesive, bolt, screw or other fastening means. Alternatively, the tanks can be removably mounted in the housing 12 to permit removal for cleaning, maintenance or replacement. Additionally, there can be inserts for the tanks which can be dropped in the tank, the insert containing the cleaning fluid. Tank 28 may, if desired, be substantially rectangular or any convenient shape or size to facilitate the cleaning of golf clubs. The tank 28 has an opening 29 that is conveniently spaced from port 25. The tank 28 has at least one drain plug to facilitate the draining of a cleaning media from tank 28. The cleaning media may be, if desired, water, soap, cleaning solvent, water softener, mildicide, bactericide, and the like, although other media for different purposes are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, it is possible for the cleaning medium to be a gel, powder, solid, granules or the like. A preferred cleaning mixture is water, alcohol and tensides. The cleaning medium is added by pouring it into the tank opening. A heater 48 is operatively connected to the tank 28 to provide a thermal blanket to the tank 28. The heater 48 will prevent the cleaning media from freezing if the ambient temperature drops below the freezing point of the cleaning media. A temperature sensor 49 is operatively mounted to tank 28 in any convenient place to monitor the temperature of tank 28. An example of a typical location for the temperature sensor 48 is anywhere below the level of a level detector 51. The cleaning media level detector 51 is operatively mounted in the tank 28 in any convenient place to facilitate the monitoring of the level of the cleaning media. In a preferred embodiment the level detector 51 is mounted at half-height of the tank at any position in the tank. A sediment detector 52 is operatively mounted in the tank 28 in any convenient place to facilitate the monitoring of sediment that may accrue in the tank 12.

The sediment detector may, if desired, be implemented by optical, electrical, or mechanical means. The sediment detector 52 is preferably located about one-half inch from the bottom of the tank at any position on the wall of the tank. The heater 48, temperature sensor 49, level detector 51, and sediment detector 52 are all interactively connected to a central processing controller 35 (to be explained in detail hereinbelow).

A card reader 33 is mounted on housing 12 in any convenient place. The card reader is one that is standard in the industry and known to those skilled in the art. The card reader 33 accepts an identity card 34 that is provided by the user of the apparatus 10.

The identity card 34 allows the user to access and use the apparatus 10. The identity card 34 may contain, if desired, personal information about the user such as the user's name, address, phone number, number of times the card has been used, and account balance information. The card 34 may have 256 kb memory capacity or other capacity as needed.

It is also possible for the card 34 to have indicia marked on the surface of the card, such as advertising, membership information, sponsor information, and the like. The card reader 33 is operatively connected to a central processing controller generally illustrated at 35, Fig. 3.

An indicator panel 36 (shown in Fig. 2) is mounted on housing 12 in any convenient place to facilitate the operational indications of the present invention. The indicator panel 36 visually indicates the multi-step functioning of the apparatus 10. The indicator panel 36 is operatively connected to the controller 35. The indicator panel 36 may, if desired, contain a plurality of lights to sequentially indicate the operation of the apparatus 10. An example of the plurality of lights is light 37 indicating whether the unit is ready for use. Light 38 indicates the start. Typical examples of the indicator lights 38 are as stop, liquid level, sediment level, machine in use, maintenance needed, and the like.

The controller 35 (shown in Fig. 3) is housed in a box 35 disposed within the housing 12 and interactively commands and controls the functionality of the apparatus 10. The controller 35 may, if desired, be implemented by any convenient means to facilitate the command and control of the apparatus 10. An example of that controller is Siemans SPS Controller (Alpharetta, Georgia), although any of a variety of other standard controllers can be used. The controller 35 is operatively connected to the heater 48, temperature sensor 49, level detector 51, sediment detector 52, indicator panel 36, and card reader 33 (all explained above). The controller 35 is also connected to an emergency switch 50. Emergency switch 50 is mounted. on housing 12 in any convenient place to facilitate an emergency shut down of the apparatus 10. Controller 35 is in communication with at least one light barrier 55 that is connected to the end of shutter 26. The light barrier 55 comprises a light source 55A mounted at one side of the shutter 26 and a light sensor/receptor 55B mounted to the other side of the shutter 26. Light barrier 55 indicates to controller 35 the presence of any object in the path of the shutter 26 such as golf clubs 59, hands, finger, or other foreign objects. If desired a plurality of light barriers 55 may be implemented to provide a plurality of indications of possible barriers to the closing of shutter 26. Controller 35 in communications with at least one mechanical or electrical (e. g., solenoid) switch 56 that is operatively connected to one end of shutter 26.

Mechanically switch 56 indicates to controller 35 the presence of any barriers that would prevent the closing of shutter 26. Other mechanical, electrical or optical sensor apparatus 54 can be used to detect the presence of an object traversing the shutter opening. The purpose of the light barrier 55 or other sensor apparatus is to prevent the shutter injuring a person who sticks his or her hand in the opening and then accidentally or intentionally activates the machine. This also prevents access to the interior of the invention by children, who could otherwise get their hands caught in the shutter when it closes.

Furthermore, the light barrier 55 indicates to the shutter 26 just how far to close the opening. If a large number of clubs are inserted the shutter 26 may not be able to close as far as if just a few clubs are inserted. It is desirable to have the shutter closed as fully as possible to reduce noise output and reduce contaminant input.

A second embodiment of the present invention is generally illustrated at 80, Fig.

5. The second embodiment 80 is a holder-like housing 81 for golf balls 82. The housing 81 is mounted in housing 12 in any convenient location in housing 12 to facilitate the cleaning of golf balls 82. A preferable location is on the left side of the tank (when viewing the tank from the front), if one tank is used. The housing 81 may, if desired, be cylinder shaped or any other convenient geometry to confine golf balls 82. The housing 81 may, if desired, be perforated to freely pass any cleaning media through and around the golf balls 82.

The best mode of operation of the apparatus 10 is generally illustrated in the flow chart 79, Fig. 4. When the apparatus 10 is inactive, i. e., there is no requirement for cleaning golf clubs, the controller 35 polls card reader 33 at intervals. The card reader receives 60 the user identity card 34 thereby activating card detect 61. The user's identity 62 is verified according to selected predetermined conditions such as the name of the user or user authorization to access the apparatus 10. Controller 35 commands motor drive wheel 27 to open 63 shutter 26. When shutter 26 is fully open 64 the user is prompted to insert his golf clubs 59 or golf balls 82 into the tank 28. The user is then prompted to press a start switch 58 that communicates 65 to controller 35 golf clubs 59 are positioned in tank 28. Controller 35 commands motor driver 27 to close shutter 26, (see block 68, Fig. 4.). Controller 35 polls the light barrier 55 until the golf clubs 59 are detected 66 whereupon the controller 35 commands motor drive 27 to stop 67 thereby preventing contact between the edge of shutter 26 and golf club 59. In the event light barrier 55 does not detect golf clubs 59 mechanical switch 56 will close thereby detect 69 golf clubs 59 and the motor driver 27 will stop 67. Once the controller 35 detects the shutter 26 is fully stopped 70 controller 35 starts 73 the ultrasonic generator 53 for a selected time period 72. This time period 72 may, if desired, be any convenient time period to facilitate the cleaning of golf clubs 59. A typical time period 72 is in a range of about one-half to about 10 minutes, more preferably about 3 to about 10 minutes, still more preferably about 3 minutes. When time period 72 is expended controller 35 commands ultrasonic generator 53 to stop. The user is prompted 74 to press the stop switch 83. The controller 35 detects the actuation of the stop switch 83 (see block 75, Fig. 4) and commands motor driver 27 to open 76 shutter 26. The user is prompted to remove his golf clubs 5 before extracting his identity card 34 (see block 77, Fig. 4). The controller 35 polls card reader 33 in response to a prompt to the user to withdraw his identity card 34 whereupon the controller 35 commands motor driver 27 to close 78 shutter 26. The controller 35 then returns to polling the card reader 33 for the next cleaning cycle.

The controller 35 continuously monitors the temperature sensor 49 for temperatures that may produce a freezing effect on the cleaning media. If such a temperature is detected the controller 35 will activate heater 48 to warm or heat the cleaning media in tank 28. If the cleaning media in tank 28 is reduced to an insufficient level for cleaning golf clubs 59 level detector 51 will notify controller 35 to take corrective action, e. g., stopping the ultrasonic action and actuating the roll-back of the shutter 26. The sediment is also monitored in tank 28 and if the level of sediment rises to an unacceptable level (e. g., about one-half inch) controller 35 will take corrective action as described previously. At the end of the cycle the controller 35 stops the ultrasonic action automatically. The user must press the stop button to actuate the shutter 26 to roll back and permit removal of the clubs and/or balls.

An advantage of the present invention is that access to the interior of the apparatus is controlled and limited. When not in use the shutter prevents contaminants from clogging the transducers and the cleaning media. The unit also prevents children from putting their hands or articles into the apparatus.

The present invention is primarily designed for use with golf clubs and balls, other articles are contemplated as being cleanable. Additionally, the present invention may be modified or adapted to accommodate other articles, such as, but not limited to, fishing poles, baseball bats, hand tools, other equipment, and the like.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims, means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.