GB2322806A - Apparatus for setting a golf ball on a tee - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable device for teeing up golf balls comprises a ball store 2 and a device 5 which releases one ball at a time from the store and which urges a ball ramp 8 from an essentially vertical stand-by position to a position in which the ball can roll along the ramp, pass through a hole 9 at the distal end and come to rest on a tee 14. The release device comprises a lever which is actuated by the golfer with his club. The ball store may be a golf ball pick-up tube.

Description

A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR TEEING UP GOLF BALLS There are already devices of this type that eliminate the the need to bend down to tee up a golf ball and are generally used in conjunction with driving ranges. Most of these are fixtures and there is usually an extra charge for their use. Others are too cumbersome to be called portable.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable teeing up device which is intended to be conveniently carried inside a golf bag along vith the golf clubs, to and from the driving range.

A specific embodiment of the device will now be described by example vith reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1. Shows an exploded view of the component parts.

Fig. 2. Shows the ball release toggle.

Fig. 3. Shows the operating lever.

Fig. 4. Shovs the device set up in the retracted position and the base in the store position.

Fig. 5. Shows the ball collection aspect of the device.

So that the device can be understood, part 2 in Fig. 1. shows a tube with a bore of approximately 50mm containing golf balls located directly belov the side aperture 3. There are two cross holes 4. They carry the ball release toggle 5. This toggle has a hollov cross spindle with an engagement protrusion 17 at he centre of the bore (see Fig. 2. ). The purpose of this is to engage vith the operating lever (see Fig. 3.) This lever can be engaged from either side of the device to suit left or right handed golfers.

A tension spring 6 is attached, one end to ball toggle 18 (Fig. 2.) and the other end to 7 on the tube 2. The assembly of 5 and 6 is achieved by distorting or squeezing the tube 2 at the point of side hole 3 so that there is a bigger gap between cross holes 4 to accommodate ball toggle 5. The parts 5 and 6 are offered through hole 3 and when the tube is allowed to return to its original circular shape, the ball toggle is contained between cross holes 4. The loose end of the spring 6 then being attached to 7.

The ball toggle 5 also has another hole 19 (Fig. 2.), this being the pivot position for the ball delivery ranp 8. This ramp is shaped to enable the ball to roll along its length and drop through a ball location ring 9 at the end. It has two upwardly curved arms 10 at the other end.

The assembly of 8 to 5 is achieved by offering the two curved aries 10 into the slots 11 in the ball tube 2, then inserting the pin 12 into the pivot hole 19 (Fig. 2.) and the corresponding hole in 8. With this linkage completed, the spring ensures that it will be in the retracted position (see Fig. 4.).

The relationship between ball toggle 5 and the delivery ramp 8 makes for an increased angle movement of the ramp relative to the small angle movement of operating lever (Fig. 3.).

This is due to the interaction of the curved arms 10 sliding through slots 11 situated in the stationary ball tube 2. A limit stop 13 determines the ball delivery height position to the rubber tee. This is designed to accommodate all normal tee height requirements.

Parts 2, 5, 15, and 8 are moulded from a suitable plastic material. Any additional ball extension tube or apparatus can be of translucent material for ball visibility.

There are several ways in vhich the device can be set up* one being described as follows. An end moulding 15 is fixed to the bottom of ball tube 2, its correct alignment being ensured by an integral slot and tongue. In the centre of 15 there is a rectangular female socket. The spigot on the base of 16 fits into this. The two arms are opened out and are placed under the must. The ra p 8 is lowered to line up the delivery ring 9 with the tee 14.

Where a mat is not used (i.e. grass) the base 16 is turned through 180 degrees avay fro. the striker and a suitable veight can be placed on the arms for stability e.g. a golf bag.(see 22 position).

Fig. 5. Shove a commercially available proprietary item - a golf ball collector 23 (the patent for which has expired). 24 is an end attachment vith a spring loaded reverse pawl which retains the golf balls when the item ie pressed down against the ball. This part 24 can now be added to the top end of the ball tube 2 (see 25) making the device both a golf ball dispenser and collector suitable for practise areas vhere the balls are not provided. Being made of plastic, the device is very light when taken off the spigot for this purpose. This particular embodiment has a twenty ball capacity.

For the convenience of portability, the base 16 fits into the slot 20 vhen folded up and the arms slide under the protrusions 21 on the side of the ball tube 2 (see Fig. 4).

This makes the device compact and suitable for taking to and from the drining range inside a golf bag along with the other clubs.

Claims (5)

1. A portable device for teeing up golf balls. A spring loaded ball release toggle is acuated by placing the sole of a golf club onto a lever. The snaIl angle movement of the lever by virtue of the mechanism generates a larger angle movement of a ball delivery ranp that delivers a golf ball onto a rubber tee or grass. On removal off the golf club, the ramp retracts to the vertical position giving ample room for the golf swing.

2. As in claim 1. a lever that fits on both sides of the device making it usable by right and left handed golfer.

3. As in claim 1. and 2. by incorporating part of a proprietary item (the patent for vhich has expired) the device becomes a ball collector as vell as a ball dispenser. This is achieved by it being taken off and on the base spigot as required.

4. As in claim 1. and 2. vith the base in the folded condition it can be conveniently stored on the side of the tube making it suitable to be carried in ones golf bag along vith the clubs and taken to and from a driving range for personal use.

5. A portable device for teeing up golf balls as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.