GB2399295A

GB2399295A - Golf tee having direction pointer

Info

Publication number: GB2399295A
Application number: GB0305482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ming-Kun Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-11
Filing date: 2003-03-11
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Also published as: GB0305482D0

Abstract

A golf tee 10 comprises a shank having a tip end 20 and a ball supporting portion 30, with a direction pointer 40 which extends perpendicularly from the shank. The shank may have a circumferential groove 11, with the direction pointer having a ring 41 which engages with the groove. The ring and groove may each be provided with mating teeth (12, 42, fig. 7). The shank may be provided with a flexible section 14, and/or a flange (50, fig. 9) which extends radially outwardly from the shank. Indicator marks 13 may also be provided on the shank. In use, the lower tip end is inserted into the ground, and the direction pointer is used to indicate the desired flight direction of the ball. The flexible section is provided to prevent breakage under contact with a golf club, and the radially extending flange limits the depth to which the tip end of the shank can be inserted into the ground.

Description

GOLF TEE HAVING DIRECTION POINTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf tee that has a direction pointer rotatably mounted to the shank of the tee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional golf tee is made of wood piece or plastic and generally includes a shank with a tip end for being inserted into the soil and a support portion on the other end so that golf ball can be support on the support portion. The impact of the golf club to the golf tee is huge so that the golf tees are broken often and the players have prepare several tees during a game so as to replace the broken tees. The tee is simply inserted into the soil and the players try to drive the golf balls on the tees to desired directions. For new players, it is difficult to control the direction that the golf balls fly and the directions of the balls fly are crucial for the result of games. Besides, the depth of the insertion of a tee in the soil affects the point that the gold club head hits the ball. An experienced player knows how hard should he or she press the tee into the soil. For a new player, this is not able to controlled.

The present invention intends to provide a golf tee that has a direction pointer to assist the player to identify the direction that the ball is to be sent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf tee which comprises a shank with a tip end and a support portion on the other end opposite to the tip end of the shank. A direction pointer perpendicularly extends from the shank.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view to show the golf tee of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the golf tee is inserted in soil; Fig. 3 is an exploded view to show the golf tee and the direction pointer with a ring; Figs. 4 and 5 show the shank of the golf tee has marks and the direction pointer can be rotated on the shank of the golf tee; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view to show the golf tee and the direction pointer as shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is an exploded view to show the golf tee having teeth defined in an inside of the groove and the direction pointer with a ring with teeth defined in an inner periphery thereof; Fig. 8 is a side view to show the golf tee with the direction pointer connected to the golf tee as shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view to show another embodiment of the golf tee of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view to show the golf tee as shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 shows a flange on the shank of the golf tee contacts the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the golf tee 10 of the present invention comprises a shank with a tip end 20 for being inserted in to soil and a support portion 30 on the other end opposite to the tip end 20 of the shank so as to support a golf ball on the support portion 30. A direction pointer 40 perpendicularly extends from the shank. The direction pointer 40 assists the player the desired direction that he or she want to send the golf ball.

Figs. 3 to 6 show that the shank of the golf tee has a groove 11 defined in an outer periphery thereof and the direction pointer 40 includes a ring 41 which is engaged with the groove 11. Marks 13 are marked on the shank and located above the groove 11 so that the user knows the direction that the direction pointer 40 directs. A flexible section 14 is formed on the shank and provides the shank proper ability of deformation so that the golf tee is not easily to be broken by the impact from the golf club.

Figs. 7 and 8 show that the ring 41 has teeth defined in an inner periphery thereof and the groove 11 has teeth 12 defined in an inner periphery thereof. The teeth 12 and 42 reinforce the grasp between the ring 41 and the shank of the golf tee 10.

Figs. 9 and 10 show that a flange 50 extends radially outward from an outer periphery of the shank and when the golf tee 10 is inserted in the ground, the flange 50 limits the depth of the insertion of the shank of the golf tee 10 as shown in Fig. 11. By the arrangement, the player may obtain a fixed height of the golf tee 10 above the ground.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A golf tee comprising: a shank with a tip end and a

support portion on the other end opposite to the tip end of the shank, a direction pointer perpendicularly extending from the shank.
2. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shank has a groove defined in an outer periphery thereof and the direction pointer includes a ring which is engaged with the groove.
3. The golf tee as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ring has teeth defined in an inner periphery thereof and the groove has teeth defined in an inner periphery thereof.
4. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shank has a flexible section.
5. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flange extending radially outward from an outer periphery of the shank.
6. A golf tee substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.