GB2424591A - A Golf-Tee Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf-tee support assembly comprising an elongate strap (9), the strap (9) including at first end a tab, said tab having an aperture (13) to receive a golf-tee (30), the tab further being demountably attached to a tee support (8), having a generally frusto-conical shape, and including a centrally disposed channel (6), alignable with the tab aperture to receive a golf tee. The tee support (8) has a depression (7) at its apex enabling a golf ball to be easily retained thereon. Alternatively the ball can be placed on a golf-tee inserted though the channel (6), the spike (18) of the golf tee penetrating the ground. In order to mount the strap to the support, the base of the support is provided with a recess of complementary shape to that of the tab.

Description

A GOLF-TEE ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an easily pocketable assembly of means of supporting a golf ball or any design of golf tee (which itself supports a golf ball) in readiness for use at a choice of height to suit a player's requirements, even when the ground is too hard to accept the tapered, spiked portion of a golf tee.

Background to the Invention

In recent years, golf tees with a number of different pre-set height bodies (all with the same length of tapered spike) have become popular, but require alternative methods to retain them within an assembly, not usually provided by previous assembly designs. In addition, golf club Drivers with a "jumbo" sized head are now available and preferred by many golfers. These require extra long tees, which hitherto have only been available made of wood and easily broken, though long-lasting plastic versions are now available.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for the golfer in setting up his Tee shot at the start of each hole, whatever type of club and whatever type of tee he may be using, which not only caters for all conditions of the course but which also saves time and trouble after his shot has been made, by ensuring easy retrieval of the assembly.

Such retrieval is facilitated by the weight of the assembly itself, which restricts its flight through the air, if inadvertently struck in the course of a golf shot, to a much shorter distance than that to which a tee on its own might be propelled.

A further important benefit from the use of the invention is that of a reduction in the debris normally to be found on a teeing ground, where broken and abandoned tees collect over a wide area, making a lot of additional work for ground staff. It should be mentioned that durable plastic tees can damage the blades of mowers used to maintain a golf course but as the former are hardly ever broken and with the use of the invention retained in the assembly described, such tees will rarely be left on a teeing ground by reason of being abandoned by their user. Easily broken wooden tees are normally contained, whole or in part, within the grip of the assembly unit concerned and picked up with it, thus not being left on the teeing ground as litter.

An additional convenience of the invention is that it is easily pocketed and when required for use can readily be found and extracted from the pocket concerned even in cold weather, when the golfer is wearing gloves on both hands.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention a golf tee assembly-preferably moulded in a flexible, durable and resilient plastic material - provides multiple means of gripping, retaining or supporting any type of golf tee on which a ball may be placed, or of acting as a support for a ball itself at a choice of heights. The assembly may consist of a plurality of structures, connected together by a number of joining members.

The preferred embodiment consists of two structures (of different sizes) which may be conical, pyramidal, cylindrical or any other suitable form, both of which have a shallow, concave depression at their apex on which a golf ball may be placed, connected together by an attaching means. The preferred embodiment of the said structures being two cones, the latter appellation will henceforth be used in this document, the larger structure being designated cone 1, the smaller cone 2.

The attaching means, by which the two cones are joined, may consist of a strap, cord or similar flexible linear component (henceforth to be described as the strap) preferably of the same plastic material as the cones. In both cones, a vertical hole runs down from the centre of the upper depression to its base below, into which the tapered spike of a tee may be inserted from above. The internal diameter of this hole being slightly less than the diameter of the tee's spike, the resulting tight fit ensures the tee remains gripped by the cone, when a ball is struck off it.

The height of cone 1 is sufficient for the spiked portion of a pre-set height tee to be fully inserted within its body. Thus in winter, cone I may be placed on frozen ground and either used to support a ball or to support firmly within its central hole all or some of the spiked portion of any type of golf tee. The smaller cone 2 may be used as a tee support for a ball on hard ground, or as a retaining grip on the spike of a tee pushed through it at other times. Alternative versions of the assembly are provided when one or both of the cones are separable from the strap.

In one embodiment, the larger cone is detachable from the strap and the smaller cone is permanently attached.

In the preferred embodiment, both cones are detachable from the strap member, which in this case has an identical tab (with two ring holes of different sizes) on each of its two extremities. In other embodiments, the strap may be provided with additional tabs, with a number of ring holes in each. In the preferred embodiment, each cone has within its base a recess which is shaped to receive and have secured within itself one of the tabs at either end of the strap. When the cones and the strap are connected together in this way, the whole assembly appears and performs as one unit. Once freezing conditions are over one or both of the cones may be removed from the strap as the latter can provide for all a golfer's teeing needs until winter returns.

In the preferred, embodiment, the ring holes in the tabs at each end of the strap are of different sizes, the outer one being wide enough to be pulled over the head of a pre-set height tee to hold it round its waist, and the inner hole small enough to grip firmly the tapered spike of any tee pushed through it. In view of the impact of a golf club at full velocity on any part of the assembly concerned when the ball is struck, it is essential that the tabs are made sufficiently sturdy to withstand the stress of any inadvertent impact and to provide an intense grip on any tee spike inserted therein to ensure its integrity.

The invention thus offers a multiple choice for placing a golf ball in readiness for a tee-shot: ON FROZEN GROUND lComplete Assembly) 1. On top of cone I for medium height tee shots.

2. On top of pre-set height tee inserted into cone 1, the latter being high enough to accept either the entire spike of the tee within it - or any other tee inserted provided its spike is not pushed down below the base of the cone, when a high teed up ball is required.

3. On top of cone 2, when shots off a low tee are needed.

IN NORMAL CONDITIONS (When either or both cones have been removed) 4. On top of a tee inserted securely in the ground through the inner (smaller) ring at either end of the strap, which will grip it at the height chosen.

5. On top of a pre-set height tee inserted into the ground, over the upper part of which the outer (larger) ring at one end of the strap has been fitted.

6. On top of a tee inserted through a cone into the ground, in an assembly where one cone is still in place at the end of the strap. It is perfectly feasible to use the assembly (either in its complete form, or with one cone, or the strap and ring holes only) with tees in position at both ends, which have been previously selected for use throughout the round.

Previous tee assembly systems have been formulated to offer varying height tees of many types but have not provided an all weather system with cones and tee gripping ring holes which can cope with both frozen ground and modern pre-set height tees, for the advent of the latter with their tapered spikes of limited length could not have been foreseen. Any method of securing such tees by gripping the spike portion of their body must restrict the amount of spike below such gripping material which can be pushed into the ground. These tees depend for their stability on their spikes being fully pushed down into the ground until the lower flange of their upper portion is down to ground level. Thus the thickness of any collar or gripping ring hole around the spike below this flange will reduce its penetration and thus tend to impair such stability. Earlier inventions have not offered the provision of flexible ring holes which can be pulled over the top of a golf tee, which allows the new pre-set height tees to be tethered around their "waist" so that their full length of spike can enter the ground.

An examination of most previous cone type structures reveals that the latter were intended for the support of golf balls alone and not as a dual purpose support for balls OR tees themselves. An example of this if GB 2 385 538B (Harvey) and US 033 747 (Young) wherein cones of different heights are shown as ball supports but with no provision for tees to be inserted, having no orifice for the tapered spike of any type of tee.

In GB 456200 (Hornibrook), provision is made for a flat narrow strip to receive tee pegs through small orifices, relying on frictional grip to retain them. The holes in the strip are not suitable to be pulled over the head of the upper part of the tees where a much larger diameter hole is needed. In very cold conditions, when tees could not be inserted into the ground, such strips could not be used to support a ball, not having any conical or similar structure for this purpose.

In US 5 413 348 (Basso) provision is also made to secure tees pushed through apertures in the invention into the ground. However, none of the embodiments envisaged could support a ball without a tee penetrating the ground, which in severe winter conditions would not be possible.

In GB 2 226 081 (Beswick) the invention has an elongate member which needs to be fixed to a ground support and is not an easily pocketable device for use on a course.

Tn Us 5 820 490 (Hronas) no provision is made for use when the ground is frozen, other than an awl intended as an aid for making a hole in hard ground. In this invention only two heights are provided for.

In US 1 779 995 (Trane) an assembly of dual conical structures with height adjustment is provided and could be used on very hard ground, having no insertions therein except for an optional tethering nail. In softer ground, however, the vast majority of golfers prefer to use tees which are struck into the ground, by reason of their greater stability which is not afforded by structures resting on top of the surface concerned. In this invention, modem tees cannot be pushed through and gripped by the cones used for teeing a ball, nor is the strap member provided intended for this purpose.

In US 6 494 796 (Echaves) a Tee tethering system is provided with a clip which can be attached to a tee or itself support a ball, the other end being pinned to the ground. This invention could not be used when the ground is frozen, nor provide two support positions in one assembly at the same time, from which a player may choose for his tee shot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show two aspects of a support assembly. In the drawings: Fig 1 shows an assortment of various sizes and types of tee suitable for use in conjunction with the invention. The tees include the five on the right, referred to herein as pre-set height tees. The pre-set height tees all have the same diameter cup at their apex and the same length spike beneath, only the height of the "waist" being different. The four normal type tees shown on the left are referred to herein as "peg tees"; Fig 2 shows a number of alternative embodiments of cones suitable for use in a first aspect, of the invention; Fig 3 is a view from above of an assembly according to a first aspect of a support assembly with the central hole in each cone and the surrounding concave depression being shown in plan view; Fig 4 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 3, and the different heights of each cone; Fig 5 is an underneath view of the assembly in its simplest form, with holes visible along the central axis of each cone; Fig 6 shows a cross-section of the assembly of Figure 4, illustrating the concave depressions at the apex of each cone and the vertical holes through the middle of their bodies; Fig 7 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 3; Fig 8 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 3 with a cone detached from the strap; Fig 9 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 8; Fig 10 is a plan view both of the assembly with both cones of Figure 3 detached, showing the strip with its tabs at either end; Fig 11 is an underneath plan view of either cone (both having the same configuration) in which a recess, shaped to receive either tab, can be seen. A channel leading to the edge of the cone can be seen; Fig 12 shows a tab at the end of a strap, prior to being located within a cone. The tab has a short rectangular area (surrounding the inner small hole) between the outer ring and the narrower central part of the strap; Fig 13 shows a tab prior to its engagement with the cone of Figure 11, the rectangular area shown in Figure 12 located directly under the wider part of the channel referred to in Fig 11; Fig 14 is an enlarged drawing of a tab, after it has been pushed up into the recess, and has also been pulled sideways (to the right) so that it is partly trapped in the channel; Fig 15 is a side view of a cone and shows the entrance to the channel leading to the recess in the bottom of the cone, with the side ledges below; Fig 16 shows the cone of Figure 15 with a tab in position within the channel; Fig 17 is an underneath view of a second embodiment of cone in which the recess is without ledges, and includes a short locating spike to be grippingly engaged by ahole I4inatab; Fig 18 shows a further embodiment of a recess suitable to receive a similarly matching shaped tab; Fig 19 shows a side view of a ball teed up on the top of a first cone of the assembly shown in Figure 3; Fig 20 shows a ball teed up on a second cone of the assembly shown in Figure 3; Fig 21 shows a ball on top of a pre-set height tee inserted in a first cone of the assembly shown in Figure 3; Fig 22 is a cross-section of the assembly of Figure 21, where the pre-set height tee can be seen within the first cone, its tapered spike being clear of the ground; Fig 23 shows a strap with a long (peg tee) and short (pre-set height) tee as might be set up by a golfer preparatory to playing a round; Fig 24 shows a ball teed up on a pre-set height tee held by the outer ring hole; Fig 25 shows a ball on a peg tee inserted in the ground through an inner hole; Fig 26 shows the configuration of a pre-set height tee and a peg tee; Figs 27,29 show the slots in the base of the cones; Fig 28 shows a strap which connects and retains cones; Fig 30 shows an underneath view of a cone in which the upper surface of the recess is shown in a lined pattern; Fig 31 shows a tab at the end of a strap suitable for fitting in the recess of a cone; Fig 32 shows a strap located over a recess in the cone of Fig 30, prior to engagement; Figs 33 to 35 show the neck of a strap pushed diagonally down into the slot in the base of a cone; Fig 36 shows the strap of Figure 31 in position within a recess.

Detailed Description of the Drawjg

There are many types of golf tee available on the market, including those with bristles at their apex, but the main consideration in providing means of retaining them within an assembly is how they may most conveniently be gripped or held.

The invention provides the simplest possible ways to secure tees of all types without impeding their effectiveness or stability.

In all the Figures, like numerals refer to like parts whereever shown.

In Fig I it will be seen that the five modem pre-set height tees, generally referenced 30, shown on the right have a body with a waist 19 for their upper portion and a tapered spike 18 below. The height of the upper portion of the tees can vary from short to medium to long but in each case (see also Fig 18), the width of the top 20, on which the ball is positioned, and the lower end 17 of the waist 19, is the same with regard to all tees of this type. This facet allows the upper portion of the tee 30 to be inserted through a slightly smaller flexible ring 13 in Fig 10 regardless of which size of tee 30 is chosen. The lower tapered spike 18 is also the same length on all sizes of this type of tee.

Tees of other designs may have their spikes of varying lengths and diameters.

II

However the cone structures 1-5 and the ends of the flexible linear straps 9, are typically made of a durable and flexible material. The central holes (6 and 12 in Fig. 3) defined by the cones and the inner rings 14 defined in the straps (Fig 10) are able therefore to grippingly engage tees of differing diameters. Moreover, the grip on the tee is sufficiently firm for the tee not to be dislodged when a ball resting on its apex is struck.

In Fig 2, a number of shapes for cone structures is shown, each of which is capable of being used for the purpose of supporting a golf ball. For simplicity, the cones in the invention have been illustrated in the shape shown in Figure 1, but others, including variations not shown, are equally viable and could be used if preferred.

In Figs 3 & 6, the concave depressions 7 on which balls are teed can be seen in plan and elevation. The vertical hole 6 extending through the cone along the axis of the cone 8 connects the centre of each depression with the respective base. The cone 10 has a corresponding hole 12 extending from the depression 11.

In Fig 6, the cross-section shows the internal body of the cones to be solid, except for the vertical hole into and through which tees may be inserted. This solidity provides the stability which holds tees in a vertical position, with no possibility of their tilting or wobbling when a ball is placed upon their apex. The cones provide stable bases for supporting balls when the ground is too hard to accept spiked tees.

Most golfers prefer to use the latter when possible, as it is simpler to push a tee in the ground while holding a ball in position above it in the same hand (see ball and tee 21 in Figure 25), than to set a cone in an upright position and then place a ball upon it.

When the use of any type of spiked tee is possible and the cones are not needed, the latter may be conveniently detached for storage.

Fig 8 shows the larger cone 8 detached from the assembly, with the ring holes 13 & 14 at the outer end of a strap 9 available for use as means for gripping tees - also visible in Fig 10 where both ends of the strap 9 are available. The shape of the surrounds to these holes, referred to herein as tabs, may be varied if required.

Fig 11 shows the base of either cone 8, 10 (both being of the same configuration) in which, in the preferred embodiment, a recess 21 is provided into which the tab at either extremity of the strap 9 may be inserted, when the assembly is in use with cones 8,10 in position. In order to ensure that the assembly does not accidentally come apart, a trapping means is provided - in this case by the provision of a slot 31 into which the part 16 of the tab can be inserted by a sideways pull (to the right in this drawing) on the strap 9, after the latter has been pressed up into the recess 34. The outer sides of the recess 34 have ledges 15 under which the part 16 of the tab are lodged securely. Figure 13 shows the relative position of the tab and its first position in the recess. Figure 14 shows the tab after it has been pulled sideways into the slot 31, within the body of the recess and its part 16 partially under the ledges 15 at the sides. Figures 15 & 16 show the ledges 15 from the side, before and after the insertion of the strap 9.

Fig 17 shows an alternative method securing the tab within the cone. Here the recess in the cone has no ledges 15 as seen in Fig 11, but is provided with a short projecting stud 22 over which the inner hole 14 on a strap 9 is pressed. The grip of this hole 14 on the stud 22 is sufficient to retain the tab in the recess 31 during use.

Fig 18 shows a similar arrangement, in this case with a different shaped tab 32 and recess 33 to match, with a similar stud and ring hole to fit over it.

In both the above Figs 17 and 18, the stud may have a slight lip on its lower end- similar to a collar stud - which will retain the tab around it more securely.

Figures 19-21 show the alternative teeing positions available with an assembly having two cones when the ground is frozen. In Fig 19, the ball is directly on the larger cone 1. In Fig 20, the ball is on top of the lower cone 2, which is the lowest tee elevation needed for lofted clubs on shorter holes. Fig 21 shows how the extra teeing height needed for tee shots by, for example, Jumbo-headed drivers can be obtained by the insertion of a tall pre-set height tee 19 inserted above the larger cone.

Cones may also be required when teeing platforms are erected on a golf course as a temporary winter arrangements. The materials from which such platforms are constructed are not always equipped with a base capable of receiving golf tee spikes.

Fig 22 shows a cross section of cone 1, where the spike 18 of a pre-set height tee can be seen to be held above the ground.

Fig 23 shows an assembly with a peg-tee 21 inserted through the smaller cone 2.

Some golfers may prefer the additional weight of this cone throughout the year to restrict the flight of the assembly when struck inadvertently during a tee shot.

For most golfers, only 2 alternative heights are needed for a round of golf and the tees concerned may be pre-selected prior to their game. The selected tees are then inserted in the opposite ends of the strap 9, with or without a cone included, which strap can be pocketed after each tee shot.

Fig 24 & 25 show a strap 9 which has been fitted with each type of tee on which a ball has been teed up at one end. In both the above two drawings, the strap is shown with 900 twist to illustrate the vacant tab at its other extremity.

Fig 26 shows the two main types of tee used by the majority of golfers. No previous inventions for golf tee devices has offered the facility of combing both of these types of tee within one assembly.

The risk of breakage is always possible with both types of tee, but in the case of peg-tees 21, it occurs far more frequently when the tee is made of wood, the tee suffering a fracture so that although in one piece, it is no longer of any use.

When such a tee is gripped by the invention, the bits concerned are picked up when the golfer retrieves the device and can easily be substituted for a new tee, the broken pieces being left in a pocket in clothing or in the golf bag for later disposal. Durable plastic peg-tees which can damage lawn-mowers, are hardly ever broken. However should breakage occur the pieces come to hand when the assembly is picked up.

The pre-set height tees can also break, invariably at the point where the spike 18 is attached to the body 17. In such cases, the spike 18 is usually left in the ground, and is impossible to see or find. The body 19 of the tee, however being gripped by the ring hole 13 in the strap, is not lost and comes to hand when retrieved for later disposal.

Thus the principal cause of abandoned tee debris on all teeing grounds the apparent disappearance, when struck, of tees or parts thereof being used alone, is minimised by the use of the invention. The assembly is so easy to find and pick up that a golfer could play for weeks without ever leaving a fragment behind - saving a considerable amount of time for himself and incidental trouble for ground staff.

In Figure 30-36 of the Drawings, details are shown of the preferred method of attachment of the strap to the cones.

Fig 30 shows the underside of a cone (when inverted) with its recess 34 and a perspective view of the slot 31 into which the strap can be fitted.

Fig 31 shows the tab with the neck portion 22 adjacent to the rounded outer hole.

It is this neck portion which is trapped within the slot as shown below.

Fig 33 shows a cross section of the neck portion 22 in a diagonal position within the slot 31. Being made of a flexible plastic material, the neck portion 22 can be bent sufficiently as shown in Fig 34, to be pushed down into the slot and rotated until it rests within the slot 31, as shown in Fig 35.

Fig 36 shows a view from beneath of the assembly, when the tab on the end of the strap is secured within the recess and adjacent slot. The ledges 23 of the slot can be seen overlapping the neck.

When the strap is thus secured, an outwards tug on the strap ensures that the latter is securely fastened in this attached position. Only by rotating the strap before pulling it out of the recess can the two components be separated completely. This cannot happen accidentally by the striking of a ball off the top of the cone.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A golf-tee support assembly comprising an elongate strap, the

   strap including at a first end a tab, said tab having an aperture to receive a golf- tee, the tab further being demountably attached to a tee support, the tee support having a generally frusto-conical shape, and including a centrally disposed channel, alignable with the tab aperture to receive a golf tee.
2. 2. A support assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the base of the tee support includes a recess of complementary shape to the tab, to receive the tab.
3. 3. A support assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the recess includes one or more ledges to retain the tab in position.
4. 4. A support assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the tab is secured to the support by a stud engaging a corresponding hole.
5. 5. A support assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the stud is located on the tee support.
6. 6. A support assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the apex of the support is of concave shape sufficient to retain a golf ball.
7. 7. A golf-tee support assembly comprising an elongate strap, the strap including at a first end a tab, said tab including a golf-tee retaining aperture said aperture being passable over the head of a golf-tee.
8. 8. A support assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the tab includes a second aperture to receive and grip the spike of a golf-tee.
9. 9. A support assembly according to either of Claims 7 or Claim 8, wherein the support includes a further tab at its second end.
10. 10. An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.