GB2500048A

GB2500048A - Magnetic retractable tee tether

Info

Publication number: GB2500048A
Application number: GB1204133.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Jack Macbeath
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-08
Filing date: 2012-03-08
Publication date: 2013-09-11
Also published as: GB201204133D0

Abstract

A tee tether including in use at least one tee attached to a leash or cord. The leash is further mounted by a sprung retractor to a body. The body has at least one magnetic or ferromagnetic portion. Optionally there may be at least two leashes attached to the body. The body may be weighted with sand or water such that the tee tether is not propelled when the tee is struck during use. Magnetic portion of the body may be on at least two distal faces. The leash retraction mechanism may be arranged to lock when extended and release with a further pull of the leash. In one embodiment a separate metal cap is provided for attachment to the handle of a club. The metal cap or the head of an iron club can be used to attract the magnetic body and retrieve the tee tether after a shot.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

JAMES MACBEATH FOR A TEE TETHER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tee tether, more particularly a tether for golfing tees.

Background

Increasing technological improvements and awareness of the importance of stance and swing have improved golf standards.

Teeing off and a correct strike of ball are of fundamental importance to a user's golf swing and golfing performance.

Consequently much attention may be focussed on improvements to teeing off positions and equipment.

However tees themselves are relatively standard, perhaps because golfers tend to be creatures of habit.

Frequently tees will be struck by golf clubs during teeing off, and consequently a great number may be lost, and/or time will be wasted searching for tees.

In addition or the alternative frequently golfers or users are relatively likely to be persons disinclined to relish bending over after teeing off to retrieve their tees, either if they have been struck some distance or even where tee is still in their original teeing off position.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following:

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 465 342 (GOSS) discloses a golf tee anchor comprises a weight attached to one or more strings. The strings have gripping means at their free ends in which golf tees 5 may be held. The weight is preferably attached to two strings. The weight may be various shapes, and the grips may be flexible and/or resilient in order to grip golf tees of varying shapes and sizes. In use, the golf tees remain in the grips when struck with a golf club, thus preventing golf tees from being lost.

Korean patent application KR 2005 012 218 5 (LEE) discloses a golf tee is provided to improve convenience by automatically restoring the golf tee after bending and separating a head from a bottom, and to enjoy golfing by teeing off without resistance owing to reducing a contact area of a golf ball and the golf tee. A head is separated from a bottom, and connected to the bottom of a golf tee by a support wire, and an upper part of the bottom is connected to an auxiliary tee by a string. Magnets are embedded in the head and the bottom, and central through holes of the magnets are penetrated by the support wire. Upper and lower fitting parts are formed in the support wire to restrict the magnets from being displaced from the support wire. A sill is formed in the head to space the magnet of the head from the magnet of the bottom. A support head is fitted to the upper part of the support wire to restrict displacement by the upper fitting part, and a logotype with a trademark or a brand is mounted on a top of the support head.

European patent application EP 1 853 361 (BAE) discloses a magnetic golf ball collecting device comprising a cup adapted to successfully hold a golf ball therein, the cup incorporating some magnetic material to enable the device to be attached by magnetic force to the end of an elongate object, wherein the elongate object with the device attached thereto can be used to retrieve a golf ball from ground level without having to bend down.

Japanese patent application JP 2005 087 388 (SAKAI discloses a device to collectively carry a plurality of small articles which need to be carried by being placed in a pocket or the like of the trousers at the time of a golf competition. A non-stretchable string and an elastic string are serially connected with a tee main body. A

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string attaching hole is provided, and this weight is connected with the strings and which are connected. The weight is formed of a magnet. For example, a piece to be attracted such as a positioning marker is attracted by the weight of the golf tee which is a small article to be carried during a golf competition, and the collective carrying is made possible. Especially, an insertion hole is formed at the center of the weight, and after winding the strings and around the leg section of the tee main body, the distal end of the tee main body is inserted in the insertion hole of the weight. Thus, the weight for the golf tee can compactly be housed, and can be carried while being easily housed in a pocket of a competitor.

United States patent application US 5 820 490 (HRONAS et al) discloses a golfing device comprising (a) two golf tees, each of said golf tees having a top surface and a pointed end, each golf tee also having a socket in the center of its top surface, (b) a cord connecting said golf tees, and (c) a home station, said home station comprising a body portion and two pegs, each of said pegs being of a shape and size to fit in a socket of one of said tees.

Granted European patent EP 0 588 204 (KORTE et al) discloses a driving apparatus for games of golf, with a golf club and a tee which can be driven into the ground by means of a point for receiving the golf ball during the drive, is so designed that the golf club is designed to be capable of releasable connection to the tee via a permanent magnet device. The golfer can readily retrieve a tee which, after the driving of the ball, has been torn out of the ground together with the ball, by the action of the permanent magnet device. As a result, ease of handling is facilitated, and it becomes possible for a single tee to be used for a large number of drives.

United States patent application US 5 011 150 (AVERILL) discloses a golf tee retrieving system comprising: a golf tee having one portion of a mating two part releasably connectable hook and loop system connected atop an enlarged upper golf ball supporting surface of said tee; the other portion of said hook and loop system adhesively connectable onto an upper handle end of a golf club; said hook and loop system so connected releasably connecting the golf club handle to said golf tee for retrieval of said golf tee from atop the ground.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of ensuring tees are not lost, whilst also helping minimise bending for a user.

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Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a tee tether including in use at least one tee on a leash, said leash mounted by a sprung retractor in a body; said body having at least one ferromagnetic portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention at the leash end therefore there is a mechanism for attachment of a golf tee, for example wherein said tee may be temporarily or semi-permanently attached to the leash.

Typically this mechanism is temporary in that the user is easily enabled to attach a tee to the leash, and detach it when chosen; but said mechanism is able to prevent the tee from detaching from the tee when this is undesired, for example after or following on from a shot.

Preferably said mechanism does not require much dexterity to attach the tee to the leash.

In preferred embodiments there may be provided at least two leashes, more particularly providing attachment for at least two tees, in order that a plurality of tees may be in use at any time, without need for detachment and reattachment.

In this way therefore the leash is able to hold a tee and prevent its loss after an impact during a user's stroke.

The tee is prevented from being propelled any distance by the leash attachment but ideally and according to a third aspect of the present invention the body provides or includes weighting, wherein the weighting will minimise movement of the body even with significant movement from the tee.

In some embodiments said weighting may be added by a use, for example by addition of sand or water before or during a game.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention the tether is used in a kit of parts whereby there is provided a ferromagnetic disc, cap or further section, wherein

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said cap may be used as a way to add ferromagnetic material to any club, such as wherein the cap is able to fit into a hollow cylindrical grip.

In this way the body may be formed in steel or other ferrous material, or in other embodiments there is provided a magnetic portion on the body, ideally at least on two distal faces, and even where the user is equipped with wooden or alloy club heads, s/he will be enabled to pick up the body.

This allows the body to be picked up in any event, whichever face is uppermost.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention the leash may be extended in use to a standard length, such length corresponding to a preferred distance from the tee at which a user must stand when swinging.

In preferred embodiments this distance may be set by the user, or chosen from a selection of predefined lengths.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

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Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the tether;

Figures 2 show a front and rear view of the embodiment;

Figures 3 show two side views of the embodiment;

And

Figures 4 show two more side views.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment provides an aid to reduce time spent looking for lost golf tees and incorporates a weighted magnet with two tees attached. When using irons, the user simply hovers the club over the top of the body and its magnetic properties will attract to the steel head.

The tees are attached using retractable cords.

When using ferrous clubs, such as Irons, the user can use the head of the club to pick up the body.

However, if using a driver, or non-ferrous club, a separate metal cap (not shown) fits into the club's grip, allowing the user to pick up the body. The metal cap pushes into the air hole in the top of the grip. A golf club logo can be incorporated.

All embodiments are able to hold conventional wooden tees and the new hour- glass shaped plastic versions.

Retractor housing that can be removed from the magnet and which can be bought in different colours, dependent on the preference of the user. The leash can be pulled out by 8-10 inches, allowing the body to be positioned clear of the club's swing.

In some further embodiments an elastic band or attachment (not shown) may be used to attach the tee wherein it may act as a shock absorber attaching to the leash using a larks head knot, and can be tightened and secured using a plastic tensioning

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clip. This may be replaced as and when required, or other means of attachment may be available according to user preference.

When the leash is pulled to its full extension, the retractor locks and with a small pull, the retractor disengages and winds in the leash.

In use the user will:

Attach the tee to the tether using a simple larks head knot.

Once attached, s/he will pull out the tee until the retractor stops. The leash will be locked in the out position.

Place the ball and tee in the ground, making sure the tether is out of the way.

When the user takes the shot, the tee is held by the leash, preventing the tee from flying off.

Pick up the tee using the club. The force on the tee after the shot may cause the leash to automatically retract, however, if it doesn't, the user simply pulls on the leash to release the lock.

Typically a belt clip is provided on the body.

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Claims

1. A tee tether including in use at least one tee on a leash, said leash mounted by a sprung retractor in a body; said body having at least one ferromagnetic portion.

2. A tether according to claim wherein at a distal end of the leash from the body there is a flexible mechanism for attachment of a golf tee.

3. A tether according to claim wherein the body provides or includes weighting.

4. A tether according to claim wherein the tether is used in a kit of parts whereby there is provided a separate ferromagnetic cap.

5. A tether according to claim wherein the leash may be extended in use to a standard length corresponding to a preferred distance from the tee at which a user must stand when swinging.

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