US20080274836A1

US20080274836A1 - Golf Tee

Info

Publication number: US20080274836A1
Application number: US11/744,476
Authority: US
Inventors: James S. Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2007-05-04
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A golf tee includes a tip portion that is adapted to be driven into the ground, a body portion that is adapted to stabilize and erect the golf tee and a ball support portion that is adapted to stably support a golf ball. The ball support portion comprises a hollow sleeve, a projection onto which the hollow sleeve is tightly fitted, and an annular step that abuts with the sleeve and prevents further movement of the sleeve. The projection and the sleeve may be integrated. The sleeve is flexible whereby the sleeve is not broken when the sleeve is hit by a golf club. The sleeve is cut to have desired size.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf tee. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf tee that can be repeatedly used and serves multi-purpose.
A golf tee is used to support a golf ball above the ground with a height that a golfer wants to place the golf ball. A golf tee is commonly made of wood, and provides with various lengths and colors.
A golf tee is often broken or flies away, and is not reused in that case. Also, different lengths of golf tees are required for meeting different golf ball height requirements for different golf clubs.
A golf tee that can be reused while providing the role of conventional golf tees has long been in need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.
An objective of the invention is to provide a golf tee that can be repetitively used.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a golf tee that can be used for different golf clubs.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a golf tee that visibly displays symbol or images.
In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a golf tee that includes a tip portion that is adapted to be driven into the ground, a body portion that is adapted to stabilize and erect the golf tee and a ball support portion that is adapted to stably support a golf ball. The body portion connects the tip portion and the ball support portion. The ball support portion comprises a hollow sleeve and a projection onto which the hollow sleeve is tightly fitted.
The body portion comprises a cylinder and the tip portion comprises a pointed end that is tapered from the body portion. The ball support portion comprises an annular step that abuts with the sleeve and prevents further movement of the sleeve. The projection and the sleeve have round shapes.
In one embodiment, the projection and the sleeve may be integrated.
The sleeve is flexible whereby the sleeve is not broken when the sleeve is hit by a golf club. The sleeve is cut to have desired size. Specifically, the sleeve may be precut to have a predetermined size.
The projection has a size from about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch.
The sleeve comprises a printed portion on which symbol, letter and/or image are printed.
The projection comprises a dimple whereby a golf ball may be placed directly on the projection.
The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the golf tee can be used repetitively without being broken or lost; (2) the golf tee can be simply adjusted to provide various heights; (3) the golf tee provides more flying distance of a golf ball; and (4) the golf tee carries visible messages or images for advertising.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a golf tee according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the golf tee without the sleeve;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a golf tee having a dimple;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a golf tee having integrated sleeve; and

FIG. 6A˜6E are elevation views of application examples of printed portions of the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a golf tee 10 that includes a tip portion 12 that is adapted to be driven into the ground, a body portion 14 that is adapted to stabilize and erect the golf tee and a ball support portion 16 that is adapted to stably support a golf ball. The body portion 14 connects the tip portion 12 and the ball support portion 16. The ball support portion 16 comprises a hollow sleeve 18 and a projection onto which the hollow sleeve 18 is tightly fitted.
The body portion 14 comprises a cylinder 22 and the tip portion 12 comprises a pointed end 24 that is tapered from the body portion 14. The ball support portion 16 comprises an annular step 26 that abuts with the sleeve 18 and prevents further movement of the sleeve 18. The projection 20 and the sleeve 18 have round shapes when viewed above.
In one embodiment, the projection 20 and the sleeve 18 may be integrated (refer to FIG. 5).
The sleeve 18 is flexible whereby the sleeve 18 is not broken when the sleeve 18 is hit by a golf club. The sleeve 18 is cut to have desired size. Specifically, the sleeve 18 may be precut to have a predetermined size.
Referring to FIG. 3, the projection 20 has a height h from about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch. The diameter d of the projection varies to fit the sleeve end.
FIGS. 6A˜6E show that the sleeve comprises a printed portion 28 on which symbol, letter and/or image are printed.
FIG. 4 shows that the projection 20 comprises a dimple 30 whereby a golf ball may be placed directly on the projection 20.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A golf tee comprising:

a) a tip portion that is adapted to be driven into the ground;

b) a body portion that is adapted to stabilize and erect the golf tee; and

c) a ball support portion that is adapted to stably support a golf ball;

wherein the body portion connects the tip portion and the ball support portion, wherein the ball support portion comprises a hollow sleeve and a projection onto which the hollow sleeve is tightly fitted.

2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a cylinder and the tip portion comprises a pointed end that is tapered from the body portion, wherein ball support portion comprises an annular step that abuts with the sleeve and prevents further movement of the sleeve.

3. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the projection and the sleeve have round shapes.

4. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the projection and the sleeve are integrated.

5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is flexible whereby the sleeve is not broken when the sleeve is hit by a golf club.

6. The golf tee of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is cut to have desired size.

7. The golf tee of claim 6, wherein the sleeve is precut to have a predetermined size.

8. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the projection has a size from about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch.

9. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a printed portion on which symbol, letter and/or image are printed.

10. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a dimple whereby a golf ball may be placed directly on the projection.