US20100173730A1

US20100173730A1 - Adjustable golf tee

Info

Publication number: US20100173730A1
Application number: US12/693,665
Authority: US
Inventors: John R. Iacono; Curt Funke
Original assignee: Excel Golf Products Inc
Current assignee: Zero Friction LLC
Priority date: 2008-04-03
Filing date: 2010-01-26
Publication date: 2010-07-08

Abstract

An adjustable golf tee includes an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a plurality of tab members projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in a vertically spaced relationship along the shank. The ball supporting top end may include a plurality of prongs to reduce the contact area between the tee and a ball. An adjustable stop is mounted for separate vertical movement on the shank and rotational movement between an unlocked position and a locked position. The adjustable stop has an internal cavity with a slide channel for receiving tabs. A lip-shaped protrusion is frictionally engageable with at least one of the tabs to effect the locking position. The stop may include a stake for connecting the stop with the ground such that the stop may be used as a ball marker.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/344,752, filed Dec. 29, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,080, filed Apr. 3, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and equipment used in playing and practicing the game of golf. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to an improved golf tee having an adjustable height structure for consistent placement of a golf ball to enable optimum contact by a golf club.

BACKGROUND

The rules of golf enable a golfer to start every hole with a tee to position the ball above the ground. Typically, golf tees are made of wood or plastic and have a shaft or shank which extends along a substantially constant diameter cross section for a predetermined distance from a pointed end insertable into the ground and then smoothly flares outwardly to an enlarged cup on which the ball is seated.
The height of the golf ball above the ground is determined by the distance or depth that the pointed end of the tee is inserted into the ground. The ball height above the ground, depending upon the player's action during a golf swing, plays a part in the flight path and distance that the ball will travel when hit. If the height is wrong, i.e. too high above the ground, the ball will travel very high, but not very far down the fairway. If the ball height is too low, the ball will not achieve optimal vertical height and it will not, therefore, travel very far horizontally down the fairway.
The height of the ball above the ground on each tee shot will vary from golfer to golfer based on an individual's swing. However, a uniform height on each swing is important if the club face is to meet the ball at the same angle each time.
Setting the ball at the same height each time the golfer swings a drive, a fairway wood, iron or wedge improves a golfer's confidence and provides for repeated consistency in hitting the ball in the center of the face of the club selected.
The rules of golf further permit golf balls to be lifted from the green to keep the ball from being an obstruction or distraction to other golfers. Ball markers are used to mark the location of a lifted golf ball. Typical ball markers are substantially disc-shaped, with a stake protruding from one of the flat disc surfaces for being inserted into the ground to keep the marker in position until the player removes the marker and replaces the golf ball. Ball markers are easily lost and can be confused for coins within a player's pocket.
Traditional golf tees have a cup-shaped top end for supporting a ball above the ground. Friction is generated between the cup-shaped top end and the ball when the ball is struck. This friction affects the trajectory and distance of a struck golf ball. The interaction between the ball and the cup-shaped top end of the tee may also affect the straightness of a drive when the ball is struck. Thus, a golf tee that minimizes friction between the golf tee and the ball is desirable, to improve the distance and straightness of drives from the tee.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a height adjustable golf tee which, in one example includes an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a tab structure projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end of the shank. An adjustable stop member is mounted for separate vertical and rotational movement on the shank from an unlocked position to a locked position. The adjustable member is formed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotationally receiving the tab structure and providing an interference member frictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect the locking position.
At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member can be provided with locating structure for enabling locating the adjustable stop member at a discrete height position along a length of the shank. The tab structure includes a plurality of resilient, fin-shaped tabs extending from at least one side of the shank. The tab structure is frictionally retained in a seat formed in the internal cavity adjacent the interference member. The adjustable stop member has a substantially flat upper surface. At least a portion of the tab structure is held in the locked position within the adjustable stop member. A slide channel receives the tab structure during vertical sliding movement of the adjustable stop member along the shank, and extends from the flat upper surface of the adjustable stop member to a locking channel beneath the upper surface for rotatably receiving the tab structure. The locking channel has a curved outer wall and a flat top wall.
In one form, a height adjustable golf tee includes an elongated shank with a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end, and a tab structure projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end. An adjustable member mounted for vertical sliding and rotational movement is provided on the shank to establish variable heights for the ball supporting top end of the shank above a ground surface by preventing insertion of the shank into the ground surface beyond the bottom surface of the adjustable member. The adjustable member has a body formed internally with a slide channel for slidably receiving the tab structure when the adjustable member is moved vertically along the shank. The body is also formed internally with a locking channel for rotatably receiving the tab structure between an unlocked and a locked position, and providing an interference member frictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect the locking position in a seat formed in the locking channel.
In another form, a height adjustable golf tee includes a shank with a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a tab structure projecting from the shank, and an adjustable stop member slidable along a shank to an adjustment position and rotatable about the periphery of the shank between unlocked and locked positions. The adjustable stop member is formed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotatably receiving the tab structure, and providing an interference member frictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect a locking condition. At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member is provided with a locating structure for enabling locating the adjustable stop member at the adjustment position along the shank.
In another form, a height adjustable golf tee includes a ground engaging stop member. The golf tee has an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a plurality of tab members projecting outwardly from the shank. The tab members are arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the top end and bottom end of the shank. The golf tee has an adjustable stop member configured for separate vertical and rotational movement on the shank. The adjustable stop member is configured to rotate between an unlocked position in which the adjustable stop member may translate vertically, and a lock position in which the adjustable stop member is vertically constrained.
In yet another form, the adjustable stop member includes a disc-shaped body with a bore disposed therein through which the elongated shank extends. The adjustable stop member also has a tab engaging portion configured for rotatably receiving at least one of the plurality of tab members and for frictionally engaging with the at least one of the plurality of tab members to effect the locked position. The adjustable stop member further has a stake member having an elongated configuration connected to the disc-shaped body. The stake member is generally perpendicular to the disc-shaped body and is configured for connecting the stop member to the ground with the stop member removed from the elongated shank.
Various other objects, features and advantages will be made apparent from the following description and claims taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a height adjustable golf tee;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a shank used in the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an adjustable nut/stopper used in the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the adjustable nut/stopper;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1 showing the adjustable nut/stopper in cross section;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view depicting rotational movement of the adjustable nut/stopper towards a locking position relative to the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the adjustable nut/stopper in a locked position on the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the height adjustable golf tee in a locked position;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged top perspective view of the adjustable nut/stopper used in the golf tee of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the shank used in the golf tee of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 rotated 90° counterclockwise;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the adjustable nut/stopper shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of FIG. 21 depicting vertical adjustment of the nut/stopper along the shank of a golf tee;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 depicting rotational movement of the nut/stopper about the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged sectional view of a locating arrangement between the nut/stopper and the shank as taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 showing the nut/stopper rotated 90° to a locked position on the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of a height adjustable golf tee according to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a front view showing the golf tee of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of an adjustable stopper of the height adjustable golf tee of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the adjustable stopper;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable golf tee along the line A-A from FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing an upper surface of the adjustable stopper;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable golf tee along the line B-B from FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a magnified view of the portion of FIG. 33 enclosed by the section line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-34 illustrate several embodiments of a golf tee 10,10 a, and 110 having respective nut/ stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114. The design of the tees 10,10 a, and 110 keeps the respective nut/ stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114 in a secured locked position even after contact with the face of the golf club. The tab structure on each tee serves to hold the nut/ stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114 in place, and to create a snapping, tactile response when locked in place.
The locking tab structure effectively holds the adjustable nut/ stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114 firmly in position to set the golf ball at different heights for different club conditions. The tees 10,10 a, and 110 can be set at the highest ball position for the driver and at the lowest ball position for wedge shots. Care must be taken by the golfer to properly set the height position of the tee to avoid popping the ball high into the air or driving the ball into the ground. Given that each golfer has a different swing pattern, the tees 10,10 a, and 110 are designed to be capable of always placing the golf ball in the center of the club face for each different golf club. The height at which the ball is placed needs to be consistent and repetitive in order for the golfer to gain confidence and repetitively hit the ball well. The tees 10, 10 a, and 110 provide multiple settings to always put the ball at the same height based on the golfer's preference and experience. The tees may be used with success for instruction and training of new golfers as well as for refinement of the game by seasoned golf players.
FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a golf tee 10 used for setting the position of a golf ball at a specific height as desired by an individual golfer. The tee 10 is adjustable to different heights relative to a playing surface so that the golfer can select the height that is most desirable for the golfer's swing path.
The tee 10 is generally comprised of an elongated, generally cylindrical shank 12, and an adjustable member in the form of a nut/stopper 14 which is mounted for vertical sliding and rotational adjustment on shank 12 between unlocked and locked positions. In one embodiment, the tee 10 is comprised of a synthetic plastic with corn starch or another additive. Other known materials may also be used.
As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the shank 12 has a ball supporting top end or cup 16 which is concavely recessed to seat a golf ball. A peripheral edge of the cup 16 is formed with ribs 18 to help a golfer grip the tee 10. The top end of the shank 12 is not limited to the cup 16, and may take other forms that support the golf ball in an acceptable manner. The shank 12 extends downwardly from cup 16 and terminates in a tapered bottom end 20 to facilitate placement of shank 12 into a playing surface, typically, grass covered soil.
A plurality of pairs of resilient, fin- like locking tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 defining tab structure are arranged in suitable vertically spaced apart relationship lengthwise of the shank 12. The tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are designed to be movably received and lockingly engaged within the adjustable nut/stopper 14 to hold the nut/stopper 14 firmly in place on shank 12 to set the golf ball at different heights for different club selections. The uppermost pair of tabs 22 are located adjacent to and beneath the ball supporting cup 16. The lowermost pair of tabs 32 are positioned adjacent to and above the tapered bottom end 20. The tabs of each pair are diametrically disposed with respect to each other, and project outwardly from the shank 12 such that the tabs form two vertically aligned rows extending lengthwise of the shank 12 as seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. This alignment helps create a groove in the soil when the tee 10 is placed in use.
The tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 are of substantially identical thickness and are vertically spaced apart equidistantly along a length of the shank to create a number of gaps 34 (FIG. 3) between adjacent ends thereof. Each of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 has an upper surface 36, a lower surface 38 and an outer surface 40 which is sloped inwardly at 42 to aid the golfer when the tee 10 is pulled from the soil. Each of the lowermost tabs 32 has an upper surface 44, and an outer surface 46 which is specially designed to slope inwardly at 48 at a top end, and also slope or taper inwardly at 50 towards the tapered bottom end 20 of the shank 12. The tabs 32 are sloped at 50 with a draft angle formed advantageously to split the soil as the tee 10 is pushed downwardly therein. A tip 52 of the shank 12 is rounded off to prevent any injury to a golfer handling the tee 10. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the periphery of the shank 12 is provided with circumferential indentations 54 formed immediately below the lower surfaces 38 of tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. The indentations 54 serve as locating structure to help the golfer determine a desired vertical adjustment position of the nut/stopper 14 along the length of shank 12. The bottom outer corner 56 of each of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 has a soft radius to further facilitate insertion of tee 10 into the soil. It should be understood that the shank 12 may have different lengths and different numbers of tabs to satisfy the desired design of the individual golfer.
The adjustable nut/stopper 14 is configured to be adjustably fixed orthogonal to the shank 12 at predetermined locations longitudinally thereof to act as a stop for positioning the cup 16 at predetermined heights above the soil.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-12, the nut/stopper 14 has a generally frusto-conical body 58 having a flat upper surface 60, a flat lower surface 62, and a flaring sidewall formed with ribbing 64 completely thereon. The ribbing 64 creates a surface that can be easily gripped when twisting the tee 10 and locking the nut/stopper 14 in place on shank 12. The nut/stopper body 58 has a height which corresponds to the vertical distance between a lowermost surface of cup 16 and the lower surface 38 of tab 22, the lower surfaces 38 between any adjacent tab pair 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and between lower surfaces 38 of tab pair 30 and the outer surface 46 of tab pair 32.
As best depicted in FIG. 7, the nut/stopper 14 is formed with an internal cavity that includes a slide channel 66 for slidably receiving the tab structure on shank 12 when the nut/stopper 14 is moved vertically along the shank 12, and a locking channel 68 for rotatably receiving the tab structure on shank 12 between an unlocked position and a locked position.
The slide channel 66 is provided in the shape a key hole having a concentric bore 70 for snugly and slidably receiving the periphery of shank 12. Slide channel 66 further includes a pair of notches 72 extending radially from the wall of bore 70 for slidably receiving any of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32. The slide channel 66 opens into the locking channel 68 which includes a pair of curved slightly flared or ramped outer walls 74 and a pair of top walls 76. The walls 74 and 76 are designed to provide 90° of rotary travel of the tab structure between the unlocked and locked positions.
The outer walls 74 are each uniquely formed with an interference snap bead 78 that is located adjacent a locking seat 80 spaced about 90° from notch 72. The seats 80 are shaped to receive and positively retain the tab structure.
In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14 is slidable up and down along tab structure of the shank 12 to a variety of height adjustment positions generally defined by the placement of the bottom surface 62 of nut/stopper 14 immediately above one of the locator indentations 54 formed on shank 12 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Once in a vertical unlocked adjustment position, the nut/stopper 14 may be twisted 90° counterclockwise such that the outer surfaces 40 of tabs 26 frictionally move along the ramped outer walls 74, and the upper surfaces 36 of tabs 26 travel along the top walls 76. During the twisting movement, the lower surfaces 38 of tabs 26 are aligned with the lower surface 62 of nut/stopper 14. When the resilient tabs 26 approach 90° of rotary travel, the outer surfaces 40 engage the interference beads 78 formed on outer walls 74 and flex back as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 11. As a golfer applies more rotational pressure, the outer surfaces 40 of the tabs 26 travel over the beads 78 into the seats 80 creating an audible snap sound and tactile response signaling the locked position of the nut/stopper 14 on the shank 12 as shown in FIG. 12. Here, the nut/stopper 14 is prevented from further movement relative to the shank 12 in both the vertical and counterclockwise rotational directions. Once in the locked position, the tee 10 may be pressed into the ground until the lower surface 62 of nut/stopper 14 contacts the soil thereby establishing a desired height position for the cup 16 which may then be loaded with the golf ball.
Once the ball is driven from the cup 16, the tee 10 is extracted from the ground with the help of the upper structure of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32. The golfer is then free to unlock the nut/stopper 14 by applying a clockwise twist, and sliding the nut/stopper 14 to a different vertical height position for a different club, if desired. It should be understood that any dirt retained on the shank 12 after being pulled from the ground will be subsequently removed by the sliding of the nut/stopper 14 on shank 12.
FIGS. 13-26 show an alternative embodiment of a golf tee 10 a having a shank 12 a and an adjustable nut/stopper 14 a. The shank 12 a has a ball supporting cup 16 a and a tapered bottom end 12 a. A plurality of resilient, fin- like locking tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a and 32 a project outwardly in vertical alignment from only one side of the shank 12 a. Each of the tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, 32 a has a generally rectangular shape defined by a horizontal upper surface 36 a, a horizontal lower surface 38 a and a vertical outer surface 40 a as seen in FIG. 22. A series of aligned locator indentations 54 a are formed along the length of shank 12, and extend partially around the shank 12 a at positions located beneath the tab lower surfaces 38 a and spaced rotationally therefrom.
The adjustable nut/stopper 14 a includes a frusto-conical body 58 a having a flat upper surface 60 a, a flat lower surface 62 a and a sidewall which may be formed completely with ribbing 64 a (FIG. 13) or partially with ribbing 82 along a lower periphery thereof (FIG. 14). In the latter design, the sidewall of body 58 a is provided with an area 84 for indicia such as a logo or the like. In addition, the flat upper surface 60 a is provided with a directional arrow 86, a symbol 88 representing the unlocked position of the nut/stopper 14 a and a symbol 90 representing the locked position of the nut/stopper 14 a.
The nut/stopper 14 a is constructed with an internal cavity having a slide channel 66 a defined by a concentric bore 70 a and a single notch 72 a extending radially from the wall of bore 70 a. As shown in FIGS. 18-21, the upper end of bore 70 a is provided with a projecting nub 92 which is engageable with the indentations 54 a as a nut/stopper 14 a is moved up and down along shank 12 a. The engagement between the nub 92 and the indentations 54 a forms a tactile locating arrangement to help the golfer in selecting the desired vertical height adjustment position of the nut/stopper 14 a on the shank 12 a. Slide channel 66 a opens into a locking channel 68 a having a top wall 76 a and a curved outer wall 74 a formed with an interference snap bead 78 a adjacent a locking seat 80 a.
In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14 a is slidable up and down along the tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, and 32 a of the shank 12 a as depicted in FIGS. 21 and 22. During the vertical sliding movement, the nub 92 on nut/stopper 14 a sequentially engages a respective indentation 54 a corresponding to each tab 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, 32 a. In the example illustrated, the tactile engagement of nub 92 with the indentations 54 a beneath tab 24 a identifies a height adjustment position wherein tab 26 a is slidably received in the unlocked position within the nut/stopper 14 a as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. Nut/stopper 14 a is then twisted counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26 to move upper surface 36 a of tab 26 a long top wall 76 a and outer surface 40 a of tab 26 a along outer wall 74 a snapping over bead 78 a and into the seat 80 a which defines the locked position. Besides the aural and tactile signal indicating the locked position of nut/stopper 14 a, the golfer may visually observe the unlocked position of the tab 26 a within the nut/stopper 14 a by means of the unlocked symbol 88, and easily determine that twisting of the nut/stopper 14 a in the direction of arrow 86 will lead to the locked position represented by the lock symbol 90.
An alternative form of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 27-33, wherein the adjustable golf tee 110 comprises an elongated shank 112, and an adjustable stopper 114 is also configured to act as a ball marker. As shown in FIGS. 27-28, a series of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are arrayed vertically along the elongated shank 112 between a ball supporting top end 116 and a tapered bottom end 120. The tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are arrayed in a single file along the elongated shank 112, and are separated from one another by a substantially consistent distance 134. The tapered bottom end 120 includes a point 152 to ease insertion of the adjustable golf tee into the ground. The point 152 is rounded to minimize the risk of injury to the golfer using the tee.
The ball-supporting top end 116 has a plurality of prongs 117 extending outwardly from the shank 112 to support a ball. The prongs 117 extend upwardly away from the ball-supporting top end 116. Each prong 117 has a top surface 115 that comes to a point 119 at a distal end of the prong 117. The points 119, in conjunction with the other points 119 on the other prongs 117, operate to provide stable support for a ball on the ball supporting top end 116 of the adjustable golf tee 110, while minimizing the surface area of the adjustable golf tee 110 that is in contact with the ball. It is believed that the disclosed three-prong design contacts a golf ball with approximately 66% less surface area than a traditional cup-shaped design. It is believed that a golf ball struck from a tee will more consistently travel in an expected direction if the surface area in contact with the ball is minimized. Further, reducing friction between the ball and tee also adds distance to a drive from the tee. Testing has indicated that the disclosed three-prong configuration can add up to five yards of distance and yield improved accuracy by fifty percent over a traditional cup-shaped design.
Although the present embodiment is shown having three prongs 117, various different ball supports are contemplated, including, but not limited to a ball support with two, four, five, or six prongs 117, or a traditional cup-shaped design similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. The shape of the prongs 117 may be altered without deviating from the contemplated invention. The top surfaces 115 instead of the points 119 of the prongs 117 may be used to support a ball, although such a design would not minimize the surface area of the adjustable golf tee 110 that contacts the ball.
The adjustable stop 114 has a disc-like body having an upper face 160 and a lower face 162. A stake 165 protrudes from the lower surface 162, such that the adjustable stop 114 may be used as a ball marker when the adjustable stop 114 is removed from the elongated shank 112. The stake 165 is long enough to engage the soil and secure the adjustable stop 114 in the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is pressed into the ground such that the upper face 160 of the adjustable stop 114 is substantially coincident with the ground. The stake 165 should be positioned on the lower face 162 such that it does not interfere with the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop 114 is rotated between the locked position and the unlocked position.
With the adjustable stop 114 connected to the ground via the stake 165, the adjustable stop 114 is kept from blowing away in the wind or from being moved inadvertently by a golfer. The body of the adjustable stop 114 is preferably relatively thin, so that it does not protrude significantly above the ground when placed thereon. A shoulder 159 protrudes from the lower surface 162, partially surrounding the elongated shank 112. The shoulder 159 terminates at one end with an axially oriented wall 191 that acts as a rotational limit for the adjustable stop 114. The shoulder 159 and the wall 191 are further discussed below. The design of the adjustable stop 114 may be such that it only requires a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 to securely lock the adjustable stop 114 to the elongated shank 112. This design has a further advantage of minimizing the structures on the lower surface 162 that would protrude into the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker. Minimizing protrusions from the lower surface 162 reduces the amount of force required to insert the adjustable stop 114 in the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker. An outer edge 164 of the adjustable stop 114 has a knurled or ridged surface such that a person is easily able to grip and rotate the adjustable stop 114 relative to the elongated shank 112.
The adjustable stop 114 and the elongated shank 112 are configured such that the effective height of the golf tee 110 is adjustable by varying the location of the adjustable stop 114 along the elongated shank 112. The adjustable stop 114 limits the depth to which the elongated shank 112 may be inserted in the ground, by bearing against the ground surface when the golf tee 110 is inserted into the ground. The adjustable stop 114 may be positioned and locked at a plurality of locations along the elongated shank 112. The tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 define the locations for the adjustable stop 114 as further described below. A limiting rib 155 defines an upper limit of travel for the adjustable stop 114 at the top end 116 of the elongated shank 112.
The adjustable stop 114 may be removed completely from the elongated shank 112 at the bottom end 120 of the elongated shank 112. Upon being removed from the elongated shank 112, the adjustable stop 114 may be used as a ball marker, as discussed further below. When not in use as a ball marker, the adjustable stop 114 may be placed back on the shank 112 and locked into the desired position thereon. In this way, the adjustable stop 114 is easily kept and stored with the golf tee 110 so that it is less likely to be lost and more easily retrieved when needed as a ball marker.
Referring now to FIGS. 29-30, the adjustable stop 114 is discussed in further detail. The adjustable stop 114 has a central cavity 166 sized to receive the elongated shank 112. The cavity 166 has a substantially concentric bore surface 170 that extends around the elongated shank 112. The cavity 166 is substantially located at the center of the adjustable stopper 114. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the cavity may be located in different places within the adjustable stop 114. The cavity 166 further has a slide channel 172 configured to receive the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 as the adjustable stop is moved relative to the axial length of the elongated shank 112. The tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 have substantially the same thickness, such that they each may pass through the slide channel 172 in the cavity 166 of the adjustable stop 114.
The adjustable stop 114 has a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. In the locked position, the adjustable stop 114 is axially constrained relative to the elongated shank 112. In the unlocked position, the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the slide channel 172, and the adjustable stop 114 is therefore able to slide along the length of the elongated shank 112. The locked position is indicated by a lock icon 190 on the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. Similarly, the unlocked position may be indicated by an unlock icon 188 on the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. An arrow icon 186 may be positioned between the lock icon 190 and unlock icon 188 to indicate the rotational movement of the adjustable stop 114 that will place the adjustable stop 114 in either the locked position or the unlocked position.
As shown, several structures protrude from the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. A shoulder 159 partially surrounds the cavity 166 and provides support to the adjustable stop 114 relative to the elongated shank 112 such that the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114 is held substantially perpendicular to the elongated shank 112. A stake 165 extends perpendicularly from the lower surface 162. The stake 165 is configured to extend into the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker, such that the stake 165 secures the adjustable stop 114 in the ground against forces such as wind that might otherwise move a ball marker. The adjustable stop 114 could be designed with more than one stake 165, although a single stake 165 is believed to be sufficient to hold the adjustable stop 114 in place as a ball marker.
A raised lip 163 protrudes from the lower face 162 and in part defines a locking channel 168 partially surrounding the cavity 166, through which a tab member may travel when the stop is being moved between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking channel 168 includes an upper face 178 that is generally co-planar with the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. The locking channel also includes a seat 180 disposed on a face of the raised lip 163, generally perpendicular to the lower face 162. The seat 180 is configured to constrain at least one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop 114 is in the locked position. The seat 180 is bordered by a stop surface 181 on one side, which prevents the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 from rotating beyond the seat 180. A snap bead 178 borders the seat 180 opposite the top surface 181, and provides frictional resistance such that the tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132, the bead wall 178, and/or the raised lip 163 must deflect or undergo deformation upon rotating past each other. The seat 180 is shaped to form a profile corresponding to the profile of the outer surface 140 of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132.
As discussed above, a preferred embodiment of the invention will minimize the structures that protrude from the lower surface 162 of the adjustable stop 114. One advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that it incorporates the stake 165 in the same structure as the raised lip 163 that defines the locking channel 168. This design enables the raised lip 163 to act as part of the stake 165 that secures the adjustable stop 114 to the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker. Further, in a design using a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132, only a single raised lip 163 is necessary to lock the adjustable member 114 to the elongated shank 112. This aspect of the illustrated embodiment further limits the number of structures protruding from the lower surface 162 of the adjustable stop 114.
FIG. 31 depicts a cross-sectional view of the elongated shank 112 in the locked position within the adjustable stop 114. The outer surface 140 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 can be seen to fit within the seat 180. Within the locked position, the outer surface 140 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 is constrained by the stop surface 181 on one side, and by the snap bead 178 on the other side.
The slide channel 172 is bounded on one side by another stop surface 173, which prevents the elongated shank 112 from rotating away from the locked position, due to interference with the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. The stop surface 173 and the axial wall 191 act either alone or in conjunction to limit rotational movement of the adjustable stop 114, depending on the vertical position of the adjustable stop 114 on the elongated shank 112. When the bottom surface 138 of a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 is aligned with the top wall 176 of the locking channel 168, the axial wall 191 will limit the rotational movement of the adjustable stop 114. When a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 is within the slide channel 172, the stop surface 173 will limit the rotational movement of the adjustable stop 114. Thus, the rotational movement of the stop member 114 is limited to a range between the unlocked position, at which the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the slide channel 172; and a locked position, at which the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the seat 180. The depicted embodiment allows a rotation of less than ninety degrees between these two positions. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this range of rotation could be greater or less in other embodiments.
During rotation between the locked position and the unlocked position, one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 will frictionally interfere with the snap bead 178, such that the adjustable golf tee 110 will create a tactile click as the elongated shank 112 enters or leaves the locked position. One or more of the snap bead 178, the raised lip 163, a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132, or the elongated shank 112 will deflect or deform as the tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 passes the snap bead 178.
Referring now to FIG. 32, the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop 114 is shown in more detail. A ramp-shaped protrusion 179 partially surrounds the cavity 166. The ramp-shaped protrusion 179 is configured to frictionally engage with the bottom surface 138 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop 114 is rotated to the locked position on the elongated shank 112. The ramp-shaped protrusion 179 contains a sloped portion 177, such that the friction increases as the adjustable stop 114 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position relative to the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132.
FIGS. 33 and 34 provide additional detail regarding the interaction between the adjustable stop 114 and the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. The distance 134 between the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 is slightly greater than the distance between the upper surface 176 of the locking channel 168 and the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop 114. The ramp-shaped protrusion 179 protrudes from the upper surface 160 such that it interferes with the bottom surface 138 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132. The adjustable stop 114 is captured between two of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 and is held generally perpendicular relative to the elongated shank 112 because of the frictional interference between the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 and the bottom surface 138, and between the upper surface 136 of a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 with the upper surface 176 of the locking channel 168. By capturing and holding the adjustable stop 114 in this generally perpendicular fashion, the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 and the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 supplement the locking interaction provided by the snap bead 178 and the outer surface 140 of a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132. Thus, the locking force that keeps the adjustable stop 114 from inadvertently moving to the unlocked position is increased. Further, the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 in part enables the invention to maintain locking strength while using a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. As discussed above, using a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 allows the illustrated embodiment to use a single raised lip 163, and to incorporate the stake 165 on the raised lip 163. This design minimizes the number of protrusions from the lower surface 162 of the adjustable stop 114, making the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop 114 substantially flush with the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker.
A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this locking interaction could also be accomplished through the use of symmetrical or balanced rows of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate one such embodiment, having two symmetrically opposed tab structures positioned about the elongated shank 12. The locking interactions may also be accomplished separately by the snap bead 178 and tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132, or by the ramp-shaped protrusion as discussed above. In a further alternative, the locking may be accomplished by generally increasing the distance between the top wall of the locking channel 168 and the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop 114 such that the adjustable stop 114 frictionally interferes with the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 without the ramp-shaped protrusion 179. However, the use of the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 is advantageous over this further alternative because it implements a gradual increase in friction and resistance as the adjustable stop 114 is rotated to the locked position.
As depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34, the distance 134 between the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 must be consistent so that the adjustable stop 114 will properly engage with the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 when turned to the locked position. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may have substantially identical lengths, or may have variable lengths so long as the distance 134 between them remains substantially consistent.
The present disclosure thus provides a unique and effective means for easily locating the sliding adjustable nut/stopper at a desired height adjustment along the shank of a golf tee, and securing tab structure of the shank in a snap fit, locked position internally within the nut/stopper as it is rotated about the shank. It further provides a means for increasing the distance and straightness of a ball driven from a tee, and provides a combination stopper/ball marker that is conveniently retained on the tee, making it more difficult to misplace.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf tee comprising:

a shank having a ball supporting end, a ground engaging end and a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the shank therebetween;

a stop being adjustable along the shank, the stop having a disc-shaped body defining a bore through which the shank extends, and being configured for separate vertical and rotational movement along the shank and to rotate between an unlocked position in which the stop is translatable longitudinally along the shank and a locked position in which the stop is constrained against movement along the shank; and

a stake extending generally perpendicularly from the stop for connecting the stop to the ground when the stop is separated from the shank.

2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the stop further comprises a tab engaging portion configured for rotatably receiving at least one of the plurality of tabs and for frictionally engaging with the at least one of the plurality of tabs to effect the locked position.

3. The golf tee of claim 2, wherein the tab engaging portion is disposed on the stake and extends along at least a portion thereof.

4. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tabs are arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the ball end and ground end of the shank and positioned in a column on at least one side of the shank.

5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the ball end comprises a plurality of prongs extending outwardly to support a golf ball.

6. The golf tee of claim 5, wherein the plurality of prongs extend at an obtuse angle relative to the shank.

7. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the disc-shaped body of the stop is substantially flat on a side opposite from the stake.

8. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the stop includes a rib at the bore that is configured for placement between two of the tabs to provide frictional engagement of the stop between the two tabs when the stop is in the locked position.

9. An adjustable height golf tee comprising:

an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end, and a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in an axially spaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end;

an adjustable stop with a top surface and a bottom surface, rotatable about the shank and mounted for axial sliding on the shank to establish variable heights for the ball supporting top end of the shank relative to a ground surface by preventing insertion of the shank into the ground surface beyond the bottom surface of the stop;

a cavity defined by the stop with a slide channel for slidably receiving at least one of the plurality of tabs when the stop is moved axially along the shank;

a locking channel defined by the stop for rotatably receiving and releasing at least one of the plurality of tabs when the stop is shifted between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

an interference rib disposed adjacent a seat defined by the locking channel, and frictionally engageable with at least one of the plurality of tabs to effect the locked position of the stop.

10. The golf tee of claim 9, wherein the ball supporting top end further comprises a plurality of prongs projecting outwardly from the shank.

11. The golf tee of claim 11, wherein the terminal ends of the plurality of prongs are tapered to minimize contact area between the plurality of prongs and a ball supported thereby.

12. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the plurality of prongs project away from the elongated shank at substantially evenly spaced angular intervals relative to one another.

13. The golf tee of claim 12, wherein the plurality of prongs project outwardly radially from the shank.

14. The golf tee of claim 9, wherein the adjustable member further comprises at least one stake shaped protrusion extending from the bottom surface thereof and along the shank wherein the locking channel and the interference member are formed at least partly within the at least one protrusion.

15. An adjustable golf tee comprising:

an elongated shank having a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged along the axial length of the shank, a ball supporting top end having a plurality of prongs projecting outwardly at the top end for supporting a ball, and a tapered bottom end for being inserted into the ground;

a disc-shaped adjustable stop with upper and lower faces;

a cavity disposed in the stop for receiving the shank and a slide channel formed in the cavity for receiving at least one of the plurality of tabs, wherein the stop is configured to rotate at least partially around the shank when positioned between two adjacent tab members and is configured to slide axially along the shank when positioned such that the tabs align with the slide channel;

a lip-shaped protrusion disposed on the stop, extending along the axial direction of the elongated shank, and having a locking surface for frictionally receiving at least a portion of any one of the plurality of tabs; and

a stake extending from the lower face of the stop for fixing the stop to the ground when separated from the elongated shank.

16. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the plurality of prongs project radially from the shank at substantially evenly spaced intervals.

17. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the shank contains a single column of tabs.

18. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the adjustable stop includes a raised lip disposed on one of the upper or lower faces surrounding at least a portion of the cavity, for interacting with the tabs to provide a friction fit between at least one of the tabs and the adjustable stop.

19. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the lip-shaped protrusion is disposed on the stake.