US3408079A - Golf tee having a vertically adjustable ground engaging stop member - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1968 N. KlRlKOS GOLF TEE HAVING A VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE GROUND ENGAGING STOP MEMBER Filed Oct. 11, 1965 BY C g United States Patent 3,408,079 GOLF TEE HAVING A VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE GROUND ENGAGING STOP MEMBER Nicholas Kirikos, Norwood, Mass., assignor of one-half to Arthur D. Jordan, Plainville, Mass. Filed Oct. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 494,764 2 Claims. (Cl. 273202) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A golf tee has a peg and a stop member slidable on the peg. A portion of the peg is square in cross section with slits made therein at the corners. The stop member has a square hole therethrough of a size that permits rotation, but of less than 360 degrees, of it in said slit, hence the stop member can be friction-locked on the peg.

This invention relates to a golf tee that is adjustable.

One object of my invention is to provide a golf tee having an improved peg and a stopmember whereby the height of the seat of a golf tee relative to the ground may be adjusted, thus enabling a player to position a ball at a desired height whatever the driving or other conditions are.

Another object is to provide a peg and a flat stop member for a golf tee that are so shaped that the stop member may be moved easily along the peg to any of a number of predetermined positions and by a simple movement locked there in position to thus maintain the tee perfectly upright in the ground.

A further object is to provide such a golf tee and a stop member that can be satisfactorily and repeatedly used, and is durable whether made of metal or plastic or other material having similar qualities.

A still further object is to provide such a golf tee and a stop member that can be manufactured economically in large quantities hence can be sold at a price within the buying range of the ordinary golfer.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement such as is disclosed by the drawing. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and therefore, 'I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawing, nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as wall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my golf tee with a stop member mounted thereon, showing them as they actually appear in use, the peg being shown extending into the ground a predetermined distance.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the tee alone.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, plan view of my stop member.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side elevational view of my stop member.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

3,408,079 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 FIG. 6 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG 1.

As illustrated, my golf tee has a peg 10 the main body of which is square in cross section, the end portion 12 being pointed in the usual way. Said peg has a plurality of sets of notches 14 made at the corners of said peg the notches of each set being in lateral alignment. These notches are of a depth to permit a stop member 20, later described, when received therein, to be rotated a short distance until the corners thereof bind on the main body of said peg 10. At the top of the peg is the usual seat or cup 16 having the usual concavity 18, to receive a golf ball 24 or the like.

A locating disc or stop member 20 has a square-shaped opening 22 therein of a size that permits it to slide on said peg main body, preferably with slight friction. When it reaches a point opposite a set of notches 14 (there being four of them) this stop member may be rotated until it binds on said peg 10, thereby making a friction stop thereon. There it will normally remain in predetermined position laterally opposite any chosen set of notches.

In use, a player determines the distance he wishes the seat or cup 16 to be above the ground or playing surface. This will depend upon the players preference, his height, the condition of the turf, and similar reasons. He will move the stop member 20 along the peg main body until it reaches the desired set of notches 14 whereby to have the tee extend above the ground to the desired height. He will then rotate the stop member laterally opposite the notches until the body of the peg inwardly of the notches meets the border material defining said stop member 22. Friction between these two members will hold the stop member in predetermined position to thereby space the upper part of the tee the desired distance above the ground.

Said stop member 22 and tee 10 may be made of metal, plastic or fiber, or similarly suitable material.

What I claim is:

1. A golf tee comprising a ball supporting portion, a peg a portion of the main body of which is square in cross section and having a plurality of notches laterally opposite each other and at corners of said peg, and a stop member having a square-shaped hole therein of a size that is slidable on said main body portion, said main body portion being adapted to enter said hole, said stop member being of such size that it is capable of being rotated laterally on said body but less than 360 degrees when it is opposite said notches.

2. A golf tee having a peg as set forth in claim 1, having at least three sets of said notches spaced longitudinally apart, there being four notches in each said set, said stop member being adapted to rotate laterally on said main body opposite the said notches of any said set.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,114,557 12/1963 Cabot 273-202 3,203,700 8/1965 Antonious 273-202 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. R. I. APLEY, Assistant Examiner.

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