WO1994006520A1

WO1994006520A1 - A golf tee assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1994006520A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/001938
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leigh Martin Tugwood
Original assignee: Leigh Martin Tugwood
Priority date: 1992-09-12
Filing date: 1993-09-13
Publication date: 1994-03-31
Also published as: AU4979593A; GB9505052D0; GB2285223A; GB2285223B

Abstract

A golf tee assembly (210) comprises a tee holder (214), and a golf tee (240) engageable in an opening (220) in the tee holder (214). The tee holder (214) is attached to anchor means (216) by means of studs (228 and 230) engaging in openings (224 and 226) in the tee holder (214). The tee holder (214) can pivot about the stud (230) and arcuate movement is restrained by means of the stud (228) engaging in the arcuate opening (224). The golf tee assembly (214) is attached to a support structure which includes a resilient mat (238) located under the golf tee assembly (214).

Description

A Golf Tee Assembly

The present invention relates to a golf tee assembly.

It is a common practice when playing golf that the golf ball to be struck is placed upon a tee which is inserted into the ground by the player. When the ball is struck sometimes the tee is struck also and is forced from the ground and has to be subsequently retrieved. Not infrequently the tees are discarded by the player either because they can not be found or because the player does not take the trouble to find the tees.

It is important that tees are used on practice grounds in order to avoid taking unnecessary divots from the turf but it is plainly disruptive in practice to have to keep retrieving and replacing tees.

This traditional type of tee, either peg or tower type can not be easily and consistently placed in the ground at the height most suitable for the player and the different clubs which the player uses.

The present invention seeks to provide a golf tee assembly in which the tee can be anchored in position and the tee can be adjusted in height to the most suitable position.

Accordingly the present invention provides a golf tee assembly comprising a golf tee, a tee holder and an anchor, the tee holder being secured to the anchor and the tee holder being securable in the ground, the tee being adjustably gripped in the tee holder.

The tee holder can comprise a ground piercing portion and a rim.

The tee holder can further comprise an opening to receive the tee, the opening being adjustable in size.

The adjustment in size can be provided by a slot in a wall defining the opening in a tee holder.

The anchor can comprise a pin including a grip. The grip can comprise a surface to be gripped between a finger and thumb.

The anchor and tee holder can be formed as a one piece moulding.

The golf tee referred to above is particularly designed for use on natural surfaces, eg. on an outdoor golf course or a practice range.

The golf tee of the present invention further seeks to provide a golf tee which is similar in function to the golf tee described above but which is particularly adapted for use on artificial surfaces .

Accordingly the present invention further provides a golf tee assembly comprising a tee holder, golf tee and anchor means to attach the tee holder in position relative to an artificial playing surface.

The tee holder can comprise an opening at one end which is adjustable in size in order to receive and grip the golf tee.

The opposite end of the tee holder can include adjustable positioning means in order to suitably position the tee for the player relative to the anchoring means.

The anchoring means can comprise a member having a slot into which one end of the tee holder is adjustably positioned.

The anchoring means can be secured relative to an artificial playing surface by means of a bracket together with a nut, bolt and washer or similar attachment device.

The tee holder can be formed as a one piece moulding or as a number of mouldings which can be secured together.

The golf tee can be mounted integrally with the tee holder and the tee can be altered in height, e.g by providing the tee with lines of weakness. The tee holder positioning means can comprise two openings engageable by studs or pegs on the anchoring means, one of the openings being elongate enabling the tee holder to pivot about one of the studs of the anchor means, the other stud being located in the elongate opening in the tee holder.

In another arrangement the positioning means can comprise an opening arranged to receive a stud or peg of the anchor means, the anchor means being provided with stops to restrain arcuate movement of the tee holder on the stud or peg of the anchor means.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows a part section plan view of one form of golf tee assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a part sectioned elevation of the golf tee assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figures 2A, B, C and D show respectively plan front and two side elevations of an alternative form of golf tee assembly to that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of another form of golf tee assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional elevation on A-A in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end elevation on arrow B in Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a further form of golf tee assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows an elevation of the golf tee assembly shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a plan view of a tee holder for use with a golf tee assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 9 shows an alternative form of the tee holder shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a part section elevation of a golf tee for use in a golf tee assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a front elevation of an anchor means for use with a golf tee assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a plan view of the anchor means shown in Figure 11, and

Figure 13 shows a side elevation of the anchor means shown in Figures 11 and 12. Referring to Figures 1 and 2A of the the drawings a golf tee assembly (10) comprises a tee holder (12) connected by a tie (14) to an anchor (16) .

The tee holder (12) comprises a pointed annular ground piercing portion (18) having an internal bore (20) and a rim (22) .

The upper end of the ground piercing portion (18) is dished to correspond with the undersurface of the upper end (24) of a tee (26) .

The rim of the upper end of the ground piercing (18) is provided with a slot (28) the function of which will be described below.

The anchor (16) includes a pin (30) and a grip (32) enabling the pin (30) to be inserted into and withdrawn from the ground.

The tee holder (18) and the anchor (16) together with the tie (14) can be moulded together as an integral construction as illustrated though the anchor (16) and the tee holder (18) can be formed as separate components joined together by an independent tie if required.

The tee (26) is sized so as to be gripped by the ground piercing portion (18) and the presence of the slot (28) allows the portion (18) to expand and grip the tee at whatever the position of the tee relative to the holder (12) . In use a player inserts the tee (26) into the portion (18) of the tee holder (12) to the height required by the player. The tee holder (12) with the tee (26) is inserted into the ground until the rim (22) is flush with the ground. The pin (30) of the anchor is inserted into the ground as illustrated in figure 2.

It will be appreciated that the tee (26) can be inserted in a range of positions depending upon the height of the tee required by the player and the tee holder will grip the tee at any position.

A golf ball (34) is placed on the top (24) of the tee (26) and the player strikes the ball by means of the selected club.

Should the tee (26) also be struck by the club then as the tee (26) is gripped in the holder (12) , the holder (12) will be removed from the ground but will be retained by means of the tie (14) and the anchor (16) . Thus the tee will be easily replaced and does not require expenditure of time and energy to be retrieved.

An important aspect of the present invention lies in the ability of the player to position the tee accurately in the tee holder at the height desired on a repeatable basis.

In an alternative method of use, the tee (26) can be positioned in the holder (12) at the required height after the holder (12) has been inserted in the ground. β

The present invention provides an improved form of golf tee without the disadvantages of the present peg and tower types of golf tees.

The tee holder (12) can be in a number of configurations and may not be restricted to the arrangement illustrated.

Also the anchor (16) can be provided in a number of configurations and is not limited to the arrangement shown in the drawings.

Referring to Figures 2A to 2D inclusive, there is shown a golf tee assembly which is very similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will be noted that the tee holder (12) is modified in shape in that it has a ground piercing portion (18) , a flat upper surface and opening (20) to receive a golf tee and a slot (28) to enable the tee holder to grip the tee. The anchor (16) is modified in shape in that the pin (30) is cylindrical and the grip (32) is in the form of a flat shaped plate.

The assembly shown in Figures 2A to 2C enables the assembly to be moulded more simply.

Referring to Figures 3 - 5 inclusive a golf tee assembly (110) comprises a tee holder (112) connected by a flexible tie (114) to anchoring means (116) .

The tee holder (112) comprises a substantially disc shaped member formed integrally with the flexible tie (114) and having a recess (120) in its base and a radial slot (122).

The tie (114) is provided with alternative anchoring holes (124) and (126) , the function of which will be described below.

The end of the flexible tie (114) opposite to the disc (112) is provided with a number of moulded studs (128) which enable the flexible tie (114) to be adjustably positioned relative to the anchor means (116) .

The anchoring means (116) comprises a locating member (130) having a slot (132) into which the flexible tie (114) is located. The slot (132) is defined by a strap (134) which can either be a separate member or can be moulded integrally with the member (130) . The member (130) is secured to for example a driving range or winter tee mat surface (131) by means of an aluminium bracket (136) which is permanently fixed in position and the member (130) is secured to the bracket (136) by means of appropriate screws, nuts, bolts and washers (not shown) which pass through openings (138) in the member (130) .

It will be appreciated that the studs (128) which are formed integrally with the tie (114) can be used to adjust the position of the tie relative to the member (130) . It will also be appreciated particularly from figure 3 that the tie (114) can slide relative to the member (130) . A golf tee (140) is secured in the opening in the disc (112) and the opening is so sized that the disc will grip the tee firmly in position.

The golf tee assembly (110) is provided with golf tees of various heights so that an appropriate height of tee can be chosen by the player.

In another arrangement (not shown) the golf tee can be moulded integrally with the tee holder, and be provided with lines of weakness so that height of the tee can be set to suit the user.

In a further arrangement, the tee can be separable from the tee holder, but once positioned in the holder it cannot be removed. A tee for use in such an arrangement can be of a set height or the height can be set by providing the tee with lines of weakness enabling the height to be set by an user.

In use it will be appreciated that in practice on an artificial playing surface the golf tee (140) will be retained even if the ball is not struck correctly.

More importantly if the ball is mis-struck then the club is less likely to damage the artificial playing surface.

It will also be appreciated that the golf tee can be positioned conveniently for a particular player and that if either of the anchoring holes (124) and (126) are used then the golf tee assembly without the anchoring means (116) can be used on a natural playing surface in a similar way to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a golf tee assembly (210) comprising a tee holder (212) connected by a tie (214) to an anchoring means (216) .

The tee holder (212) comprises a substantially disc shaped member (218) formed integrally with the flexible tie (214) and having a recess (220) in its base and a radial slot (222) .

, The tie (214) is provided with two openings (224 and 226) at the end opposite to that of the tee holder (212) . The hole (226) is provided with four radial slots (226a) and the hole (224) is generally elongate in form and preferably arcuate. The holes (224 and 226) engage with studs (228 and 230) which are formed integrally with or secured to the anchoring means (216) . The tie (214) is secured to the anchoring means (216) by pressing the end of the tie over the anchoring means so that the stud (230) engages in the opening (226) and the stud (228) engages in the arcuate slot (214) . It will be appreciated that by virtue of this manner of attaching the tie (214) to the anchoring means (216) the tie can pivot about the stud (230) and the arcuate movement of the tie (214) is limited by the length of the arcuate slot (224).

The flexible tie (214) is provided with creases (232) in order to render the tie πore flexible. Golf tees (240) of varying sizes can be secured in the tee holder (212) in the manner described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

The anchoring means (216) is shown secured to a structure comprising a timber base (234) which rests on a timber framework (236) . A rubber mat (238) is interposed between the timber base (234) and the flexible tie (214) carrying a golf tee (240) .

The golf tee assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7 is particularly suited for a driving range mat and winter tee mat uses.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 13, there is shown a tee holder (314) and associated anchoring means (316) . The tee holder (314) is specifically designed to be formed by a stamping from polypropelene sheet. The tee holder (314) is provided with a tee holder (312) at one end having a central elongate opening (320) and a radial slot (322) . In an alternative arrangement shown in Figure 9 the central opening (320) can be circular.

A moulded tee (340) is shown in Figure 10 supporting a golf ball and the tee holder (340) is undercut at (340a) so that the tee holder can be snapped into engagement with the tee holder (312) . In the arrangement shown in Figure 8 the tee (340) will be retained in the opening (320) but will have a limited range of axial movement, whilst in the arrangement shown in Figure 9 the golf tee (340) will be securely held within the circular opening (320) and will only be able to rotate about its vertical axis. At the opposite end of the flexible tie (314) there is provided an elongate opening (326) and an elongated end portion (314a) , the function of which will be described below.

Referring particularly to Figures 11, 12 and 13, the anchoring means (316) which is secured to a support structure in a similar manner to that described with reference to the golf tee assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7, comprises a stud (330) which engages in the elongated opening (326) and the stud (330) retains the flexible tie (314) allowing the tie to rotate about the stud and to have limited axial movement by virtue of the elongated opening (326) . Arcuate movement of the tie (314) is limited by provision of integrally moulded stops (328) which are engaged by the portion (314a) of the tie (314) .

Claims

Cla ims

1. A golf tee assembly comprising a golf tee, a tee holder and an anchor, the tee holder being secured to the anchor and the tee holder being securable in the ground or to an artificial playing surface, the tee being adjustably gripped in a tee holder.

2. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the tee holder comprises a ground piercing portion and a rim.

3. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the tee holder comprises an opening to receive the tee, the opening being adjustable in size.

4. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the size adjustment is provided by a slot in a wall defining the opening in the tee holder.

5. A golf tee assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the anchor comprises a pin including a grip.

6. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the grip comprises a surface to be gripped between a finger and thumb.

7. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which the anchor and tee holder are formed as a piece moulding.

8. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the anchor comprises an anchor means to attach the tee holder in position relative to an artificial playing surface.

9. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which an end of the tee holder includes adjustable positioning means to enable the tee to be positioned for a player relative to the anchoring means.

10. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the anchoring means comprises a member having a slot into which one end of the tee holder is adjustably positioned.

11. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the anchoring means is secured relative to an artificial playing surface by means of a bracket and an attachment device.

12. A golf tee assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tee holder is formed as a one piece moulding or as a number of mouldings or stampings which can be secured together.

13. A golf tee assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the golf tee is mounted integrally with the tee holder and the tee holder can be adjusted in height.

14. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the anchoring means comprises a pair of projections engageable with openings in the tee holder enabling the tee holder to pivot about one of the projections with limited arcuate movement.

15. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 14 in which one of the studs engages in an elongate opening formed in the tee holder.

16. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 15 in which the studs are provided on or formed integrally with a bracket which is secured to a support structure.

17. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 16 in which the support structure supports a resilient mat located underneath the golf tee assembly.

18. A golf tee assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the anchoring means comprises an opening at one end of the tee holder engageable by a stud on a bracket, the bracket being formed with stops to limit arcuate movement of the tee holder whilst the tee holder can pivot about the stud.

19. A golf tee assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the golf tee is provided with an undercut enabling the tee to be retained on the tee holder.

20. A golf tee assembly constructed and arranged for use in operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.