WO2004056426A1

WO2004056426A1 - A device for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball on a tee

Info

Publication number: WO2004056426A1
Application number: PCT/IE2003/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Mary Malone; Stanley Sturdy
Original assignee: Anthony Mary Malone; Stanley Sturdy
Priority date: 2002-12-23
Filing date: 2003-10-03
Publication date: 2004-07-08
Also published as: IE20020996A1; AU2003273515A1

Abstract

A device (10) for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball (11) on a tee (12), comprises an elongate body member (13) having a pair of handles (14, 15) for holding the device (10) at one end (16) and a pair of opposed members (19, 20), for releasably gripping the ball (11) and tee (12) at the other end (18). The opposed members (19, 20) are movable between a gripping position, wherein they together define a space (21) within which the ball (11) can be gripped, and a release position wherein the ball (11) can be released. The ends (24, 25) of the opposed members (19, 20, respectively), define a gap (26), which is shaped to accommodate the tee (12), when the opposed members (19, 20) are in the gripping position. The ball (11) and the tee (12) are so arranged between the opposed members (19, 20) that, in use, the golfer, without having to bend down, can push the tee (12) into a playing surface, move the opposed members (19, 20) into the release position and remove the device (10), leaving the ball (11) sitting on the tee (12).

Description

A device for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball on a tee.

Technical Field

This invention relates to a device for assisting a golfer and, in particular, to a device for assisting the golfer to tee up a ball on a tee.

Background Art

The game of golf is a popular sport and is played and enjoyed by men and women of all ages and children and at all levels of proficiency. Both fit and not so fit players can derive equal enjoyment from the game.

However, some aspects ofthe game can cause difficulties for an unfit player. Thus, where a player has some physical problem such as a stiff back or arthritis, or if he is obese, it may be difficult for him to bend down to tee up his ball at each hole. Such a player may otherwise be quite capable of hitting the teed-up ball and generally enjoying his round of golf.

U.S. Patent No. 5,499,813 describes a golf ball teeing device having a forwardly opening receiver for receiving a golf ball mounted on one end of a tubular shaft. The receiver is in the shape of a box with one open side. In use, a golf tee is placed within a V-shaped slot in the base section ofthe receiver and the ball is gripped between the tee and the end of a movable push rod, which is mounted within the tubular shaft. The ball is teed-up while being gripped in the device and once in place the movable push rod is released and the device removed from the teed-up ball.

However, because the ball is enclosed within the box-shaped receiver while being gripped, the player has to take care when removing the device from the teed-up ball or else it will be knocked off the tee. Furthermore, the V-shaped slot in the base section ofthe receiver will locate the tee within the device but will not prevent the tee from falling out again while the ball is being gripped in the device.

It is an object ofthe present invention to overcome the disadvantages ofthe device as hereinbefore described.

Disclosure of Invention

Thus, the invention provides a device for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball on a tee without having to bend down, comprising an elongate body member having means for holding the device at one end and a pair of opposed members at the other end, the opposed members being movable between a gripping position such that together they define a space wherein, in use, a ball and tee can be gripped, while the tee is being pushed into a playing surface, and a release position wherein the ball and tee can be released and the device removed, leaving the ball sitting on the tee, characterised in that the or each opposed member is shaped to firmly grip the tee in the gripping position such that any relative movement between the tee and the or each opposed member is prevented. The device in accordance with the invention allows a golfer to tee up his ball without having to bend down. Thus, by using the device, a golfer with a bad back or other ailment, which makes bending difficult, can still enjoy a round of golf without someone else having to tee the ball up for him.

The advantage of having the tee firmly gripped in the gripping position is that the tee will not accidentally fall out ofthe device between the time that the ball and tee have been loaded into and gripped by the device to the time when the ball and tee have been placed in the playing surface prior to releasing them from the device. This avoids the frustration of having to reload the device and of having to retrieve a dropped tee from the ground. It also prevents any unexpected movement ofthe device relative to the teed-up ball prior to releasing the device, which could result in the ball being knocked off the tee.

Preferably, one opposed member is rigidly attached to the body member and the other opposed member is attached so as to permit movement thereof.

With this arrangement only one opposed member has to be moved in order to release the ball and tee, resulting in greater control and in minimising the likelihood of the ball being accidentally knocked off the tee as the device is removed.

Suitably, the or each opposed member is curved in shape, one end thereof being attached to the body member and the other end thereof defining a gap with the other opposed member, the gap being shaped to accommodate the tee when the opposed members are in the gripping position.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that the ball and tee can be loaded into the device with ease and can be arranged in the device so that, when the opposed members are moved to the release position and the device removed from proximity to the ball, the ball will remain on the tee.

Preferably, the or each gap defining member end has an indentation therein for locating and aligning the tee.

The indentation has the advantage of permitting the tee to be held securely in the required orientation prior to release.

Alternatively, the rigidly attached opposed member is shaped to provide an opening, at the end remote from the body member, within which the tee is firmly retained in the gripping position.

Having an opening for retaining the tee on only one opposed member means that both opposed members do not have to come into close proximity in the gripping position and this results in greater flexibility in the design ofthe device.

Preferably, the opening is keyhole shaped, the opening having an inner circular section connected to the exterior ofthe opposed member by a narrower slotted section, such that, in use, the head ofthe tee sits within the circular section ofthe opening in the gripping position and such that the opposed member can only be removed from the teed-up ball and tee by moving the opening down the tee to a section ofthe shaft ofthe tee which is narrow enough to fit through the slotted section ofthe opening.

The keyhole-shaped opening not only retains the tee in the gripping position but will also lessen the chance ofthe tee dropping out ofthe device before the ball has been loaded and the ball and tee gripped.

Another advantage ofthe keyhole-shaped opening is that it can be used to hook a tee on the playing surface so that the tee can be retrieved without the player having to bend down.

In one embodiment, the rigidly attached opposed member is in the shape of a curved track along which a golf ball will roll to locate onto a tee, which has been positioned at the remote end thereof, as the opposed members are moved into the gripping position.

This arrangement simplifies the task of loading a ball and tee into the device. Thus, the tee is first placed into the keyhole-shaped opening and then the ball is placed on the track. The opposed members are then moved to the gripping position with the ball moving along the track to locate on the tee.

Preferably, the width of the track is within the range of 25-45% of the ball diameter.

The advantage of having a track width within the above range is that the track can be made wide enough to accommodate the ball as it is being loaded into the device, but not so wide as to cause the ball to be knocked off the tee as the device is being removed from the teed-up ball.

Further, preferably, the width ofthe track is within the range of 30-40% ofthe ball diameter.

Suitably, the movably attached opposed member is a shaft mounted within the elongate body member for axial movement therein.

The advantage of having the movably attached opposed member movable within the elongate body is that as the opposed members are moving to the gripping position the movably attached opposed member will engage the ball on the track and move it towards the tee. Also, in the ripping position, any force required to maintain the ball and tee in position can be applied along the length ofthe shaft, through the ball and tee and onto the remote end ofthe rigidly attached opposed member. This straight line force helps to keep the ball and tee in place in the gripping position.

Preferably, the holding means is a pair of handles, with the or each handle being connected to the gripping means, for control thereof.

This arrangement permits the golfer to control the gripping means with the same hand with which he is holding the device.

Preferably, the handle controlling the gripping means is connected to the movable member. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the device has means, attached thereto, for setting the depth to which the tee can be pushed into the playing surface, in use.

Golfers tend to tee up a ball at different heights depending on the club to be used and thus the means for setting the depth ofthe tee satisfies this requirement.

Preferably, the setting means is a foot attached to the ball-gripping end, the foot being movable between an extended position proud ofthe gripping means and a retracted position clear ofthe playing surface.

In a further embodiment ofthe invention, the device has means for propping up the device when not in use.

Once the ball has been teed-up the golfer needs to put aside the device in order to hit the ball. However, if the device is laid down on the playing surface then the golfer will have to bend down to retrieve it, which would defeat the purpose ofthe device. The golfer could place the device in his golf bag but this would waste time. Therefore, having a means for propping up the device allows the golfer to put aside the device close to hand, hit the ball and then retrieve the device with minimum time wasting and disruption to the other golfers.

Preferably, the propping means is a ground engageable spike.

Using a spike to prop up the device is a convenient way to put aside the device while keeping it close to hand. In a further embodiment ofthe invention, the device has means, attached thereto, for retrieving the ball from a golf hole, without the golfer having to bend down.

Separate ball retrieving devices are known but it is convenient to include such a means on a device in accordance with the invention. A golfer who would have a need for the device would also need to retrieve the ball without bending.

Preferably, one ofthe opposed members is shaped such that it can be inserted into the golf hole under the ball with the opposed members in the release position, the ball being gripped by the opposed members before removal from the hole.

The advantage of this arrangement is that an extra ball retrieving member is not required to be fitted to the device as the opposed member can achieve this purpose.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, in a gripping position;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view ofthe ball-gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe device of Fig. 1, in a release position;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view ofthe ball-gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in a gripping position;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view ofthe ball-gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 5, in a release position;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view ofthe ball-gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 5, in a gripping position;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of an end section ofthe ball-gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a section through line IX-IX of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a detailed view ofthe holding end ofthe device of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a gripping end ofthe device of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 12 is a view from the other side ofthe gripping end of Fig. 11. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to Fig. 1 ofthe drawings there is illustrated, generally at 10, a device for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball 11 on a tee 12, the device 10 comprising an elongate body member 13 having means 14, 15 for holding the device 10 at one end 16 and means, shown generally at 17, for releasably gripping the ball 11 and tee 12 at the other end 18, the ball 11 and tee 12 being so arranged in the gripping means 17 that, in use, the golfer, without having to bend down, can push the tee 12 into a playing surface, release the gripping means 17 and remove the device 10, leaving the ball 11 sitting on the tee 12.

The device 10 is constructed of metallic materials.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the gripping means 17 comprises a pair of opposed members 19, 20, which move between a gripping position (Figs. 1 and 2), wherein together they define a space 21 within which the ball 11 can be gripped, and a release position (Figs. 3 and 4), wherein the ball 11 can be released.

The opposed members 19, 20 are curved in shape with the opposed member 19 being rigidly attached to the body member 13 at one end 22. The opposed member 20 is attached to the body member 13 at one end 23 so as to permit movement thereof.

Other ends 24, 25 ofthe opposed members 19, 20 respectively, define a gap 26, which is shaped to accommodate the tee 12, when the opposed members 19, 20 are in the gripping position (Figs. 1 and 2). The opposed member 20 is mounted on the body member 13 by means of a bracket 27 and a pin 28 (Fig. 2), about which opposed member 20 can pivot. A stop 29, mounted on the bracket 27, limits the pivoting motion ofthe opposed member 20.

The holding means 14, 15 comprises a pair of handles 14, 15 connected to the gripping means 17, with the handle 14 being connected thereto through the body member 13, and the handle 15 being connected through a control rod 30. The handle 14 is connected to the body member 13 by a linkage pivot 31 and to one end 32 ofthe control rod 30 by a linkage pivot 33. Other end 34 ofthe control rod 30 is connected to the opposed member 20 by a linkage pivot 35. A retaining coil spring 36 is attached between the linkage pivot 35 and a point 37 on the body member 13.

An indentation 38 (Fig. 2) on the end 25 ofthe opposed member 20 helps to locate and align the tee 12 in the device 10.

A ball support pin 39 is located on the opposed member 19.

In use, the ball 11 and the tee 12 are placed between the opposed members 19, 20, with the ball 11 resting against the ball support pin 39 and with the tee 12 extending from the gap 26. The ball 11 and the tee 12 are held in place by the action of the retaining coil spring 36, which biases the opposed members 19, 20 towards the gripping position (Figs. 1 and 2). By squeezing the handles 14, 15 together the ball-gripping position can be maintained while the tee 12 is being pushed into the playing surface. Once the tee 12 is in the playing surface, the handle 15 is released and pushed towards the end 18 ofthe body member 13, thus moving the opposed members 19, 20 into the release position (Figs.3 and 4). The device 10 is then gently moved to one side and clear ofthe ball 11 and the tee 12, leaving the ball 11 teed-up and ready to be played.

If the tee 12 has remained in the playing surface, following the stroke, then it can be picked up using the device 10, without having to bend down.

The device 10 can also be used to pick up the ball 11 from the playing surface, again without having to bend down. This is achieved by placing the opposed members 19, 20 over the ball 11, with the ball support pin 39 uppermost, while manipulating the handle 15 so as to grip the ball 11.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is indicated generally at 50 a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. Again the device 50 is constructed of metallic material.

The device 50 comprises an elongate body member 51 having means for holding the device, shown generally at 52, at one end 53 ofthe elongate body member 51, and a pair of opposed members 54, 55 at the other, ball-gripping end 56 of the elongate body member 51. Opposed member 54 is curved in shape and is rigidly attached to the elongate body member 51 at the ball-gripping end 56 thereof. The opposed member 55 is a hollow shaft 57, which is movably mounted within the elongate body member 51 and extends therethrough to emerge at the other end 53 thereof.

The means 52 for holding the device 50 comprises a button 58 mounted on end 59 ofthe shaft 57 and a co-operating gripping ring 100 (see Fig. 10) located at end 53 ofthe elongate body member 51.

In Fig. 5, a golf ball 60 and a tee 61 are being gripped between the opposed members 54, 55 and are being held there by a force which is being applied to the button 58 by a user's thumb 62.

Referring to Fig. 6, the ball-gripping end 56 ofthe device 50 is shown in more detail. The opposed member 54 is rigidly attached to the elongate body member 51 at end 56 thereof. The opposed member 54 is curved in shape and the tee 61 is shown located in an opening 70 at end 71 ofthe opposed member 54, end 71 being the end ofthe opposed member 54 which is remote from the elongate body member 51. In fact the opposed member 54 is formed from an extension ofthe elongate body member 51. The opposed member 54 is in the form of a track 72 having two sides 73, 74, on which the ball 60 is located.

In use, as the shaft 57 is moved towards the gripping position, it engages the ball 60 and pushes it along the track 72 until the ball 60 reaches the tee 61. Further pressure on the shaft 57 results in the ball 60 stepping up onto the tee 61 and the ball 60 and tee 61 become gripped between end 75 ofthe shaft 57 and the end 71 ofthe opposed member 54. Referring to Fig. 7, the device 50 is shown in the gripping position with the ball 60 and the tee 61 gripped between the end 75 ofthe shaft 57 and the end 71 ofthe opposed member 54. The direction ofthe force which is required to hold the device 50 in the gripping position is indicated by the arrow.

Referring to Fig. 8, which illustrates the end section ofthe opposed member 54 in more detail, the opening 70 ofthe end 71 ofthe opposed member 54 can be seen to be keyhole shaped with an inner circular section 80 and a narrower slot in section 81 connected to exterior 82 ofthe opposed member 54.

It should be noted (with reference to Figs. 7 and 8) that the upper section 83 ofthe tee 61 will not pass through the slotted section 81. Thus, the opening 70 has to move down shaft 84 ofthe tee 61 until a point is reached where the shaft 84 will pass through the slotted section 81.

Referring to Fig. 9, a cutaway section ofthe opposed member 54 is illustrated. The section is generally M-shaped having a flat centre section 90 flanked by two grooves 91, 92 which continue on each side to form the sides 73, 74, respectively. The M-shaped section enhances the strength and rigidity of the opposed member 54.

Referring to Fig. 10, the holding means 52 is shown in more detail. The shaft 57 is shown protruding from the end 53 ofthe elongate body member 51. The button 58 is mounted on the end 59 ofthe shaft 57 and co-operating gripping ring 100 is mounted on the end 53 ofthe elongate body member 51. A helical spring 101 is fixed between the button 58 and the end 53 ofthe elongate body member 51 and is biased to maintain the device 50 in the release position.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, an alternative embodiment ofthe ball-gripping end 56 ofthe device 50 of Fig. 5 is illustrated. In this embodiment a tee depth setter is shown generally at 110. The tee depth setter 110 is mounted at rear 111 of elongate body member 51. The tee depth setter 110 has two setter parts 112, 113, which are held together by a bolt 114 and a wing nut 115, with the bolt 114 passing through a slot 116 in the setter part 112. This arrangement allows the overall length of the tee depth setter 110 to be adjusted. The setter part 113 terminates at end 117 with a flange 118, which acts as a ground-engaging foot, in use.

Referring to Fig. 12 it can be seen that the setter part 112 is fixed to the shaft 57 through a slot 119 at the rear 111 ofthe elongate body member 51. Thus, movement ofthe shaft 57 within the elongate body member 51 will result in a similar movement ofthe tee depth setter 110 relative to the elongate body member 51.

Referring to Figs. 5-12, the required depth to which the tee 61 is to be pushed into the playing surface is set by adjusting the tee depth setter 110. When the ball 60 and tee 61 have been loaded into the device 50 and are held there, the tee depth setter 110 will extend beyond the end 71 ofthe opposed member 54 to the required distance. After the ball has been teed-up, the force on the shaft 57 is released and the end 57 ofthe opposed member 54 will drop down the shaft 84 ofthe tee 61 until it can clear the tee through the slotted section 81. At the same time, the tee depth setter 110 will lift off the ground as the shaft 57 moves away from the ball 60. The device 50 is then drawn away from the ball 60 leaving it teed-up.

The device 50 can also be used to lift up the tee 61 after the ball 60 has been played. This is achieved by hooking the head ofthe tee 61 with the opening 70 on the opposed member 54 and lifting the tee 61. This can be done without the player having to bend down.

The device 50 can also be used to retrieve the golf ball 60 from a golf hole. This is possible because the opposed member 54 is narrow enough such that the end 71 thereof can be manoeuvred under the ball 60 in the hole. The device 50 can then be moved into the gripping position and the gripped ball 60 pulled from the hole. Again this operation can be achieved without the player having to bend down.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A device for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball on a tee without having to bend down, comprising an elongate body member having means for holding the device at one end and a pair of opposed members at the other end, the opposed members being movable between a gripping position such that together they define a space wherein, in use, a ball and tee can be gripped, while the tee is being pushed into a playing surface, and a release position wherein the ball and tee can be released and the device removed, leaving the ball sitting on the tee, characterised in that the or each opposed member is shaped to firmly grip the tee in the gripping position such that any relative movement between the tee and the or each opposed member is prevented.

2. A device according to Claims 1, wherein one opposed member is rigidly attached to the body member and the other opposed member is attached so as to permit movement thereof.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each opposed member is curved in shape, one end thereof being attached to the body member and the other end thereof defining a gap with the other opposed member, the gap being shaped to accommodate the tee when the opposed members are in the gripping position.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the or each gap defining member end has an indentation therein for locating and aligning the tee.

5. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the rigidly attached opposed member is shaped to provide an opening, at the end remote from the body member, within which the tee is firmly retained in the gripping position.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the opening is keyhole shaped, the opening having an inner circular section connected to the exterior ofthe opposed member by a narrower slotted section, such that, in use, the head ofthe tee sits within the circular section ofthe opening in the gripping position and such that the opposed member can only be removed from the teed-up ball and tee by moving the opening down the tee to a section ofthe shaft ofthe tee which is narrow enough to fit through the slotted section ofthe opening.

7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the rigidly attached opposed member is in the shape of a curved track along which a golf ball will roll to locate onto a tee, which has been positioned at the remote end thereof, as the opposed members are moved into the gripping position.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the width ofthe track is within the range of 25-45% ofthe ball diameter.

9. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the width of the track is within the range of 30-40% ofthe ball diameter.

10. A device according to any of Claims 5 to 9, wherein the movably attached opposed member is a shaft mounted within the elongate body member for axial movement therein.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the holding means is a pair of handles, with the or each handle being connected to the gripping means, for control thereof.

12. A device according to Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the handle controlling the gripping means is connected to the movable member.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, having means, attached thereto, for setting the depth to which the tee can be pushed into the playing surface, in use.

14. A device according to Claim 13, wherein the setting means is a foot attached to the ball-gripping end, the foot being movable between an extended position proud of the gripping means and a retracted position clear ofthe playing surface.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, having means for propping up the device when not in use.

16. A device according to Claim 15, wherein the propping means is a ground engageable spike.

17. A device according to any preceding claim, having means, attached thereto, for retrieving the ball from a golf hole, without the golfer having to bend down.

18. A device according to Claim 16, wherein one of the opposed members is shaped such that it can be inserted into the golf hole under the ball with the opposed members in the release position, the ball being gripped by the opposed members before removal from the hole.

19. A device according to Claim 1 for assisting a golfer to tee up a ball on a tee, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and 5 to 12 ofthe drawings.