WO2006121244A1

WO2006121244A1 - Golf tee

Info

Publication number: WO2006121244A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Cheon Choo
Original assignee: Jae-Cheon Choo
Priority date: 2005-05-12
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2006-11-16

Abstract

A golf tee includes a fixing unit (10) put into the ground; first and second holding units (20, 30), each having a concave tray shape for mounting a golf ball thereon; and a connection string (40) integrally connected to a connector (32) formed on the upper end of the second holding unit (30). Since the two holding units (20, 30) are connected by the connection string (40) and selectively used by a golfer according to the desired distance of a tee shot or the length of grass, the golf tee is not easily damaged or lost, and is simply carried by the golfer. The connection string (40) for connecting the fixing unit (10) and the first and second holding units (20, 30) indicates the striking direction of the golf ball. The golf tee further includes a marker (12) detachably attached thereto for indicating the position of the golf ball.

Description

Description GOLF TEE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a golf tee, and more particularly to a golf tee, which comprises two holding units connected by a connection string and selectively used by a golfer according to the desired distance of a tee shot or the length of grass on a field, thus maximizing the traveling distance of a golf ball during the tee shot, being incapable of deteriorating a golfer's striking sense, and being simply carried by the golfer.

Background Art

[2] In general, a golf tee is used to mount a golf ball at a designated height from the surface of the ground in a field and to increase the traveling distance of the golf ball by minimizing interference with grass on the ground when the golf ball is hit by the swing of a driver.

[3] The golf tee includes a holding unit having a concave tray-shaped upper end for mounting a golf ball thereon, and a fixing unit having a sharpened tip put into the ground and connected to the lower portion of the holding unit. The holding unit and the fixing unit are integrally connected to each other. When a head of the golf club strikes a body of the golf tee, the golf tee is separated from the ground, and may be lost. Accordingly, the golfer needs to have several golf tees.

[4] Further, the golfer has a marker, for indicating the position of the golf ball on a field, in his/her pocket. The marker having a small size is frequently lost due to a golfer's careless mistake, and causes an inconvenience to the golfer. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide to a golf tee, which comprises a fixing unit having a sharpened tip put into the ground, first and second holding units, each having a concave tray shape for mounting a golf ball thereon, and a connection string integrally connected to a connector formed on the upper end of the second holding unit.

[6] That is, since the two holding units are connected by the connection string and selectively used by a golfer according to the desired distance of a tee shot or the length of grass on a field, the golf tee maximizes the traveling distance of a golf ball during the tee shot, does not deteriorates a golfer's striking sense, and is simply carried by the golfer. [7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf tee, which comprises a connection string for connecting a fixing unit and first and second holding units and indicating the striking direction of a golf ball, and is fixed to a belt of a golfer and put into a pocket of the golfer under the condition that a sharpened tip of the fixing unit is inserted into a hollow of the second holding unit, thus being simply carried by the golfer.

[8] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a golf tee provided with a marker detachably attached thereto for indicating the position of a golf ball on a field so that the marker together with the golf tee is conveniently carried by a golfer. Technical Solution

[9] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a golf tee comprising a fixing unit put into the ground; a plurality of holding units, each having a concave tray shape for mounting a golf ball thereon; and a connection string for connecting the fixing unit and one of the plurality of holding units to each other, wherein another one of the plurality of holding units is detachably attached to the fixing unit.

[10] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf tee comprising a golf ball mounting assembly having upper and lower holding units integrally connected to both ends of a connection string for mounting a golf ball at different heights according to the length of grass on a field; and a ground fixing unit put into the ground using a fixing pin having a sharpened tip, wherein the golf ball mounting assembly is fixedly installed on the upper end of the ground fixing unit. Advantageous Effects

[11] The present invention provides a golf tee, which comprises two holding units connected by a connection string and selectively used by a golfer according to the desired distance of a tee shot or the length of grass on a field, so as to maximize the traveling distance of a golf ball during the tee shot, not to be damaged or lost, and to be simply carried by the golfer.

[12] The connection string, which connects a fixing unit, a first holding unit, and a second mounting, indicates the hitting direction of the golf ball.

[13] A marker for indicating the position of the golf ball on the field is detachably attached to the golf tee, thus being easily carried and conveniently used by the golfer.

[14] Since components of the golf tee of the present invention, i.e., the fixing unit, the first holding unit, the second holding unit, the connection string, and the markers, are individually formed by injection molding, the golf tee can be simply assembled, compared to conventional golf tees.

[15] Further, the present invention provides a golf tee, which comprises a ground fixing unit, into which a marker is selectively inserted, and a golf ball mounting assembly having upper and lower holding units integrally connected to each other by a connection string. The golf tee is easily assembled without separation between the golf ball mounting assembly and the ground fixing unit by fixing the golf ball mounting assembly and the ground fixing unit using to each other using a connector, thus maximizing the traveling distance of a golf ball during a tee shot due to the fixation of the golf ball mounting assembly to the ground fixing unit. Further, the golf tee is hung to a belt of a golfer, and is conveniently carried by the golfer, thereby having increased quality and reliability, and providing an excellent impression to golf mania. Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[17] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a golf tee in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 1 in a state of use for hitting a short-distant tee shot;

[19] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 1 in a state of use for hitting a long-distance tee shot;

[20] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 1 in a carried state;

[21] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a golf tee in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the golf tee of FIG. 5 ;

[23] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the golf tee of FIG. 5;

[24] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 5 in a state of use for hitting a long-distant tee shot;

[25] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 5 in a state of use for hitting a short-distance tee shot;

[26] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the golf tee of FIG. 5 ; and

[27] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FIG. 5 in a carried state.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.

[29] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a golf tee in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is described.

[30] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a golf tee in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [31] As shown in FIG. 1, the golf tee of this embodiment comprises a fixing unit 10, a plurality of holding units 20 and 30, and a connection string 40. The fixing unit 10 has a protrusion 11 connected to the plurality of holding units 20 and 30, and is made of plastic, synthetic resin, or a stainless steel.

[32] Preferably, the plurality of holding units 20 and 30 are made of a material having a high elasticity. In this embodiment, the plurality of holding units 20 and 30 are made of silicon rubber.

[33] The plurality of holding units 20 and 30 include a first holding unit 20 and a second holding unit 30. A connector 32 of the second holding unit 30 is integrally formed with the connection string 40, and hollows 21 and 31 are respectively formed through the first and second holding units 20 and 30 so that a sharpened tip of the fixing unit 10 and the connector 32 can be inserted into the hollows 21 and 31.

[34] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 32 of the second holding unit 30 and the connection string 40 are integrally formed with each other, and the end of the connection string 40 is connected to a washer provided with a hole 41 having the same diameter as that of the fixing unit 10. The protrusion 11 of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hole 41, thereby connecting the fixing unit 10 and the second holding unit 30.

[35] The first holding unit 20 is used when a golfer wants to hit a short-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a short length, and the second holding unit 30 is used when the golfer wants to hit a long-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a long length. That is, golfer can selectively use the first and second holding units 20 and 30 as the occasion demands according to the state of a golf course.

[36] FIG. 2 illustrates the golf tee of this embodiment in the case that the first holding unit 20 is used when a golfer wants to hit a short-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a short length.

[37] As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 11 of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hollow 21 of the lower end of the first holding unit 20.

[38] FIG. 3 illustrates the golf tee of this embodiment in the case that the second holding unit 30 is used when a golfer wants to hit a long-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a long length.

[39] As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 11 of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hollow 21 of the lower end of the first holding unit 20.

[40] The connector 32 is formed at the upper end of the second holding unit 30, and is inserted into the hollow 21 of the upper end of the first holding unit 20.

[41] As shown in FIG. 3, a protrusion 33 is formed on the connector 32 of the second holding unit 30, thus allowing the connector 32 of the second holding unit 30 to be easily connected to and disconnected from the first holding unit 20. [42] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the golf tee of FlG. 1 in a state in which the golf tee is carried by a golfer after the golfer has hit a tee shot.

[43] The connection string 40 is integrally formed with the second holding unit 30, and the protrusion 11 of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hole 41 of the washer connected to the end of the connection string 40. When the first holding unit 20 and the second holding unit 30 are connected, the golf tee indicates the hitting direction of a golf ball to be desired, thus being useful for a beginner.

[44] That is, as shown in FlG. 3, the protrusion 11 of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hole 41 of the connection string 40, and is then inserted into the hollow 21 of the lower end of the first holding unit 20, and the connector 32 of the second holding unit 30 is inserted into the hollow 21 of the upper end of the first holding unit 20. Then, the connection string 40 points to one direction, thus indicating the hitting direction of a golf ball.

[45] As shown in FIG. 4, the sharpened tip of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the hollow 31 of the second holding unit 30. When a golfer moves, the golf tee in the above state is fixed to a golfer's belt or put into a golfer's pocket, thus being simply carried by the golfer without damage to a golfer's body.

[46] In order to indicate the position of a golf ball on a field, a magnetic member (for example, a magnet having a north pole) is inserted into a groove formed in the circular lower surface of the fixing unit 10, and a circular magnetic marker 12 (for example, a magnet having a south pole) having a diameter larger than that of the fixing unit 10 is inserted into the sharpened tip of fixing unit 10 and is attached to the lower surface of the fixing unit 10. The marker 12 is easily attached to and detached from the fixing unit 10, thus not causing a probability of losing it and being handy and convenient to use.

[47] FIGS. 5 to 11 illustrate a golf tee in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[48] The golf tee of this embodiment comprises a golf ball mounting assembly 70 having upper and lower holding units 76 and 72 integrally connected to both ends of a connection string 71, so as to mount a golf ball 50 at different heights according to the length of grass on a field. The golf tee further comprises a ground fixing unit 60 put into the ground using a fixing pin 65 having a sharpened tip. The golf ball mounting assembly 70 is fixedly installed on the upper end of the ground fixing unit 60.

[49] More specifically, as shown in FlG. 5, the upper holding unit 76 comprises a receipt hole 77 having a large diameter formed at one end thereof for receiving the golf ball 50, and an insertion protrusion 78 having a small diameter formed at the other end thereof, and the lower holding unit 72 comprises an insertion hole 73 for receiving the golf ball 50 and allowing the insertion protrusion 78 to be inserted thereinto. Further, the ground fixing unit 60 comprises a body 61, a fixing protrusion 62 protruded from the upper end of the body 61 for fixing the lower holding unit 72, and an opening 63 formed at a designated portion of the fixing protrusion 62 for passing the connection string 71 therethrough.

[50] A through hole 74 and a connection hole 64 are respectively formed through the lower surface of the lower holding unit 72 and the upper surface of the ground fixing unit 60, and a connector 75 is connected to the through hole 74 and the connection hole 64, thereby integrally fixing the ground fixing unit 60 and the lower holding unit 72 to each other. The ground fixing unit 60 and the lower holding unit 70 may be integrally formed. Preferably, in order to fix the ground fixing unit 60 into the ground, the ground fixing unit 60 is made of a hard material. Further, preferably, the golf ball mounting assembly 70, to which impact is applied, is made of a soft material. Since the ground fixing unit 60 and the golf ball mounting assembly 70 are made of different materials, they are fixed to each other by the connector 75.

[51] A marker 80 provided with a hole 81 is attached to the fixing pin 65 of the ground fixing unit 60. While a tee shot is hit, the marker 80 is used under the condition that the fixing pin 65 is inserted into the marker 80, and after the tee shot is hit, the marker 80 indicates the position of the golf ball 50.

[52] Direction indicators 79 for assisting a golfer to determine the direction of a tee shot are formed on the connection string 71. The upper surfaces of the direction indicators 79 are coated with a paint or a luminous material having a color distinguished from the color of grass.

[53] Hereinafter, effects and functions of the golf tee in accordance with this embodiment will be described.

[54] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of the lower holding unit 72 is inserted into the internal circumferential surface of the protrusion 62 formed on the upper end of the ground fixing unit 60. The connection string 71 for connecting the upper and lower holding units 76 and 72 to each other is pulled outward through the opening 63.

[55] Under the condition that the lower end of the lower holding unit 72 is inserted into the internal circumferential surface of the protrusion 62, the connector 75 is connected to the through hole 74 and the connection hole 64, thus integrally fixing the golf ball mounting assembly 70 and the ground fixing unit 60 to each other. Thereby, the golf tee of this embodiment is simply assembled.

[56] The marker 80 for indicating the position of the golf ball 50 is inserted into the outer circumferential surface of the fixing pin 65.

[57] In this state, a solid line of FIG. 6 illustrates the golf tee in a state of use for hitting a long-distant tee shot, and a dotted line of FIG. 6 illustrates the golf tee in a state of use for hitting a short-distant tee shot. [58] More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates the golf tee of this embodiment, which is used when a golfer wants to hit a short-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a short length. In this case, the golfer mounts the golf ball 50 on the insertion hole 73 of the lower holding unit 72 and swings a club. Then, the club of the golfer contacts the golf ball 50 and the golf tee, and hits the golf ball 50 forwards. Since the ground fixing unit 60 and the lower holding unit 72 are integrally fixed to each other by the connector 75, the ground fixing unit 60 and the lower holding unit 72 are not separated from each other by the strike of the club.

[59] FIG. 8 illustrates the golf tee of this embodiment, which is used when a golfer wants to hit a long-distant tee shot or to play golf on a field having grass with a long length. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the upper holding unit 76 is inserted into the upper end of the lower holding unit 72. Here, the upper holding unit 76 is fixed to the lower holding unit 72 by inserting the insertion protrusion 78 into the insertion hole 73, and the golf ball 50 is mounted on the receipt hole 77. Then, the golfer swings a club.

[60] After the golfer has swung the club, the golfer pulls the ground fixing unit 60 out of the ground. Then, the golfer locates the marker 80 at the position in which the golf ball 50 stops. The marker 80 is selectively inserted into or separated from the fixing pin 65.

[61] As shown in FIG. 11 , the golf tee of this embodiment is hung to a belt of a golfer, thus being conveniently carried by the golfer. After the upper holding unit 76 passes through the belt of the golfer, the fixing pin 65 is inserted into the receipt hole 77 of the upper holding unit 76. Thereby, the golf tee is simply hung to the belt of the golfer through the connection string 71, thus being conveniently carried by the golfer. Industrial Applicability

[62] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a golf tee, which comprises two holding units connected by a connection string and selectively used by a golfer according to the desired distance of a tee shot or the length of grass on a field, so as to maximize the traveling distance of a golf ball during the tee shot, not to be easily damaged or lost, and to be simply carried by the golfer.

[63] The connection string, which connects a fixing unit, a first holding unit, and a second mounting, indicates the hitting direction of the golf ball.

[64] A marker for indicating the position of the golf ball on the field is detachably attached to the golf tee, thus being easily carried and conveniently used by the golfer.

[65] Since components of the golf tee of the present invention, i.e., the fixing unit, the first holding unit, the second holding unit, the connection string, and the marker, are individually formed by injection molding, the golf tee can be simply assembled, compared to conventional golf tees. [66] Further, the present invention provides a golf tee, which comprises a ground fixing unit, into which a marker is selectively inserted, and a golf ball mounting assembly having upper and lower holding units integrally connected to each other by a connection string. The golf tee is easily assembled without separation between the golf ball mounting assembly and the ground fixing unit by fixing the golf ball mounting assembly and the ground fixing unit to each other using a connector, thus maximizing the traveling distance of a golf ball during a tee shot due to the fixation of the golf ball mounting assembly to the ground fixing unit. Further, the golf tee is hung to a belt of a golfer, and is conveniently carried by the golfer, thereby having increased quality and reliability, and providing an excellent impression to golf mania.

[67] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A golf tee comprising: a fixing unit put into the ground; a plurality of holding units, each having a concave tray shape for mounting a golf ball thereon; and a connection string for connecting the fixing unit and one of the plurality of holding units to each other, wherein another one of the plurality of holding units is detachably attached to the fixing unit.

[2] The golf tee as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holding units comprise a first holding unit, and a second holding unit having a connector integrally formed with the connection string.

[3] The golf tee as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein a washer provided with a hole is connected to the end of the connection string, and a protrusion of the fixing unit is inserted into the hole.

[4] The golf tee as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a magnetic member is inserted into a groove formed in the circular lower surface of the fixing unit, and a magnetic marker for indicating the position of the golf ball on a field is detachably attached to the fixing unit.

[5] The golf tee as set forth in claim 2, wherein hollows are respectively formed in the first and second holding units so that a sharpened tip of the fixing unit and the connector can be inserted into the hollows.

[6] The golf tee as set forth in claim 2, wherein a protrusion is formed on the connector of the second holding unit.

[7] A golf tee comprising: a golf ball mounting assembly having upper and lower holding units integrally connected to both ends of a connection string for mounting a golf ball at different heights according to the length of grass on a field; and a ground fixing unit put into the ground using a fixing pin having a sharpened tip, wherein the golf ball mounting assembly is fixedly installed on the upper end of the ground fixing unit.

[8] The golf tee as set forth in claim 7, wherein: the upper holding unit comprises a receipt hole having a large diameter formed at one end thereof for receiving the golf ball, and an insertion protrusion having a small diameter formed at the other end thereof; the lower holding unit comprises an insertion hole for receiving the golf ball and allowing the insertion protrusion to be inserted thereinto; and the ground fixing unit comprises a body, a fixing protrusion formed on the upper end of the body for fixing the lower holding unit, and an opening formed at a designated portion of the fixing protrusion for passing the connection string therethrough.

[9] The golf tee as set forth in claim 8, wherein a through hole and a connection hole are respectively formed through the lower surface of the lower holding unit and the upper surface of the ground fixing unit, and a connector is connected to the through hole and the connection hole, thereby integrally fixing the ground fixing unit and the lower holding unit to each other.

[10] The golf tee as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a marker provided with a hole, which is used under the condition that the fixing pin of the ground fixing unit is inserted into the marker while a tee shot is hit, and indicates the position of the golf ball after the tee shot has been hit.

[11] The golf tee as set forth in claim 8, further comprising direction indicators installed on the connection string for assisting a golfer to determine the direction of a tee shot.