WO2007016729A1

WO2007016729A1 - Golf tee

Info

Publication number: WO2007016729A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Freddie Khoo
Original assignee: Freddie Khoo
Priority date: 2005-08-05
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2007-02-15

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf tee (1) including: an elongate shaft (11); a piercing means (2) connected to and disposed at the base end of the shaft for piercing the ground to mount the shaft therein; a golf ball support means (12) for supporting a golf ball disposed at a head end of the shaft; and a brake means (77) for increasing aerodynamic and/or friction drag of the tee when propelled from a teeing spot by a golf club head.

Description

GOLF TEE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to golf tees.

Brief Description of the Prior Art

Tees are used to hold golf balls a small distance above a teeing ground of a golf course. The small distance inhibits golf club heads from hitting the ground so as to reduce damage to club heads. Also, any retardation of motion of the club head is also undesirable, as the direction, spin or distance imparted to the ball may be affected.

Referring to Fig. 1, a known golf tee 1 is shown, constructed from wood or hard plastic materials. The tee 1 includes a hollow shaft 11, and a hollowed cup or holding portion 12 joined to an upper end of the shaft 11. The shaft 11 has a cone-shape at a lower end to be easily inserted in the ground while the holding portion 12 has an upper opening, over which a golf ball can be stably positioned.

The above golf tee has some disadvantages, and is not very convenient to use because of one or more of the following reasons:-

1. When a golf ball is struck, the club head often strikes the golf tee, and the tee is propelled some distance away from the player. The golf tee may have sentimental value, or may simply be required at the next tee-off. Some extra walking is required, if it to be found at all.

2. When the shaft 11 of the tee is inserted into the ground, a hole has been created by the shaft. Thus, if the tee height is deemed unsuitable, it is difficult to change the height of the tee because the hole has been enlarged and cannot frictionally support the shaft 11 any longer. In this case, the golf player may attempt this change in height, but must take great care, or find another location entirely for the tee because the hole cannot support the insertion portion any longer.

3. Because the tee is made of hard materials, the head of a club is prone to have scratches formed thereon by hitting the tee, which scratches will change the performance of a player for the worse in teeing off a golf ball with the club.

4. Because the tee is made of hard, brittle materials, it is prone to damage when being hit by the head of a club .

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf tee including: an elongate shaft; a piercing means connected to and disposed at a base end of the shaft for piercing the ground to mount the shaft therein; a golf ball support means for supporting a golf ball disposed at a head end of the shaft; and a brake means for increasing aerodynamic and/or friction drag of the tee when propelled from a teeing spot by a golf club head.

Preferably, an adjustment means is provided which is operatively connected to one end of the shaft, wherein the adjustment means is adapted to move the golf ball support means in the elongate direction relative to the shaft. Preferably the adjustment means includes a detent means to inhibit the axial or longitudinal relative motion between the golf ball support means and the shaft at selected positions relative to the shaft.

Preferably, the golf ball support means includes a cup for receiving at least a portion of a golf ball and the adjustment means includes an upper stem mounted at a head region of the shaft, and the detent means includes bosses or ridges projecting from the stem at selected spaced apart positions along the stem, and an engagement region on the golf ball support means for engaging the bosses or ridges.

Preferably the cup is mounted on a sleeve which is generally of greater diameter than the upper stem so that the sleeve may extend along the upper stem in a telescoping action.

Preferably the engagement means includes an inwardly depending flange on the sleeve, the inwardly depending flange being a push or interference fit with the spaced-apart bosses or ridges.

Preferably the stem includes weakened portions which facilitate flexing of the stem.

Preferably the shaft includes weakened portions to improve flexibility of the shaft.

Preferably the brake includes one or more projections extending from the shaft when engaging with the ground. In one embodiment the projections extend from an intermediate portion of the shaft.

Preferably the one or more projections in use engage the ground when the tee is knocked sideways by a club head strike.

Preferably, in use, the projection is disposed immediately adjacent the ground, and facing in the direction of proposed travel of the golf ball so as to increased the likelihood of biting or digging into the ground after teeing off and a club strikes the tee. Preferably the projection extends perpendicular to the shaft and is triangular in shape to create a tapered insertion point.

Preferably the cup and tube is fluorescent in colour to increase its visibility. This reduces the likelihood of its loss, especially since it may be propelled some distance from its original ground-engaged position.

Preferably the cup and tube are constructed from flexible plastic material so as to facilitate its durability. In one embodiment, the cup and tube are constructed from a blend of silicone and/or rubber and other plastics materials.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating preferred embodiments are attached, and in those drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a known golf tee in use;

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the golf tee of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the golf tee of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, under adjustment; Figure 6 is a side elevation view showing the motion of the golf tee of a preferred embodiment of the present invention while a club is hitting a ball on the tee, and touching the tee; and

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a golf tee of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes a piercing means or shaft 2 for piercing the ground, a golf ball support means 4 for holding a golf ball thereon in the form of a sleeve 51, and an upper portion of the shaft in the form of a stem 3 used for connecting the support 4 to the shaft 2. The stem and sleeve form an adjustment means 75 which is adapted to extends the height of a cup 41 above the shaft 21 at the will of the user.

The piercing means 2 is constructed from hard materials such as for example plastic, and has a tapered shaft 21, and an upper end 19, which is formed with a cavity 22, and a fitting hole 23 (Fig.3).

The support 4 is made of softer materials such as for example plastic or silicone, and has an engaging protrusion 42 in the form of a flange 52 on an inner face of a lower region thereof. The support 4 also has a cup 41 on an upper end in the form of a bevelled edge of sleeve 51 , which has a larger inner diameter than other sections of the sleeve 51.

The stem 3 is made of soft materials such as for example plastic blended with silicone and/or rubber to reduce scratches to club heads, and has a detaining means 31 in the form of a flange 61 at an upper end. Connecting means 62 in the form of a base is provided, as well as a through hole 33 on a bottom, and a frusto-conical insertion portion 32 at a lower end. The stem 3 is further formed with several spaced elongated weakened portions in the form of cuts, slits or gaps 34 to facilitate bending, by which an outer side of the connecting tube 3 is divided into separate sections, and detent means in the form of ridges or bosses 35 on the separate sections of the outer side thereof. Thus, the stem 3 will deflect inwards when the flange 52 moves over them. The weakened portions or slits or axial elongated gaps 34 extend longitudinally from the upper end of the tube 3 to a lower portion near the insertion portion 32. The sleeve 4 telescopes or reciprocates over stem 3 to change the height, and the sleeve 4 is adapted to stop at selected heights when the flange 42 stops in between ridges or bumps 35, due to a push or interference fit between the flange 52 and the bumps 35.

The detaining ridges or bumps 35 of the stem 3 are formed in such a way that when there are lateral forces being exerted around the tube 3 such as by, for example, the flange 52, the bumps 35 can be passed beyond the annular engaging protrusion 42 of the sleeve 4. Otherwise the detaining bumps 35 can't be passed beyond the engaging protrusion 42.

A brake 77 is provided in the form of a projection 79 extending laterally from an upper section of the tapered insertion portion 22. The projection 79 is in the form of a tapered nail or wedge 81 which, when the tee is forced in the direction of the arrow shown in Figures 6 and 7, engages with and digs in to the ground. This reduces the distance that the tee travels after being struck with a club head at high velocity. Of course, other forms of brake may be utilised while still remaining within the scope of the present invention, such as for example parachute, forks, a plurality of spokes, streamers which increase the aerodynamic drag of the tee while flying through the air.

In use the tee should be positioned such that the tapered nail 81 faces generally the direction that the ball is intended to be driven by the club. This increases the likelihood that the tapered nail 81 will dig into the ground after being struck.

In assembling the tee, first the tube 4 around the upper end of the insertion part 2 at the lower end, and the tube 3 is inserted into the tube 4, and fitted in the cavity 22 at the lower insertion portion 32 thereof, thus, lowermost ones of the detaining bumps 35 are right above the annular protrusion 42, as shown in Fig.3. Then, a connecting element 43 is secured in the through hole 33 and the fitting hole 23 for securing the tube 3 to the insertion part 2.

To use the tee, two methods may be used. In one method, firstly, the tapered portion 21 of the insertion part 2 is completely inserted into the ground. Then, the support

4 is adjusted in height according to the player's need by means of displacing the support 4 relative to the connecting tube 3 after lateral forces have been applied on the tubes 4 and 3 to deform the same to such a degree that the annular protrusion 42 can be moved beyond the detaining bumps 35. After the supporting tube 4 is moved to a suitable height, the user releases the tubes 4 and 3 so that the tubes 4 and 3 regain their shape for allowing the detaining ridges or bosses 35 to detain the annular engaging protrusion 42 to prevent the supporting tube 4 from changing height, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Then, the player puts a golf ball on the supporting tube 4. Referring to Fig. 6, the club head hits the supporting tube 51. While the player is teeing off, the supporting tube 4 will change position accordingly owing to the flexibility of itself as well as the flexibility of the tube 3.

Consequently there is no chance that the club head has scratches formed thereon or the tee gets damaged when the club head hits the supporting tube 4 in teeing off.

In the second method of use, the player first adjusts the sleeve so to select a height that suits him, then he only has to insert the awl-shaped insertion portion 21 completely into the ground to position the tee at the same height, not having to adjust the length of the tee again afterwards. The detent regions 35 keep the sleeve at the height selected, when pushing the tee into the ground or when the golf ball is on the cup.

hi addition, the insertion part 2 and the tubes 3 and 4 can be fluorescent-coloured so that the tee can be clearly seen when it is used during the night or in the dark, or even to boost its visibility in the daylight when hidden amongst thick grass.

From the above description, it can be easily understood that the golf tee of preferred embodiments of the present invention has the following advantages over the conventional one shown in Figure 1 :- 1. If the height of the tee is not suitable for a user after awl-shaped insertion portion 21 has been inserted into the ground, the user only has to adjust the position of the supporting tube 4, not having to relocate the whole tee. Therefore, the tee is convenient to use.

2. The supporting tube 4 can be easily made to become displaceable relative to the connecting tube 3 by means of applying lateral forces on the tubes 4 and 3 to deform the same.

3. If the club head hits the supporting tube 4 while the player is teeing off, the tube 4 will change position accordingly because it and the tube 3 are flexible.

4. The tee can be clearly seen when it is used during the night or in the dark because the insertion part 2, and the tubes 3 and 4 are fluorescent -colored.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

CLAMS:

1. A golf tee including: an elongate shaft; a piercing means connected to and disposed at a base end of the shaft for piercing the ground to mount the shaft therein; a golf ball support means for supporting a golf ball disposed at a head end of the shaft; and a brake means for increasing aerodynamic and/or friction drag of the tee when propelled from a teeing spot by a golf club head.

2. A golf tee in accordance with claim 1 wherein an adjustment means is provided which is operatively connected to one end of the shaft, wherein the adjustment means is adapted to move the golf ball support means in the elongate direction relative to the shaft.

3. A golf tee in accordance with claim 2 wherein the adjustment means includes a detent means to inhibit the axial or longitudinal relative motion between the golf ball support means and the shaft at selected positions relative to the shaft.

4. A golf tee in accordance with claim 3 wherein the golf ball support means includes a cup for receiving at least a portion of a golf ball and the adjustment means includes an upper stem mounted at a head region of the shaft, and the detent means includes bosses or ridges projecting from the stem at selected spaced apart positions along the stem, and an engagement region on the golf ball support means for engaging the bosses or ridges.

5. A golf tee in accordance with claim 4 wherein the cup is mounted on a sleeve which is generally of greater diameter than the upper stem so that the sleeve may extend along the upper stem in a telescoping action.

6. A golf tee in accordance with claim 5 wherein the engagement means includes an inwardly depending flange on the sleeve, the inwardly depending flange being a push or interference fit with the spaced-apart bosses or ridges.

7. A golf tee in accordance with claim 6 wherein the stem includes weakened portions which facilitate flexing of the stem.

8. A golf tee in accordance with claim 7 wherein the shaft includes weakened portions to improve flexibility.

9. A golf tee in accordance with any previous claim wherein the brake includes one or more projections extending from the shaft when engaging with the ground.

10. A golf tee in accordance with claim 9 wherein the one or more projections engage the ground when the tee is knocked sideways by a club head strike.

11. A golf tee in accordance with claim 10 wherein, in use, the projection is disposed immediately adjacent the ground, and facing in the direction of proposed travel of the golf ball so as to increased the likelihood of biting or digging into the ground after teeing off and a club strikes the tee.

12. A golf tee in accordance with claim 10 or 11 wherein the projection extends perpendicular to the shaft and is triangular in shape to create a tapered insertion point.

13. A golf tee in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 12 wherein the cup and sleeve are fluorescent in colour to increase their visibility.

14. A golf tee in accordance with any one of claims 5 — 13 wherein the cup and sleeve are constructed from flexible plastic material so as to facilitate their durability.

15. A golf tee in accordance with any one of claims 5 — 14 wherein the cup and sleeve are constructed from a blend of silicone and/or rubber and other plastics materials.

16. A golf tee substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.