WO2010043227A2

WO2010043227A2 - Golf tee holder

Info

Publication number: WO2010043227A2
Application number: PCT/DK2009/050272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Schleppegrel Skaue
Original assignee: Tee On Tee Aps
Priority date: 2008-10-17
Filing date: 2009-10-14
Publication date: 2010-04-22
Also published as: WO2010043227A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf tee holder for holding a golf tee during use. The golf tee holder comprises an elongated stem having a hole extending into the stem parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem, and a flattened head extending laterally outwards from the longitudinal axis of the elongated stem. The hole has an orifice located in the flattened head, and the surface extension of the flattened head has an outer boundary. The elongated stem has a pointed end opposite the orifice, and a ratio between a surface area of the flattened head, as delimited by the outer boundary, and a cross-sectional area of the orifice is at least 5: 1.

Description

GOLF TEE HOLDER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf tee holder for holding a standard golf tee. The invention also relates to a use of a golf tee holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When playing golf a general problem is to position the golf tee correctly with regard to height above ground level and stability for holding the golf ball. This problem is especially pronounced when the golf tee is positioned in hard ground which can occur when the soil is for example dry or frozen. Similar, correct positioning of the golf tee is a problem when the soil is for example wet, muddy or porous since not enough stability can be obtained. Correct positioning of the golf tee is also a problem when the tee has to be positioned in an artificial turf which is often the case when teeing off or when at least part of the golf court is made out of artificial turfs, since these surfaces can be difficult to penetrate with a golf tee.

Several solutions to support golf tees have been developed.

US 3,516,664 Bl discloses golf tee holders capable of rigidly maintaining golf tees in an upright position. The golf tee holder is intended for incorporation into a man- made artificial turf during fabrication of the turf, thereby eliminating the practice of golfers to position golf tees randomly in man-made artificial turfs.

US 6,383,094 Bl discloses a turf-simulating surface comprising a tee-block that comprises a first component material and a gel-foam tee-retaining element.

US design patent 350798 discloses a golf tee holder capable of supporting a non- standard golf tee, said golf tee corresponding exactly to the golf tee holder.

An improved portable golf tee holder for supporting standard golf tees would be advantageous, and in particular a golf tee holder which can be used independently of an artificial grass turf or other ground material would be advantageous. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It may be an object of the present invention to provide a golf tee holder for holding a golf tee, and which is capable of penetrating hard soil or artificial turf, is capable of supporting a standard golf tee in soft soil, and which is capable of being carried along by the golfer.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a golf tee holder that solves the problems of the prior art with regard to adjusting the height of the standard golf tee when situated in the golf tee holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the above described object and several other objects are solved in a first aspect of the invention by providing a golf tee holder comprising a) an elongated stem having a hole extending into the stem parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem, b) a flattened head extending laterally outwards from the longitudinal axis of the elongated stem, and

- wherein the hole has an orifice located in the flattened head, and

- wherein said elongated stem has a pointed end opposite the orifice, and

- wherein a ratio between the surface area of the flattened head and the cross- sectional area of the orifice is at least 5: 1.

It is to be understood, that when using the phrase "standard golf tee" the wording covers any shape or type of a golf tee, known by the person skilled in the art, and having an elongated stem intended for being stuck into the ground and a flattened head intended for holding a golf ball.

In general, the length of a standard golf tee may vary, depending on the height at which the golfer intends to position the golf ball above ground level. Examples of the length of standard golf tees are e.g. between 30 and 100 mm, such as 40 mm, such as 60 mm, such as 80 mm, or such as 90 mm. In general the elongated stem of a standard golf tee is round and has a diameter between 3-8 mm, such as 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, or 8 mm. Furthermore, the elongated stem of a standard golf tee has normally a pointed end opposite the end of the flattened head.

The elongated stem of the golf tee holder according to the invention is intended to be stuck into the ground when a standard golf tee would be difficult to position correctly. This could be the case when the ground is frozen, is dry, or in some other way is relatively hard. It could also be the case when the ground is wet, muddy, porous or in some other way is incapable of properly supporting a standard golf tee. Furthermore, it could also be the case where the golf tee is to be positioned in an artificial grass turf.

In the present context the wording "ground" covers standard golf lanes, grass lawns, sand, mud, clay, snow, ice, artificial turfs, and any of these grounds in a frozen, a dry or a similar state.

The length of the elongated stem of the golf tee holder according to the invention has to enable support to the golf tee holder when positioned into the ground. The length of the elongated stem may be 30-150 mm, such as 40-120 mm, such as 40-100 mm, or such as 40-80 mm.

Preferably, the elongated stem has a pointed outer end. The circumferential outer surface of the elongated stem can have different shapes such as a round shape, an oval shape, a triangular shape, a square shape, or having another polygonal shape. Furthermore, the circumference along the circumferential outer surface of the elongated stem may be larger in the immediate vicinity of the flattened head and then narrow down towards the pointed end of the elongated stem, distant from the flattened head. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention the elongated stem may have a more or less pronounced conical shape or otherwise tapering configuration along all or at least along part of the longitudinal extension of the elongated stem.

The hole extending into the elongated stem is intended for supporting at least part of a corresponding elongated stem of a standard golf tee. Therefore the shape of the hole should have at least the same, preferably a little larger than, a circumferential cross-sectional area of the elongated stem of a standard golf tee. Preferably, the bottom of the hole should be pointed to increase the support of the corresponding pointed end of a standard golf tee. The distance between the orifice of the hole and the bottom of the hole may be 10-100 mm, such as 30-90 mm, such as 40-80 mm, such as 20-40 mm, such as 30-50 mm, such as 40-60 mm, such as 50-70 mm, or such as 60-80 mm.

Preferably, the hole has a circular cross-section, but other shapes for increasing the support of irregular shaped golf tees is also possible e.g. square, triangular, oval or polygonal cross-section.

The shape of the flattened head is intended for easily pushing the golf tee holder into the ground using e.g. a foot, e.g. the sole of a golfer's shoe, a tool such as a hammer, or a hand, possibly simultaneous with a golf ball being held between the hand and the flattened head.

The shape of the flattened head could, instead of being circular, also be oval, triangular, square or having even another polygonal shape.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension of the flattened head, viewed perpendicular to a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis, is convex and/or frustoconical.

To avoid the golf club head from hitting the side of the golf tee holder during a golf stroke, it is an advantage if the flattened head has a convex and/or frustoconical shape bending upwards at one or more of the sides of the flattened head when the golf tee holder is situated in the ground.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the elongated stem of the golf tee holder comprises resilient means positioned inside the hole, and wherein the resilient means are selected from a group comprising: a gel material, a flexible string of plastic or metal, foam material, or a rubber material. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated stem of the golf tee holder according to the invention comprises a bead provided as an integrate part of the elongated stem and occupying part of the hole.

When positioning a standard golf tee in the hole of the golf tee holder of the invention, it is advantageous to be able to adjust the height of the golf ball above the flattened head. One way to adjust the height of the golf ball above the flattened head is to use golf tees of different lengths which are positioned with the pointed end at the bottom of the hole.

However, it may be advantageous to have a resilient material or having a solid material positioned in the hole of the golf tee holder to provide frictional support of the golf tee between the circumferential surface of the elongated stem of the golf tee and the inner circumferential surface of the hole. By providing frictional support, adjustability of the height of the golf tee, and thus of the golf ball, above the flattened head may be obtained with the one and same golf tee.

A further advantage of having a resilient material positioned in the hole for providing frictional support of the golf tee between the circumferential surface of the elongated stem of the golf tee and the inner circumferential surface of the hole is that the golf tee may not break as easily when it is positioned in a resilient and thus flexible material during the golf stroke, since the resilient material allows the golf tee to flex in the hole or even allows the golf tee to be thrown out of the golf tee holder.

The flattened head is intended for providing means for easily pushing the golf tee holder into the ground. In order to have a proper surface for pushing the golf tee holder into the ground either by foot or by hand, the surface area of the flattened head may have a surface area of 5-100 cm², such as 5-80 cm², such as 5-80 cm², such as 5-40 cm²,such as 5-30 cm², such as 5-20 cm².

The surface area of the flattened head may also be provided with one or more indentations, bulges or other unevenness to provide better grip of the sole of a shoe or of the hand or of other means when the golf tee holder is to be inserted into the ground. The area of the flattened head depends on the area of the tread surface and the cross-sectional area of the orifice of the hole. Thus, the grip which can be obtained depends on the ratio between the surface area of the flattened head and the cross-sectional area of the orifice.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the ratio between the surface area of the flattened head and the cross-sectional area of the orifice may be at the most 500: 1, such as at the most 200: 1, such as at the most 150: 1, such as at the most 100: 1.

The orifice of the hole of the elongated stem of the golf tee holder may preferably have an indentation shaped for supporting a golf ball, i.e. shaped substantially hemi-spherically. This is advantageous during pushing of the golf tee holder into the ground in a situation where the golf tee holder is inserted by hand while having a golf ball between the hand and the golf tee holder, similarly to the use of many golfers when pushing a standard golf tee into the ground. Thus, by providing an indentation around the orifice of the hole, the golf ball may be seated in the indentation, and during insertion of the golf tee holder into the ground a better grip is achieved.

The golf tee holder may be made from different materials depending on the structural strength and/or the lifetime durability and/or the environmental sustainability required of the golf tee holder.

Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the golf tee holder is made at least partly of a material selected from a group comprising : a plastic such as acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics, a metal such as aluminium and iron, a metal alloy such as steel and bronze, or wood.

It may also be advantageous to manufacture the golf tee holder from a biodegradable material since the golf tee holder may be lost in nature during use. An example of a biodegradable material is polyhydroxyalkanoate. The golf tee holder comprises a pointed end. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to design the holder in a way which makes it difficult for the holder to have the pointed end pointing upwards from the ground if dropped on the ground. If the golf tee holder, when dropped on the ground, has the pointed end pointing upwards from the ground, the golf tee holder may damage the feet of persons and/or the tyres of vehicles when stepping on or driving over the golf tee holder, respectively. Therefore, having the golf tee holder designed so that the pointed end will be pointing downwards towards the ground when the golf tee holder is dropped minimises the risk of people and/or vehicles being hurt or damaged, respectively.

In an embodiment of the invention, a cover made of a material having a structural strength which is lower than the material of the golf tee holder may be provided, said cover being intended for being positioned over the flattened head. Thereby, when striking with a golf club, the head of the golf club will not be bruised or damaged due to a possible blow against the flattened head of the golf tee holder.

Alternatively, the cover may only cover the outer boundary of the flattened head. Thereby, when striking with a golf club, the head of the golf club will not be bruised or damaged due to a possible blow against at least the outer boundary of the flattened head of the golf tee holder.

If the golf tee holder is made of metal or another solid material having a relatively high structural strength, and which may damage the golf club during a stroke, it may be an advantage to have e.g. a plastic cover, having a lower structural strength, and which can be mounted on the tread surface area to protect the golf club during a stroke. Furthermore, preferably the plastic cover is exchangeable so that the cover may be exchanged with another cover, if the cover is damaged during a stroke. Alternatively, or additionally, the cover may be exchangeable for exchanging a cover with e.g. one advert with another cover with another advert. Even in the alternative, the cover may be exchangeable for exchanging a cover with one colour with a cover with another colour. The individual aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The golf tee holder according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limited to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

Figures 1-4 show the golf tee holder of the invention in different views, Figure 5 shows the golf tee holder next to a standard golf tee, Figure 6 shows a standard golf tee inserted in the golf tee holder, and Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the golf tee holder of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Figures 1-4 show an embodiment of a golf tee holder. The golf tee holder comprises an elongated stem 1 and a flattened head 2. The elongated stem 1 comprises a pointed end 3, which enables easy positioning of the golf tee holder into the ground. Opposite the pointed end, the elongated stem 1 has a hole 4 extending into the elongated stem 1, parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongated stem 1. The hole 4 is intended for positioning a standard golf tee in the golf tee holder.

The golf tee holder is further provided with a flattened head 2 extending laterally outwards in relation to the longitudinal axis of the elongated stem 1. The flattened 2 comprises an orifice of the hole 2. The cross-sectional area of the orifice of the hole 2 may be the same as, or preferably a little larger than the cross-sectional area of a standard golf tee.

The flattened head 2 is provided with an indentation 5 around the orifice of the hole 2. The indentation constitutes a cavity in the flattened head 2 and has a conical shape or a hemi-spherical shape. The indentation in the flattened is designed to fit a standard golf ball. By having a golf ball positioned on the golf tee holder and being partly embedded in the indentation during insertion of the golf tee holder into the ground, a better grip is achieved for inserting the golf tee holder. Subsequent to insertion into the ground a standard golf tee 6 can be positioned in the golf tee holder (see figure 6).

The flattened head 2 enables easy positioning of the golf tee holder in hard or soft soil of the ground, e.g. by using a foot, a hand or a tool to push the golf tee holder into the ground. Figure 1 shows that the flattened head 2 may have a convex and/or frustoconical shape at the surface intended for facing upwards during insertion of the golf tee holder and during subsequent use of the golf tee holder. By shaping the upper surface as being convex and/or frustoconical, outer boundaries of the flattened will be positioned close to, and preferably in intimate abutment with, the ground when the golf tee holder is positioned into the ground. Thus, during a golf stroke the chance of hitting the boundaries of the flattened head, and possibly damaging the golf club head, is minimized.

Often, golfers have individual needs for how high the golf ball is raised from the ground by the standard golf tee. Individual needs and adjustment of the height of the golf ball above ground level are accomplished by pushing a standard golf tee more or less into the ground. However, by the present invention, the standard golf tee is not inserted into the ground but is inserted into the hole of the golf tee holder.

Fig. 7 shows that in order to be able to adjust the height of the golf tee in the golf tee holder a bead 7 may be provided along the inner side surface of the hole, preferably parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hole.

The bead results in a length of a diagonal of the hole, from the bead to the diagonally opposite inner side surface of the hole, is delimited. The length of the diagonal must be delimited so as to decrease the length to a value less than a diameter of a standard golf tee. Thereby, when the standard golf tee is inserted into the hole, the material of the standard golf tee will be slightly compressed along a diameter of the standard golf tee. In this way the bead functions as a means for providing friction between the inner side of the hole and the outer surface of the standard golf tee. The friction enables height adjustment of the golf tee above the flattened head, and thus above ground level.

Alternatively to a bead, the friction between the inner side surface of the hole and the outer surface of the golf tee holder may be enabled by the hole in itself having at least one diagonal being smaller than the diameter of the standard golf tee, e.g. by the hole having an oval, a triangular or a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Even in the alternative to a bead, the means for proving friction, and thus enabling height adjustment of the golf tee above the flattened head and above ground level, may be a resilient material. The resilient material may be a gel or a polymer such as rubber, or the resilient material may be a flexible metal or plastic strip extending along the inner side surface of the hole, parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hole. The resilient material will be provided inside the hole.

The standard golf tee will be inserted into or will pass along the resilient material, when the standard golf tee is inserted into the hole. In this way the resilient material bead functions as a means for providing friction between the inner side of the hole and the outer surface of the standard golf tee. The friction enables height adjustment of the golf tee above the flattened head, and thus above ground level. The standard golf tee may thereby be maintained inside the hole at the level which fulfils the individual need of the golfer.

Figure 5 shows the golf tee holder of Figure 1 positioned next to a standard golf tee 6. The hole 4 in the golf tee holder is designed to match a standard golf tee, e.g. the cross-sectional area of the hole either being the same size or preferably being a little larger than the cross-sectional area of a standard golf tee.

Figure 6 shows the golf tee holder of Figure 1 positioned with the standard golf tee positioned in the hole 4. As mentioned, the hole 4 in the golf tee holder is designed to match a standard golf tee, e.g. the length of the hole being a little shorter than the stem of a standard golf tee.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is to be interpreted in the light of the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible sections such as the elongated stem and the flattened head and being part of the golf tee holder. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to sections indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Claims

1. A golf tee holder for holding a golf tee during use, said holder comprising a) an elongated stem having a hole extending into the stem parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem, b) a flattened head extending laterally outwards from the longitudinal axis of the elongated stem, and

wherein the hole has an orifice located in the flattened head, and the surface extension of the flattened head has an outer boundary,

wherein said elongated stem has a pointed end opposite the orifice, and

wherein a ratio between a surface area of the flattened head, as delimited by the outer boundary, and a cross-sectional area of the orifice is at least 5: 1.

2. A golf tee holder according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the flattened head, viewed in a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis, is convex and/or frustoconical along at least part of the surface, viewed from the orifice and outwards towards the outer boundary of the surface extension.

3. A golf tee holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated stem comprises a resilient element positioned inside the hole, and wherein the resilient element is selected from a group comprising: a separate gel element occupying at least part of the hole, possibly occupying all of the hole, a foam element occupying at least part of the hole, possibly occupying all of the hole, or a rubber element occupying part of the hole.

4. A golf tee holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated stem comprises a rigid element positioned inside the hole, and wherein the rigid element are selected from a group comprising: a separate string of plastic occupying part of the hole, a separate string of metal occupying part of the hole or a bead, provided as an integrate part of the elongated stem and occupying part of the hole.

5. A golf tee holder according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the ratio between the surface area of the supporting surface element and the cross- sectional area of the orifice is at the most 500: 1, such as at the most 200: 1, such as at the most 150: 1, such as at the most 100: 1.

6. A golf tee holder according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the golf tee holder at least partly is made of a material selected from a group comprising: a plastic such as acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and halogenated plastics, or polyhydroxyalkanoate.

7. A golf tee holder according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the golf tee holder at least partly is made of a material selected from a group comprising: a metal such as aluminium and iron, a metal alloy such as steel and bronze,

8. A golf tee holder according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the golf tee holder at least partly is made of a material selected from a group comprising: cellulose-containing material such as grass, chipped straw, chipped wood or solid wood, or starch-containing material such as paper-pulp or textile-fabric.

9. Use of a golf tee holder according to any of claims 1-8 for holding a standard golf tee in relation to the ground during initial positioning of a golf ball on the standard golf tee and during subsequent hitting the golf ball by a golf club head.

10. Use according to claim 9 for holding a standard golf tee, and for holding the standard golf tee at a certain level above ground level, and for holding a golf ball, supported by the standard golf tee, at a certain level above ground level.