U.S. patent application number 10/535518 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for golf tee device.
Invention is credited to Geoffrey Emmerson, John S. Thirkettle.
Application Number | 20060105859 10/535518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9947742 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060105859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thirkettle; John S. ; et
al. |
May 18, 2006 |
Golf tee device
Abstract
A golf tee device comprises a tee (4) which has external
buttress threading (5) for insertion into the corresponding
threading (2) of a housing (1) so that the height of the tee can be
adjusted. The top of the threading indicates that the tee (4) is at
its maximum working height.
Inventors: |
Thirkettle; John S.;
(Watford, GB) ; Emmerson; Geoffrey; (Watford,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Family ID: |
9947742 |
Appl. No.: |
10/535518 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
November 13, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/04926 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/387 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/15 20151001;
A63B 57/10 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/387 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 13, 2002 |
GB |
0226470.3 |
Claims
1. A golf tee device comprising a tee member removably supported in
a holder member, wherein the tee member is movable in a continuous
manner in a substantially vertical direction relative to the holder
member, and wherein there is provided means to prevent movement
between the tee member and the holder member on striking of a golf
ball supported by the tee member.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means to prevent
movement prevents axial movement of the tee member relative to the
holder member.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tee member is
supported by means of threading provided along at least a part of
the length of the exterior of the tee member and/or at least a part
of the length of the interior of the holder member.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the threading is
buttressed in form.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the buttress threading
has a first surface at an acute angle to the axis of the tee and a
second surface substantially perpendicular to the axis.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the first surface of the
buttress threading is at an angle of 30.degree. to 60.degree. to
the axis of the tee.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the first angle is
substantially 45.degree..
8. A device according to claim 1, comprising means to prevent full
insertion of the tee member into the holder member.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tee member is longer
than the holder member.
10. A device according to claim 1, comprising means for indicating
when the tee member is at its maximum workable height.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the means for
indicating when the tee member is at its maximum workable height
comprises the topmost part of the threading of the tee member.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a golf tee device.
[0002] Golf driving ranges are popularly used to practise long
shots that may be used during a game of golf. Usually these are the
first shot of a "hole" whereby the rules of golf allow the player
to elevate the ball through use of a tee. Another situation in
which tees are used is during a golf game, such as that described
in WO0149379, in which golfers can play on a suitably modified golf
course without having to keep score. When a tee is used during a
game of golf, different heights can be achieved according to by how
far the tee is pushed into the ground. Different heights are
desirable depending on which shot the player requires (and hence
which club they are using) and the height of the player. Therefore,
it is desirable to provide height-adjustable tees at a driving
range to more closely simulate the experience of playing a round of
golf.
[0003] The tees currently provided in driving ranges tend to be
either the conventional tee as used on a golf course, or a
fixed-height rubber tee. Conventional tees can fly out of their
holder when the golf ball is struck. This is a health and safety
problem and also results in loss of the tee. The fixed-height tees
sometimes provided are not adjustable according to the needs of the
individual player. Moreover, the tees of both these systems
protrude through a hole in the stance mat on which the player
stands to make his shot, and therefore may require lifting or
removal of the stance mat in order to be changed.
[0004] GB2327193A and U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,060 disclose
height-adjustable golf tees. However, these tees can only be
adjusted to a few specific heights, thereby limiting their
utility.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,989 discloses a base into which a
conventional tee can be inserted. The base contains a mouldable wax
to allow the tee to be pushed in by different amounts thereby
providing any number of different ball heights. However, the tee of
such a device is at risk of flying out of its base when the ball is
struck, or of moving relative to the base so that it needs
readjusting before the next shot is taken.
[0006] WO9937368 discloses a height-adjustable tee. However, this
tee is located into a base that would be situated underneath the
stance mat at a driving range therefore requiring lifting or
removal of the stance mat in order to change the tee, for example,
if it breaks.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,121 discloses a height-adjustable tee
based on a vertically moveable piston within a housing. However,
this tee is of a relatively complex construction, requiring many
parts that could break or go missing. A particular disadvantage of
this type of tee is that the ball support piston can only be
removed from below, requiring lifting and movement of the stance
mat. An alternative embodiment in which the upper part of the ball
support piston can be removed from above has a relatively
complicated connection mechanism. Moreover, it has no apparent
mechanism for eliminating movement of the ball support member under
impact, and so it would be likely to move under the impact of a
swing from a golf club.
[0008] The present invention seeks to overcome or reduce one or
more of the above problems.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a golf tee device comprising a tee member removably
supported in a holder member, wherein the tee member is movable in
a continuous manner in a substantially vertical direction relative
to the holder member, and wherein there is provided means to
prevent movement between the tee member and the holder member on
striking of a golf ball supported by the tee member.
[0010] Preferably the means to prevent movement prevents axial
movement of the tee member relative to the holder member. This
therefore ensures that unless deliberately adjusted, the tee member
remains at the position at which it was prior to a shot being
taken.
[0011] Preferably the tee member is supported, and its movement
within the holder member is prevented, by means of threading
provided along at least a part of the length of the exterior of the
tee member and/or at least a part of the length of the interior of
the holder member. By rotating the tee member within the holder
member this enables adjustment of its height to any height between
two extremes as dictated by the length of the thread. In this way,
the means that allow intended movement of the tee member also act
to prevent unwanted movement of the tee member relative to the
holder member.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment the thread is buttressed in form.
A buttress thread is one that is designed to withstand heavy axial
thrust in one direction. In one example, a buttress thread may have
one surface at 45 degrees to the axis whilst another surface may be
perpendicular to the axis.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment there is provided means to prevent
fall insertion of the tee member into the holder member. Preferably
this is provided by the tee member being longer than the holder
member. This ensures that when the lower end of the tee member
touches the base of the holder member there is always enough of the
length of the tee member available above the holder member for the
user to grip in order to adjust its height.
[0014] Preferably there is also provided means for indicating when
the tee member is at its maximum workable height. This ensures
there is enough mating between the threading to support the tee
member during a shot.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the means for indicating when the
tee member is at its maximum workable height comprises the topmost
part of the threading of the tee member above the holder member,
which can be seen by the player in use.
[0016] An embodiment of the present invention is described below,
by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a holder
member;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of the threading of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a tee member;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section of a tee member;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section of the threading of
FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tee device in
use, with the tee member at its lowest position; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tee device in
use, with the tee member at a higher position.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, a holder member comprises a
hollow, substantially cylindrical housing 1 provided with buttress
threading 2 on its interior wall. A tee device support 3 extends
laterally from the exterior wall of the housing 1 at an angle
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holder
member. The holder member is preferably fabricated from a robust
material such as metal, hard rubber or hard plastic, so that it is
suitable as a semi-permanent fixture at a driving range. The choice
of material will depend on the expected wear, length of use and
cost. Fixing means may be provided, for example, holes through
which screws can be driven may be provided in the tee device
support 3.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows in cross-section the buttress threading 2 of
the housing of the holder member shown in FIG. 1. In order to
accommodate the buttress threading of the tee member (described
below), in cross-section the buttress threading of the holder
member housing 1 has a horizontal lower surface 11, a vertical side
surface 12 and a sloping upper surface 13.
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a tee member that is suitable for
insertion into the holder member of FIG. 1. The tee member is a
substantially cylindrical hollow rod 4. The rod 4 is of dimensions
suitable for insertion into its corresponding holder member, and
long enough such that it cannot be fully inserted into the holder
member. Buttress threading 5 is provided on the exterior of the rod
4. The uppermost end of the rod 4 is provided with an indentation 6
to aid placing and support of a golf ball by a user. The tee member
is preferably made from a resilient material such as rubber, to
help prevent the tee member snapping under any accidental impact
from the golf club.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows in cross-section the buttress threading 5 of
the rod 4 of the tee member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In order to
mate with the buttress threading of the holder member, in
cross-section the buttress threading of the tee member rod 4 has a
horizontal upper surface 14, a vertical side surface 15 and a
sloping lower surface 16.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the arrangement of the tee member with
the holder member in use. The holder member is placed into a hole 7
in the ground 8 of suitable dimension to accommodate the holder
member. A stance mat 9 with an aperture 10 through which the holder
member protrudes is placed over the holder member. The tee device
support 3 rests on the ground 8 and under the stance mat 9 and
supports the holder member at a suitable height above the ground.
The rod 4 is screwed into the housing 1 such that the corresponding
threads 2,5 mate, and the tee member is held firm within the holder
member. FIG. 6 shows the tee member at its lowest height, which may
be typically 5 mm above the stance mat. The minimum height is
defined by the lowest part of the rod 4 making contact with the
bottom of the housing 1. At its minimum height, enough of the rod 4
remains above ground level for the user to grip the upper part of
the rod 4 in order to further adjust the tee member. FIG. 7 shows
the tee member at a higher level. At its highest level, the ball
will typically be 40 mm above the stance mat. At the highest
workable height, there is enough mating between the threads 2,5 to
fully support the tee member. When the threading 5 starts to show
above the level of the stance mat 9, it is an indication that the
tee member is above its maximum workable height.
[0029] In use, the holder member is preferably already in place
under the stance mat. In fact, the holder member can be used to
align the stance mat into the appropriate position, by ensuring
that the aperture in the stance mat is place over the holder
member. The golfers may there insert his own tee member, or one may
already be in place within the holder member. Having decided which
shot he or she would like to practise, the golfer can adjust the
tee member by rotating it around the threading within the holder
member to the appropriate height for that shot and for that golfer.
The golfer then places his or her golf ball into the indentation at
the top of the tee member and plays the shot. If it is then desired
to repeat the same shot, the tee member may be kept at the same
height, for which no further adjustment will be necessary, or to
change the height of the tee member in order to improve the shot.
Alternatively, the golfer may wish to practice a different shot, in
which case the tee device can be adjusted by rotation as
appropriate.
[0030] If any damage occurs to the tee member, it can be replaced
simply by unscrewing it from the holder member, and screwing in a
new part. As long as the holder member remains in place there is no
need to remove and replace the stance mat.
[0031] The tee device described in the present application is
adjustable to any given height within a particular range. It is
supported such that there is no risk of it moving or flying out of
the holder member when the ball is struck. It also ensures no
movement of the tee member relative to the holder member under
impact from a golf club. Moreover, if the tee member does break,
since it is totally accessible from above, it can be easily
replaced by unscrewing from the holder member, without need to lift
the stance mat in order to replace the entire tee device. In
addition, since it comprises only two main parts it will be
relatively cheap and easy to produce, and simple to assemble and
repair, in particular no tools are required to facilitate the use
of or replacement of the tee member. Preferably, the tee member is
fabricated from a material that gives a similar "feel" to a
regulation golf tee.
[0032] Because the holder member is preferably a semi-permanent
fixture, it is held fast rendering it relatively easy to adjust the
tee member by rotation.
[0033] A modification may be envisaged whereby instead of being
recessed in a hole in the ground, the holder member may comprise a
base that sits upon the ground. Since in this embodiment, there
will be a smaller distance available for the tee member to travel
within, the holder member, it would be advantageous to provide two
tee members of different lengths. This embodiment can be used on
any flat surface without the need for being set into a specialised
hole in the ground. This version of the device may be fixed to the
ground, or may be weighted such that it remains grounded on
impact.
[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the tee member may be formed
from a rod of solid construction instead of a hollow rod.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment, a latching or detent mechanism
may be provided to indicate when the tee member has reached its
maximum workable height. Such mechanisms are known in the art, in
which a certain resistance is felt when the maximum workable height
is reached, but this resistance should be overcome by application
of a little extra force in order that the tee member remain easily
removable. Other means to prevent fall insertion of the tee member
into the holder member may also be envisaged. For example, an
inwardly extending abutment on the internal wall of the holder
member housing could serve to prevent excessive insertion of the
tee member.
[0036] Alternatives to the buttress threading can be envisaged.
Although in the preferred embodiment the upper surface is
horizontal and the side surface is vertical, threading that in
cross-section has surfaces at different angles could also perform
satisfactorily for the purposes of the present invention.
Conventional threading may be used, in which case the upper and
lower surfaces will meet at an edge so that there is no separate
side surface.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment the threading is present on both
the exterior of the tee member rod, and the interior wall of the
holder member housing. Alternative embodiments may utilise
threading on only the tee member rod or on the holder member
housing. The threading may mate with projections extending from the
other member. The projections may be elongated such that they form
a discontinuous thread that mates with the threading provided on
its partner member. In another alternative embodiment, the inner
wall of the holder member housing may include a layer of relatively
soft material, in which a thread is formed as the tee member is
inserted into the holder member so that the arrangement is self
tapping.
* * * * *