U.S. patent application number 11/585099 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for combined golf tee.
This patent application is currently assigned to Moldetk Precision Corp.. Invention is credited to Lien-Hsin Lee.
Application Number | 20070219022 11/585099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38518638 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070219022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Lien-Hsin |
September 20, 2007 |
Combined golf tee
Abstract
A combined gold tee includes an anchoring member for anchoring
to the ground in a golf course, a receptacle member for mounting on
the anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking by a golf
player with a golf club, a cord member threaded through the
anchoring member to link the receptacle member to the anchoring
member so that the receptacle member can be collected for repeat
uses, and a positioning means, which includes a split block
securely provided at a top side of the anchoring member and a split
socket securely provided at a bottom side of the receptacle member
for engagement with the split block to secure the receptacle member
to the anchoring member.
Inventors: |
Lee; Lien-Hsin; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
Moldetk Precision Corp.
|
Family ID: |
38518638 |
Appl. No.: |
11/585099 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/387 ;
473/391; 473/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0075 20130101;
A63B 57/10 20151001; A63B 57/13 20151001; A63B 57/12 20151001; A63B
57/15 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/387 ;
473/391; 473/396 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2006 |
TW |
095108862 |
Claims
1. A combined golf tee comprising: an anchoring member for
anchoring to the ground in a golf course, said anchoring member has
a head, a plurality of wire holes, and a pointed stem extending
downwardly from the bottom side of said head for fastening to the
ground; at least one receptacle member for selectively mounting on
said anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking by a golf
player with a golf club, said at least one receptacle member each
having a shank, said shank having a top end and a bottom end, a
receptacle head disposed at the top end of said shank for
supporting a golf ball for striking, a through hole transversely
through said shank, and a connection portion disposed at the bottom
end of said shank for connection to said anchoring member; at least
one cord member threaded through said wire holes of said anchoring
member and said through hole of each of said at least one
receptacle member to link said at least one receptacle member to
said anchoring member; and a positioning means, said positioning
means comprising a male positioning device provides at said head of
the anchoring member, and at least one female positioning device
provides at said connection portion of each of the receptacle
member for engagement with the male positioning device for enabling
the receptacle member to be selectively secured to the head of the
anchoring member to support a golf ball for striking.
2. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head of
the anchoring member has a circular recess at a top side thereof
for receiving the connection portion of one of said at least one
receptacle member; the male positioning device is provided in said
circular recess.
3. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one female positioning device each is a socket; said male
positioning device is a positioning block for engaging into the
socket of one of the female positioning device.
4. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein the male
positioning device is a split block having a plurality of radial
crevices.
5. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at
least one female positioning member each is a split socket having a
plurality of longitudinal crevices.
6. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one receptacle member includes a plurality of receptacle
members having different heights.
7. The combined golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at
least one cord member is respectively wound round said anchoring
member and said at least one receptacle member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf tee for use in
playing a golf game and more particularly, to a detachable golf
tee, which comprises an anchoring member and a reusable receptacle
member linked to the anchoring member by a cord member and secured
to the anchoring member by a positioning means. The anchoring
member can be selectively used with a set of receptacle members of
different heights.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A golf tee is a stand used to support a golf ball so that
the player can strike the golf ball. A conventional golf tee is a
solid member made out of wood or plastic material. A solid golf tee
will break easily after several uses or when hit by a golf club.
Further, when the player hit the golf ball, the golf tee may be
forced to jump out of ground, and the player will have to spend a
lot of time to find the lost golf tee.
[0005] In order to eliminate the aforesaid problem, an auto-return
golf tee is developed. As shown in FIG. 10, the auto-return golf
tee A is comprised of a receptacle A1, a first spring member A2, a
second spring member A3, a barrel A4, a spring holder A5 and an
anchor nail A6. When the player strikes a golf ball, the receptacle
A1 will be forced away from the anchor nail A6 and then immediately
return to its original resting position on the anchor nail A6 by
means of the spring force of the first spring member A2 and the
second spring member A3. This structure of the auto-return golf tee
A is complicated. When one component part of the auto-return golf
tee A is damaged, the whole assembly becomes useless. Further, the
spring members A3 and A4 wear quickly with use.
[0006] Further, when an experienced golf player hit the golf ball
away from the golf tee, the player may check the fall position of
the golf tee to judge the direction of rotation the golf ball and
the striking performance. However, the aforesaid auto-return golf
tee does not provide this function. Because the receptacle A1 is
automatically returned to the anchor nail A6 after the hit, the
player cannot judge the direction of rotation of the golf ball
subject to the position of the receptacle A1.
[0007] There is also a detachable golf tee, which is formed of an
anchor nail and a receptacle. After hitting the golf ball, the
player can check its fall position of the receptacle and judge the
direction of rotation of the golf ball subject to the fall position
of the receptacle. In case the player hits the bottom side of the
gravity center of the golf ball, the driving force of the golf club
will force the receptacle to fall to the front side, and the golf
ball will roll backwards. In case the player hit the top side of
the gravity center of the golf ball, the driving force of the golf
club will force the golf ball to rotate in counter-clockwise
direction. Subject to the fall position of the receptacle, the
player can judge the striking performance. However, when the
receptacle is driven away, the player will have to spend a lot of
time to find the lost receptacle.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a combined golf tee
that eliminates the drawbacks of the aforesaid various prior art
designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the present
invention, the combined golf tee comprises an anchoring member for
fastening to the ground in a golf course, a receptacle member for
mounting on the anchoring member to support a golf ball for
striking by a golf player with a golf club, a cord member threaded
through the anchoring member to link the receptacle member to the
anchoring member so that the receptacle member can be collected for
repeated uses, and a positioning means, which comprises a male
positioning device securely located at the top side of the
anchoring member and a female positioning device securely located
at the bottom side of the receptacle member for engagement with the
male positioning member to fasten the receptacle member to the
anchoring member.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
anchoring member has an annular top flange extending around the
head thereof and a plurality of wire holes through the annular top
flange for threaded the cord member to link the receptacle member
to the anchoring member.
[0011] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
a plurality of receptacle members of different heights may be
linked to the anchoring member by the cord member so that the
player can select the suitable receptacle member for supporting the
golf ball on the anchoring member subject to the type of the golf
club used.
[0012] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
a male positioning device and a female positioning device are
respectively provided at the anchoring member and the receptacle
member so that the detachable receptacle member can be secured to
the anchoring member.
[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
the multiple receptacle members that are linked to the anchoring
member by the cord members can be selectively used to guide the
striking direction when the player is striking the golf ball on the
receptacle member that is selected and mounted on the anchoring
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a combination golf
tee in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional assembly view of the first embodiment
of the present invention, showing the combination golf tee fastened
to the ground.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (I).
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (II).
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (III).
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a combination of golf tees in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a combination of golf tees
in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an application example of
the combination of golf tees in accordance with the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a combination golf tee in
accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a golf tee according to the
prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combination golf tee in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is
shown comprised of an anchoring member 1, a receptacle member 2,
positioning means 3, and a cord member 4.
[0025] The anchoring member 1 has a pointed stem 11 that can be
anchored to the ground, and a head 12 at a top end of the pointed
stem 11. The head 12 has an annular top flange 121, a circular
recessed groove 13 defined within the inner diameter of the annular
top flange 121, and a plurality of wire holes 122 spaced around the
annular top flange 121.
[0026] The receptacle member 2 has a shank 23, a receptacle head 22
disposed at one end, namely, the top end of the shank 23 for
supporting a golf ball so that a player can strike the golf ball, a
connection portion 21 vertically extending downward from the other
end, namely, the bottom side of the shank 23 for coupling to the
anchoring member 1, and a through hole 24 transversely cut through
the shank 23.
[0027] The positioning structure 3 comprises male positioning
device 31 securely provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member
1, and female positioning device 32 securely provided at the
connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 for fastening to
the male positioning device 31 to secure the receptacle member 2
firmly to the anchoring member 1. The male positioning device 31 is
a split block having a plurality of radial crevices 311 that allow
compression of the male positioning device 31 in radial direction
for insertion into the female positioning device 32. The female
positioning device 32 is a socket integrated with the connection
portion 21 of the receptacle member 2, having a plurality of
longitudinal crevices 321 equiangularly spaced around the periphery
that allows compression of the female positioning device 32.
Beside, the female positioning device 32 has a diameter smaller
than the male positioning device 31.
[0028] The cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of
the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle
member 2, having two stop elements 41 and 42 respectively provided
at two distal ends thereof. The stop elements 41 and 42 have a
diameter greater than the wire holes 122 of the anchoring member 1
and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2.
[0029] During the assembly process, the male positioning device 31
and female positioning device 32 of the positioning means 3 are
respectively provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1 and
the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2, and then the
cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of the
anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle member
2, and then the two stop elements 41 and 42 are respectively
securely fastened to the two distal ends of the cord member 4.
Further, the cord member 4 may be directly wound around the
anchoring member 1 and the receptacle member 2.
[0030] When inserting the connection portion 21 of the receptacle
member 2 into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1 to
position the receptacle member 2 on the top side of the anchoring
member 1, the male positioning device 31 is compressed by the
female positioning device 32 to close the radial crevices 311 and
the female positioning member 32 is stretched by the male
positioning device 31 to expand the longitudinal crevices 321.
Therefore, the male positioning device 31 is engaged into the
female positioning device 32 to secure the receptacle member 2
steadily on the top side of the anchoring member 1. According to
this first embodiment, the male positioning device 31 of the
positioning means 3 is provided at the head 12 of the anchoring
member 1, and the female positioning device 32 of the positioning
means 3 is provided at the connection portion 21 of the receptacle
member 2. Alternatively, the male positioning device 31 of the
positioning means 3 can be provided at the connection portion 21 of
the receptacle member 2, and the female positioning device 32 of
the positioning means 3 can be provided at the head 12 of the
anchoring member 1.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3.about.5, when in use, the anchoring
member 1 is fastened to the ground by means of the pointed stem 11,
and then the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 is
inserted into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1 to
force the female positioning device 32 into engagement with the
male positioning device 31. After installation of the combination
golf tee, a golf ball 5 is supported on the receptacle head 22 of
the receptacle member 2 so that the player can strike the golf ball
5 with a golf club 6. Upon striking, the golf ball 5 is forced to
fly forwards in the striking direction, and the receptacle member 2
is forced to jump away from the anchoring member 1 in the reversed
direction. At this time, the cord member 4 keeps the receptacle
member 2 linked to the anchoring member 1 and can be collected for
repeat uses.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a combined golf tee in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment,
two cord members 4 are used to link four receptacle members 2 to
the anchoring member 1. When in use, stop elements 41.about.44 of
the cord members 4 and the receptacle members 2 are respectively
moved to different locations so that the user can strike the golf
ball 5 to the desired direction based on the indication of the
guide lines provided by the cord members 4 and the stop elements
41.about.44.
[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a combined golf tee in accordance with a
third embodiment of the present invention. According to this
embodiment, the combined golf tee comprises an anchoring member 1,
a first receptacle member 2, a second receptacle member 20, a
positioning means 3, and a cord member 4. The anchoring member 1,
first receptacle member 2 and cord member 4 of this third
embodiment are identical to the like members of the aforesaid first
embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first
receptacle member 2, the second receptacle member 20 has a shank
203, a receptacle head 202 disposed at one end, namely, a top end
of the shank 203 for supporting a golf ball so that a player can
strike the golf ball, a connection portion 201 vertically extending
downward from the other end, namely, the bottom side of the shank
203 for coupling to the anchoring member 1, and a through hole 204
transversely through the shank 203 for threading the cord member 4.
The positioning means 3 according to this third embodiment
comprises a male positioning device 31, which is identical to the
male positioning means of the aforesaid first embodiment and is
provided at the anchoring member 1, a first female positioning
member 32, which is identical to the female positioning means of
the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention and is
provided at the connection portion 21 of the first receptacle
member 2, and a second female positioning member 302, which is
similar to the first female positioning member 32 and provided at
the connection portion 201 of the second receptacle member 20. The
first receptacle member 2 and the second receptacle member 20 have
different heights for selectively used with the anchoring member 1
to support a golf ball for striking by the player subject to the
player's body height or golf club being used.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a combined golf tee in
accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
According to this embodiment, a stand 7 is provided for supporting
the anchoring member 1 and the receptacle member 2. The stand 7 is
preferably molded from rubber. This design is practical for use in
an artificial lawn or on a floor pad. Directly fastening the
anchoring member 1 to the artificial lawn or floor pad will damage
the artificial lawn or floor pad.
[0035] In the aforesaid various embodiments, the male positioning
member 31 and female positioning member 32 of the positioning means
3 are respectively provided at the head 12 of the anchoring member
1 and the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 so that
when the connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 is
inserted into the circular recess 13 of the anchoring member 1, the
female positioning member 32 is forced into engagement with the
male positioning member 31 to secure the receptacle member 2
steadily to the anchoring member 1. Further, the cord member 4 is
threaded through one wire hole 122 of the anchoring member 1 and
the through hole 24 of the receptacle member 2 to link the
receptacle member 2 to the anchoring member 1 so that the
receptacle member 2 can be conveniently collected for a repeated
use after the player hit the golf ball.
[0036] As described above, the combined golf tee of the present
invention has the following benefits:
[0037] 1. By means of the female positioning member 32 at the
connection portion 21 of the receptacle member 2 and the male
positioning member 31 at the head 12 of the anchoring member 1, the
receptacle member 2 can steadily be mounted on the top side of the
anchoring member 1 to support the golf ball for striking.
[0038] 2. Because the female positioning member 32 has longitudinal
crevices 321 and the male positioning member 31 has radial crevices
311, the male positioning means 31 can be compressed and the female
positioning member 32 can be stretched for enabling the male
positioning member 31 and the female positioning member 32 to be
engaged together to secure the receptacle member 2 steadily to the
anchoring member 1.
[0039] 3. The anchoring member 1 has wire holes 122 in the head 12
and the receptacle member 2 has a through hole 24 across the shank
23, and the cord member 4 is threaded through one wire hole 122 of
the anchoring member 1 and the through hole 24 of the receptacle
member 2 to link the receptacle member 2 to the anchoring member 1
for enabling the receptacle member 2 to be conveniently collected
for a repeated use when it jumped away from the anchoring member 1
after the player hit the golf ball.
[0040] A prototype of the combined golf tee has been constructed
with the features of FIGS. 1.about.9. The combined golf tee
functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed
earlier.
[0041] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in details for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *