U.S. patent application number 11/428570 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for golf tee.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOLDETK PRECISION CORP.. Invention is credited to Lien-Hsin Lee.
Application Number | 20080009372 11/428570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38919725 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080009372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Lien-Hsin |
January 10, 2008 |
Golf tee
Abstract
A golf tee is disclosed as having an anchoring member for
penetrating into the ground on a golf course, multiple receptacle
members of different heights can be selectively attached to the
anchoring member by means of magnetic attraction for supporting a
golf ball for striking by a golf player with a golf club, and a
cord member threaded through the anchoring member to link the
receptacle members to the anchoring member so that the receptacle
members can be retrieved for repeated uses. A variation to the
above design can be used on the golf driving range for practice.
This tee comprises of two elements. The base anchoring element is
to be inserted through the mat as anchor. The top mounting element
will be inserted into the base element with fix/adjustable height
to meet the preference of the golfer.
Inventors: |
Lee; Lien-Hsin; (Luchou
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOLDETK PRECISION CORP.
P.O. BOX 108-00403
TAIPEI 106
omitted
|
Assignee: |
MOLDETK PRECISION CORP.
Wugu Township
TW
|
Family ID: |
38919725 |
Appl. No.: |
11/428570 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/393 ;
473/396; 473/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/12 20151001;
A63B 57/0032 20151001; A63B 57/13 20151001; A63B 57/203
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/393 ;
473/396; 473/401 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf tee comprising: an anchoring member for fastening to the
ground in a golf course; at least one receptacle member for
selectively mounting on the anchoring member to support a golf ball
for striking by a golf player with a golf club; and a cord member
threaded through the anchoring member to link each of the
receptacle member to the anchoring member.
2. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of said
at least one receptacle member is at least 2, and the multiple
receptacle members have different heights.
3. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anchoring
member has receiving means disposed at a top side thereof and is
adapted to receive at least one of said receptacle member; said at
least one receptacle member each has positioning means disposed at
a bottom side thereof for securing to the receiving means of said
anchoring member.
4. The golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said receiving means
of said anchoring member is a female member, and said positioning
means of each of said at least one receptacle member is a male
member connectable to the female member of said receiving means of
said anchoring member.
5. The golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said receiving means
of said anchoring member is a male member, and said positioning
means of each of said at least one receptacle is a female member
connectable to the male member of said receiving means of said
anchoring member
6. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a stand
for supporting said anchoring member on the ground.
7. The golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anchoring
member and said at least one receptacle member each have a angled
through hole for the passing of said cord member; said cord member
has two distal ends respectively inserted through the angled
through hole of said anchoring member and the angled through hole
of each of said at least one receptacle member and respectively
fixedly mounted with a respective rounded endpiece, which has a
diameter greater than the angled through hole of said anchoring
member and the angled through hole of each of said at least one
receptacle member.
8. The golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said anchoring
member has a recessed top head forming said receiving means for
receiving the positioning means of one of said at least one
receptacle member; said at least one receptacle member each has a
receptacle head for supporting a golf ball and a shank downwardly
extending from the receptacle head for positioning in said recessed
top head of said anchoring member.
9. The golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving means
of said anchoring member is a magnet; the positioning means of each
of said at least one receptacle member is an iron member
connectable to said magnet by magnetic attraction.
10. The golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving means
of said anchoring member is an iron member; the positioning means
of each of said at least one receptacle member is a magnet
connectable to said iron member by magnetic attraction.
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 number of reusable
receptacle members of different heights for use with the anchoring
member selectively. The fallen location of the used receptacle
member helps the players judge the striking performance.
[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
single solid device made out of wooden or plastic material. A solid
golf tee will break easily after several uses or when get hit
directly by a golf club. Furthermore, when the player hits the golf
ball, the golf tee may be forced to jump out of ground, then the
player may have to spend time finding the lost golf tee.
[0005] In order to eliminate the aforesaid problem, a retractable
golf tee is developed. As shown in FIG. 8, the retractable 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 the golf ball, the
receptacle A1 will be forced away from the anchor nail A6 and then
immediately returned to its former 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 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 fallen 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] A set of detachable golf tee is developed that consists of
an anchor nail and a receptacle. After hitting the golf ball, the
player can check the fallen position of the receptacle and judge
the direction of rotation of the golf ball subject to the fallen
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 hits 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 fallen position of the
receptacle, the player can judge the striking performance. However,
when the receptacle is driven away, the player may have to spend a
lot of time to find the lost receptacle.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a 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 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, and a cord member inserted through the
anchoring member to link the receptacle member to the anchoring
member so that the receptacle member can be retrieved for a
repeated use. According to 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. According to still another aspect of the present
invention, an iron member and a magnet are respectively attached to
the receptacle member and the anchoring member so that the
receptacle member can be reattached securely to the anchoring
member by magnetic attraction. Furthermore, the multiple receptacle
members that are linked to the anchoring member by the cord member
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
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a golf tee in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (I).
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (II).
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an application
example of the first embodiment of the present invention (III).
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a golf tee in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional assembly view of a golf tee in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf tee in accordance
with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a golf tee according to the
prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a golf tee in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a
receptacle member 1, an anchoring member 2, and a cord member
3.
[0019] The receptacle member 1 has a receptacle head 11 for holding
a golf ball so that the player can strike the golf ball, a shank 12
extending downward from the underside of the receptacle head 11,
and an iron member 13 securely fastened to the underside of the
shank 12 opposite to the receptacle head 11.
[0020] The anchoring member 2 is a pointed bar that can penetrate
the ground to hold the receptacle member 1 for supporting a golf
ball, having a flat top head 21, a magnet 22 securely fastened to
the underside of the top head 21, and a plurality of wire holes 23
spaced around the magnet 22.
[0021] The cord member 3 has one end connected to one wire hole 23
in the anchoring member 2 and the other end connected to the shank
12 of the receptacle member 1, and therefore the receptacle member
1 and the anchoring member 2 are linked by the cord member 3.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, when the receptacle member 1 is
positioned on the top head 21 of the anchoring member 2, the iron
member 13 and the magnet 22 are attracted together, thereby
securing the receptacle member 1 to the anchoring member 2 firmly.
After installation of the gold tee, a golf ball 4 is supported on
the receptacle head 11 of the receptacle member 1 so that a player
can strike the golf ball 4. After striking, the cord member 3 keeps
the receptacle member 1 linked to the anchoring member 2 and can be
retrieved for repeated uses. Further, when the player hits the
receptacle member 1 accidentally, the receptacle member 1 is
immediately forced away from the anchoring member 2 to dissipate
the striking force. Therefore, the receptacle member 1 will not be
damaged easily. Further, through the flat top head 21 of the
anchoring member 1, the player can hold and carry the anchoring
member 1 with the hand conveniently. The magnet 22 can be made
having a top recess for positioning of the bottom end of the shank
12 of the receptacle member 1 accurately and positively.
[0023] Further, a set of receptacle members 1 of different heights
may be provided for use with the anchoring member 2 selectively
subject to the type of the golf club (wood club or iron club) that
is used by the player, thereby increasing the hitting accuracy.
[0024] In the aforesaid embodiment, the receptacle member 1 has an
iron member 13 securely attached to the underside of the shank 12,
and the anchoring member 2 has an magnet 22 mounted at the center
of the flat top head 21 for securing the iron member 13 of the
receptacle member 1 by means of magnetic attraction. In the
aforesaid embodiment, the flat top head 21 of the anchoring member
2 (the magnet 22) is made with a recessed top side for receiving
the downwardly protruding bottom side (the shank 12) of the
receptacle member 1. Alternatively, the receptacle member 1 can be
made with a recessed bottom side (the iron member 13 can be made
having a recessed bottom side), and the magnet 22 can be made with
protruding stem over the top side of the flat top head 21 of the
anchoring member 2 for engaging into the recessed bottom side of
the receptacle member 1.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIG. 2 again, when the player
strikes the golf ball 4, the iron member 13 of the receptacle
member 1 will be disengaged from the magnet 22 of the anchoring
member 2 to dissipate the striking force, preventing damage to the
receptacle member 1. After disengagement of the receptacle member 1
from the anchoring member 2 and falling of the receptacle member 1
to the ground, the player can judge the direction of rotation of
the golf ball 44 subject to the location where the receptacle 1
fell to the ground.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a golf tee in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment,
two receptacle members 1 of different heights are respectively
linked to one anchoring member 2 by a cord member 3. The cord
member 3 is threaded through the two opposite wire holes 23 in the
anchoring member 2, and then the two distal ends of the cord member
3 are respectively and transversely inserted through the shanks 12
of the two receptacle members 1 and mounted with a respective
rounded endpiece 31 or 32. During the golf game, the player can
selectively attach one of the receptacle members 1 to the anchoring
member 2 subject to the type of the golf club in use. Further, the
player can position the rounded endpieces 31 and 32 on one target
line or two different target lines to guide the striking.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional assembly view of a golf tee in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
According to this embodiment, the anchoring member 2 has a
substantially angled through hole 24, which has two distal ends
respectively extending to the peripheral wall and the center of the
flat top head 21 (the magnet 22); the receptacle member 1 has a
substantially angled through hole 14, which has two distal ends
respectively extending to the peripheral wall and the center of the
shank 12 (the iron member 13); the cord member 3 is threaded
through the angled through hole 24 of the anchoring member 2 and
the angled through hole 14 of the receptacle member 1, having two
distal ends respectively secured with a respective rounded endpiece
31 or 32. Before striking the golf ball, the golfer can position
the rounded endpieces 31 and/or 32 on the ground to guide the
striking. After striking, the golfer can pull the cord member 3 to
retrieve the receptacle member 1 to the anchoring member 2.
Further, the cord member 3 can be a spring cord, an elastic cord,
or a regular rope.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf tee in accordance
with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. According to
this embodiment, a stand 5 is provided for supporting the anchoring
member 2 and the receptacle member 1. The stand 5 is preferably
molded from rubber. This design is for use on an artificial lawn or
floor pad. Directly anchoring the anchoring member 2 to the
artificial lawn or floor pad will damage the artificial lawn or
floor pad. The golf tee of the present invention is applicable to
the driving range.
[0029] As described above, the golf tee of the present invention
has the following benefits:
[0030] 1. When the player strikes the golf ball 4, the receptacle
member 1 will be disconnected from the anchoring member 2 to
dissipate the striking force and prevent damage. Further, after the
player hits the golf ball 4, the fallen receptacle member 1 is kept
linked to the anchoring member 2, and the player can pick up the
receptacle member 1 for repeated uses.
[0031] 2. Through the flat top head 21 of the anchoring member 2,
the player can hold and carry the anchoring member 2
conveniently.
[0032] 3. By means of the cord member 3, two or more receptacle
members 1 of different heights may be inserted to the anchoring
member 2 through the mat, and the player can select the suitable
height of the receptacle member 1 for use with the anchoring member
2.
[0033] 4. By means of magnetic attraction between the iron member
13 at the shank 12 of the receptacle member 1 and the magnet 22 at
the flat top head 21 of the anchoring member 2, the receptacle
member 1 can be securely reattached to the anchoring member 2 for
supporting the golf ball 4 for striking.
[0034] 5. The cord member 3 has two rounded endpieces 31 and 32
respectively fixedly provided at the two distal ends thereof. The
player can use the rounded endpieces 31 and 32 to guide the
striking direction of the golf ball 4.
[0035] A prototype of the golf tee has been constructed with the
features of FIGS. 1.about.7. The golf tee functions smoothly to
provide all of the features discussed earlier.
[0036] 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 intent and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *