U.S. patent application number 12/392104 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for golf tee.
Invention is credited to Martin Sanders.
Application Number | 20100216576 12/392104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42631475 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100216576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanders; Martin |
August 26, 2010 |
GOLF TEE
Abstract
A golf tee comprising parallel golf ball supporting fins
extending from an elongated blade-like main body. The fins bend and
flex with the rapid momentary expansion and compression of the golf
ball due the impact from a golf club, thereby offering a clear and
unimpeded exit channel for the golf ball. The elongated main body
tapers to a point for easy insertion into the teeing ground and has
large side surface areas for the clear display of logos and general
indicia.
Inventors: |
Sanders; Martin; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marvin Sanders
717 N. Highland Ave., Studio 8
Los Angeles
CA
90038
US
|
Family ID: |
42631475 |
Appl. No.: |
12/392104 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/387 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/00 20130101;
A63B 57/16 20151001; A63B 57/10 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/387 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf tee comprising: a) a plurality of golf ball supporting
fin elements; b) an elongated main body tapering to at least one
spike for inserting said golf tee into a teeing ground; c) said
golf ball supporting fin elements being extensions of said
elongated main body, wherein the base of said golf ball supporting
fin elements connect to form a substantially open channel and are
made from a flexible and resilient material able to accommodate the
rapid momentary expansion of said golf ball upon being struck by a
golf club.
2. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein said golf ball supporting fin
elements are parallel to the target line of said golf ball.
3. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein upper edges of said parallel
golf ball supporting fin elements are curved or cut away to reduce
surface area contact with said golf ball.
4. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein said elongated main body
comprises a cavity and an opening to accommodate the nesting of
another said golf tee.
5. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein said fin elements have
substantially wide surfaces for convenient handling and the
provision of adequate surface areas for the display of logos and
indicia.
6. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein said elongated main body has a
plurality of longitudinal concavities to reduce the volume of
material inserted into said teeing ground while maintaining
rigidity.
7. A golf tee as of claim 1, wherein said main body and said fin
elements come in a variety of lengths to provide a range of teeing
heights above said teeing ground.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The sport of golf is well known and over many years has
grown with international popularity. A sporting activity carried
out by recreational enthusiasts to professional golfers alike; golf
has been a physical and mental challenge since its debated creation
in Scotland around 1456.
[0002] Golf has developed a huge industry shared by many companies
and organizations, each keen on marking their presence, leadership
and expertise in the sport. As such, the branding of equipment and
the placement of general indicia, logos and messages throughout the
game of golf has become commonplace.
[0003] Golf involves playing a ball with a club from the teeing
ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in
accordance with the Rules.
[0004] A round of golf typically involves 9 to 18 holes each with
an allocated teeing ground from which the golf ball is first struck
over various terrains and obstacles towards a hole. It is standard
practice amongst most golfers to use a golf tee to elevate the ball
above the teeing ground to assist the golfer in striking the golf
ball cleanly and efficiently with a golf club. A typical golf tee
will be made from wood or resilient polymeric materials and
consists of a cylindrical stem, tapering to a spike for insertion
into the ground. On the other end is typically a circular head with
a concave cup or dish surface to support the golf ball. Such tees
are readily available and still in wide use.
[0005] However, golfers are very much aware of the performance
issues surrounding all aspects of the game of golf, particularly
where golf equipment is concerned. Over many years, there have been
many improvements in the design and technology of golfing equipment
in order to enhance the performance of the golfer. Improving the
performance of a golf tee is no exception and golf tees are now
receiving more focus and attention by the golf industry as a means
to improve the golfer's first shot or "drive" from the teeing
ground.
[0006] It can be demonstrated using high speed photography that
when a golf ball is struck by a golf club, the golf ball will
compress at the point of impact and rapidly expand outwards. This
rapid distortion of the golf ball upon a standard rigid golf tee
can contribute toward many unwanted dynamics and inefficiencies in
the golf drive.
[0007] As such, issues relating to golf tee friction and golf ball
resistance have been addressed in a variety of ways and solutions.
Such solutions include tees with bristles or brushes to replace the
traditional concave ball supporting dish. When the golf ball
distorts, the bristles disperse allowing the ball to exit the tee
with minimal friction and impedance. However, such tees are less
durable and over time tend to become unusable. Additionally, such
bristle or brush-tipped tees require several parts for manufacture,
thereby increasing costs. As mentioned, the placement of logos and
general indicia is also an important part of golf equipment. Such
brush tees have no useful area upon which indicia can be placed and
clearly displayed.
[0008] Other solutions include tees which claim to reduce the
points of contact and coefficient of friction between the golf ball
and the golf tee. However, such tees are often made from rigid
materials and thereby do not accommodate or address the issue of
rapid golf ball expansion during impact. Often being designed
around the traditional narrow cylindrical golf tee, they again
offer little or no useful surface area for adequate branding or
indicia.
[0009] Accordingly, there exists a need for a golf tee that reduces
contact with the golf ball and possesses a desirable level of
flexibility and dispersion to accommodate the rapid expansion of
the golf ball during impact. Furthermore, it would be desirable for
such a tee to have adequate surfaces and areas onto which can be
placed and displayed a variety of logos, messages and general
indicia.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The issues and problems as stated previously are herein
addressed by the present invention as disclosed.
[0011] Accordingly one such embodiment of the present invention
provides a means of supporting the golf ball upon two blade-like
fins to reduce the contact area between the golf ball and the golf
tee. The two fins are arranged parallel to each other thereby
creating a clear and unimpeded channel for the golf ball to
exit.
[0012] Such golf ball supporting fins are extensions of an
elongated main body which tapers into a single spike for easy
insertion into the teeing ground
[0013] The golf ball supporting fins are made from a flexible
polymeric material allowing lateral dispersion to accommodate the
rapid expansion of the golf ball during impact. When such lateral
dispersion occurs, the golf ball momentarily experiences reduced
contact with the golf ball supporting fins and is presented with a
clear and unimpeded exit channel. As such, resistance to the golf
ball is substantially reduced and energy transferred into the golf
drive is maximized.
[0014] Additionally, the polymeric material used in the manufacture
of the present invention should be such that adequate strength and
rigidity is retained to support a golf ball upon the fins in a
stable manner and to also allow for the spiked portion of the tee
to be easily pressed into the teeing ground.
[0015] An additional aspect of the present invention is that the
golf ball supporting fins and elongated main body have
substantially wide surface areas upon which logos, messages and
general indicia can be placed, through a variety of methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a golf tee according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2a shows a side view of a golf ball positioned upon a
golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2b shows a front view of a golf ball positioned upon a
golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 3a shows a side view of a golf tee according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention at the moment when
impact occurs between the golf club and the golf ball.
[0020] FIG. 3b shows a front view of a golf tee according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention at the moment when
impact occurs between the golf club and the golf ball.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a golf tee according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the
lateral dispersion of the golf ball supporting fins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The golf tee of the present invention is now described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023] The invention is not limited to the embodiments as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In fact many variations
of the preferred embodiment are possible by those experienced in
the art and as such should be considered as part of the fundamental
approach and essence of the disclosed invention.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective
view of a golf tee 2 in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] The golf tee 2 comprises two parallel golf ball supporting
fins 6. The fins 6 have upper edges 8 upon which a golf ball is
placed. The upper edges 8 of the golf ball supporting fins 6 have
curved features 24 with which to cradle the golf ball yet reduce
contact with the same.
[0026] The golf ball supporting fins 6 have wide surface areas 10
upon which can be placed a variety of logos, messages and general
indicia.
[0027] The golf ball supporting fins 6 converge and meet to form a
junction channel 16 and a golf tee main body 34. The main body 34
tapers toward a ground piercing spike point 12.
[0028] In order to reduce the volume of material of 34 to be
inserted into the teeing ground, concavities 14 are provided. The
concavities 14 reduce the volume of the tapered main body 34 and
retain rigidity and stability for insertion into the teeing ground
through spike point 12.
[0029] The material used in the manufacture of the golf tee 2 would
typically be polymeric in nature. An example of such a material
would be a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or a suitable
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) in order to provide adequate flexible
properties within the golf ball supporting fins 6 yet enough
rigidity within the tapered body 34 to insert into the teeing
ground.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2a, the golf tee 2 is shown in a side
view supporting a golf ball 4 upon contact edges 8. The shapes of
contact edges 8 are curved in a manner to support the golf ball 4
yet reduce contact around areas 24.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 2a, the golf tee 2 is shown inserted
into the ground 32 via the spiked point 12 up to a typical level on
the tapered main body part 34.
[0032] As can also be seen in FIG. 2a the wide surface areas 10 of
the golf tee 2 are sufficient and visible to display a variety of
logos, messages and general indicia. A typical method by which to
apply such indicia would be through screen printing or tampon
printing processes. It can be easily appreciated that a variety of
decorative methods could be applied to surfaces 10 in order to
create a broad range of looks or appearances. Examples of such
alternative decorative methods include stickers, transfers,
painting, stencils and laser etching processes.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2b, the front view of golf tee 2 shows a
golf ball 4 clearly supported by the two parallel fin structures 6
at contact edges 8. The golf ball supporting structures 6 are
spaced apart at a suitable distance to support the golf ball 4 in a
stable manner. The parallel golf ball supporting fins 6 merge
together to form a central channel 16. This front view is the
desired alignment of the golf tee 2 where the central channel 16
presents a clear exit line for the golf ball 4 towards a desired
target.
[0034] As can be clearly seen in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, the golf tee
2 can be manufactured as one single part, using an injection
molding process for example. This greatly simplifies the process of
manufacture and the overall cost of the part while maintaining the
required functionality of the outlined features and advantages. In
more advanced manufacturing techniques the single part could be
co-molded or composed of two materials each with different
properties in order to achieve the required flexibility of the golf
ball supporting fins 6 and the required rigidity of the elongated
main body 34 and spike 12.
[0035] Drawings FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b show side and front views
respectively of the golf tee 2 during the moment of impact between
a golf ball 18 and a golf club head 20. Referring to FIG. 3a, the
golf ball 18 is being struck by a golf club head 20. The golf club
head 20 is rapidly moving in a direction 30 towards the ball. As
the golf ball 18 is struck by club face 40, the golf ball 18
distorts and compresses around area 26. This causes rapid expansion
of the golf ball 18 at areas 28.
[0036] During the moment of impact, FIG. 3b shows how the rapid
expansion of the golf ball 18 around areas 28 causes the golf ball
supporting fins 6 to disperse outward in the lateral direction 22.
The continued momentum of supporting fins 6 moving in the direction
22 momentarily reduces contact between the golf ball 18 and
supporting fins 6 around the areas 28. As can be seen in FIG. 4,
when the golf ball supporting fins 6 disperse outwards in direction
22, the central channel 16 becomes wider at the top, offering a
clear unimpeded exit for the golf ball. This reduction in contact
allows the exiting golf ball to continue along a path of trajectory
and towards a target with maximum energy transfer and thus
increased accuracy and distance.
* * * * *