U.S. patent application number 13/442198 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for method and apparatus for double golf tee.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lawrence J. Koncelik, JR., David J. Whelan. Invention is credited to Lawrence J. Koncelik, JR., David J. Whelan.
Application Number | 20130267350 13/442198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49292742 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130267350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koncelik, JR.; Lawrence J. ;
et al. |
October 10, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOUBLE GOLF TEE
Abstract
An apparatus including a first tee, a second tee, and a device
to which the first tee and the second tee are attached, and so that
the first tee is spaced apart from the second tee. The first and
the second tee may be permanently attached to the device. The first
and the second tee may, alternatively, be attached or detached from
the device. The device have a plurality of openings, wherein each
of the first and the second tee can be inserted through each of the
plurality of openings to attach each of the first tee and the
second tee to the device. Each of the plurality of openings may
have one or more flaps which bend to allow the first or the second
tee to be inserted into each of the plurality of openings to attach
the first or the second tee to the device.
Inventors: |
Koncelik, JR.; Lawrence J.;
(East Hampton, NY) ; Whelan; David J.; (Sag
Harbor, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Koncelik, JR.; Lawrence J.
Whelan; David J. |
East Hampton
Sag Harbor |
NY
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49292742 |
Appl. No.: |
13/442198 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/393 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3667 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 57/12 20151001; A63B 2210/58
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/393 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a first tee; and a second tee; a device
to which the first tee and the second tee are attached so that the
device connects the first tee and the second tee, so that the first
tee is spaced apart from the second tee.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is configured so
that the first tee and the second tee are permanently attached to
the device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is configured so
that the first tee and the second tee can be attached or detached
from the device.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device connects the first
tee and the second tee so that the first tee is substantially
parallel to the second tee.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised of a
plurality of openings and wherein each of the first tee and the
second tee has a point which can be inserted through each of the
plurality of openings to thereby attach each of the first tee and
the second tee to the device.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of
openings has one or more flaps which bend in order to allow the
point of the first tee or the second tee to be inserted into each
of the plurality of openings in order to attach the first tee or
the second tee to the device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised of at
least a first section and a second section, wherein the first
section telescopes into and out of the second section so that the
device can be placed in an extended state wherein the first section
is not inside of the second section and in a compressed state
wherein the first section is inside of the second section.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised of at
least a first section and a second section, wherein the first
section is attached to the second section so that the first section
can pivot with respect to the second section, so that the device
can be placed in an extended state wherein a majority of the first
section is not along side of the second section and in a folded
state wherein a majority of the first section is alongside of the
second section.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is made
substantially of an elastic material.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is made
substantially of a rigid non-elastic material.
11. A method comprising: inserting a first tee into a ground; and
inserting a second tee into the ground; wherein the first tee and
the second tee are attached to a device, so that the device
connects the first tee and the second tee, so that the first tee is
spaced apart from the second tee.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is configured so that
the first tee and the second tee are permanently attached to the
device.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is configured so that
the first tee and the second tee can be attached or detached from
the device.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the device connects the first
tee and the second tee so that the first tee is substantially
parallel to the second tee.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is comprised of a
plurality of openings and wherein each of the first tee and the
second tee has a point which can be inserted through each of the
plurality of openings to thereby attach each of the first tee and
the second tee to the device.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of
openings has one or more flaps which bend in order to allow the
point of the first tee or the second tee to be inserted into each
of the plurality of openings in order to attach the first tee or
the second tee to the device.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is comprised of at
least a first section and a second section, wherein the first
section telescopes into and out of the second section so that the
device can be placed in an extended state wherein the first section
is not inside of the second section and in a compressed state
wherein the first section is inside of the second section.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is comprised of at
least a first section and a second section, wherein the first
section is attached to the second section so that the first section
can pivot with respect to the second section, so that the device
can be placed in an extended state wherein a majority of the first
section is not along side of the second section and in a folded
state wherein a majority of the first section is alongside of the
second section.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is made substantially
of an elastic material.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein the device is made substantially
of a rigid non-elastic material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus
concerning golf tees.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The rules of golf provide that a golfer may use a golf tee
when playing his shot from a designated tee area. Often a golfer
fails to pick up their golf tees, because they can't readily see
them after they hit their golf shot. They can't readily see them
because upon striking the golf ball the tee often becomes dislodged
from the ground and flies to an unknown location. Rather than
searching for the tee, the golfer elects to use another tee when
needed.
[0003] In general, a golf tee is typically made of a wood, plastic
or a composite material including biodegradable material. The golf
tee varies in length from approximately one to three inches in
length and has a tapered body containing a concave platform on one
end and a pointed tip on the other end. The pointed tip is inserted
into the ground and the golf ball is placed onto the surface of the
concave platform of the tee. A more modern type of golf tee
contains bristles that serve as a platform on which to place a golf
ball. Such a golf tee is known as a Brush Tee (trademarked). The
"Brush Tee" (trademarked) contains a head that is made of fibers
that extend vertically from a horizontal platform that is attached
to the opposing end of the golf tee stem that is inserted into the
ground. A golf ball is placed onto the surface of the vertical
fibers. The brush tees (trademarked) are relatively expensive.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,668,710 teaches a golf tee that is attached
by a flexible (but not elastic) cord to an anchor pin that that is
inserted into the ground a short distance from the tee on which a
golf ball is placed. While this device may help a golfer to not
lose his tee, the cord that is connected to the anchor pin and the
tee would have to be rather long in order to be of any practical
use as a directional aid for a golfer. The longer the cord, the
more cumbersome it would for a golfer to carry in his pocket or in
his golf bag. The cord would tend to get tangled up and otherwise
be a nuisance for a golfer. Furthermore, since the cord is not
stretchable, and since the anchor pin is inserted all the way into
the ground, the cord does not provide a good directional indicator
for the golfer since the cord will not be suspended above the
ground.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,668,710 teaches away from using its anchor
pin as a platform tee onto which a golf ball is placed prior to
being struck with a golf club head, by disclosing a spherical head
on the anchor pin such that a golf ball could not be set onto a the
top of the anchor pin and remain in place.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,878 teaches a tee that is connected to a
green groomer by a high tensile strength flexible line. While this
may assist in helping a golfer not lose his golf tee, it has
certain drawbacks. For instance, it can be cumbersome to have a
green groomer connected to a tee by a line when simply using a
green groomer to repair a ball mark on a green. Likewise, it is
cumbersome to have to a tee connected to something as large as a
ball groomer when a player only needs to tee up his golf ball. And,
the fact that the green groomer is not anchored into the ground
makes renders it not available to cause the cord to be stretched
apart and as such, cause the cord to be elevated above the ground
where the golfer can get a clear, three dimensional view of it as
he takes his golf stance before striking the ball and thus see the
cord and use it most effectively as a directional aid.
[0007] U.S. published patent application no. 2007/0219022 teaches a
golf tee including an anchoring member for anchoring to the ground
and a receptacle member for mounting on the anchoring member to
support a golf ball and a cord that connects the anchor member to
the receptacle member. The cord members can be linked to shanks and
placed in different locations so that the golfer can strike the
golf ball in the desired direction based on the indication of the
guide lines provided by the cord members and the stop elements that
comprise the end of the cord members. However the drawback of that
published application is that the while the longer the cord members
are, the better indication it would give the golfer of the
direction of the desired ball flight. In addition, the cord
disclosed is not stretchable and has, accordingly has the same
shortcomings as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to
golf accessories and pertain to a golf tee that is linked to a
second golf tee by a stretchable, elastic cord that can be
selectively attached or detached from the first and/or the second
tee or can be permanently affixed to the first and/or the second
tee. In at least one embodiment, the cord performs the dual
function of restricting the travel of a tee after it becomes
dislodged from the ground when a golfer hits a golf ball so that
the tee can be located and reused and it also serves to provide a
directional aid for golfers before he takes a golf swing.
[0009] One of the advantages of the elastic cord that links the
tees together is that when the cord is in the relaxed non stretched
state the entire apparatus is compact and is easy to carry in a
golfers pocket or golf bag. Yet when utilized as a tee and the cord
is stretched between the two tees that are inserted into the
ground, the cord is lengthened so that a golfer can easily align
his feet relative to the intended flight of the golf ball after it
is struck by a golf club.
[0010] To do this the golfer can stretch the cord and fasten the
one end containing the tee to the ground on the line of flight and
fasten the other tee to the ground a distance of several inches to
as much as two or three feet along the intended line of flight
unless the golfer intentionally wants to open or close his stance
relative to the target line. The line demarked by the cord is the
line that a golfer would generally want to align toes of his fee
parallel to when he takes his golf stance before driving the golf
ball off the tee by swing his golf club to so launch the golf ball
in the direction of the target.
[0011] While the first tee (sometimes hereafter referred to as the
"Platform tee") holds the golf ball up above the ground, the second
tee (sometimes referred to as the "anchor tee") that is inserted
into the ground also can hold the cord above the ground and also
prevent the first tee from flying too far from the second tee. In
addition, both the first, "platform tee" and second "anchor" tee
can also be used as a tee for a first and or second ball. So, for
instance, if a golfer intends on practicing hitting golf balls, or,
intends on taking a second drive (commonly referred to as a
Mulligan) the golfer can, place one golf ball on one tee that is
inserted into the ground and that is attached to a cord, and place
a second golf ball on the second tee that is also inserted into the
ground and that is attached by the elastic/reformable cord to said
first and second tee. In this manner the gofer does not have to
bend down to re-tee the second "mulligan" golf ball since he can
tee up both the first ball and the second ball simultaneously.
[0012] The cord can be selectively and/or permanently attached to
any part of a stem of the first and/or second tee. The cord could
be tied to the first or second tee stem or it could be inserted
into pre-shaped loops in the cord. The cord cold be permanently
affixed by weld or glue or any other means of attachment known in
the art to any location of the body of the first and/or second tee.
The cord can be attached to the bottom half of the stem of the golf
tee or the top half, or for instance the cord could be attached to
the top half of the first golf tee that serves as a platform for
the golf ball, and a second part of the cord could be attached to
the bottom half of the golf tee that serves as the anchoring tee.
In the later example, a cord that is attached to the lower portion
of the anchoring tee would allow the golfer to insert the golf tee
far enough into the ground so that it would not interfere with the
club head during the golfer's backswing or forward swing when the
golfer swings at the golf ball or in taking practice swings. The
first tee and second tee can also be placed so the cord is not
parallel to the target line. For instance the cord can extend in a
line that is at a right angle to the target line and in this manner
the second tee would be out of the line of the swinging golf club
head.
[0013] The first and the second golf tee could be attached to the
distal ends of the cord, or could be attached to any other section
or length of the cord.
[0014] It is important to point out that the cord need not be
elastic but could instead be non-elastic yet flexible. Even as such
the present invention in one or more embodiment distinguishes over
prior art because, for instance, prior art does not disclose an
anchor that comprises a second tee. Furthermore, prior art does not
disclose an anchoring tee that serves to contain the flight of the
first tee and also provides the golfer with the option of
selectively raising and lowering the cord that extends between the
two golf tees so that the entire length of the cord can be entirely
above the surface of the ground.
[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the link connecting
the first and the second tee could comprise a solid link between
the first and the second tee. The link could be semi rigid material
such as a soft plastic or nylon that would not cause damage to the
golf club when it makes contact with the connection link during a
golf swing. The plastic link could be any shape or length. The
plastic link could be for instance approximately one eighth of an
inch think by one third of an inch wide and ten inches long. The
first and the second tees could be selectively or permanently
attached to different points on the link. The first and the second
tee, for instance, could be inserted into pre formed holes
traversing the solid connection link and remain in place by virtue
of a pressure fit between a surface of one of the golf tees and a
surface surrounding one of a plurality of holes. The circumference
of each of the holes could contain flaps that are pushed apart by
the insertion of a tee when inserted through the each of the holes.
The flaps would cause pressure against the sides of the tees so
that the tees could be inserted at different distances through the
holes easily. The semi rigid member could also comprise a first and
second tee that is pre-fabricated thereon and cannot be removed
from the semi flexible non elastic or without breaking it.
[0016] Alternatively, the link could comprise a series of
telescoping cylinders to serve as a link between the anchoring tee
and the platform tee. In this later example the platform tee upon
which the ball is placed would be permanently or selectively
attached on one part of the telescoping cylinders and the anchoring
tee would be connected to a second place on the telescoping link
wherein the first and second places of attachment to the anchoring
and platform tee are in different locations on the stem. The
telescoping tee device could be extended or expanded apart when it
is used as a tee and anchor and it could be contracted within
itself when carried by the golfer in his pocket or golf bag.
[0017] Whether the connection link is a non-elastic cord, or an
elastic cord or a semi rigid planer or conical material, the shape
of the link, the distance between the connection link cord and the
surface of the ground can be adjusted by the golfer according to
the distance that the first or second tee is inserted into the
ground. Thus the first and second tees can be inserted so that, for
instance the connection link (whether it is an elastic or
non-elastic cord, or a solid link or telescoping or other kind of
adjustable link) is elevated one inch above the ground as it
extends between the first and second tee, or the first tee could be
inserted to a lesser distance than the second tee so that, for
instance the link measures approximately one inch above the ground
in the area of the first tee and the second tee could be inserted
into the ground to a greater degree than the first tee so that the
link is only one quarter of an inch above the ground in the area of
the second tee.
[0018] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an
apparatus comprising: a first tee, a second tee, and a device to
which the first tee and the second tee are attached so that the
device connects the first tee and the second tee, so that the first
tee is spaced apart from the second tee. The device may be
configured so that the first tee and the second tee are permanently
attached to the device. The device may be configured so that the
first tee and the second tee can be attached or detached from the
device. The device may connect the first tee and the second tee so
that the first tee is substantially parallel to the second tee.
[0019] The device may be comprised of a plurality of openings and
wherein each of the first tee and the second tee has a point which
can be inserted through each of the plurality of openings to
thereby attach each of the first tee and the second tee to the
device. Each of the plurality of openings may have one or more
flaps which bend in order to allow the point of the first tee or
the second tee to be inserted into each of the plurality of
openings in order to attach the first tee or the second tee to the
device.
[0020] The device may be comprised of at least a first section and
a second section, wherein the first section telescopes into and out
of the second section so that the device can be placed in an
extended state wherein the first section is not inside of the
second section and in a compressed state wherein the first section
is inside of the second section.
[0021] The device may be comprised of at least a first section and
a second section, wherein the first section is attached to the
second section so that the first section can pivot with respect to
the second section, so that the device can be placed in an extended
state wherein a majority of the first section is not along side of
the second section and in a folded state wherein a majority of the
first section is alongside of the second section.
[0022] The device may be made substantially of an elastic material.
The device may be made substantially of a rigid non-elastic
material.
[0023] At least one or more embodiments of the present invention
also provide a method comprising inserting a first tee into a
ground, and inserting a second tee into the ground, wherein the
first tee and the second tee are attached to a device, so that the
device connects the first tee and the second tee, so that the first
tee is spaced apart from the second tee. The device may be
configured as previously described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A shows a side view of two golf tees inserted into a
ground portion and attached together by a stretchable and elastic
cord, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 1B shows a side view of the two golf tees of FIG. 1A
inserted into a ground portion and attached together by the
stretchable and elastic cord, with a golf ball, shown by dashed
lines, placed on top of one of the golf tees;
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the two golf tees of FIG. 1A,
after the golf ball of FIG. 1B and one of the golf tees, has been
hit by a golf head of a golf club;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the two golf tees attached by the
cord of FIG. 1A;
[0028] FIG. 3A shows a top view of two other golf tees attached by
a cord, along with feet locations for placing a person's feet, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3B shows a top view of the golf tees of FIG. 3A
attached by a cord, along with feet locations for placing a
person's feet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, along with a golf ball shown on top of one of the golf
tees;
[0030] FIG. 4A shows a top view of two other golf tees and a cord
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 4B shows a top view of the two golf tees of FIG. 4A
attached to the cord of FIG. 4A in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5A shows a top view of a first golf tee linked or
attached to a second golf tee by a link or attachment device in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5B shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 5A;
[0034] FIG. 6A shows a top view of a first golf tee linked or
attached to a second golf tee by a link or attachment device
providing a telescoping feature in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment device in
a fully extended or expanded state;
[0035] FIG. 6B shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A, with
the attachment device in the fully extended or expanded state;
[0036] FIG. 6C shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A, with
the attachment device in a fully compressed state;
[0037] FIG. 7A shows a top view of a first golf tee linked or
attached to a second golf tee by a link or attachment device
providing a foldable feature in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention, with the attachment device in a fully
extended or unfolded state;
[0038] FIG. 7B shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 7A, with
the attachment device in the fully extended or unfolded state;
[0039] FIG. 7C shows a side view of the attachment device used in
FIG. 7A, without the tees, in a partially folded state; and
[0040] FIG. 7D shows a side view of the attachment device used in
FIG. 7A, without the tees, in a fully folded state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1A shows a side view of two golf tees 2 and 4 inserted
into a ground portion 50 and attached together by a stretchable and
elastic cord 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The combination of golf tees 2 and 4 may be part of an
apparatus 1. FIG. 1B shows a side view of the golf tees 2 and 4
inserted into the ground portion 50 and attached together by the
stretchable and elastic cord 6, with a golf ball 10 shown by dashed
lines, placed on top of the golf tee 2.
[0042] Each of the two golf tees 2 and 4, may be a typical known
golf tee. Golf tee 2 will be described, however golf tee 4 may be
identical to golf tee 2. Golf tee 2 includes a pointed or conical
section 2a, a substantially straight or tube section 2b, and a
tapered section 2c. The golf tee 2 also has a concave or indented
top surface 2d for placing the golf ball 10 on, as in FIG. 1B.
[0043] The cord 6 may be an elastic, stretchable cord, such as a
cord made entirely of stretchable rubber or a bungee cord. The cord
6 may have an end 6a fixed to the tee 2 at a location just below or
at the bottom of tapered section 2c. The cord 6 may have an end 6b
opposite to the end 6a which is fixed to the tee 4 at a location
just below the tapered section of the tee 4. The ends 6a and 6b may
be attached to the tees 2 and 4 in any manner such as by gluing,
any adhesive, bonding, welding, or the cord 6 may be held in place
by the pressure fit off loops on the cord into which the golf club
tee stem is inserted or any other methods. This attachment
arrangement of the cord 6 allows the tees 2 and 4 to go into the
ground 50 until the entire straight or tube section 2b and similar
or identical tube section of tee 4, are inserted in the ground 50
with only the tapered section 2c and the similar or identical
tapered section of the tee 4 being above the ground 50. The tees 2
and 4 can be set higher in the ground 50 with less of the straight
or tube sections 2b and similar or identical tube section of tee 4,
set in the ground 50.
[0044] The cord 6 may be attached to the tee 2, in at least one
embodiment, a some point other than the end 6a, and the cord may be
attached to the tee 4 at another point other than the end 6b.
[0045] FIG. 1C shows a side view of the two golf tees 2 and 4 of
FIG. 1A, after the golf ball 10 of
[0046] FIG. 1B and the golf tee 2, has been hit by a golf head of a
golf club traveling in a direction D1x through the ball 10. The
ball 10, after being hit by the golf club head, is travelling in a
direction D1, having an x or leftwards component of D1x and a y or
upwards component of D1y. The tee 2 has also been hit by the golf
club head and may travel in a similar direction to the golf ball
10. However the cord 6 restrains the tee 2 from flying too far off,
and holds the tee 2 to the tee 4. The cord 6 stretches to absorb
the force of the tee 2 being hit by the golf club, and the tee 2
will bounce back in a direction opposite to that of D1x and then
will fall to the ground 50. The tee 4 remains in the ground 50
following the impact of the golf club head on the tee 2 and the
ball 10.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the two golf tees 2 and 4
attached by the cord 6 of FIG. 1A, with a dashed line showing the
location of ball 10.
[0048] FIG. 3A shows a top view of two other golf tees, 102 and 104
attached by a cord 106, along with feet locations 120 and 122 for
placing a person's feet, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Each of the tees 102 and 104 may be identical to
the tee 2 and the tee 4. The cord 106, except for being longer than
the cord 6, may be identical to the cord 6 and may be attached to
the tees 102 and 104 in the same manner as the cord 6 is attached
to the tees 2 and 4, respectively. The length L2 of the cord 106
can be approximately two inches to five feet long. The longer the
length of the cord 106 the more defined and pronounced indicator it
would be for the golfer to align his feet to as he addresses the
golf ball to hit it in the direction of the target. In operation,
the tees 102 and 104 are inserted into a ground portion, such as
ground portion 50 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. An individual then places
their feet in the locations 120 and 122, so that their toes are at
ends 120a and 122a and their heels are at ends 120b and 122b. In
addition, the ends 120a and 122a (toes) are on the line L1, so that
the person's feet are parallel to the cord 106. The person may then
place a golf ball 110 (same as golf ball 10) on the tee 102 as
shown in FIG. 3B, and then may hit the golf ball 110 in the
direction D2 with a golf club head. The tee 102 may be hit at the
same time as the ball 110, and may fly off in the direction D2 with
the ball 110, but the tee 102 is restrained and held by the elastic
cord 106.
[0049] FIG. 4A shows a top view of two other golf tees, 202 and 204
and a cord 206 in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 4B shows a top view of the two golf tees 202 and
204 attached to the cord 206 in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. The golf tees 202 and 204 may be
identical to the golf tees 2 and 4, respectively. The cord 206 has
a body portion and a plurality of openings 208, including opening
208a and opening 208b. The pointed end 202a of the tee 202 may be
inserted into any of the openings 208, including into the opening
208a, as shown by FIGS. 4B and 4C. The pointed end 204a of the tee
204 can be inserted into any of the openings 208, including into
the opening 208b as shown by FIGS. 4B and 4C.
[0050] The first and second tee, 2 and 4, can be the same size and
shape or the first tee 2 can be of a different size and shape as
the second tee 4. In at least one embodiment, the cord 6 is
permanently connected to the first tee 2 and second tee 4. The cord
6 is stretched taut so that it forms a straight line running in the
direction that is pointing to the target. The golfer may align the
toes of his feet, as shown by FIGS. 3A and 3B, parallel to the cord
such as cord 106 or 6, which in turn is pointing directly to the
intended line of flight of the golf ball (in the direction D2). The
ball 110 (or 10) is on top of one of the tees (such as tee 2 or tee
4).
[0051] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B the cord 206 has a
plurality of holes 208 into which the golf tee 202 or the golf tee
204 can be selectively inserted or removed. The holes 208 can be
small enough so that a tee, such as 202 can be pressed therein and
held in place by the pressure of the fit. If a tee breaks off when
hit by a head of a golf club, a new tee can be inserted into the
hole. The cord 206 can be stretched longitudinally.
[0052] The tee 2 (or any of the other tees 4, 102, 104, 202, 204)
can be replaced by or can be a brush tee (trademarked).
[0053] FIGS. 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 5A shows a top view of a first golf tee 302 linked
or attached to a second golf tee 304 by a link or attachment device
306. The link or device 306 may have a body portion 307 which is a
rigid or semi-rigid material providing a solid link between the
first tee 302 and the second tee 304. The body portion 307 of the
device 306 may be made entirely or substantially of a semi rigid
material such as a soft plastic or nylon that would not cause
damage to a golf club or golf club head when a golf club head makes
contact with the device 306 during a golf swing. The body portion
307 may be any shape or length, but is shown in an elongated,
rectangular shape in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The body portion 307 may have
a thickness, T1, shown in FIG. 5B, of approximately one eighth of
an inch, a width, W1, shown in FIG. 5A, of about one third of an
inch, and a length L1, shown in FIG. 5A, of about ten inches long.
The first and the second tees could be selectively or permanently
attached to different points on the link. The first and the second
tee 302 and 304, respectively, for instance, could be inserted into
pre formed holes of the plurality of holes 308 traversing the solid
connection link body portion 307 and remain in place by virtue of a
pressure fit between a surface of one of the golf tees, 302 or 304,
and a surface surrounding one of a plurality of holes 308. The
circumference of each of the holes 308, in at least one embodiment,
includes flaps. For example, the hole 308c of the holes 308,
includes three flaps 309a, 309b, and 309c, that are pushed apart by
the insertion of a tee, such as 302 or 304, when inserted through
the hole 308c. The flaps 309a, 309b, and 309c, and identical or
analogous flaps in the remaining holes of holes 308, cause pressure
against the sides of the particular tee inserted, such as against
portion 302c or 302b shown in FIG. 5B, so that the particular tee
may be inserted at different distances through each of the holes
308, such as 308c, easily. In an alternative embodiment, one or
both of the tees 302 and 304 may be permanently connected to the
body portion 307 in the state of FIG. 5A and 5B, and the tees 302
and 304 may be pre-fabricated with the body portion 307 so that the
tees 302 and 304 cannot be removed from the body portion 307
without breaking it. The body portion 307 is typically non-elastic
in the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0054] FIG. 6A shows a top view of a first golf tee 402 linked or
attached to a second golf tee 404 by a link or attachment device
406 providing a telescoping feature in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment device 406
in a fully extended or expanded state. The attachment device 406
includes a body portion 407 which may be comprised of body portions
or sections 407a, 407b, and 407c. Each of body portions or sections
407a, 407b, and 407c, may have a hollow cylinder shape, having
openings going through the cylinder from the top view shown in FIG.
6A, through the bottom. The body portion 407a has openings 408a,
408c, and 408d, through which a point 402a of the tee 402 can be
inserted. The body portion 407b has openings 408e, 408f, and 408g,
through which the point 402a can be inserted. The body portion 407b
has openings 408h, 408i, and 408j, through which the point 402a can
be inserted.
[0055] The tee 402 may be identical to the tee 2 of FIG. 1A. The
tee 402 may have a pointed section 402a, a middle or straight
section 402, and a tapered section 402c, along with a concave or
curved surface 402d. The tee 404 may be identical to the tee
402.
[0056] FIG. 6B shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A, with
the attachment device 406 in the fully extended or expanded state.
FIG. 6C shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A, with the
attachment device 406 in a fully compressed state. In FIG. 6C, the
body portion or section 407a has been inserted into the body
portion or section 407b, which has been inserted into the body
portion or section 407c. Thus the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6C
provides a telescoping feature which allows the attachment device
406 to be compressed and placed in a person's pants pocket in a
more compressed form, and then expanded when the tees 402 and 404
are inserted into the ground 450, shown by dashed lines in FIG.
6B.
[0057] The tee 402 may be used, in FIG. 6B, as a platform tee upon
which a golf ball is placed. The tee 402 may be permanently or
selectively attached on one part of the telescoping cylinders or
body portions or sections 407a-c, and the anchoring tee, in this
example, the tee 404, is connected to a second place on the
telescoping attachment device 406 wherein the first and second
places of attachment to the anchoring tee 404 and the platform tee
402 are in different locations on the attachment device 406. The
telescoping tee device or attachment device 406 is is put in an
expanded or extended state when used as in FIG. 6B and the
attachment device 406 is contracted within itself when carried by a
golfer in his pocket or golf bag.
[0058] Each of the portions 407a-c of the telescoping attachment
device 406 can be made of a semi-rigid, flexible plastic or nylon
composite. Although the portion 407a telescopes within the portion
407b and the portion 407b telescopes within the portion 407c to
extend device 406 or compress device 406, the material for each of
the portions 407a-c of the attachment device 406, in at least one
embodiment, does not stretch or does not stretch substantially and
can not be compressed or cannot be compressed substantially without
breaking.
[0059] FIG. 7A shows a top view of a first golf tee 502 linked or
attached to a second golf tee 504 by a link or attachment device
506 providing a foldable feature in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, with the attachment device 506
in a fully extended or unfolded state. The attachment device 506
includes body portion 507 which includes body portion section 507a
and body portion section 507b. The body portion sections 507a and
507b are pivotally connected together by a pin 509b and held
together by cap ends 509a and 509c at opposite ends of the pin
509b. The location of the pin 509b is shown by dashed lines in FIG.
7A, but generally passes through the body portions 507a and
507b.
[0060] FIG. 7B shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 7A, with
the attachment device 506 in the fully extended or unfolded state.
The attachment device 506 includes openings 508, including opening
508a, 508b, and 508c through which a pointed section 502a of the
tee 502 can be inserted. The tee 502 may be identical to the tee 2,
and may include sections 502a, straight section 502b, tapered
section 502c, and concave or curved surface 502d. The tee 504 may
be identical to the tee 502.
[0061] FIG. 7C shows a side view of the attachment device 506 used
in FIG. 7A, without the tees 502 and 504, in a partially folded
state. In FIG. 7C the body portion or arm 507a has been rotated
ninety degrees with respect to the body portion or arm 507b and in
FIG. 7C is at a ninety degree angle with respect to the body
portion 507b. FIG. 7D shows a side view of the attachment device
506 used in FIG. 7A, without the tees 502 and 504, in a fully
folded state. In FIG. 7D, the body portion or arm 507a has been
rotated ninety degrees from the state of FIG. 7C behind the body
portion or arm 507b, so that 507a cannot be seen in FIG. 7D. The
state of FIG. 7D provides a more compressed state for inserting the
attachment device 506 into a person's pocket or into a pocket of a
golf bag.
[0062] The attachment device 506 may be made substantially or
entirely of a solid semi rigid material such as plastic. The
material used for the device 506 may comprise a material soft
enough so that it would not damage a golf club when a golf club
head strikes the device 506 during a golf swing. For instance the
material could be plastic or wood. The pin 509b of the folding or
rotating attachment device 506 acts as a hub where the two
elongated leafs (507a and 507b) rotate to form a one hundred eighty
degree angle as in FIG. 7B and the leafs (507a and 507b) can fold
together so that a golfer can more easily carry the attachment
device 506 in his or her pocket.
[0063] Although the invention has been described by reference to
particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and
modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled
in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent
all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly
be included within the scope of the present invention's
contribution to the art.
* * * * *