U.S. patent application number 14/128198 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for golf tee.
The applicant listed for this patent is Takeo Imai. Invention is credited to Takeo Imai.
Application Number | 20140128180 14/128198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48983733 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140128180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Imai; Takeo |
May 8, 2014 |
GOLF TEE
Abstract
A golf tee includes a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is
placed; and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from
the ball seat portion. The support shaft portion has a projection
that is laterally formed on and projected from the support shaft
portion. The ball seat portion and the support shaft portion are
formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane including a central
axis line of the support shaft portion and a point of the
projection. In the single plane, a virtual plane including contact
portion that contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed
on the ball seat portion and a central axis line of the support
shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and
form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line.
Inventors: |
Imai; Takeo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Imai; Takeo |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
48983733 |
Appl. No.: |
14/128198 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/053781 |
371 Date: |
December 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/10 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/403 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf tee comprising: a ball seat portion on which a golf ball
is placed; and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward
from the ball seat portion, wherein the support shaft portion has a
projection that is laterally formed on and projected from the
support shaft portion at a part spaced apart from the ball seat
portion; the ball seat portion and the support shaft portion are
formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane including a central
axis line of the support shaft portion and a point of the
projection; in the single plane, a virtual plane including a
contact portion that contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball
is placed on the ball seat portion and a central axis line of the
support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis
line and form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line;
and the projection is formed on and projected from a side on which
the obtuse angle is formed.
2. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is
between 100 degrees and 120 degrees, and the acute angle is between
60 degrees and 80 degrees.
3. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the obtuse angle is
between 105 degrees and 108 degrees, and the acute angle is between
72 degrees and 75 degrees.
4. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the projection is
formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle
height position of the support shaft portion.
5. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the projection is
formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle
height position of the support shaft portion.
6. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein the projection is
formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle
height position of the support shaft portion.
7. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
8. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
9. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
10. The golf tee according to claim 4, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
11. The golf tee according to claim 5, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
12. The golf tee according to claim 6, wherein the projection is
fin-shaped.
13. The golf tee according to claim 7, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
14. The golf tee according to claim 8, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
15. The golf tee according to claim 9, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
16. The golf tee according to claim 10, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
17. The golf tee according to claim 11, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
18. The golf tee according to claim 12, wherein a curved concave
portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the
support shaft portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a golf tee that makes a
player easily imagine a direction of hitting a golf ball, and
reduces resistance of hitting the golf ball.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A golf tee holds a golf ball at a predetermined height
position above the ground when a golf player hits a tee-shot.
Conventionally, golf tees of various shapes, structures and
materials have been proposed, sold and used.
[0003] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of
a golf tee in the related art. This golf tee 10 includes a ball
seat portion 14 on which a golf ball 12 is placed, and a rod-shaped
support shaft portion 16 vertically formed downward from the bottom
of the ball seat portion 14. Angle .alpha. formed by a virtual
plane (shown with broken line A) and the support shaft portion 16
is a substantially right angle (substantially 90 degrees) as
illustrated in FIG. 7. The virtual plane includes a contact portion
on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with the
golf ball 12 when the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat
portion 14.
[0004] In a case where the golf ball 12 is hit using such a
conventional general golf tee 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8(a),
first, a golf player vertically sticks the support shaft portion 16
of the golf tee 10 into the ground up to a suitable depth. In this
state, furthermore, the golf player places the golf ball 12 on the
ball seat portion 14.
[0005] Next, the golf player decides a target point to which the
golf player wants to hit the golf ball 12. In a golfer's basic
stance for normal shot (square stance), a direction of a line
between the feet of a golf player, more specifically as direction
of a line between the toes of the golf player, is parallel to a
direction of a line between the target point and the golf ball 12
on the ball seat portion 14, or a target direction of the hit ball
(hereinafter, referred to as a target direction).
[0006] Based on his or her preference or requirements such as a
kind of an intended ball trajectory. The golf player takes as
stance, the golf player takes a stance where the left leg moves
back (open stance for a right-handed hitter) or a stance where the
right leg moves back (closed stance for a left-handed bitter). In
this way, the golf player can be oriented, in the target
direction.
[0007] If a golf ball 12 can be ideally hit by a golf player with
such a stance and a correct swing form, the golf bail 12 can
accurately fly in the target direction.
[0008] However, a golf player hardly takes a stance by accurately
orienting to a remote target point by eye. In many cases, the
orientation of a golf player in stance deviates from the target
direction. Therefore, even if the golf player can ideally hit the
golf ball 12 with a correct swing, the actual direction of the hit
ball may be different from the target direction.
[0009] The orientation deviation is smaller when the orientation of
the golf player is oriented to a target point closer to the golf
player. Therefore, the golf player finds something oriented in the
same target direction from among a closer tree or grass, and
defines it as a temporary target. Further, the golf player takes a
stance b orienting the golf player to the temporary target, and
thereby reduces the orientation deviation.
[0010] However, there is not always something to be suitable as a
temporary target in the same direction as the target direction in
all holes. There are many cases where it is not possible to
determine a temporary target. In that case, the golf player cannot
help but necessarily orient the golf player to a remote target
point. Therefore, there is a problem that the imp between the
target direction and the direction of an actually hit ball is
likely to become large as described above.
[0011] Therefore, the following golf tee has been proposed. This
golf tee includes a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is
placed, and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from
the ball seat portion. In this tee, in a single plane, a virtual
plane and the central axis hue of the support shaft portion form an
obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and form an acute angle
on the other side of the axis line. The virtual plane includes a
contact portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion
contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball
seat portion.
[0012] In this golf tee, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b), the support
shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 is diagonally stuck into the
ground toward the direction in which the golf ball 12 is hit. In
such a condition, the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat
portion 14 of the golf tee 10.
[0013] The golf player takes a stance in front of the golf tee 10
in this state. The support shaft portion 16 faces to the target
when seen from the golf player. Therefore, the support shaft
portion 16 serves as a suitable indication for orienting the golf
player to orient to the target. The support shaft portion 16 allows
the golf player to take a stance while orienting the golf player to
the target more accurately.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0014] Patent Literature 1: JP-U-3060039 [0015] Patent Literature
1: JP-A-2000-116832
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0016] However, in a case where the golf tee is stuck into the
ground while tilting the support shaft portion toward the target
direction, the golf ball placed on the ball seat portion blocks the
tilted direction of the support shaft portion from the player's
view. Therefore, it is difficult to tilt the support shaft portion
to the target.
[0017] Further, in such a case, the golf player has no choice but
to remove the golf ball from the ball seat portion once. Then, the
golf player confirms that the tilt of the support shaft portion
faces to the target, and returns the golf ball onto the ball seat
portion again. Alternatively, the golf player has no choice but to
touch the support shaft portion of the golf tee to tilt the support
shaft to the target.
[0018] A problem to be solved by the present invention is to
provide the following golf tee. Even in the case of sticking
diagonally this golf tee with a golf ball is placed on the ball
seat portion into the ground, the player can make the side (from
side), on which an angle formed by the virtual plane and the
support shaft portion on the obtuse angle side is the greatest,
face to the target accurately, and the player can hold the virtual
plane of the ball seat portion substantially horizontally.
Solutions to the Problems
[0019] The most significant feature of the present invention is to
include a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is placed and a
rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from the bottom
part of the ball seat portion. The support shaft portion has a
lateral projection. The support shaft portion is diagonally formed
on a virtual plane that includes a contact portion of the ball seat
portion. The contact portion is configured to contact with a golf
ball when the golf ball is placed thereon. The projection is formed
on and projected from a side on which an obtuse angle is formed by
the virtual plane and the support shaft portion.
[0020] More specifically, the ball seat portion and the support
shaft portion are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane
including: a central axis line of the support shaft portion and a
point of the projection. The virtual plane includes a contact
portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts
with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball seat
portion. In the single plane, this virtual plane and the central
axis line of the support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one
side of the axis line and form an acute angle on the other side of
the axis line. The projection is formed on and projected from the
side on which the obtuse angle is formed.
[0021] As the shape of the ball seat portion, any shape is possible
as long as it is possible to place a golf ball on the ball seat
portion without rolling down the ball seat portion. For example,
the shape of the ball seat portion may be a dish shape with a
rounded outer edge part or a shape with an irregularly-curved outer
edge part. Further, the support shaft portion may be rod-shaped or
square-bar-shaped. From the standpoint of ease of sticking into the
ground, it is preferable that the support shaft portion have a
sharp point.
[0022] The obtuse angle formed on one side of the axis line of the
support shaft portion can be arbitrarily changed in a range between
100 degrees and 120 degrees. Moreover, the acute angle formed on
the other side of the axis line can be arbitrarily changed in a
range between 60 degrees and 80 degrees. When ease of imaging the
direction at: the time of hitting the golf ball, ease of fall of
the tee which is stuck into the ground and on which the golf ball
is placed, and lack of resistance at the time of hitting the golf
ball are determined in a comprehensive manner, it is preferable
that the obtuse angle be in a range between 105 degrees and 108
degrees. Further, it is preferable that the acute angle be in a
range between 72 degrees and 75 degrees.
[0023] It is possible to form the projection in a position closer
to the ball seat portion than a middle height position of the
support shaft portion. In that case, it is preferable that the
position of the projection be a position in which it is possible to
hold the forefinger under the projection and softly grip the golf
ball placed on the ball seat portion. The shape of the projection
is not especially limited. It is preferable that the shape of the
projection be a fin shape with a sharp point, in the sense of a
sign indicating the direction to hit the golf ball.
[0024] The most common materials of golf tees include a wood and
plastic (for example, polycarbonate). In the case where a way of
placing a golf tee on the ground is to stick the golf tee into the
ground, the material of the golf tee is not specifically limited
and any material is acceptable as long as it has strength enough to
withstand a stress produced by sticking the golf tee into the
around and to support the ball placed on the tee.
[0025] The ball seat portion and support shaft portion forming the
golf tee are normally formed with the identical material.
Alternatively, the golf tee may be formed by combining parts formed
with respective materials.
[0026] Moreover, the golf tee of the present invention complies
with the rule of golf. The golf tee of the present invention can be
naturally used not only in practice of golf in a driving range or
the like but also in a golf game in as golf course.
Effects of the Invention
[0027] In the golf tee of the present invention, a projection is
torn on and projected from the side on which a support shaft
portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to a virtual plane of a
ball seat portion. Therefore, only by a sense of touching the
projection by hand, it is possible to recognize the obtuse angle
side of the support shaft portion, that is, the front side of the
golf tee. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to
stick the golf tee into the ground without looking at the golf tee
in a state where the front side of the golf tee is tilted by an
appropriate angle with respect to the target direction to hit a
golf ball.
[0028] Further, there is a case player sticks the golf tee into the
ground and plays in a state in which the golf tee is tilted in the
target direction to hit the golf ball. In this case, with the golf
tee of the present invention, the player can visually check the
support shaft portion of the golf tee at any time. Therefore, there
is an advantage that it is easy to create an image of the target
direction to hit a golf ball when the player hits a teed golf ball
by a driver.
[0029] Moreover, there is a case where the player sticks the golf
tee into the ground and plays in a state in which the golf tee is
tilted in the target direction to hit the golf ball. In this case,
with the golf tee of the present invention, the player can visually
check the support shaft portion of the golf tee at any time.
Therefore, even if there is no suitable temporary target, the golf
player can take a stance while accurately orienting the golf player
to the target direction. As a result, there is an advantage that it
is possible to reduce a gap between the target direction and the
direction of an actually hit ball.
[0030] Moreover, there is a case where the player sticks the golf
tee into to the ground in a state in which the golf tee is tilted
by an appropriate angle with respect to the target direction to hit
the golf ball, and places the golf ball on the ball seat portion in
this state. In this case, in the golf tee of the present invention,
the center of gravity of the golf ball which is applied to the
support shaft portion of the golf tee is shifted from the support
shaft portion. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the weight of
the golf ball. As a result, there is an advantage it is possible to
reduce the golf tee resistance given to a driver when the golf ball
is hit by the driver (see FIG. 6).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee according to an
example of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of a bead part of a
golf tee according to an example, of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a side view of a golf tee according to an example
of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a front view of a golf tee according to an example
of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that conceptually
illustrates as golf tee and golf ball according to an example of
the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram to describe resistance
which a golf tee gives to a driver.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram thin illustrates one
example of a conventional golf tee.
[0038] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a tee and
golf ball in a state seen from a golf player.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0039] It is possible to realize an object to make it easy to
create an image of the target direction to hit a golf ball when
hitting a teed golf, with a simple configuration without breaking
the rule of golf.
EXAMPLE 1
[0040] In the following, a golf tee according to an example of the
present invention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a perspective view of a golf tee according to the example of
the present invention. FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of
the head part of the golf tee according to the example or the
present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf tee according
to the example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of
the golf tee according to the example of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram to conceptually describe a golf
tee and golf ball according to the example of the present
invention.
[0041] As illustrated in these figures, the golf tee 10 includes
the ball seat portion 14 on which the golf ball 12 is placed, and
the rod-shaped support shaft portion 16 formed downward from the
bottom of the ball seat portion 14. The support shaft portion 16
includes a projection 16a that is projected and formed toward the
side direction. The ball seal portion 14 and the support shaft
portion 16 are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane (not
illustrated) including the central axis lint of the support shaft
portion 16 and the point of the projection 16a.
[0042] A virtual plane (broken line P) includes a contact portion
on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with the
golf ball 12 when the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat
portion 14. In the single plane, this virtual plane (broken line P)
and the central axis line of the support shaft portion 16 form
angle .alpha. (obtuse angle) on one side of 11 e central axis hue,
that is, on one side of the support shaft portion 16, and form
angle .beta. (acute angle) on the other side of the central axis
line, that is, on the other side of the support shaft portion 16.
The projection 16a is formed on and projected from the side on
which angle .alpha. (obtuse angle) is formed.
[0043] As the shape of the ball seat portion 14, any shape is
possible as long as it is possible to place the golf ball 12 so as
not to roll down. In general, it is preferable that the shape of
the ball seat portion 14 be a circular dish shape in which the
center part becomes hollow and the surroundings heighten. However,
if it is possible to place the golf ball 12 so its not to roll
down, for example, even a shape with an irregularly-curved outer
edge part is possible as the shape of the ball seat portion 14.
[0044] As the shape of the support shaft portion 16, any shape is
possible as long as it is possible to stick it into the ground. In
the point of ease of sticking into the ground, a rod shape with a
sharp point is preferable. The support shah portion 16 may be
column-shaped or prism-shaped. In the present example, the ball
seat portion 14 and the support shaft portion 16 are integrally
formed by polycarbonate.
[0045] A preferable range of angle .alpha. formed by the central
axis of the support shaft portion 16 and the virtual plane varies
depending on the person. As angle .alpha. becomes larger,
resistance to a driver becomes less and it becomes more difficult
to stick the support shaft portion 16 into the ground. As angle
.alpha. becomes closer to 90 degrees, the resistance to the driver
becomes greater and it becomes easier to stick the support shaft
portion 16 into the ground. Angle .alpha. formed on one side of the
axis line of the support shaft portion 16 can be arbitrarily
changed within a range of 100 to 120 degrees. Moreover, angle
.beta. formed on the other side of the axis line can be arbitrarily
changed within a range of 60 to 80 degrees.
[0046] When ease of imaging the direction at the time of hitting
the golf ball 12, ease of fall of the golf tee 10 which is stuck
into the ground and on which the golf ball 12 is placed, and lack
of the resistance at the time of hitting the golf ball 12 are
determined in a comprehensive manner, it is preferable that angle
.alpha. formed on one side of the axis line of the support shaft
portion 16 be in a range of 105 to 108 degrees. Further, it is
preferable that angle .beta. formed on the other side of the axis
line be in a range of 72 to 75 degrees.
[0047] The projection 16a can be formed in a position closer to the
ball seat portion 14 than the middle height position of the
support, shaft portion 16. In that case, it is preferable that the
position of the projection 16a be a position in which it is
possible to hold the forefinger under the projection 16a and softly
grip the golf ball 12 place on the ball seat portion 14. Moreover,
in the point of ease of grip and ease of holding the forefinger, it
is preferable that a curved concave portion 16b be formed from the
lower part of the projection 16a to the support shaft portion 16.
The shape of the projection 16a is not specifically limited. In the
sense of a sign indicating the direction to hit the golf ball 12,
it is preferable that the shape of the projection 16a be a fin
shape with a sharp point.
[0048] As for a material of the golf tee 10, a wood or plastic (for
example, polycarbonate) is given as the most representative
example. In a case where the installment format of the golf tee 10
into the ground is a format of sticking the golf tee 10 into the
ground, a material of the golf tee 10 is not specifically limited
and any material is acceptable as long as it has strength enough to
withstand a stress produced by sticking, the golf tee 10 into the
ground and to support the golf ball 12 placed on the tee 10.
Moreover, the ball seat portion 14 and the support shaft portion 16
forming the golf tee 10 are normally formed with the identical
material. Alternatively, the golf tee 10 may be formed by combining
parts formed with respective materials.
[0049] Next, the usage of the golf tee according to the example of
the present invention is described.
[0050] First, the forefinger is held under the projection 16a of
the golf tee 10 according to the example of the present invention,
the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat portion 14 and the golf
ball 12 is gripped together with the golf tee 10. The projection
16a is directed to the target point to which the golf ball 12 is
desired to be hit while recognizing the touch of the projection 16a
by the forefinger. The support shaft portion 16 is stuck while
being tilted by 10 to 30 degrees from the perpendicular line with
respect to the ground. At this time, the ball seat portion 14 is
maintained such that the virtual plane (broken line A) becomes
horizontal as much as possible.
[0051] In this state, the golf player takes a stance in front of
the golf tee 10 according to the present invention. As illustrated
in FIG. 8(b), the support shaft portion 16 is directed to the
target direction when seen from the golf player. Therefore, the
support shaft portion 16 becomes a suitable indication to orient
the golf player. The support shaft portion 16 allows the golf
player to take a stance while orienting the golf player to the
target more accurately. Moreover, based on this, the golf player
can take the open stance or closed stance.
[0052] Moreover, when the golf player hits the golf ball 12 by a
golf club, the club head of the golf club impacts the golf ball 12.
The direction of the support shaft portion 16 is the same as the
direction of the trajectory of the club head before or after the
dub head impacts the golf ball 12. Therefore, the direction of the
support shaft portion 16 becomes a standard of the trajectory of
the club head. Therefore, the support shaft portion 16 assists the
golf player to hit the golf ball 12 with a correct club head
trajectory.
[0053] Moreover, resistance which the golf tee 10 gives to a driver
is described. The resistance which the golf tee 10 gives to the
driver relates to the weight of the golf tee 10 and angle .beta.
formed by the axis of the golf tee 10 and the ground. Further, as
illustrated an FIG. 6(a), angle .beta. formed by the support shaft
portion 16 of the golf tee 10 and the ground is 90 degrees in the
conventional tee 10. The center of gravity of the golf ball 12 is
placed immediately on the support shaft portion 16 and the support
shaft portion 16 supports the weight of the golf ball 12 as it is.
By contrast with this, as illustrated in FIG. 6(b), the support
shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 forms angle .beta.
(.beta.<90 degrees) with respect to the ground in the golf tee
10 according to the present invention. B this means, the golf tee
10 according to the present invention shifts the center of gravity
of the golf ball 12 from the support shaft portion 16 and supports
it, as compared with the conventional golf tee 10 in which the
support shaft portion 16 forms angle .beta.. Therefore, it is
considered that resistance B to the driver in the golf tee 10
according to the present invention becomes less than resistance A
to the driver in the conventional golf tee 10.
[0054] Here, the golf tee 10 of the present invention does not
break the rule of golf. The golf tee 10 of the present invention
can be naturally used not only in practice of golf in a hitting
range or the like but also in a golf game in a golf course.
Moreover, the golf tee 10 according to the present invention can be
naturally used by both right-handed golf players and the
left-handed golf players.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0055] 10 golf tee [0056] 12 golf ball [0057] 14 ball seat portion
[0058] 16 support shaft portion [0059] 16a projection
* * * * *