U.S. patent application number 15/333370 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-15 for golf tee structures, assemblies, and systems with improved accuracy.
The applicant listed for this patent is William Chuang. Invention is credited to William Chuang.
Application Number | 20170165544 15/333370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56407056 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170165544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang; William |
June 15, 2017 |
Golf Tee Structures, Assemblies, and Systems with Improved
Accuracy
Abstract
Golf is waning in popularity partly because of the difficulty of
becoming a good player. A key aspect of this difficulty is in using
a golf club to drive a ball in a desired direction. To make this
easier, the present inventor devised, among other things, a
directional golf tee structure that enables players to select a
drive direction by orienting the golf tee in the desired direction
and then using a golf club to strike a portion of the golf tee
instead of the ball. The struck portion of the golf tee filters out
or reduces the effect of golf club swing errors, thereby promoting
greater accuracy. In some embodiments, the tees are configured for
specific loft angles, fade, and/or draw attributes, not only
providing a variety of play and training options, but ultimately
making golf easier and more enjoyable for players of all skill
levels.
Inventors: |
Chuang; William;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chuang; William |
Pittsburgh |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56407056 |
Appl. No.: |
15/333370 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14960377 |
Dec 5, 2015 |
9474951 |
|
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15333370 |
|
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|
62105968 |
Jan 21, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/15 20151001;
A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 24/0003
20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 24/0062 20130101; A63B 57/12
20151001; A63B 2220/53 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 57/10
20151001; A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 57/19
20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/10 20060101
A63B057/10; A63B 24/00 20060101 A63B024/00 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A golf tee structure comprising: a portion configured to
support a golf ball above a selected portion of ground; and a
strike body having first and second opposing convex surfaces, the
first convex surface configured to receive an input force from a
golf club head and the second convex surface configured to contact
a portion of the supported golf ball and transfer only a portion of
the input force to the golf ball.
15. The golf tee structure of claim 14, wherein the first and
second opposing convex surfaces are spherically convex.
16. The golf tee structure of claim 14, further comprising first
and second ground stakes extending from the golf ball structure and
configured for insertion into a selected portion of ground.
17. The golf tee structure of claim 16, wherein the first ground
stake is shorter than the second ground stake.
18. The golf tee structure of claim 16, wherein at least one of the
first and second ground stakes includes barbs.
19. The golf tee structure of claim 2, further comprising a sensor
configured to produce an electrical signal in response to the input
force, and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit a wireless
signal based on the produced electrical signal to a smart phone or
a tablet computer.
20. A golf tee assembly comprising: a golf tee structure configured
to support a golf ball above a select portion of ground, the golf
tee structure including at least one sensor and a first wireless
transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to
transmit information based on the one sensor to a computing device
having a second wireless transceiver configured to communicate with
the first wireless transceiver.
21. The golf tee assembly of claim 20, wherein the golf tee
structure further comprises: a golf ball support configured to
support the golf ball above a selected portion of ground; a
directional indicator structure attached to the golf ball support
to indicate a desired flight line direction for the golf ball; and
a force filter attached to the golf ball support and having a first
surface configured to receive an input force from a golf club head
and a second surface configured to contact a portion of the golf
ball and inhibit transfer of undesired portions of the input force
to the golf ball.
22. The golf tee structure of claim 21, wherein the force filter
comprises first and second opposing convex surfaces, with the first
surface configured to contact a golf ball positioned on the golf
ball surface and the second surface configured to receive input
force from a golf club head.
23. The golf tee structure of claim 21, wherein the first and
second opposing convex surfaces are spherically convex.
24. The golf tee structure of claim 21, further comprising first
and second barbed ground stakes extending from the golf ball
structure and configured for insertion into a selected portion of
ground.
25. A method of operating a golf tee structure, the method
comprising: receiving in the golf tee structure a drive force from
a golf club head; and inhibiting or restricting undesired vector
components of the drive force from influencing direction of flight
of a golf ball.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein inhibiting or restricting
undesired vector components comprises: receiving the drive force at
a first spherically convex surface of an object; transmitting a
portion of the drive force substantially orthogonal to a portion of
the first spherically convex surface through a central region of
the object to a second spherically convex surface of the object,
with the second surface contacting the golf ball,
27. The method of claim 25, further comprising inserting the golf
tee structure into a ground to indicate a desired direction of
flight of a golf ball, prior to receiving the drive force.
28. The method of claim 25, further comprising transmitting a
wireless signal from the object to an external device in response
to receiving the drive force.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein the wireless signal is
representative of one or more acceleration components and the
external device includes a smartphone.
30. The method of claim 25, further comprising displaying data
based on the one or more acceleration components on a display of
the smartphone.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 62/105,968, which was filed Jan. 21, 2015 and
which is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND PERMISSION
[0002] A portion of this patent document contains material subject
to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to
the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in the patent and trademark office
patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights
whatsoever. The following notice applies to this document:
Copyright.COPYRGT.2015, WILLIAM CHUANG.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] Various embodiments of the invention relate generally to
golf tees and related methods of supporting and striking a golf
ball.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] Millions of people around the world enjoy the game of golf.
In the U.S., the game is enjoyed by 25 million Americans who
annually play over 450 million rounds at more than 15,000
facilities. It is a nearly $70 billion industry, supporting two
million jobs and $55.6 billion in annual wage income.
[0006] Despite this success, there are many in the industry who are
concerned about the future of the golf industry, pointing to an
estimated 20% reduction in overall participation over the past
decade or so, particularly among younger players. Some attribute
the reduction to the length of time that it takes to play a round
of golf, the cost of playing, and the difficulty of playing.
[0007] In response, the industry is experimenting with adding 3-
and 6-hole options to the 9- and 18-hole options, and allowing
non-traditional games, such as "hack golf" which replaces the
traditional 4.25-inch-diameter hole with a 15-inch-diameter one,
and "foot golf" which uses a 21-inch-diameter hole and replaces
golf balls and clubs with soccer balls and kicking players. There
are also some reports of creating alternative rules to make the
traditional game more enjoyable for recreational players.
[0008] Even with all this, the present inventor has recognized that
there is still the problem of difficulty, specifically the problem
of becoming proficient at hitting a golf ball with a golf club with
consistent accuracy, an activity widely regarded as one of the most
challenging in all of sport. Moreover, the difficulty is most
visible when teeing off at each hole, that is, hitting the ball off
a tee in full view of your competing players, exposing players,
particularly beginner players, to considerable risk of
embarrassment and/or frustration from mishit balls. Although
technology improvements to golf balls and golf clubs have made it
easier for some players to hit longer and somewhat straighter, the
continued decline in participation show that these improvements
have not been enough to reverse current trends.
[0009] Accordingly, the present inventor has identified an unmet
need to make golf easier to play.
SUMMARY
[0010] To address one or more of these and/or other needs or
problems, the present inventor devised, among other things, one or
more exemplary systems, kits, methods, devices, assemblies, and/or
components related to golf tees, particularly golf tees that
provide increased directional accuracy for golfers.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the invention takes the form of
a directional golf tee structure that can ensure a desired ball
flight direction for a wide range of club head striking errors and
still yield the desired ball flight direction. To achieve this, one
exemplary structure includes a golf ball support structure and a
spherical strike body. The support structure is configured to
position a rear portion of the golf ball in tangential contact with
one side of the spherical strike body. An opposite side of the
strike body is positioned to receive the force of a striking golf
club head. When struck by the golf club head, the spherical strike
body transfers the portion of the force in alignment with the
desired ball flight direction to the golf ball and inhibits
transfer of portions of the strike force that are misaligned with
the desired direction. In other words, the strike body effectively
filters out or reduces the effect of golf club swing errors,
thereby promoting greater directional accuracy. Over time, as
players learn to increase distance of their drives using the
directional tee, their swing mechanics may improve. In some
embodiments, the tees are preconfigured or adjustable for specific
loft angles, fade, and draw attributes. Tees incorporating
principles of the present invention not only provide a variety of
play and training options, but ultimately promise to make golf
easier and more enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Various embodiments are described herein with reference to
the following attached figures (Figs). These figures are annotated
with reference numbers for various features and components, and
these numbers are used in the following description as a teaching
aid, with like numbers referring to the same or similar features
and components.
[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of a golf assembly 100 which
corresponds to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of a golf assembly 101 which
corresponds to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 1C is a schematic top view of a golf assembly 102 which
corresponds to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2A is a side view of a golf tee assembly 200 which
corresponds to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2B is a top view of golf tee assembly 200 corresponding
to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2C is a back view of golf tee assembly 200
corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary kit or ensemble
300 of directional golf tee structures providing different loft
angles, corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an exemplary golf tee sensing
system 400 corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5A is a side view of an exemplary golf tee assembly 500
which corresponds to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 5B is a front view of golf tee assembly 500
corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another exemplary golf tee
assembly 600 which corresponds to one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6B is a side view of golf tee assembly 600
corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 6C is a top view of golf tee assembly 600 corresponding
to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6D is an end view of golf tee assembly 600
corresponding to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] This document, which incorporates drawings and claims,
describes one or more specific embodiments of one or more
inventions. These embodiments, offered not to limit but only to
exemplify and teach the invention, are shown and described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement
or practice the invention(s). Thus, where appropriate to avoid
obscuring the invention(s), the description may omit certain
information known to those of skill in the art.
[0028] FIG. 1, a simplified two-dimensional top view, shows a golf
assembly 100, including a golf club head 110, a directional golf
tee structure 120, and a golf ball 130.
[0029] Golf club head 110, which is generally representative of any
golf club head, for example, a driver, iron, or putter, has a club
head face 111 applying a force vector F of an arbitrary magnitude
and direction F to directional golf tee structure 120.
[0030] Golf tee structure 120 includes a club strike surface 121, a
golf ball strike surface 122, a central reference point 123, and a
ball support axis 124 (not visible in this view). Club strike
surface 121 is spherically convex: that is, bowed outward uniformly
from the central reference point 123 by a distance R, the radius of
a sphere. (In some embodiments, the distance R may vary with
position on the strike surface to define non-spherical surfaces)
Golf ball strike surface 122, which is also spherically convex and
substantially fixed in position relative to club strike surface
121, is positioned such that a portion of it is in an approximate
tangential contact relationship with an adjacent strike surface 131
of golf ball 130.
[0031] Golf ball 130 also has a central reference point 132, and is
supported via golf tee structure 120 such that center 132 and golf
ball strike surface 122 define a desired flight line direction 125
of golf ball 130.
[0032] In operation, golf assembly 100 operates as follows. Club
head face 111 strikes club strike surface 121 in an approximate
tangential manner, imparting a radial force vector F to the
spherical convex surface. In the plane of the figure, force vector
F is transferred radially from the point of contact on the club
strike surface to center 123 and appears as parallel force vectors
along ball strike surface 122, with the force vector at each point
of surface 122, including the point of contact of ball strike
surface 122 with strike surface 131 of golf ball 130. At the point
of contact of surfaces 122 and 131, which is ideally tangential,
force vector F has orthogonal component vectors Fx and Fy. (The
orthogonal third dimension z is ignored here for sake of
simplicity.) More particularly, force vector Fx is not only
parallel to the radial line segment at the point of contact to the
center of the golf ball, but also to the desired flight line
direction 125. With perfectly rigid, non-deforming strike surfaces,
force vector Since Fx is in the direction of ball travel, and Fy is
perpendicular, and since the ball contacts at only one point, Fy
only serves to move the force filter away from the ball, and thus
does not influence it's path. The only vector which moves the ball
is Fx. In other words, in this embodiment, the convex nature of
strike surfaces 121 and 122 enable golf tee structure 120 to serve
as a force filter that prevents all but the most egregious club
head errors from directing the golf ball away from the desired
direction. Moreover, the nature of the filtering is such that the
degree of club head contact error will be evident in the distance
the golf ball travels, enabling users to focus on improving
distance as a likely indicator of improving golf swing mechanics.
In some embodiments, golf ball strike surface 122 is not convex;
for example, it may be in the form of a plane or have other
geometry, and still achieve a force filtering effect.
[0033] FIGS. 1B and 1C show respective alternative golf assemblies
101 and 102, both of which are functionally analogous in structure
and function to golf assembly 100. Golf assembly 101 shows a golf
tee structure 120' that has spherically convex strike surfaces that
are smaller in radius than golf ball 130. And golf assembly 102 in
FIG. 1C, shows a golf tee structure 120'' with spherically convex
strike surfaces that have a larger radius than that of golf ball
130. Note that in some embodiments the directional tee may use
spherically convex strike surfaces that are substantially different
from each other. For example, some embodiments include a
spherically convex club head strike surface have a 2 R radius, a
spherically convex golf ball strike surface having a 0.75 R radius,
where R is the radius of the golf ball.
[0034] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show an alternative directional golf
tee assembly 200, which incorporates one or more aspects of golf
assemblies 100, 101, and 102. In particular, golf tee structure 200
includes a stem portion 210 and a strike force filter 220, and a
stake assembly 240.
[0035] Stem portion 210 includes a below-ground portion 211 and an
above-ground portion 212. Below-ground portion 211 includes a front
ground stake 211A and a back ground stake 211B, with stake 211A
having a substantially different length, for example approximately
25% shorter, to denote its front position relative to stake 211B
and to allow rotation of the golf tee structure around the axis of
the back stake to a desired direction prior to insertion of the
front stake into the ground. FIG. 2B shows that the stakes, or more
precisely their center points, are generally collinear with desired
flight line direction 225 to facilitate establishing the desired
direction at the time of insertion. In some embodiments, the stakes
may be unified into a single wide stake by filling in the space
between them over all or part of the entire length of the shorter
stake, creating a tab-like structure.
[0036] Above-ground portion 212, which takes a tubular form in the
exemplary embodiment, includes a flange portion 212A at its lower
end and a ball-support portion 212B at its upper end. Flange
portion 212A extends outward to provide additional lateral
stability to the tee structure when stakes 211A and 211B are
inserted into the ground. Ball-support portion 212B includes a
ringed-wall, best visible in FIG. 2B, which functions as a shallow
holding cup for golf ball 130 and defines ball support axis 224.
Ball-support portion 212B is inclined in some embodiments to ensure
ball 130 stays in contact with ball strike surface 222. Extending
from a rear sidewall portion 212C of above ground portion 212 is a
support arm 226 of strike force filter 220.
[0037] Strike force filter 220 further includes a club strike
surface (input) 221, a golf ball strike surface (output) 222, a
central reference point 223, a desired flight line direction 225,
and a loft angle 227.
[0038] Club strike surface 221 and golf ball strike surface 222,
respectively similar in form and function to strike surfaces 121
and 122 in FIG. 1, are each spherically convex (defined earlier as
bowed outward uniformly from a central reference point.) In some
embodiments, the surfaces define opposite sides of a spherical
object having a common central reference point and defining radius;
in others, the spherically convex surfaces may be the same center
point and different defining radii; and in yet other embodiments,
the surfaces are non-spherical convex surfaces, such as ellipsoidal
surfaces. Moreover, in some embodiments, it may be advantageous to
laterally and/or vertically offset the central reference points of
the convex surfaces. Additionally, some spherical or other objects
defining the convex surfaces are partially hollowed or bored to
reduce mass of the golf tee structure and/or to facilitate even
cooling and thus prevent distortion of the strike force filter
during injection molding. Golf ball strike surface 222, is
positioned such that a portion of it is in approximate tangential
contact relationship with an adjacent strike surface 131 of golf
ball 130.
[0039] Desired flight line direction 225 is defined by central
reference point 223 and golf ball center 132, and loft angle 227 is
defined by height of golf ball center 132 relative to a horizontal
plane through central reference point 223. In the exemplary
embodiment, this angle is a fixed angle in the range of 0 to 90
degrees inclusive. Some embodiments may provide an angle in the
range of 0-45 degrees, and still others in the range of 0 to 60
degrees.
[0040] However, in some embodiments, the angle of support arm 226
relative to vertical reference axis 224, and/or the height of the
golf ball center relative to central reference 226 are adjustable.
To adjust the height of the golf ball center, some embodiments
include a multi-pronged plastic tube that slideably engages in an
interference fit with the interior or in some cases the exterior of
above-ground portion 212. The engagement surface in some instances
is augmented to include grooves or ridges for a discreet
incremental adjustment. Threaded arrangements are used in some
embodiments. The adjustment tube includes an open end at its top to
serve as a holding cup for the golf ball.
[0041] FIG. 2A also shows that in some embodiments assembly 200
further includes a stake 240 attached to upper portion 212 via a
tether 241. The stake, is intended to be anchored in the ground
prior to use of the golf tee structure, and the tether restricts
travel of the tee structure if it dislodges after being struck by a
golf club. The length of the tether can vary from as little as
several inches to even 10 or more feet. Also in some embodiments
the tether may be attached to lower portion 211.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary golf tee kit 300. Kit 300 includes
three directional golf tee structures 200, 201, and 202, which are
substantially identical in form and function except for respective
loft angles 227A, 227B, and 227C. In operation, a user would select
among the directional tees based on loft angle to achieve a desired
distance or perhaps to clear a grove of trees or other course
obstacle. In the exemplary embodiment, various sets of loft angles
combinations for the kit include 10, 20, and 30 degrees; 15, 25,
and 45 degrees; or 25, 30, and 40 degrees. Some embodiments may
include balls, and still others may include greater or lesser
numbers of tee structures and balls. Still others may include codes
and website links on the body of the balls, tee structures, or
packaging to download an app, such as that described below.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary golf tee sensing system 400.
System 400 includes a directional golf tee 205, a smartphone 410,
and a central webserver 420. Directional golf tee 205 is similar in
form and function to golf tee structure 200 in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and
2C, with the addition of an accelerometer sensor 205A, a contact
point sensor 205B, and a wireless transceiver 205C. Accelerometer
205A senses acceleration along three axes and contact point sensor
205B, for example, one or more piezoelectric or piezoresistive
force sensors, senses the point and force of contact. Accelerometer
205A and contact point sensor 205B transmits respective electrical
signals to wireless transceiver 205C. In the exemplary embodiment,
wireless transceiver 205C takes the form of a Bluetooth compliant
device, and communicates wirelessly to smartphone 410 (or other
paired computing device such as laptop or tablet computer having a
compatible wireless transceiver), such as transceiver 411. In
addition to transceiver 411, smartphone 410 includes a processor
412, a memory 413, and a display 414. Memory 413 includes golf
swing software module 413A which includes computer readable and
executable instructions for translating accelerometer and/or
contact sensor data into useful golf swing or game analysis data
(for example golf swing metrics such as club head speed, angle, and
direction and/or causing display of the metrics on display 414
and/or communicating the data via the internet or cellular data
link to a central webserver 420. Some embodiments may include an
additional sensor, for example, a photoelectric sensor underneath
golf ball 130 to sense departure of the golf ball, allowing
estimation of golf ball velocity based on the time of impact with
the club head strike surface and the time of departure of the golf
ball. Webserver 420, which includes one or more processors and
machine readable storage media (memory) may include a database of
swing diagnostic or tip videos that are tagged or logically
associated with one or more swing metrics or metric ranges and
software modules that can search and serve up one or more of the
videos or other related information to the user via the smartphone
or tablet, based on the received swing metric data. In some
embodiments, the transceiver and accelerometer are powered via a
battery, such as a button or coin cell. In still other embodiments,
the battery may be charged via piezoelectric effect generated from
impact of the club head with the directional golf tee.
[0044] FIGS. 5A and 5B show respective side and profile views of
another alternative directional golf tee structure 500. Structure
500 includes a stem portion 510, a strike force filter 520, and a
golf ball support portion 530. Stem portion 510 is substantially
vertical and includes a limiter flange or projection 511 extending
from it. Limiter flange 511 limits the ground insertion depth of
stem portion 510 and also sets the flight loft angle for the tee
structure relative to horizontal. In some embodiments, limiter
flange 511 is pivotable to allow for adjustment of the loft angle.
Also in some embodiments flange 511 includes a stake portion 511A
to inhibit rotation of the golf tee structure 500 after being
struck by golf club. Strike force filter 520 comprises golf ball
130A within a retaining ring 523, with the golf ball providing a
club head strike surface 521 and a golf ball strike surface 522.
Golf ball support portion 530 cantilevers outward from stem portion
510 and includes a cup portion 531 to support golf ball 130B in a
tangential contact relationship with strike surface 522. In
principle, golf tee structure 500 functions like the other golf tee
structures described herein, with the tee structure being placed in
the ground and pivoted to a desired direction, prior to strike
force filter 520 receiving a strike force from golf club and
reducing the effect of undesired components of the applied strike
force, that is those components not in alignment with the desired
flight direction, on the flight of golf ball 130B.
[0045] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D show respective perspective,
profile, top, and end views of another alternative directional golf
tree structure 600, similar to golf tee structure 200 but with
additional features. Structure 600 includes a stem portion 610, a
strike force filter 620, and a golf ball support portion 630.
[0046] Stem portion 610 includes a below-ground portion 611 and an
above-ground portion 612, and a separator flange or disk 613.
Below-ground portion 611 includes a front ground stake 611A and a
back ground stake 611B, including respective barbs 611C and 611D
extending in front, back, left, and right directions. The barbs
inhibit removal of the structure from the ground. Front ground
stake 611A is approximately one inch long in the exemplary
embodiment, whereas back prong 611B is approximately
one-and-one-half inches long, with the lower one half inches of its
length lacking any barbs to allow manual rotation of the golf tee
structure to set it in the desired direction, prior to full
insertion of both stakes into the ground. The two stakes also
inhibit rotation of the golf tee structure when strike force filter
620, which is cantilevered off above ground portion 612 via support
arm 626, is struck by a golf club head in normal operation.
[0047] Above-ground portion 612, separated from below-ground
portion 611 via flange 613, includes a 5-sided tube 612A, a flex
leg 612B, and a breakaway support leg 612C. 5-sided tube 612A
(shown best in FIG. 6C) includes 5 sides (not separately labeled),
with two of the 5 sides coming together to define a pointer
structure 612D in alignment with support arm 626. Flex leg 612B is
configured to flex in response to strike force applied to strike
object 620, thereby reducing lateral force transferred to ground
stakes 611A and 611B. Breakaway support leg 612C is provided to
facilitate formation of the golf tee structure via injection
molding, and breaks away from flange 613 after one or more usages
of the golf tee structure. The top rim of above-ground portion 612
forms ball support portion 630, which supports and positions golf
ball 130 into contact with golf ball strike surface 621 of strike
force filter 620. Ball support portion 630 also includes inclined
tabs or ramps 631A and 631B to guide and bias ball 130 into contact
with strike force filter 620.
[0048] Strike force filter 620, which has a smaller-than-golf-ball
radius in this embodiment and takes the form of a partially
hollowed sphere, includes a golf club strike surface 621 and a golf
ball strike surface 622. These surfaces are respectively similar in
form and function to strike surfaces 121 and 122 in FIG. 1 and
strike surfaces 221 and 222 in FIG. 2, are each spherically convex
in this embodiment. Golf ball strike surface 222, is positioned
such that a portion of it is in approximate tangential contact
relationship with an adjacent strike surface 131 of golf ball 130.
In this embodiment, strike force filter 620 has partially hollowed
for not only aesthetic appeal and reduced mass, but also to
facilitate uniform cooling of part using injection molding
techniques. The exemplary hollowed structure includes three stacked
horizontal disk-like fins 621A, 621B, and 621C that intersect a
vertical disk-like armature 621D (shown best in FIG. 6D). This
structure also ensures the desired tangential relationship between
golf ball strike surface 622 and golf ball strike surface 131,
while also allowing the strike force filter to effectively present
a spherical convex form to a striking golf club head.
[0049] In operation, golf tee structure 600 is similar to other
embodiments described herein. In particular, a user inserts the
golf tee structure into a select portion of ground, first partially
with its longer stake and then after rotation of the tee structure
to the desired direction, then fully with the shorter stake. After
insertion, the user places a golf ball, such as ball 130 onto the
ball support portion 630, with the ramp tabs 631A and 631B guiding
the ball into tangential contact with surface 622 of strike force
filter 620. With the ball teed up in this manner and the tee
directed in the desired direction, the user strikes surface 621 of
strike force filter 620 with a golf club head face. The filter
receives the force and transfers portions of the force in alignment
with the desired flight direction to the ball, effectively shunting
portions or components of the club head strike force that are
misaligned with the desired direction into the ground and/or the
tee structure, more generally away from the ball. Notably, flex leg
612B flexes in response to the applied club head force, as another
mechanism for dissipating the misaligned portions of the club head
force.
CONCLUSION
[0050] In the foregoing specification, specific exemplary
embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in
the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth
in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are
to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense,
and all such modifications are intended to be included within the
scope of present teachings.
[0051] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
[0052] Moreover in this document, relational terms, such as second,
top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one
entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"has", "having," "includes", "including," "contains", "containing"
or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or
apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of
elements does not include only those elements but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,
article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a", "has
. . . a", "includes . . . a", "contains . . . a" does not, without
more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical
elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and
"an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise
herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately",
"about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to
as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one
non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in
another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and
in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used
herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly
and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. Also, the
term "exemplary" is used as an adjective herein to modify one or
more nouns, such as embodiment, system, method, device, and is
meant to indicate specifically that the noun is provided as a
non-limiting example.
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