U.S. patent application number 15/664236 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-31 for golf tee with placement structure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dave Baker. Invention is credited to Dave Baker.
Application Number | 20190030406 15/664236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65137856 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190030406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baker; Dave |
January 31, 2019 |
GOLF TEE WITH PLACEMENT STRUCTURE
Abstract
An improved golf tee includes an outwardly flared portion to set
and maintain a desired height of the ball above ground. The tee
comprises a molded plastic member with a central longitudinal
cylindrical shaft, an upper end and a lower end defining an overall
length of 3.25+/-0.25 inches. The upper end of the shaft
transitioning into a conical golf ball support with an upper,
circular rim, and the lower end of the shaft terminating in point
with a rounded tip. A downwardly flared portion extends outwardly
from the shaft between the upper and lower ends of the shaft, the
flared portion terminating in a surface configured for ground
contact when the pointed, lower end of the shaft in pushed into the
ground. In the preferred embodiments, the distance between the
conical ball support and the surface configured for ground contact
is in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches.
Inventors: |
Baker; Dave; (Canandaigua,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baker; Dave |
Canandaigua |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65137856 |
Appl. No.: |
15/664236 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 57/10 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/10 20060101
A63B057/10 |
Claims
1. An improved golf tee, comprising: a unitary, molded plastic
member with a central longitudinal cylindrical shaft, an upper end
and a lower end defining an overall length of 3.25+/-0.25 inches;
the upper end of the shaft transitioning into a conical golf ball
support with an upper, circular rim defining a first diameter; the
lower end of the shaft terminating in a pointed point tip; a
downwardly flared portion extending outwardly from the shaft
between the upper and lower ends of the shaft, the flared portion
terminating in a lower surface with a circular edge configured for
ground contact when the pointed, lower end of the shaft is pushed
into the ground; wherein the downwardly flared portion forms a cone
with a flat lower surface, and the circular edge defines a second
diameter that is smaller than the first diameter; and wherein the
distance between the conical ball support and the surface
configured for ground contact is in the range of 1.5 to 2
inches.
2. The improved golf tee of claim 1, wherein the downwardly flared
portion is conical such that the tee is symmetrical about a central
longitudinal axis.
3. The improved golf tee of claim 1, included a filleted relief
between the shaft and the transition into the conical golf ball
support.
4. The improved golf tee of claim 1, included a filleted relief
between the shaft and the downwardly flared portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to golfing and, to a golf
tee with a structure for consistent in-ground placement height.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The Martini.RTM. golf tee has been available for several
years. It is over 3'' long and made of a proprietary plastic resin
that is virtually unbreakable. One of the issues with this tee is
its length. In particular, different golfers--or the same
golfer--may place the ball-holding cup at different heights at
different times, leading to inconsistent results. A structure that
achieves a consistent above-ground placement would therefore
provide an advantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An improved golf tee includes an outwardly flared portion to
set and maintain a desired height of the ball above ground. The tee
comprises a molded plastic member with a central longitudinal
cylindrical shaft, an upper end and a lower end defining an overall
length of 3.25+/-0.25 inches. The upper end of the shaft
transitioning into a conical golf ball support with an upper,
circular rim, and the lower end of the shaft terminating in point
with a rounded tip.
[0004] A downwardly flared portion extends outwardly from the shaft
between the upper and lower ends of the shaft, the flared portion
terminating in a surface configured for ground contact when the
pointed, lower end of the shaft in pushed into the ground. In the
preferred embodiments, the distance between the conical ball
support and the surface configured for ground contact is in the
range of 1.5 to 2 inches.
[0005] The downwardly flared portion may be conical, such that the
tee is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis. The preferred
embodiments include a filleted relief between the shaft and the
transition into the conical golf ball support, and a filleted
relief between the shaft and the downwardly flared portion to
prevent breakage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention showing nominal dimensions;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;
and
[0008] FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Now making reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a side view
of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing nominal
dimensions. FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an oblique view. By "nominal," the Applicant
means that the dimensions in FIG. 1, for example, need not be exact
to retain the scope and spirit of the invention. In particular, the
dimensions shown may vary by up to 20% while still achieving the
objectives of the invention.
[0010] In the preferred embodiments, however, the tee illustrated
in the drawings comprises a molded plastic member 100 with a
central longitudinal cylindrical shaft 102, an upper end 104 and a
lower end 106 defining an overall length "A" of 3.25+/-0.25 inches.
The upper end of the shaft transitions into a conical golf ball
support with an upper, circular rim 105, while the lower end of the
shaft terminates in point with a rounded tip 108.
[0011] To maintain proper height, the article includes a downwardly
flared portion 110 extending outwardly from the shaft between the
upper and lower ends of the shaft, the flared portion terminating
in a surface 112 configured for ground contact when the pointed,
lower end of the shaft in pushed into the ground. In the preferred
embodiments, the distance "C" between the conical ball support and
the surface configured for ground contact is in the range of 1.5 to
2 inches.
[0012] The tee is preferably injection molded to create a unitary
product. While the bottom surface 112 of the flared portion 110 is
preferably solid and flat, the bottom may be open so long as a
structure such as a ground-contacting rim (i.e., circular) prevents
or inhibits further ground penetration.
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