Tee Setting Device Patents (Class 473/386)
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Publication number: 20080135444Abstract: A combination golf tool apparatus that includes a case for receiving an adjustable shaft member. The adjustable shaft member including a helical groove for receiving a protrusion disposed within the case that guides and controls the linear positioning of the shaft member within the case. The adjustable shaft member further includes a convex surface opposite a head, the convex surface defines an upper end of a cavity defined within the case. The cavity is for insertion of an upper golf tee portion, such that rotating the shaft member adjustably positions the shaft member in the case thereby defining a distance in the cavity. The head includes a magnet disposed in a recess for receiving a metallic ball marker. The case further includes a divot tool clearance and means for storing a divot tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventor: George E. Malcom
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Publication number: 20080132360Abstract: In combination with a golf tee having a top portion for supporting a golf ball, a neck portion, a shaft section and a pointed end, a device adapted to assist in penetrating the golf tee into the ground to ensure a pre-determined height for the golf ball comprising a generally tubular sleeve having a hollowed cylindrical cavity through its longitudinal center to receive the golf tee shaft therethrough, a generally annular end portion adapted to be positioned back from the pointed end, the end portion also having an inner diameter and two or more circumferentially spaced segments with leading edges adapted to outwardly flare when engaged by a shaft section having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the end portion. Also provided is an enlarged tubular top section diverging upwardly from the generally tubular sleeve to engage and abut the golf ball support.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventor: Phillip B. Shin
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Publication number: 20070293353Abstract: A golf ball and tee setting apparatus has an elongated shaft in which one end has an elongated prong protruding therefrom and the other end has a golf ball supporting member. A golf tee has a ball support surface on one end and has a countersunk bore extending thereinto through the ball support surface and sized for the elongated prong to fit thereinto so that the tee can be placed on the elongated prong and set by a standing golfer. The golf tee has means for holding the prong in the bore with a plurality of prong gripping teeth around the bore or with a plurality of tapered gripping fingers around the end of the bore. The tee is removed from the ground with a tee lifting yoke on the elongated shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventor: Larry J. Irwin
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Publication number: 20070293354Abstract: A golf ball and tee setting apparatus allows a golf tee to be set in the ground and a golf ball placed thereon without the golfer having to bend over. An elongated shaft has two end portions and a ball supporting member on one end portion of the shaft and a bore on the other end of the elongated shaft. A golf tee is releasably held in the shaft bore for insertion into the earth. The shaft can then e rotated to a golf ball supporting end and a golf ball placed on the tee.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventor: Larry J. Irwin
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Patent number: 7303493Abstract: A golf tee support includes a base having a planar configuration for positioning on the ground, and a cylindrical body having an integral floor with an opposing open end providing an access to a cavity therein. The cylindrical body is secured to the base. A plurality of rigid fingers made of durable plastic or rubber have one end secured to the floor so that the fingers are orientated parallel to the cylindrical body for receiving a golf tee portion and holding the golf tee portion in a vertical orientation. The rigid fingers have opposing ends terminating at the top edge of the cylindrical body. The opposing ends are tapered for facilitating the entry of the golf tee into the cavity. The plurality of rigid fingers are packed in the cylindrical body to occupy at least 75-90% of the volume of the cavity, but allowing each rigid finger to be spaced from an adjacent rigid finger.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Inventor: Dennis D. Ehresman
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Patent number: 7229365Abstract: A golf assistance device for placing a golf ball, the device having different embodiments. One embodiment may be used to place a golf ball and tee while another embodiment of the device may be used to pick up and/or place a golf ball on the ground without a tee. Another embodiment of the device may be adjusted such that the ball and tee are set a desired height. The legs of the device may be locked such that the device may be left unattended in a standing position. However, when inverted, the legs may collapse against the handle of the device to facilitate storing the device in a golf bag.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Inventor: Martin Berry
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Patent number: 7223184Abstract: A device is provided for setting a golf tee in the ground at a desired height and angle. In one embodiment, height adjustment of the tee is provided by a threaded screw member. In other embodiments, a plurality of longitudinally aligned recesses are formed within a longitudinal cavity to provide height adjustment. A bubble level may be incorporated on the device to align the golf tee at either a vertical position, or a desired angular position.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Aviar TechnologyInventor: Wantjinarjo Suwito
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Patent number: 7175547Abstract: A teeing device includes a ball magazine an actuator having a tee magazine, and a base connected to the ball magazine and the actuator by a common passage. Pressing the actuator downward places a tee and in the ground with a ball set on the tee.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Barry Naus, Jr.
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Patent number: 7086971Abstract: A device for retrieving and positioning of golfing articles, such as a golf ball and tee, to eliminate the repeated bending down of the golfer. One embodiment of the device includes a rigid tube with a closed end, a resilient cup-like element, and a biased elongated member. The closed end of the tube can be either integral to the tube, such as being molded during the manufacturing process, or an end cap that is fitted to one end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Inventor: William J. Zmetra
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Patent number: 7086972Abstract: A height adjustable apparatus for supporting a golf tee includes an outer sleeve configured for ground penetration defining an open top into which an inner sleeve is slidably received. The inner sleeve defines an open top for receiving a golf tee therein. The inner and outer sleeves include complementary fasteners such that the inner sleeve may be maintained at a selectable longitudinal configuration relative to the outer sleeve and slidable moved between retracted and extended configurations, whereby to adjust the height of the golf tee. A spring is positioned in the outer sleeve for urging the inner sleeve in an upward direction although the fasteners resist such movement. A cam assembly releases the inner sleeve to be reset to the extended configuration once it has been fully retracted.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Inventors: Robert G. Bainbridge, Debra J. Bainbridge
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Patent number: 7044866Abstract: A marking template used to mark or etch golf tees at selected distances from the ends of the golf tee, and a process for marking golf tees. The template comprises a body having a receptacle into which a golf tee is placed. The golf tee is then marked at distances selected according to the markings on the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventor: Edward J. Blauvelt
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Patent number: 6949033Abstract: A device to hold, set, and release a golf tee in the ground precisely set height of the tee above the ground surface is described. The device is operated with one hand incorporating the golf ball into the setting operation to provide a quick, efficient, and accurate placement of the golf tee. The device retains the golf tee until released after being set in the ground. The device in gripping the tee holds the tee head against a convex tee chamber surface that is the desired tee height above the device bottom. Inserting the tee in the ground until the device bottom contacts the ground sets the tee to this desired height. The tee head height is adjustable by varying the location of the tee chamber with respect to the bottom of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Inventor: Don R. Mydland
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Patent number: 6932722Abstract: The present invention is a device which is simple in its construction, uses common golf tees, and allows a golfer to carry it easily in his or her pocket. The device comprises a hollow body portion; and and at least one slot to receive a transverse member to accurately and consistently set the position of a golf tee. The body comprises a plurality of vertically spaced slots to receive the transverse member and may include a place for storing tees, and for counting strokes.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventor: Donald M Wood
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Patent number: 6926622Abstract: A golf ball engagement and support member includes golf ball engagement and support arms of a size and configuration providing for the ready retrieval of a golf ball and facilitating placement thereof on a tee. The member also facilitates retrieval and placement of golf tees and ball markers.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Inventor: Patrick D. Yates
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Patent number: 6887169Abstract: A tee setting device for single-handed setting of a golf ball and tee in the ground at any one of a variety of selected insertion depths, while also adjusting for a range of different tee lengths. The device generally comprises a hollow shaft having a knob and an operating handle at an upper end, a stand-up leg assembly at the lower end, and a tee-setting mechanism at the lower end for controlled insertion and release of a ball and tee in the ground. The tee and ball are inserted simply by gripping the operating handle and pushing it downward. The tee setting device allows golfers to automatically set the ball and tee in the ground, thereby avoiding squatting or bending over the ball. The device is extremely accurate and consistent in setting the height of the ball on tees of various lengths. Moreover, the tee setting device is sized like a playing club or iron, and can be easily manipulated and stowed in the golf bag.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventors: Charles R. Whitehill, John L. Bell
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Patent number: 6872155Abstract: The invention provides a tee-enabled divot fixer having a cover. The divot fixer includes a body configured to hold at least two golf tees in an approximately parallel configuration via a first cavity and a second cavity that are each configured to accept a golf tee such that a tip of a golf tee can protrude from the cavity as a tine. The body is also configured to secure at least two golf tees in place within the body via a securing mechanism that is configured to hold a first end of a cover securely to the body.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Inventor: David E. Jacome
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Patent number: 6843737Abstract: According to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a device and method for setting a golf ball and tee, including a ball and tee receiving member disposed at the bottom end portion of a shaft. A ball engageable member is disposed at the lower end portion of the shaft for pressing the ball against the tee when the ball is received by the receiving member. The receiving member has a lower tee engageable member having a shallow slot opening extending radially in a direction to receive the tee within the slot. A hand engageable lever actuator extends radially from the upper end portion of the shaft in an opposite direction to the opening of the slot for actuating the movable ball engageable member to cause it to move away from the ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Inventors: Jay L. Smith, William A. Dickerman, Franklyn D. Smith
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Patent number: 6824179Abstract: Golf ball pick up devices are disclosed which are simple in design and construction while permitting exceptional performance during usage. The golf ball pick up device will have an elongated handle with a tubular housing positioned at one end thereof and a tension member extending across the lower opening of the tubular housing. The tension member will have a displacement resistance which permits passage of a golf ball thereby and into a cavity of the tubular housing when the device is placed over the golf ball and which prevents passage of the golf ball thereby during subsequent manipulation of the device. Numerous optional features are explained including devices to set a tee, pick up a tee, place a golf ball, mark a golf balls location and pick up a golf ball marker.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Inventor: Robert F Shelato
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Patent number: 6817955Abstract: A golfing tool or accessory to reduce or eliminate substantial stooping and bending of a golfer includes a mounting member for snap-fitting the tool or accessory to a golf club shaft or grip and first member for cradling a golf ball. Another aspect of the invention includes a tee holder for holding the tee to allow it to be inserted into the ground by manipulating the golf club shaft without stooping or bending. Further aspects of the invention can include structure for picking up a tee lying horizontally on the ground and a scissors-action of jaws of the tool for popping a golf ball into position on the tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Inventors: Jerry L. O'Donnell, James A. Egli
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Publication number: 20040162164Abstract: The tool has a body forming an elongate handle which can be held in the hand with a spike 2 projecting downwards for making a hole in the ground. A pair of upwardly-inclined limbs form a tee holder 3 at the front end of the handle, between which a tee 30 may be held with the cup 31 supported on the limbs and the stem 32 projecting at an angle to the spike 2 for insertion into the hole. The rear face of the handle may further be formed with a hole into which the stem of a tee can be frictionally engaged to provide a convenient place to store a tee when the tool is not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventor: Andrew Lester Rickard
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Patent number: 6769999Abstract: A reusable compact device having a T-shaped plate with a tapering end, a cross member end, a central aperture, and a darkened perpendicular line between the aperture and cross member. When the golfer places the plate at ground level, points its tapering end toward the desired flight path of his/her ball, inserts a tee through the aperture and partially into the ground, places a golf ball upon the tee, self-aligns with the plate's tapering end, aligns the club face with the plate's cross member, and centers the club face to the exact ball center using the darkened perpendicular line, the golfer does not have to look up, position and stance are not lost during the swing, and the resulting swing is straightened, with improved accuracy and consistency in launching a golf ball along an intended flight path. Optionally, grooved tees are used to adjust ball height according to club type.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Inventor: Raymond Francis Chase
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Publication number: 20040132554Abstract: A system for practicing golf is disclosed. The system includes a golf tee holder, a lie modifying wedge, a lie modifying sheet, and a lie modifying bag. The golf tee holder is a small, rubber component placed under a driving range mat, which holds a real golf tee at an adjustable height. The lie-modifying wedge is foam wedge that is placed under or on top of the driving range mat to manipulate the lie of the golf ball on the driving range mat amongst uphill, downhill, and side-hill lies. The lie-modifying sheet and lie-modifying bag are relatively flat components places on top of and anchored to the driving range mat and used as surfaces from which to hit golf balls from different materials simulating hazards on a golf course, such as long grass, a hard pan lie, and a sand trap.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventor: Patrick Schulze
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Publication number: 20040092339Abstract: A practice/playing golf tee that is substantially indestructible. It includes a screw up/down golf tee head. When the head is screwed down the insertion tip parameter of the tee can be used. The insertion tip at the top of the tee goes into one of the existing holes in a practice golf ball or a regulation golf ball in which hole (s) are incorporated to accomadate the insertion tip. When the insertion tip is used with a wiffle type practice ball there is no spin resistance and a true flight path exists. A perfect grass lie can always be obtained. When the insertion tip is used with the much heavier regulation golf ball into which an insertion hole is incorporated, a spin resistance exists. This spin resistance can be adjusted by screwing the tee head up or down the top of the tee shaft. The spin resistance can stop a hook or slice. As the amateur golfer becomes more adept he/she can decrease the spin resistance by screwing the tee head up toward the top of the tee shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Ronald Lubosco, Ralph Joesph Lubosco
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Patent number: 6723010Abstract: Apparatus for gripping a golf ball and a tee therefor, and for inserting the tee into the ground with the ball thereon, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body member with a handle and a grip. The grip comprises (a) a ball support, (b) an arm and (c) means mounting the arm for rotation between a closed position and an open position. The ball support has an opening which receives a golf ball; the arm has a slot that receives a tee. When the arm is closed, a tee in the slot in the arm urges a golf ball into the opening of the ball support, and the shank of the tee is exposed so that it can be inserted into the ground; in the open position, a ball seated on the head of a tee received in the slot of the arm is spaced from the opening of the ball support.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Joseph Gill
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Publication number: 20040029653Abstract: A tee setting device for single-handed setting of a golf ball and tee in the ground at any one of a variety of selected insertion depths, while also adjusting for a range of different tee lengths. The device generally comprises a hollow shaft having a knob and an operating handle at an upper end, a stand-up leg assembly at the lower end, and a tee-setting mechanism at the lower end for controlled insertion and release of a ball and tee in the ground. The tee and ball are inserted simply by gripping the operating handle and pushing it downward. The tee setting device allows golfers to automatically set the ball and tee in the ground, thereby avoiding squatting or bending over the ball. The device is extremely accurate and consistent in setting the height of the ball on tees of various lengths. Moreover, the tee setting device is sized like a playing club or iron, and can be easily manipulated and stowed in the golf bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Charles R. Whitehill, John L. Bell
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Patent number: 6672977Abstract: A multi-functional golf accessory includes an elongated shaft, a handle attached to an upper end portion of the shaft, a ball teeing mechanism mounted to a lower end portion of the shaft, a trigger mounted to the handle, a motion transmitting rod extending through the shaft and coupling the handle with a pair of pivotal arms of the ball teeing mechanism for operating the arms for placing and releasing a ball and tee in a teed position on the ground, a tee height setting device and a ball retrieving device mounted on opposite sides of a housing of the ball teeing mechanism, a lying tee retrieving device and a standing tee retrieving device mounted to the ball retrieving device, and a quiver element removably storing a ball marking element mounted to the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventors: Kenneth G. Colbo, Marvin L. Zsupnik
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Publication number: 20030228938Abstract: A practice golf tee that is substantially indestructible. It includes an insertion tip at the top of the tee that goes into one of the existing holes in a practice golf ball or regulation golf ball in which hole(s) are incorporated to accommodate the insertion tip. Beneath the insertion tip the shaft increases in diameter such that the outside of the practice golf ball rests on the top of the tee. This resting point is referred to as the golf ball rest. A flexible, durable tee shaft extends down to a cylindrical and conically shaped anchor with a flat bottom. The anchor can be screwed on or off, of the pointed bottom of the tee shaft to increase portability, or be simply molded in different sizes or shapes to accomplish the portability needs of the golfer. The tee gives a perfect lie, allows for easy and stable insertion of the practice golf ball onto the top of the tee and does not need to be replaced or reset between the practice strokes of the golfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Ralph Joesph Lubosco, Ronald Lubosco
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Publication number: 20030203772Abstract: The present invention provides a pickup or teeing tool or device having a hollow elongated shaft or tube. A handle is affixed to a first end of the shaft and extends at an acute angle with respect to the shaft. A trigger is rotatably attached to the handle for the golfer to operate the tool. A pair of tee-up fixtures are associated with the second end of the shaft. Each tee-up fixture is connected to an activation band which extends inside the shaft to the trigger. Rotating the trigger moves the bands into the shaft toward the handle to displace the tee-up fixtures together to capture and hold the ball and tee. A spring arm connected between each fixture and the shaft can further support the fixtures. Disposing the tool in a vertical orientation, the tee is forced into the ground placing the ball on the tee for driving the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventor: Sidney B. Paine
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Publication number: 20030195060Abstract: The present invention is a device which is simple in its construction, uses common golf tees, and allows a golfer to carry it easily in his or her pocket. The device comprises a hollow body portion; and and at least one slot to receive a transverse member to accurately and consistently set the position of a golf tee. The body comprises a plurality of vertically spaced slots to receive the transverse member and may include a place for storing tees, and for counting strokes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventor: Donald M. Wood
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Publication number: 20030069090Abstract: Apparatus for gripping a golf ball and a tee therefor, and for inserting the tee into the ground with the ball thereon, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body member with a handle and gripping means. The gripping means comprises (a) a ball support, (b) an arm and (c) means mounting the arm for rotation between a closed position and an open position. The ball support has an opening which receives a golf ball; the arm has a slot that receives a tee. When the arm is closed, a tee in the slot in the arm urges a golf ball into the opening of the ball support, and the shank of the tee is exposed so that it can be inserted into the ground; in the open position, a ball seated on the head of a tee received in the slot of the arm is spaced from a golf ball which extends into the opening of the ball support.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventor: Joseph Gill
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Publication number: 20020193183Abstract: A small, lightweight golf ball teeing device is disclosed for allowing a golfer to tee up a golf ball without bending or stooping, using a golf club as a handle for the device. A housing on the bottom side of the devise holds a golf tee for insertion into the ground while a golf ball is being supported on another section to be lowered down onto the inserted tee. Then with a sideways motion the device is moved away from the teed golf ball ready to be hit. The devise is attached to the grip end of a golf club shaft which allows the golf club to be used as a handle to operate the device. Additionally the device can be also be used to retrieve the golf tee as well. If the tee is still inserted into the ground, the tee holder is rotated back onto the tee and then the tee is pull up out of the ground. If the tee is lying on the ground, it can be scooped up using the section that had been used to support the golf ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Richard Allen Aikman
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Publication number: 20020183138Abstract: The invention is combination adjustable golf tee setter and divot tool with a golf ball marker comprising a case, a screw, and a divot tool. The case comprises a retainer for retaining the divot tool the screw comprises a head with includes a magnet for retaining a golf ball marker. The head of the screw includes a recess for facilitating removal of the golf ball marker as required.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: George Edward Malcolm
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Patent number: 6482111Abstract: A golf tee system including a body section with an upper, free portion, the upper free portion having at least two bores of different depths for receiving golf tees to hold a golf ball at different heights above the ground, and/or a dished, flattened portion for holding a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Inventor: Ronald L. Jofferion
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Patent number: 6461254Abstract: A golfing aid for golfers who are unable to stoop which allows a golfer to insert a golf ball and tee into the aid in a contacting relationship so that the tee protrudes from the base of the aid a preset distance. The aid has an elongated handle to allow the ball and tee to be pushed into position so that the tee penetrates the ground while the ball is captively held in contact with the tee. The handle is next released and contact with the ball ceases so that the aid may be removed from the ball and tee without dislodging the ball from the tee.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Inventors: Bruce Ballett, Osman Tahirovic, Harold Whittaker
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Patent number: 6428429Abstract: A golf ball and golf tee can be positioned on a ball—driving area of a golf course, using a manual implement for adjusting the distance from the ball to the ground surface. The implement includes a spherical seat for the golf ball and a grooved lower section for locating the golf tee in alignment with the ball. An adjustable stop on the lower section of the implement limits the penetration of the tee into the earth surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Kevin Pyung Lee
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Publication number: 20020103044Abstract: A handle and shaft that contains a golf tee that can be adjustable to the users needs for easier installation of a golf tee into hard surfaces. Selecting different sizes of spacer also allow for different tee positioned height.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Michael Edward Smith, Todd Thomas Swirczek
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Patent number: 6394515Abstract: A golfing aid which holds a golf ball and a tee together for insertion into the ground. The golfing aid has an elongated body portion with a lower end. A golf ball positioning member can hold the top and/or sides of a golf ball. A releaseable golf ball gripper holds the golf ball against the positioning member and a releaseable golf tee gripper holds the golf ball and tee together.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Inventors: Wayne Anthony Keleher, William Robert Warwick-Day
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Patent number: 6383094Abstract: A turf-simulating surface and golf practice tee device simulates the properties of natural turf. The device is made of independent components which simulate the layers of natural soil. One component is a composite mat comprising an integral pile section and plastic foam layer. The pile section has tufted strands that simulate grass, and a loop portion that is interactively positioned in a lateral-strength fabric. A plastic foam element is bonded to both the lateral-strength fabric and to the looped regions of the pile section. A second component is a rimmed base that simulates the supporting properties of the deeper layers of natural soil. The rim of the rimmed base is integrally formed around a engineered-plastic composite core. A third component is a tee-block that comprises a first component material element and a gel-foam tee-retaining element.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Reyntech Corp.Inventor: Richard C. Reynolds
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Patent number: 6348008Abstract: A device for storing golf balls and dispensing them onto a bed of bristles that serves as a golf tee.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: August Bertoniere, Jr.
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Patent number: 6348017Abstract: Apparatus for placing and retrieving golf balls and tees includes a support block forming a recess to receive a tee top. Attached to converging surfaces of the support block are a tee impact plate used to pound a tee into the ground and a golf ball retainer including two arms having spaced ends and defining a recess for holding and carrying a golf ball. In addition, the support block supports a tubular-shaped retainer having an outwardly flared flange at one end thereof, the pick-up member being used to pick-up tees and the flange also serving to retain a golf ball in position between the arms of the golf ball retainer.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: Patrick D. Yates
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Patent number: 6338685Abstract: A main tube having an actuator rod reciprocating therein having a handle portion on one end and a ball and tee holding portion on the other. The ball and tee holding portion has a ball holder or a guide attached to the actuator rod and arms holding the golf tee in position and held by spring clip or leaf springs and magnets. Upon activating the handle portion, the movement of the ball holder and guide causes the release of the pivoted arms after placement of the golf tee in the ground. The ball holder or guide is biased upward by a spring without retracting the arms, thereby permitting the golf tee and ball placement device to be removed from the teed up golf ball. Accurate and repeatable placement of a golf ball at a predetermined height on a tee is achieved with a reduced possibility that the golf ball falls off the tee upon removal of the golf tee and ball placement device.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Inventor: Frank A. Posluszny
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Patent number: 6287219Abstract: A golfer's tool is provided. It has a divot repair tool, such as a fork having a pair of prongs. It also has a golf tee head engagement member for engaging the head of a golf tee. This engagement member may be used to apply axially a downward force to insert the tee into the ground. The engagement member preferably is a distance from the surface of the device which contacts the ground to provide indexing of the height of the golf tee above the ground.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Inventor: Michael D. Addington
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Patent number: 6273833Abstract: The present invention A golf ball and tee placer comprises a tee holder including an aperture having adhesive putty therein for releasably holding a tee head in said tee holder. The tee holder is for placing tees vertically into the ground by urging the tee holder with the tee downwardly into the ground. The tee holder adapted to leave the tee in the ground by subsequently urging the tee holder upwardly away from the ground. In addition the golf ball and tee placer comprises a mechanism for preselectively controlling the depth of penetration of the tee into the ground when the tee holder is used for urging the tee into the ground, thereby leaving the tee in the ground at a preselected tee height.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Inventor: Kerry Murphy
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Patent number: 6254497Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a golf ball and a golf tee and for managing a golf ball on the green, without squatting or bending to the ground is provided. The apparatus contains a shaft having a setting end and a ball handling end. The setting end is adapted to releasably hold a golf ball and a golf tee and that selectively releases a golf ball onto a golf tee and inserts the golf tee into the turf. The ball handling end is adapted to pick up a golf ball or marker and includes a ball ejector. Preferably the device contains supports to allow the device to be self-standing and the supports contain a slot into which a golf tee may be inserted for removal from the turf after use.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventors: Marion T. Brant, Thomas E. Wagner, Ernest D. Siders
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Patent number: 6203452Abstract: A device for systematically placing a golf ball on a tee and driving the tee into the ground, to thereby tee-up the golf ball, includes a base with a hopper for holding a supply of tees, and an elongate housing movably fitted to the base. A ball silo within the housing holds a supply of golf balls in a vertical array along a longitudinal axis. While maintaining the base on the ground and applying a downward force on a handle at the top of the housing, the housing is moved relative to the base through a selected range of downward movement, defining a stroke. The stroke movement drives a feed assembly and a pick-up arm to deliver a tee into a loaded position in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis below a lowermost ball in the silo. Thereafter, a timing assembly releases the lowermost ball onto the tee and continued downward movement through the stroke exerts pressure on the top of the ball, thereby driving the tee into the ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Inventors: Charles D. Kelman, Robert S. Dorfman
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Patent number: 6062989Abstract: An adjustable golf teeing device for use on a standard driving practice range which provides adjustment of golf tee height similar to conditions normally encountered on a natural golf course. The device consists essentially of a base and a vertically arranged hollow cylinder with an aperture at the top of the cylinder. The base of the device is placed under a standard mat found at a driving range with the hollow cylinder extending through an opening within the mat. A standard golf tee may be inserted into a moldable wax contained within the hollow cylinder which allows adjustment of golf tee height to the desired position.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Inventors: Jay S. Wagner, Evan S. Wetzler
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Patent number: 6053821Abstract: A light, portable and manually-operated golf ball teeing unit which permits a golfer to position a golf ball on a golf tee without bending over and to press the tee into the ground with the ball positioned on the tee. A tee with an associated golf ball is placed in a locked position between a pair of support means which hold the tee and golf ball. The support means are maintained in the closed position by a spring tension device. The tee so positioned is then pressed into the ground by manually forcing the device downward or by applying foot pressure to a footrest affixed to the device for the manual pressure. When the tee is in the ground, two handles are pivoted apart which causes the support means to pivot apart to allow the device to be removed without interfering with the ball on the tee. Stop posts are provided to limit the amount of pivot of the support means. An auxiliary ball feed can be provided for supplying a number of successive balls to the support means.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Inventor: Jack Palmer
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Patent number: 6024654Abstract: A golf tee setter according to the present invention allows golfers to use a real tee on a practice mat to practice their swing in golf driving ranges as if they are actually practicing on real ground. The golf tee setter is configured to be placed in the rubber tee hole of the practice mat and has a slit formed in a tee holder to hold the tee in substantially vertical position in relation to the practice mat to place a golf ball on the tee. The slit has a plurality of flaps extending from front and rear inner walls of the slit. The flaps are made of a flexible material to absorb any tilting force of the golf tee and prevents the golf tee from ejecting from the golf tee setter. The golf tee setter includes a base portion which has a slightly larger diameter than the body of the tee holder to enable the tee holder to be inserted into the practice mat from the top surface instead of from the bottom surface. In addition, a cord tethers the golf tee and the golf tee setter for repeated use of the golf tee.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Inventor: Won Ho Chun
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Patent number: 6004227Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving and teeing golf balls includes a golf ball retrieving member in the form of an open framework having an opening at a side thereof. The golf ball is trapped within the interior of the golf ball retrieving member by rotating the golf ball retrieving member relative to the ball. A golf ball engagement member is movably mounted relative to the framework between two positions. In one of the positions the golf ball engagement member engages a golf ball within the interior of the retrieving member to retain the golf ball in place within the retrieving member interior.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Inventor: Timothy M. Petersen
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Patent number: 5967909Abstract: The holder comprises a shank which extends up through an opening in the driving mat. The shank has its dished upper end flush with the top face of the mat to support the golf ball for practicing irons. A conventional golf tee is inserted in a slot at the top of the tee holder for practicing drives.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventor: John Broadbridge