Durable golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee designed to be strong and durable without relying on synthetic materials to be so. The golf tee is designed with an evenly tapered stem along the entire length, or a majority of the length, of the tee and tapers to a sufficient dimension so as to be easily inserted into the ground and includes a top surface with a depression to accept and retain a golf ball. The evenly tapered stem adds bulk and strength to the tee and reduces stress to the tee during a tee shot, providing longevity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the Canadian priority application, number 2,432,305 filed Jun. 6, 2003 and of Canadian priority application number 2,437,462 filed Aug. 1, 2003. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/857,875 filed Jun. 2, 2004.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to golf tees, for example, a device to support a golf ball above the surface of the ground, and in particular the invention relates to a strong tee with long life and durability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The universally accepted golf tee, depicted in FIG. 1 and denoted generally as the numeral 20, used to support a golf ball during tee off, is a wooden tee comprising a rounded stem 22 that is insertable into the ground and topped with a small cup 24 with a depression in the top surface 26 to accept and retain a golf ball. This tee 20 holds the golf ball in an elevated position above the ground, prior to the tee shot. The design of this tee 20 promotes short life. The stem 22 of the universally accepted tee 20 easily snaps when the golf club impacts it during the tee shot or drive swing. Typically tee off areas are littered with broken tees, taking away from the attractiveness of the area as well as providing a hazard when mowing.

The universally accepted golf tee 20 is inexpensive and is typically purchased by a golfer in quantities of 10 or more. However, a golfer may need 3 or more per 18 hole golf game played. With 2 to 4 golfers teeing off every 7 to 15 minutes, on any given golf course, it can be calculated that approximately 500 to 1,500 broken tees will liter a golf course every single day. This number is compounded by the number of golf courses throughout the world.

For competitive play, a golf tee should not violate the rules of golf, particularly those applying to tees, such as those described in the United States Golf Association (USGA). The USGA rule 11-1 states “the tee does not contain any features that may indicate the line of play, influence the movement of the ball, interfere with the clubface, or assist the player in making a stroke”.

Many solutions have been proposed to provide a durable tee. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,945, issued Aug. 28, 1990 to Gamble, describes a plastic tee having a triangular head. While the use of plastic makes for a more durable tee this design may be limited to the use of plastic. Also the triangular head may not comply to Golf Association rules as the U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,945 states that one object of the invention is to provide golf tees which give better directional control.

Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,102, issued on Oct. 29, 1996 to Karron, proposes a driving range tee made of a plastic fabric braided tube. Although this design can also be used on the golf course it includes no provision for anchoring the tee to the ground allowing the tee to travel a large distance when impacted with a golf club at tee off.

Yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,054, issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Chantal discloses a hollow synthetic golf tee. The durability given to the tee is from the synthetic material such as a plastic or resin. The design does not impact on the durability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,616, issued Sep. 18, 2001 to Evans describes an earthen body tee that is biodegradable and soluble in water. This design addresses the debris caused by broken tees but does not improve durability. It is likely that many tees of this material would be needed to play a game of golf.

Canadian Patent Application 2,432,305 filed Jun. 6, 2003 to the present inventor, describes a drive correcting tee having greater durability than the universally accepted tee. This drive correcting tee is more expensive to manufacture than the present invention and would likely not be accepted by Golf Associations to be used in tournaments and the like.

Clearly it is obvious that a simple tee with longer life, designed for durability and permitted by Golf Associations is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf tee that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

In one object of the present invention there is provided a stronger and more durable golf tee than the presently universally accepted golf tee.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved golf tee including a lower end and an upper end, the lower end for inserting into the ground, the upper end terminating at a top surface, said top surface being substantially flat or having a substantially smooth surface in which a bowl-shaped depression is formed, the depression for accepting and retaining a golf ball. The golf tee's lower and upper ends forming a stem the stem being substantially evenly tapered along the majority of the length of the tee.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the bowl-shaped depression is concave and contoured in a similar arc as a golf ball, having no distinct sides only an arc shaped surface, the depression being in contact with a portion of a golf ball at rest.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the bowl-shaped depression has walls that may be either, vertical, angled or curved and a substantially flat or curved bottom.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the stem of the tee has a plurality of sides, a plurality being greater than two (2).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the stem of the tee has four sides.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the top of the tee is one half inch by one half inch or less.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the stem of the tee is round and decreasing in diameter from the upper end to the lower end.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the tee is made of wood.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention the stem is tapered along its length, producing a pyramid shape, to permit easy insertion into and removal from the ground.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved golf tee comprising a four sided evenly tapered stem for inserting into the ground in a generally vertical position, the stem terminating at a top surface and the top surface including a circular recess to accept and to retain a golf ball.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the circular recess is contoured in a similar arc to that of a golf ball providing a scooped surface wherein the scooped surface of the recess is in contact with a portion of the golf ball at rest.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the circular recess is bowl-shaped wherein the depression includes walls that may be either, vertical, angled or curved and also includes a substantially flat or curved bottom.

An advantage of the present invention is provided by the tapered shape of the stem. The stem, when inserted into the ground creates an equally-shaped opening in the ground. This shape reduces breakage of the tee upon impact by the club and prolongs the useful life of the tee, reducing the number of tees needed in one golf game, and frequently exhibiting a life span of several golf games.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the tee's design promotes durability without providing additional resistance and thus decreasing the distance traveled.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the tee's design promotes durability without the use of synthetic materials that are not environmentally friendly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universally accepted tee.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of a tee with a tapered stem of the present invention. FIG. 2 depicts a tee with a four sided stem, while FIG. 3 depicts a tee with a round stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a strong tee designated generally by the numeral 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The golf tee 10 includes a stem 12 for supporting a golf ball in a fixed position above the ground. The stem 12 is substantially evenly tapered along the entire length of the tee 10. The lower end 11, of stem 12, is shaped substantially to a narrow point, allowing for easy insertion into the ground in a generally vertical position where a ball is to be played. The tapered stem 12 further including an upper end 13 terminating at a top surface 14, said top surface being substantially flat or having a smooth surface. A centrally located bowl-shaped and circular depression or recess 16 is shaped into the top surface 14 for accepting and retaining a golf ball in a fixed position prior to play.

The surface of the bowl-shaped depression may be contoured in various shapes dependent on the tool used to carve or shape it. Typical tools, used for carving or making depressions for accepting a rounded object, such as a golf ball, will create a substantially annular or round depression having a scooped-out surface. The various shapes of the bowl-shaped depression may include an annular side or wall and a bottom. The side may be either, angled, curved or straight and the bottom may be substantially flat or curved. The surface of the bowl-shaped depression may also be rounded and concave and thus contoured in a substantially similar arc as a golf ball, having no distinct sides only an arc or scooped shaped surface, wherein the concave depression is in substantially full contact with a portion of the golf ball just prior to play.

The shape of stem 12 provides for the durability of the tee 10. The tee 10 is evenly and gradually tapered from the upper end 13 to substantially a point at the lower end 11. The gradual taper brings additional strength to the tee 10 due to added bulk and no obvious stress point. The tapered shape of the stem 12 creates a similar shape in the ground when the tee 10 is inserted into the ground. The tapered shape of the hole in the ground permits the tee to easily move with the direction of the swing. Frequently the tee will leave the hole and be projected in the direction of the swing when impacted by a golf club. The freedom to move with the swing minimizes any stress put on the tee 10 during the tee shot or drive swing. Preferably the stem 12 is evenly tapered along the entire length of the tee 10, however, a different shape may be given to the point, for example, to facilitate the manufacture. What is important is that the even taper must be along the majority of the length of the tee, so that a portion of the even taper is inserted into the ground when used for a tee off or drive.

On the other hand the design of the universally accepted tee 20, depicted in FIG. 1, promotes a shorter life. The thin, round stem 22 easily snaps when the golf club impacts the tee 20. When the golf club impacts the universally accepted tee 20, stress is caused by the resistance of the ground to movement of the tee 20, in the direction of the drive, causing the tee to snap.

Typical dimensions for the tee 10, depicted in FIG. 2, are such that the golf ball is struck by the club before the tee is. In other words, the top surface of the tee 14, the largest horizontal dimension, is smaller than the diameter of the golf ball. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the stem 12 of tee 10 has four sides forming a stem that very much resembles an inverted pyramid. Preferably the top surface 14 of the tee 10 is square and is approximately half an inch (½″) on each side.

The preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a stem having four sides. To one skilled in the art it is obvious that the stem can have many shapes. For example the stem may have three or more sides and may even be round, as seen in FIG. 3, with a larger diameter area as small as half an inch (½″). What is important for durability is that the tee 10 is substantially evenly tapered along the entire length, or along the majority of the length, of the tee.

The typical length for the tee 10 is approximately two and five eights inches (2⅝″). For proper retaining of the golf ball the depression 16 in the top surface 14 is approximately three eights of an inch (⅜″) in diameter. As is understood by one skilled in the art, these dimensions are approximate and may vary without taking away from the advantages of the invention.

In use, the tee 10 is inserted into the ground at a desired location for tee off. The tee 10 is inserted to a depth desired by the player. The tee 10 may be marked with notches, straight marks 18 or other marks along the stem 12 in order to facilitate insertion to a constant depth as selected by the player. The tee 10 is inserted into the ground in any direction. A flat side, corner or any other portion of the tee may be placed in the same direction as the desired shot. The strong tee 10 does not influence the direction the golf ball will travel.

The tee 10 may be construction of any material such as wood, plastic, ceramic or other material. Preferably the tee 10 is constructed of wood, as wood is degradable. Hard maple is ideal for tees 10 where reduced breakage and longer life is desirable. Of course, other wood varieties may be used. If made of wood, the tee may be painted in various colors, finished with a durable plastic coating or other finishing product or left natural.

The embodiment(s) of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved golf tee comprising:

a tapered stem having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end terminating substantially to a point for inserting into the ground, the upper end terminating at a top surface;

said top surface having a bowl-shaped depression for retaining a golf ball;

said tapered stem being substantially evenly tapered from the top surface to the point.

2. An improved golf tee including a lower end and an upper end, the lower end for inserting into the ground, the upper end terminating at a top surface with a bowl-shaped depression shaped in the top surface, the depression for retaining a golf ball, the improvement comprising:

the lower end and the upper end forming a stem, the stem being substantially evenly tapered along the majority of the length of the tee.

3. An improved golf tee comprising an evenly tapered stem for inserting into the ground in a generally vertical position, the stem terminating at a top surface, the top surface including a scooped depression to accept and to retain a golf ball.

4. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 3 wherein the scooped depression is concave in shape.

5. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 4 wherein the scooped depression is in substantially full contact with a portion of the golf ball just prior to play.

6. An improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the bowl-shaped depression includes an annular side and a bottom.

7. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 6 wherein the annular side is one of angled, straight or curved.

8. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bottom is either flat or curved.

9. An improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the bowl-shaped depression is substantially rounded and concave.

10. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tapered stem includes a plurality of sides.

11. The improved golf tee as claimed in claim 10 wherein the plurality of sides is four and the top surface is square.

12. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tapered stem is round.

13. An improved golf tee comprising an evenly tapered stem for inserting into the ground in a generally vertical position, the stem having four sides and terminating at a top surface, the top surface including a bowl-shaped depression to accept and to retain a golf ball.

14. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bowl-shaped depression includes an annular side and a bottom.

15. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 14 wherein the annular side is one of angled, straight or curved.

16. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bottom is either flat or curved.

17. An improved golf tee as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bowl-shaped depression is substantially rounded and concave.

18. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 11 or 13 wherein the dimension of the top surface is one half inch by one half inch.

19. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 or 13 wherein the depression is three eights (⅜) of an inch in diameter.

20. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 or 13 wherein the tee is made of wood.