GOLF TEE

Abstract

A golf tee made of an elastomeric material includes a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon. The tee can be made of a polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam orethylene vinyl acetate foam. The tee can have a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section. A notch can be formed in the tee for exposing the ball to a golf club head. The tee can include a pointing member extending outwardly from, such that the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green while swing at the ball.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/045,704, filed Apr. 17, 2008.

The present invention relates to an article for holding an object in a stationary position. A particular embodiment of the invention comprises a tee for holding golf balls.

Golf is a popular game, in which players strike a small ball using a variety of clubs, with the object being to get the ball into a distant hole formed in the ground utilizing as few strokes as possible. Generally, when making the first stroke of the ball toward a particular hole, commonly known as “teeing off”, players utilize a tee.

Prior to the present invention, tees have been relatively thin objects made of wood, plastic or other hard material having a stem with a pointed tip at the bottom end and a relatively wider head section at the top. The pointed tip at the bottom is sharp so that it can be inserted into the ground, and the ball is placed on the head section so that it rests at a height above the ground. The player then tees off by swinging his club at the ball on the tee.

A problem associated with such prior art tees is the fact that the ground may be hard, and it can be difficult to get the tee into the ground. Also, because the typical prior art tee is relatively thin, a significant wind can easily blow the ball off the tee. In an effort to overcome the aforesaid problems, the present invention was conceived.

SUMMARY OF OBJECTS AND EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a golf tee that does not have to be inserted into the ground.

Another object of an embodiment of the invention is to provide a golf tee that securely holds the ball in place and is resistant to wind blowing the ball off the tee.

These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed below, which include a golf tee comprised of an elastomeric material, and includes a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section and the head section are comprised of a polymeric foam.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section and the head section are comprised of polyurethane foam and/or ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric material has a Young's modulus of about 0.025 (E, Gpa).

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee has a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee can define a first semi-cone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of slits are formed in the first semi-cone proximate the head section and the notch.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee has four slits, which form four movable flap sections that can absorb force from a golf club head swung at the ball.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the golf tee includes a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, such that the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ridges are formed on an exterior surface of the tee that aid the user in grasping the tee.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section comprises a generally flat platform.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the head section comprises a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there are four prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf tee comprises a frusto-conical shaped piece of elastomeric material having a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball therein.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee defines a first semitone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf tee comprises a substantially flat base platform, and a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base platform for supporting the ball therein. The tee can be made of an elastomeric material such as polyurethane foam or ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a golf tee according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a golf tee according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the golf tee of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation of the golf tee of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the golf tee of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

A golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf tee 10 generally comprises a base section 12 for positioning on the ground, and an upper head section 14 for holding the golf ball “B”.

The interior of the head section 14 is concaved such that the head section 14 cradles the ball “B” in the interior of the head 14. As shown in FIG. 2, a front section 14a of the head is lower than the rest of the head 14 so that a greater portion of the ball “B” at front side 14a is exposed to the players club. Also, the base 12 extends outward from the bottom of the front side 14a to define a notched section 16. The low cut front section 14a and the notched section 16 provide an area for the player's club to strike the ball “B”. The player stands at the tee 10 such that the player faces substantially perpendicular to the front section 14a of the tee head 14, and the player swings his club such that the club approaches the tee 10 from the front section 14a and strikes the ball “B”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base section 14 is preferably graduated in area from the top down in order to improve stability and keep the ball “B” on the tee 10. The tee 10 is made of a relatively light foam-like material, such as polyurethane foam. As such, the tee 10 can be placed anywhere on the ground, including uneven areas, and the tee 10 remains upright without any portion of the tee 10 being inserted into the ground.

A golf tee according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 5-6, and shown generally at reference numeral 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the golf tee 50 has four prongs 54a-d extending upwardly from a base section 52. The golf ball “B” is held within the four prongs 54a-d, and the player's club strikes the ball “B” in the area between prongs 54a, 54b, shown in FIG. 6.

A golf tee according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-12, and shown generally at reference numeral 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the golf tee 100 generally comprises a base section 112 for positioning on the ground, and an upper head section 114 for holding a golf ball. The head section 114 has a concave interior 115 that cradles the ball. The tee 100 is frusto-conical in shape, with the top of the upper section 114 having the smallest diameter. The tee 100 graduates in size downward, with the bottom of the base section having the largest diameter of any part of the tee 100. As such, the tee 100 remains stable on the ground without being inserted into the ground.

The tee 100 is made of an elastomeric material, such that the tee readily returns to its original shape after being deformed, compressed, etc. For example, the tee 100 can have a Young's modulus of about 0.025 (E, Gpa). Preferably, the tee 100 is made of a polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam and/or ethylene vinyl acetate foam. As such, the tee 100 is light and does not travel far or cause damage when struck by a golf club.

For ease of reference, the tee 100 can be divided in half into two vertically oriented semi-cones 101, 102, defined by axis “X” shown in FIG. 9. A notch 116 is formed in the first semi-cone 101 of the tee 100, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11. Also formed in the first semi-cone are four slits 121, 122, 123, 124. The slits 121-124 create four movable flaps 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d in the head section 114 for absorbing force from a golf club head swung at the ball.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a pointer 118 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the second semi-cone 102 of the tee 100. The pointer 118 is located on the tee 100 approximately 180 degrees from the notch 116. A plurality of vertically oriented ridges 128 can also be formed on the outer surface of the second semi-cone 102 to assist the user in grasping the tee 100.

In use, the tee 100 is placed on the ground where the user wishes to tee off, with the base section 112 being proximate to the ground. The tee 100 is oriented such that the pointer 118 is pointed toward the green. As such, the notch 116 and the collapsible flaps 114a-d are facing the golf club head as the user swings his club to tee off. The pointer 118, which is pointed toward the green, provides visual direction to the user of the location of the green as he keeps his head down while swinging his club. When the user swings his club, the notch 116 exposes the ball to the club head providing a clear shot to the ball, and the moveable flaps 114a-d absorb the force of the swinging club head. A golf tee and method of using same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only- the invention being defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A golf tee comprising a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon, wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of an elastomeric material.

2. A golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of a polymeric foam.

3. A golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

4. A golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material has a Young's modulus of about 0.025 (E, Gpa).

5. A golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the tee has a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section.

6. A golf tee according to claim 5, wherein the tee defines a first semi-cone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head.

7. A golf tee according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the first semi-cone proximate the head section and the notch.

8. A golf tee according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of slits comprises four slits forming four movable flap sections for absorbing force from a golf club head swung at the ball.

9. A golf tee according to claim 6, further comprising a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, whereby the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green.

10. A golf tee according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of ridges formed on an exterior surface of the tee.

11. A golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the base section comprises a generally flat platform.

12. A golf tee according to claim 11, wherein the head section comprises a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein.

13. A golf tee according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of prongs comprises four prongs.

14. A golf tee comprising a frusto-conical shaped piece of elastomeric material comprising:

a) a base section for positioning on a ground surface; and

b) a concave head section for supporting a golf ball therein.

15. A golf tee according to claim 14, wherein the elastomeric material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

16. A golf tee according to claim 14, wherein the tee defines a first semi-cone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head.

17. A golf tee according to claim 16, further comprising a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, whereby the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green.

18. A golf tee comprising:

a) a substantially flat base platform; and

b) a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base platform for supporting the ball therein.

19. A golf tee according to claim 18, wherein the tee is comprised of an elastomeric material.

20. A golf tee according to claim 19, wherein the tee is comprised of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.