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.

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.

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.