Field of The Invention Golf tee holders, and especially those that facilitate positioning of a tee into a material other than soil.

Background of The Invention Numerous golfers practice their swing on a driving range, and most driving ranges have at least some positions in which the regular soil/grass tee-off position is replaced with an artificial lawn. Typically, such artificial lawns include a rubber or other resilient backing which often prevents use of ordinary wooden or plastic tees. Therefore, the tee is in most cases replaced by an elastic tubing that holds the golf ball off the artificial lawn.

Unfortunately, many players feel that such golf ball positioning does not reciprocate the teeing-off experience on regular soil/grass, and various alternatives are known in the art.

For example, simple cones with variable height or otherwise shaped golf ball supports may be employed to replace the elastic tubing as described in U. S. Pat. No. 4, 181, 300. However, when hit by the golf club, such cones or other supports often fly off the practice area and need to be retrieved. In an effort to avoid loss of a tee, a modified tee includes several spring- loaded retractable retaining blades in the tip portion that is inserted into the ground, wherein the blades protrude sideways from the tip of the modified tee as described in U. S. Pat. No.

4, 989, 869. Other known tees are flexible in an upper portion whereas the lower portion is retained in the ground via a tip element as described in GB 401453. Unfortunately, such tees are not always retained in the ground, and where they are retained, they typically need to have a flexible top portion to avoid destruction by the golf club. Alternatively, where a player wants to use an ordinary wooden or plastic tee, a tee retaining device may be employed as described in U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,336, 940 and 1,670, 123. However, such retaining devices are often impracticable to use on artificial lawn.

Therefore, while there are numerous tees and tee related devices are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages, especially where such tees and devices are used on artificial lawn. Thus, there is still a need to provide improved tees and tee-related devices.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to configurations and methods of golf tee devices in which the device includes a spike that protrudes from the device as a tee is inserted into the device.

In one particularly preferred aspect of the inventive subject matter, the golf tee device has a body that includes a tee receiving portion and a spike presenting portion, wherein a spike is movably coupled to the body and/or tee such that at least part of the spike moves out of the body from the spike presenting portion in response to moving the tee into the tee receiving portion.

Preferably, contemplated devices further include a resilient element (most preferably a spring) that provides a force that retains the spike in a position in which the spike is partially, and even more preferably completely withdrawn within the body when the tee is not moved into the tee receiving portion. It is generally preferred that the force is insufficient to retract the spike into the withdrawn position when the spike is at least partially inserted into an artificial lawn. The body, the resilient element, the spike, and the tee are typically coaxially arranged relative to each other, and in particularly preferred embodiments, the spike is contiguous with the tee. Optionally, the tee comprises a portion that engages with the body (e. g. , via a thread) to retain at least a portion of the tee within the body, wherein most preferably the portion that engages with the body is configured such that the spike is at least temporarily locked in a single position relative to the body.

Alternatively, the spike may also be discontinuous with the tee. The spike in such configurations is preferably coupled to a resilient element that provides a force that retains the spike in a position in which the spike is completely withdrawn within the body when the tee is not moved into the tee receiving portion. Especially preferred resilient elements include a spring, and the spike and/or the spring is most preferably coupled to a second element that retains the spike at least partially within the body (e. g. , the second element may contact the tee when the tee is inserted into the body). Additionally, contemplated devices may also include a manual element that is coupled to the spike and configured such that the spike moves out of the body when the manual element is actuated by a user.

Furthermore, contemplated devices may also include printed or engraved information on the body and/or the tee, which is most preferably an advertisement, a company logo, or owner-specific information. Consequently, the inventors also contemplate a method of

advertising in which a golf tee device according to the inventive subject matter is provided, and in which printed and/or engraved information is provided onto the body of the device.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawing.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1A is photograph of an exemplary device in a first configuration in which the spike is completely withdrawn into the body.

Figure 1B is photograph of the device of Figure 1A in a second configuration in which the spike protrudes from the body upon depressing the tee into the body.

Figure 1C is photograph of the device of Figure 1A disassembled into the body, the spring, and the spike.

Figure 2A is a schematic drawing of another exemplary device in a first configuration in which a tee is inserted into the body, and in which the spike protrudes from the body.

Figure 2B is a schematic drawing of the device of Figure 2A in a second configuration in which the spike is completely retracted into the body after removing the tee from the body.

Detailed Description The inventor has discovered that a golf tee device can be configured such that a spike will protrude from the device as a tee is pressed into the device, and wherein the spike has sufficient rigidity to allow insertion of the device into an artificial lawn. Preferably, the device has a body that includes a tee receiving portion and a spike presenting portion, wherein a spike is movably coupled to at least one of the body and a tee such that the spike moves out from the spike presenting portion in response to moving the tee into the tee receiving portion.

In one preferred aspect, as depicted in Figure 1A, the golf tee device 100 has a body 110 that includes tee receiving portion 112 and spike presenting portion 114. The spike 120 (not visible in this Figure) is completely withdrawn into the body 110, while a portion of the tee 130 is positioned within the body 110 via opening 112A of the tee receiving portion 112.

In this embodiment, the spike 120 is contiguous with the tee 130 (see also Figure 1C). Spring 140 is uncompressed in this configuration, positioned within the body 110 (for more detail see below), and maintains the spike 120 in completely withdrawn position. When the device is inserted into the ground (typically an artificial lawn, not shown), the tee 130 is depressed into the body 110, thereby advancing spike 120 such that the distal end of the spike is moved out of the body 110 via opening 114A of the spike presenting portion 114. This configuration

is depicted in Figure 1B in which the spring 140 is compressed. It should be noted that this configuration is maintained only by engagement of the spike with the ground (and most typically the artificial lawn), and that without such engagement the spike would retract within the body via the force of compressed spring 140 (which was removed in Figure 1B). In such configurations, the body, the spring (or otherwise reilient element), the spike, and the tee are coaxially arranged relative to each other.

Figure 1C depicts the device 100 in a disassembled configuration, in which the spring 140 is removed from the body 110. The tee 130, which is contiguous with the spike 120, has a portion 132 that includes a thread 134 that engages with corresponding thread 135 in the tee receiving portion 112 of body 110. It should be noted that the thread 134 in the tee 130 serves as a locking mechanism in which inadvertent movement of the spike out of the body is prevented by incomplete engagement of the screw portion of the tee with the threaded portion in the tee receiving portion. Thus, tee receiving portion 112 may also be viewed as a cap with a threaded hole that receives the tee 130. Similarly, the spike presenting portion 114 may be viewed as a cap to the body 110, wherein the cap has a hole of sufficient size to allow the spike to protrude.

Alternatively, where the tee is not contiguous with the spike, the golf tee device 200 as show in Figure 2A has a body 210 that includes a tee receiving portion 212 with opening 212A, and a spike presenting portion 214 with opening 214A. Tee 230 is typically a wooden or plastic tee as those well known in the art, and the tee 230 engages with movable plate 216 upon insertion in a manner such that the tip of the tee 230 pushes the plate 216 downwards.

Plate 216 is coupled to barbed spike 220 and further contacts spring 240, which pushed plate 216 upwards in the absence of a tee such that the spike completely retracts into the body 210 as depicted in Figure 2B. Alternatively, the plate 216 may also be moved by an optional element 218 that is coupled to the plate and movably extends to the outside of the body 210 (e. g., via a channel in the body).

Consequently, contemplated golf tee devices will typically include a body with a tee receiving portion and a spike presenting portion, wherein a spike is movably coupled to at least one of the body and a tee such that the spike moves out from the spike presenting portion in response to moving the tee into the tee receiving portion. In most preferred devices, a resilient element provides a force that retains the spike in a position in which the spike is completely withdrawn within the body when the tee is not moved into the tee receiving portion.

It should be recognized that the body may be manufactured from numerous materials, however, especially suitable materials include natural and synthetic polymers, metals, and all reasonable combinations thereof. Similarly, with respect to the particular dimensions, it should be appreciated that the size and/or configuration is not limiting to the inventive subject matter. However, preferred outer diameters are typically in the range of between about 1/8"to 0.5", while preferred lengths are typically in the range of between about % 2" to 2".

Furthermore, where desirable, the shape of the tee receiving structure need not necessarily be cylindrical, but may also have various other configurations (e. g., especially where the device is used as a promotional item). Thus, suitable shapes of the tee receiving structure include tubular shapes, frustoconical shapes, die shapes, irregular shapes, etc.

Depending on the particular size of the body, it should be appreciated that the dimensions of the tee receiving portion may vary considerably. However, it is generally contemplated that the tee receiving portion provides an opening to accommodate at least part of the tee. Preferably, the tee receiving portion is integral with the body, but other configurations (e. g., formed as a removable cap) are also deemed suitable. Thus, it should be recognized that tees with various tee sizes (e. g., 2", 21/2", or 23/4") may be employed in conjunction with contemplated devices (the tee in contemplated devices may be temporarily coupled to the tee receiving structure or permanently). Similarly, the spike presenting portion may vary considerably. However, it is typically preferred that the spike presenting portion has an opening that allows at least part of the spike to move out of the body, and that covers the spike substantially completely when the spike is in the retracted position. Preferably, the spike presenting portion is integral with the body, but other configurations (e. g. , formed as a removable cap) are also deemed suitable.

The spike can be manufactured from all materials provided that such materials exhibit sufficient resilience to allow insertion of the spike into a substrate other than soil (e. g., artificial lawn). Thus, suitable materials especially include metals, alloys, and carbon fibers.

Moreover, while Figures 1A-lC and 2A and 2B depict a device with a single spike, it should be appreciated that more than one spike (e. g., two, three, or even more) may be employed. In such case, the plurality of spikes may be randomly arranged, or more preferably, in or along the perimeter of the body. With respect to the length of the spike (s), it is generally preferred that the spike (s) are dimensioned such that the spike (s) is completely retracted into the body when the tee is outside (or in a distal position relative to) the tee receiving portion. Thus, in most aspects, preferred spikes are typically less than 2"long.

Where the spike is continuous with the tee, it should be recognized that all manners of continuous coupling are deemed suitable herein, and particularly preferred couplings include permanent and direct coupling of the tee to the spike. For example, one end of the spike may be molded into the tee. On the other hand, the spike may be removably coupled to the tee (e. g. , via a mechanic or magnetic mechanism), especially where the spike is made from a material that is subject to deformation. Indirect couplings include those in which a coupling element (e. g., plastic cylinder) connects the spike with the tee. Alternatively, the spike is coupled to a base plate that is movably enclosed within the body, wherein insertion of the tee will move the base plate such that the spike is moved out of the tee receiving structure.

However, it is also contemplated that the base plate may be manually moved by the user via a actuator that may be directly or indirectly attached to the base plate (and which is typically accessible from the outside or the tee receiving structure (e. g., in a mechanism similar to a blade advancing mechanism in an EXACTOTM knife). Therefore, while a spring mechanism is typically preferred to retract the spike into the tee receiving structure, other reversibly deformable mechanical retracting elements are also considered, including rubber bands, flexible polymer strands, gas springs, etc.

Depending on the particular mechanism, it should also be appreciated that the base plate may or may not be held in a particular position. For example, where the spring exerts a relatively weak retracting force, friction between the inserted tee and the tee receiving structure may be sufficient to retain the spike in a protruded position. Viewed from another perspective, such force may be insufficient to retract the spike into the withdrawn position when the spike is at least partially inserted into an artificial lawn. On the other hand, where the spring exerts a relatively strong retracting force, the base plate may be temporarily arrested by a protrusion in the base plate that engages with a notch in the tee receiving structure. In yet further contemplated aspects of the inventive subject matter, suitable devices may include a mechanism that operates similar to those found in a ball point pen. In such devices, an inserted tee will act as the pen advancing button to position the spike from the retracted position to the exposed position upon a first depression of the tee into the device, while the spike will be moved from the exposed position to the retracted position upon a second depression of the same (or other) tee into the device. Still further, contemplated devices may include a safety mechanism that locks the spike in a fixed position (typically in a completely retracted position) relative to the body. For example, the tee may include a threaded (or otherwise releasably engaging) element that temporarily couples the tee with a

corresponding threaded portion of the body or tee receiving element. Of course, it should be appreciated that numerous alternative safety mechanisms are also suitable and include snap locks, twist locks, safety pins, etc. , which may be coupled to any suitable portion of the golf tee device.

Where desirable, contemplated devices may include a retaining element that is at least temporarily coupled to the player or to the ground (e. g., the artificial lawn) to facilitate retrieval of the device when the device is inadvertently hit by the player. Suitable retaining elements include belts, lines, wires, etc, which may further be coupled to a container that accommodates at least part of the retaining element (e. g., box with spring-operated spool). In still further contemplated aspects, the device is associated with an advertising message, wherein the message may be provided as a written information (e. g., printed, engraved, etc.), a company logo, a website address, etc. It should be appreciated that such information may be disposed on any portion of contemplated devices, however, the body is particularly preferred as a carrier for such advertising information. Therefore, the inventors also contemplate a method of advertising in which a golf tee device according to the inventive subject matter is provided, and in which printed, engraved, or otherwise displayed information (e. g., written information or company logo) is provided to the device (e. g., to the body and/or tee).

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of alimentary compositions and methods for metabolic modulation have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms"comprises"and"comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.