This invention concerns article support apparatus, particularly but not exclusively support apparatus for use in playing golf, and especially support apparatus in the form of a golf tee.

In the game of golf, golf tees are used to support a ball spaced above the ground to enable a player a clear hit of the ball and to lift the ball with his shot. Tees generally comprise a plastics material or wooden member upon which a golf ball can be supported, and a ground engaging spike.

A problem often encountered by golfers is to remember to provide and have handy a writing implement to record their score.

According to the present invention there is provided article support apparatus, the apparatus comprising ground engaging means, means permitting an article to be supported above the ground in a position in which the article can be struck off the apparatus, and integral writing means.

The writing means is preferably provided in the ground engaging means which may be in the form of a spik .

The writing means may comprise a ball point pen arrangement. Alternati ely, the writing means may comprise an exposed piece of graphite or other similar marking material.

The ground engaging and support means are preferably integrally formed and may be formed of a plastics material. The ground engaging and support means may be formed by moulding and desirably injection moulding, and may be moulded around the writing means. Alterna i ely, a hollow moulding may be formed in which the writing means is subsequently mounted.

Alternatively the ground engaging and support means may be formed of wood.

In one embodiment the apparatus is formed by turning a piece of wood with an axial graphite insert extending for at least_ a part of the length thereof.

Also according to the present invention there is provided article support apparatus in the form of a golf tee according to any of the preceding six paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a first golf tee according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a further view of a further golf tee according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a golf tee 10 which comprises a body portion 12 and ground engaging portion 14. The portion 12 is generally cylindrical with a central waist. The portion 14 is substantially conical with a maximum diameter considerably less than the diameter of the lower part of the portion 12.

In use, to support a golf ball the portion 14 is pressed into the ground fully until the underside of the portion 12 engages with the ground, this ensuring a consistent height for the ball each time the tee 10 is used .

Provided within the portion 14 and extending into a lower part of the portion 12 is a ball point mechanism and ink reservoir 16. The operative end of the mechanism 16 provides the tip of the portion 14. Accordingly, as well as being usable to support a golf ball whilst a tee shot is played the tee 10 may be used by virtue of the mechanism 16 to write a player's score. Therefore, a player need not carry a separate writing

instrument as scoring and any other marking required can be carried out using his golf tees which he would always ensure he had with him when playing golf.

There is thus described a dual purpose golf tee which can prove extremely useful to golfers. The tee is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured. Accordingly, a golfer could have a relatively large number of such tees and would not be unduly concerned when such a tee is broken or lost, as losing tees regularly occurs during golf. The portions 12 and 14 will generally be made of a plastics material and can be made by moulding, and usually injection moulding. The portions 12,14 can be moulded around the mechanism 16 or alternatively can be moulded to provide an opening into which the mechanism 16 can be inserted.

Fig. 2 shows a further golf tee 18 with an integrally formed wooden body portion 20 and ground engaging spike portion 22. The tee contains an axial length of graphite 24 which extends from the end of the portion 22 to form the lower most part of the ground engaging spike. The tee 18 is formed by wood turning in a conventional manner. The tee 18 can obviously be "sharpened" in a similar manner to a pencil.

There is thus described an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It is to be realised that apparatus according to the invention may take many different forms and shapes. Writing means other than those described could be used. For example, marking material other than graphite could be used. Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.