Description

GOLF TEE WITH LOSS PREVENTION FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a golf tee, and more particularly, to a golf tee having a loss prevention function that can effectively prevent loss of a golf tee that flies off from a tee shot. Background Art

[2] In general, a golf tee for holding a golf ball at a certain height from the ground in a field is used to extend the flight distance of the golf ball by minimizing interference from the ground and grass when a driver is swung to make a tee shot.

[3] Such a golf tee is formed to include a support part (head) whose top surface has a concave dish shape for stably supporting a golf ball, and a wedge-shaped insertion part extending downward from the support part that can be stuck into the ground and fixed in place.

[4] However, since it is necessary to adjust the length of the golf tee according to the condition of the golf course, the tendencies of the golfer, etc., there is inconvenience of having to carry around numerous golf tees of different lengths when golfing.

[5] Also, when taking a tee shot, the golf tee is struck along with the golf ball, dislodged from the ground, and flies off in an arbitrary direction. It is often difficult to find a golf tee that has flown off and golf tees that are lost in this way can cause damage to lawn mowers.

[6] In a conventional design intended to overcome these problems, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of golf tees 1 are connected by a connecting string 2, and one golf tee 1 on which a golf ball is placed and another golf tee 1 not being used are both stuck into the ground and fixed in place, so that the golf tee 1 that is struck together with the golf ball and flies off can be easily found. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] However, every now and then such conventional technology does not properly demonstrate its loss prevention effect and both golf tees go flying off and the golfer must waste time looking for them. This delays the play and gives the golfer stress which prevents relaxed and comfortable play.

[8] An object of the present invention is to provide a golf tee with a loss prevention function that can effectively prevent loss of a golf tee that flies off from a tee shot.

Technical Solution

[9] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a golf tee having a loss prevention function that includes: at least one tee, a connecting string connected to the tee, and a loss prevention device connected to the tee through the connecting string and switching to output a notification signal in the event that impact applied to the tee stuck in the ground in a tee shot is transferred to the loss prevention device. The loss prevention device includes a body, a switch installed in the body and switching in response to transferred impact, a controller installed in the body and outputting a notification generation signal in response to a switching operation of the switch, a notification generator installed in the body and receiving the notification generation signal output from the controller to generate a visible or audible notification to enable easy recognition from outside, and a power supply installed in the body and supplying power.

[10] According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switch includes a moving terminal exhibiting movement in response to applied impact, and a fixed terminal disposed adjacent to the moving terminal to enable contact when the moving terminal moves. And, the controller recognizes contact between the moving terminal and the fixed terminal as the switching signal to output the notification generation signal.

[11] Here, the moving terminal may take the shape of a coil spring composed of multiple turns, and the fixed terminal may extend upward outside of the moving terminal, then turn and extend sideways, and then turn back downward so as to take substantially the shape of " ¹ ^ " whose upper end can be disposed inside of the coil spring-shaped moving terminal.

[12] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tee includes first and second tees having different lengths, and the connecting string includes first and second connecting strings respectively connected to the first and second tees. Also, the switch includes a housing forming an overall body shape and having an open top; a button unit fastened to the first connecting string at one end, wherein the button unit has a plurality of curved portions at the other end to maintain and release a predetermined elastic force between an elastic support panel and first and second switching terminals described below while the other end is slidingly inserted and projected through the open top of the housing, wherein the button unit has a catch at its middle that catches on the top side of the housing and the inside of one end of the body for restricting an insertion and projection distance; the elastic support panel

fastened to one inner surface of the housing and formed with a first bend having a predetermined elastic restoration force so that a fixed elastic force can be maintained and released together with the first switching terminal described below when the button unit is inserted and projected; and the first and second switching terminals electrically connected to respective power terminals of the power supply and formed to be electrically separated and connected while having elastic restoration force so that power is interrupted and supplied from the power supply according to insertion and projection of the button unit.

[13] Also, a protrusion may be integrally formed at an end of the first bend to curve and protrude toward the inside of the housing so as to securely catch on the curved portion upon projection of the button unit.

[14] Also, the first switching terminal may be fastened to another inner surface of the housing and formed with a second bend having a predetermined elastic restoration force so that a fixed elastic force can be maintained and released together with the elastic support panel when the button unit is inserted and projected. And, the second switching terminal may be fixed to the floor at the bottom of the housing to be electrically separated and released from the second bend when the button unit is inserted and projected.

Advantageous Effects

[15] According to the golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the present invention as described above, the golf tee is equipped with a loss prevention device so that loss of a golf tee which flies off from a tee shot can be effectively prevented.

Brief Description of Drawings [16] FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional golf tee;

[17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for describing a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [18] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for describing a loss prevention device applied in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [19] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing the loss prevention device applied in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for describing a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [21] FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away plan view for describing a loss prevention device applied in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[22] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing use states for describing operation states of a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[23] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the following exemplary embodiments of the invention can be modified into numerous different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided to more thoroughly describe the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[24] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for describing a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for describing a loss prevention device applied in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing the loss prevention device applied in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[25] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes first and second tees 10a and 10b having different lengths, connecting strings 20 connecting the first and second tees 10a and 10b to a loss prevention device 30, and the loss prevention device 30 to which the first and second tees 10a and 10b are connected through the connecting strings 20.

[26] The first tee 10a is a relatively long tee and the second tee 10b is a relatively short tee. Also, synthetic fiber that is flexible and does not snap easily, or leather strips processed to be thin and long, etc. may be used as the connecting string 20 connecting the first and second tees 10a and 10b to the loss prevention device 30.

[27] The first and second tees 10a and 10b may be made of normal material for making golf tees, for example, metal, rubber, plastic, wood, etc. If intended to be used for a long time, they are preferably made of durable metal, plastic, or rubber.

[28] When using the first and second tees 10a and 10b, a tee having the right length for the conditions of the particular tee shot, for example, the first tee 10a, is inserted into the ground G and a golf ball B is placed on it. Then, the remaining second tee 10b is spaced apart from the first tee 10a and inserted deeply into the ground G (refer to FIGS. 7 and 8).

[29] When the golf ball B on the first tee 10a is hit in such a state, the first tee 10a struck

by the club is prevented from flying off because it is bound by the connecting string 20 to the second tee 10b which is stuck deeply in the ground G. This is a first way to prevent loss of the golf tee.

[30] However, in such a golf tee, even if the unused tee, i.e., the second tee 10b, prevents the used tee, i.e., the first tee, from flying off, there may be cases in which both the first and second tees 10a and 10b fly off or are thrown away. In such case, to enable the golf tee that flown off to be easily found, the loss prevention device 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is proposed. While additional tees of different lengths can be connected to the loss prevention device 30, a single tee can be used with the loss prevention device.

[31] The loss prevention device 30 is formed of a body 310, a switch 320, a controller

330, a notification generator 340, and a power supply 350.

[32] The body 310, which composes the overall form of the loss prevention device 30, has upper and lower cases 310a and 310b that are fastened together by fitting or a fastening means (for example, screws or strong adhesive, etc.) so that a space is formed inside.

[33] Also, a printed circuit board (PCB) on which various electronic components forming an electronic circuit, i.e., a switch 320, a controller 330, a notification generator, a power supply 350, etc., are mounted is mounted inside the body 310.

[34] Various shapes, colors, etc. can be used to make the overall outer appearance of the body 310 easily discernable from outside. Also, various advertisements or company logos, etc. can be carved into or adhered to the outer surface of the body 310 to effectively promote sales as well as to maximize advertising effect. And in order that sound generated inside the body can easily propagate, holes 315 are formed on body 310.

[35] According to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switch

320 mounted on the PCB substrate includes a moving terminal 320a and a fixed terminal 320b. The moving terminal 320a is designed so that movement can occur when an impact is applied to the body 310. Referring to FIG. 2, the moving terminal 320a is designed in the form of a coil spring composed of multiple turns. The fixed terminal 320b is disposed adjacent to the moving terminal 320a and designed to come in contact with the moving terminal 320a when movement of the moving terminal 320a is generated. According to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed terminal 320b is disposed in substantially the shape of " ¹ ^ " so that one end is attached to the PCB substrate and another end on the opposite side is

disposed inside and adjacent to the inner wall of the coil spring-shaped moving terminal 320a. Thus, the fixed terminal 320b is connected at its lower end to the PCB substrate outside of the moving terminal 320a, extends upward, turns and extends sideways toward the moving terminal 320a, and then turns back downward at the top of the moving terminal 320a so that its upper end is free and disposed inside of the coil spring-shaped moving terminal 320a.

[36] The notification generator 340 receives a notification generation signal from the controller 330 and performs a function of generating an audible and/or visible notification so as to be easily discerned from outside. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a speaker 340a generating a notification sound so to be audibly recognized from outside is presented as the notification generator 340.

[37] The power supply 350 is formed with a mercury battery of predetermined size mounted behind the PCB substrate. Because the battery is designed to be attached behind the PCB substrate, the size of the body 310 can be minimized and the electronic components can be efficiently arranged inside the space.

[38] The controller 330 is designed to control the notification generator in response to operation of the switch 320. The controller 300 is mounted on the PCB substrate. In the event that the moving terminal 320a and the fixed terminal 320b come into contact, the controller 330 receives the signal and controls the notification generator to generate a notification sound. According to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the notification sound is generated in this pattern; "notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend (1 second) -> notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend (1 second) -> notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend".

[39] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for describing a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away plan view for describing a loss prevention device applied in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[40] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes first and second tees 100a and 100b having different lengths, first and second connecting strings 200a and 200b respectively connecting first and second tees 100a and 100b, and a loss prevention device 300 provided between the first and second connecting strings 200a and 200b.

[41] The first tee 100a is relatively long, and the second tee 100b is relatively short. Also, synthetic fiber that is flexible and does not snap easily, or leather strips processed to be

thin and long, etc. may be used as the connecting strings 200a and 200b. The first and second connecting strings 200a and 200b may be between about 2cm and 30cm in length.

[42] The loss prevention device 300 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is also constituted by the body 310, the switch 320, the controller 330, the notification generator 340, and the power supply 350.

[43] The body 310, which composes the overall body shape of the loss prevention device

300, has the upper and lower cases 310a and 310b that are fixed together by fastening means (for example, screws or strong adhesive, etc.) such that an opening is formed inside. The printed circuit board (PCB) to which various electronic components constituting an electronic circuit, i.e., the switch 320, the controller 330, the notification generator, the power supply 350, etc., are electrically connected is mounted inside the body 310.

[44] The switch 320 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is loaded inside one end of the body 310 so that its one end protrudes, and one end of the above-described button unit 322 of the switch 320 is physically fastened to the first connecting string 200a. Thus, the first connecting string 200a pulls the button unit 322 due to impact applied when a tee shot is made to thereby perform a switching function that can switch the power ON/OFF.

[45] The switch 320 includes the housing 321, the button unit 322, the elastic support panel 323, and the first and second switching terminals 324 and 325.

[46] The housing 321, which forms an overall body shape, is formed as a rectangular box that is open on top so that the button unit 322 can be slidingly inserted through it.

[47] The button unit 322 is formed as a cylinder having a predetermined length and one end of the button unit is fastened to the first connecting string 200a. The other end of the button has a plurality curved portions 322a like an earphone jack in order that when the other end of the button is slidingly inserted and projected the open top of the housing 321, a predetermined elastic force can be maintained and released between the elastic support panel 323 and the first and second switching terminals 324 and 325. In the middle of the button unit 322, the catch 322b is protruded for restricting insertion and projection distance of the button unit 322 by catching on the top side of the housing 321 and the inner side of one end of the body 310.

[48] The elastic support panel 323 is fastened to one inner surface of the housing 321 and has a first bend 323a having a predetermined elastic restoration force so that a predetermined elastic force can be maintained and released together with the first

switching terminal 324 when the button unit 322 is inserted and projected. Also, a protrusion 323a is integrally formed at end of the first bend 323a to curve and protrude toward the inside of the housing 321 so as to securely catch on the curved portion 322a of the button unit 322 upon projection of the button unit 322.

[49] The first and second switching terminals 324 and 325 are electrically connected to + and - power terminals of the power supply 350, respectively, and are formed to be electrically separated and connected while having elastic restoration force so that power of the power supply 350 can be interrupted and supplied to the loss prevention device 300 according to insertion and projection of the button unit 322.

[50] The first switching terminal 324 is fixed at a location faced by the elastic support panel 323, i.e., to the other inner surface of the housing 321, and a second bend 324a having a predetermined elastic restoration force is formed to enable a constant elastic force to be maintained and released together with the elastic support panel 323 upon insertion and projection of the button unit 322.

[51] The second switching terminal 325 is fixed to the floor at the bottom of the housing

321 so that it can be electrically separated and released from the second bend 324a of the first switching terminal 324 with the button unit 322 is inserted and projected.

[52] The controller 330 performs a function of outputting the audible and/or visible notification generation signal in response to operation of the switch 320.

[53] The notification generator 340 performs functions of receiving the audible and/or visible notification generation signal from the controller 330 and generating an audible and/or visible notification that can be easily recognized from outside. The notification generator 340 may be embodied as a speaker 340a to enable easy audio recognition, or as a light emitting diode (LED) 340b to enable easy visual recognition.

[54] When the notification generator is embodied as the speaker 340a, preferably, a plurality of holes 315 are formed in a panel at one side of the body 310 to enable sound output from the speaker 340a to easily propagate to space outside.

[55] Meanwhile, when the notification generator is embodied as the LED 340b, a part is preferably mounted to protrude at one side of the body 310 to enable light coming from the LED 340b to be easily emitted to space outside.

[56] Also, a predetermined size of mercury battery is used in the power supply 350.

[57] Below, operation of the above-described golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[58] Firstly, use states of a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with

reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[59] Referring to FIG. 7, a used tee, i.e., the first tee 100a, is stuck into the ground G, and then a fixed tee connected to the loss prevention device 300, i.e., the second tee 100b, is spaced apart from the first tee 100a and stuck deeply into the ground G. At this time, the loss prevention device 300 is put in an OFF state of the switch 320 in which the button unit 322 of the switch 320 is pressed (or inserted).

[60] With this preparation completed, a golf ball B is placed on top of the first tee 100a and then a golfer makes a tee shot with a driver. When the driver hits precisely the golf ball B only, no impact is imparted to the first and second tees 100a and 100b, and thus the switch 320 of the loss prevention device 300 continuously maintains an OFF state so that the notification generator 340 does not operate.

[61] However, when the driver applied impact to the first tee 100a along with the golf ball

B, the first tee 100a flies off, the first connecting string 200a connected to the loss prevention device 300 is pulled, and the button unit 322 gets pulled from the loss prevention device 300 by the impact applied at that time. Moreover, because the second tee 100b is firmly stuck in the ground G, it generates force pulling the loss prevention device 300 toward the ground so that the button unit 322 can operate more reliably. Afterwards, the second tee 100b also flies off due to the impact applied to the first tee 100a.

[62] Thus, when the first tee 100a erected under the golf ball B flies off from the impact of the driver, the first and second connecting strings 200a and 200b become taut due to the force of the first tee 100a flying off and the resisting force of the second tee 100b stuck in the ground G on the other side. The button unit 322 of the switch 320 connected to the first connecting string 200a is pulled and the power OFF connection state is converted to an ON connection state, which is continuously maintained.

[63] Starting from this time, the visible and/or audible notification signal is continuously generated through the notification generator 340 so that the tee that flew off from the tee shot can be easily found, play time can be reduced, golfers don't have to work hard to find the tee, and comfortable, stable play can be achieved.

[64] More specifically, when the first tee 100a flies off due to the impact force applied by the driver, the first and second connecting strings 200a and 200b become taut. When the impact force applied instantaneously at the time the first connecting string 200a is pulled due to the impact force applied to the first tee 100a is greater than a force elastically supporting the button unit 322 due to the elastic support panel 323 and the first switching terminal 324 of the switch 320, the button unit 322 inserted into the

housing 321 is projected, the electrically cut-off first and second switching terminals 324 and 325 are electrically connected due to elastic restoration force, and power of the power supply 350 is supplied to each unit. Consequently, the audible and/or visible notification signal is continuously generated through the notification generator 340.

[65] Also, when the button unit 322 inserted into the housing 321 is projected by a fixed length, the protrusion 323a of the elastic support panel 323 catches on the curved portion 322a formed at the other end of the button unit 322, and simultaneously, the catch 322b of the button unit 322 catches on the inner wall of one end of the body 310. Thus, the button unit 322 can be prevented from being projected any further.

[66] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 8, when the golfer finds the tee that flew off and presses the projected button unit 322 of the switch 320 in the opposite direction the power ON contact state is converted into the OFF contact state, this state is continuously maintained, and operation of the notification generator 340 is continuously suspended.

[67] Thus, while the button unit 322 is slidingly inserted into the housing 321, opposite to

FIG. 7, the first and second switching terminals 324 and 325 in electrical contact with one another come apart and are electrically separated. Thus, the power supplied by the power supply 350 is cut off and operation of the notification generator 340 is continuously suspended.

[68] Also, when the button unit 322 is inserted a fixed length into the housing 321, the catch 322b of the button unit 322 catches on the top of the housing 321 so that the button unit 322 can be prevented from being inserted any further.

[69] Next, operation of a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.

[70] The golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used in the same way as the golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The used tee, i.e., the first tee 10a, is stuck into the ground G at the location of a tee shot, and then the second tee 10b is spaced apart from the first tee 10a and stuck deeply into the ground G. At this time, the loss prevention device 30 is connected to the first and second tees 10a and 10b through the connecting string 20.

[71] When this preparation is completed, a golf ball B is placed on top of the first tee 10a and then a golfer makes a tee shot with a driver. When the driver connects precisely with the golf ball B only, no impact is imparted to the first and second tees 10a and

10b. At this time, since the loss prevention device 30 feels no impact, the switch 320 does not perform the switching operation and thus the notification generator 340 does not operate.

[72] However, when the driver imparts a large impact to the first tee 10a along with the golf ball B, the first tee 10a flies off taking the second tee 10b and the loss prevention device 30 with it, and an impact is applied to the body 310 of the loss prevention device 30.

[73] The moving terminal 320b composing the switch 320 of the loss prevention device

30 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designed in the form of a coil spring so that it can move in response to impact. Accordingly, when impact applied to the first tee 10a is transferred through the connecting string 20 to the body 310 of the loss prevention device 30, the moving terminal 320b shakes causing it to come in contact with the adjacently disposed fixed terminal 320a.

[74] The controller 340 recognizes contact between the fixed terminal 320a and the moving terminal 320b through the ON switching signal and controls sound to be output by the speaker 340a constituting the notification generator 340. The sound pattern is controlled by the controller 340 according to a set method. According to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sound pattern is set in advance to generate the pattern "notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend (1 second) - > notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend (1 second) -> notification sound (3 seconds) -> suspend". In an alternative embodiment, an additional button that can suspend the notification sound may be provided, and the notification sound may be set to be generated continuously for a fixed time period.

[75] According to this method, golfers can easily find a tee that flies off after a tee shot, play time can be reduced, and the hard work of looking for tees is prevented. Conseque ntly, golfers can enjoy more comfortable and stable play.

[76] While exemplary embodiments of a golf tee having a loss prevention function according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments. Various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims, the description and the attached drawings, and such embodiments also belong to the invention.