GOLF TEE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a golf tee.

[0002] The function of a golf tee, also referred to as a peg, is to position a ball, which is placed on the tee, so that it can be struck by a golf club. The golf club can be moved at a substantial speed and, if the ball is not cleanly struck, the golf tee can be subjected to considerable force which, inevitably, breaks or destroys the golf tee.

[0003] Traditionally golf tees are made from wood or a plastics material. The cost to a player, of replacing golf tees, can be substantial.

[0004] Various techniques have been applied to limit the damage to a golf tee when struck by a golf club. For example Japanese abstract 06-210032 discloses a peg with a flexible ball mounting pillar attached to an upper end of a pin. A drawback, in play, though is that it is not really possible to adjust the height of the peg. GB 2385794 describes a peg with a set height controlled by a collar. A substantial part of the peg is above ground and this increases the likelihood of peg damage. WO 01/89637 shows an adjustable tee. However an upper part thereof is in sections and the tee inherently lacks mechanical strength. Other approaches to the problem are shown in UK 2385535, US 20020022538, Japanese abstract 05-057041 , and WO 02/094383.

[0005] The invention concerns a golf tee which can be used generally like a conventional tee, which is height adjustable and which can absorb a substantial degree of impact without damage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a golf tee which includes an elongate body with a ground penetrating pointed first end, a member which has a golf ball receiving formation, and an intermediate component which includes an elongate resilient link which acts between the body and the member and which permits limited movement of the member relative to the body.

[0007] The member may have a passage into which part of the link extends.

[0008] Preferably the link is secured to a second end of the body which opposes the first end.

[0009] The intermediate component may include a securing formation, positioned at one end of the link, which is engaged with the second end of the body. An opposing end of the link which extends into the passage in the member may carry a retaining formation. The passage may have a retaining section which prevents the link from being withdrawn from the passage by the engagement of the retaining formation with the retaining section.

[0010] The passage and the intermediate component may permit movement of the member, relative to the body, along the link between first and second limiting positions. At the first limiting position the member may abut the body and, at the second limiting position, the member is preferably free of the body. At the second position the member is coupled to the body only through the medium of the intermediate component. The retaining section may have a minimum cross section which is less than a maximum cross section of the retaining formation. At the second limiting position the retaining formation engages with the retaining section.

[0011] At 'the first limiting position the member may be engageable with the second end of the body or intermediate component thereby to align the member in a longitudinal sense with the body.

[0012] In a first form of the invention the link is elastic.

[0013] The opposing second end of the body may include an anchor formation which may be in the form of a recess which extends from the second end of the body axially into the body and opposed holes which extend transversely from the recess to outer side walls of the body. The securing formation is preferably complementary in shape to, and is positioned inside, the opposed holes and may be in the form of a first pin.

[0014] A diameter of the first pin may increase gradually between opposing ends of the first pin to a maximum diameter which is slightly greater than a maximum diameter of an end of one of the opposed holes so that, once the first pin is inserted into the holes, at least part of the first pin engages frictionally with the holes. The diameter of each hole may also increase between opposing sides of the body so that ends of the first pin engage frictionally with respective parts of the holes.

[0015] The retaining formation may be a second pin which is locatable inside a groove which is formed at an upper end of the retaining section.

[0016] The opposing ends of the link may have suitable apertures which are engageable with the first and second pins. Alternatively the link is folded over the second pin with opposing ends of the link engaged with the first pin.

[0017] Preferably the anchor formation is a first hook-shaped formation which projects from the second end of the body and the retaining formation is a cap which

includes a disc from which a second hook-shaped formation extends. A small shoulder may surround respective bases of the first and second hook-shaped formations.

[0018] The cap may rest inside the passage with the shoulder on an upper side of the retaining formation.

[0019] The intermediate component may include a sleeve which bears at one end on the shoulder of the first hook-shaped formation and which includes a passage which extends between opposing ends of the sleeve and into which the hook-shaped formation at least partly extends.

[0020] In a second form of the invention the link is flexible.

[0021] The anchor formation may include a recess which extends, from the second end of the body, axially into the body and at least one hole which extends transversally between the recess and a side of the body. The securing formation is preferably complementary in shape to, and is positioned inside, the anchor formation. This is preferably done by moulding the securing formation directly into the anchor formation.

[0022] The recess may have a side wall which extends into the body from the second end and which is formed without discontinuities. An objective in this regard is to ensure that the securing formation is not subjected to point stresses when the golf tee is used. "Discontinuity" means a sharp edge or corner or any other formation which can induce localised stresses in the securing formation.

[0023] The rece ^' ss may reduce in cross sectional area towards the at least and the recess may have a conical or curved conical shape. These shapes have been found to be useful in extending the life of the securing formation and hence of the intermediate component.

[0024] The link is attached at respective opposing ends to the first and second hook-shaped formations in any appropriate way such as using suitable apertures which are formed in respective ends of the link.

[0025] Alternatively the body may be formed from at least first and second interengageable body sections. Preferably the first body section has a spigot and the second body section has a socket and a hole at the base of the socket. The securing formation of the intermediate components is located inside the socket with part of the link extending through the hole. The spigot is inserted into and is engaged with the socket.

[0026] The passage which extends through the member may have an enlarged mouth into which the second end of the body is insertable.

[0027] The passage may have a shoulder which abuts the second end of the body around the recess.

[0028] A portion of the link, adjacent the securing formation, may be of complementary shape and size to a section of the passage, in which the section is located, when the member is engaged with the second end of the body. Preferably the section of the passage is tapered, of reducing cross-section in a direction away from fϊie body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in cross section of parts of a golf tee in a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view of the assembled golf tee of Figure 1 , ready to use;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the parts of the golf tee partly exploded;

Figure 4 is a side view in partial cross-section of an elongate body, an intermediate component, and a golf ball receiving member of a golf tee of a different embodiment of the invention, in an exploded configuration;

Figure 5 is side view in cross section of the body, the intermediate component, and the golf ball receiving member of Figure 4 in an assembled ball-receiving relationship; Figure 6 is a view in cross "leBtiøn of parts of a golf tee of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional side view of the assembled golf tee of Figure 6, ready to use;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 with the parts of the golf tee of Figure 6 fully extended;

Figure 9 is a side ^' exploded view of an elongate body and an intermediate component used in a golf tee of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a view in cross section of the body and the intermediate component of

Figure 9 in an assembled ball-receiving relationship; Figure 11 is a similar view to Figure 10 showing how components of the golf tee can move, relative to each other, in use; and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 depict the golf tee of Figure 1 in different stages during the stroke of a golf club.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Figures 1 , 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings are cross sectional illustrations of a golf tee 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In Figure 1 parts of the golf tee are displaced from each other while in Figures 2 and 3 the golf tee is shown in playing and extended modes respectively.

[0031] The golf tee includes an elongate body 12, an intermediate component 14 and a member 16.

[0032] The body 12 is made from a tough plastics material such as ABS. The body has a pointed first end 18, which is ground-penetrating, and an opposing second end 20. An anchor formation in the form of a first hook-shaped formation 22 extends from the second end. The first hook-shaped formation includes a shoulder 24A which extends around a base of the first hook-shaped formation.

[0033] The intermediate component 14, in a first form of the invention, is made from an elastic material such as rubber, silicone or the like in an injection moulding process and includes an elongate elastic link 26, which is shown stretched in Figure 1 , with an aperture or eyelet 28 formed at each end of the link using any suitable technique. The thickness of the link is suitably chosen so that a balance is obtained between strength and ^N elasticity. For example if the link is made too thin, the possibility of the link breaking easily, such as when the tee is pulled from the ground, is increased, and if the link is made too thick or too short, the movement of the member 16 relative to the body is impaired. The link has a predetermined length so

that when' the golf tee 10 is assembled, the member is kept substantially in contact with the body 12 through the elasticity of the link.

[0034] The link could alternatively be in the form of an elastic band of "closed" construction i.e. of loop form.

[0035] The intermediate component 14 includes a sleeve 30 which has a passage 32 which extends between opposing ends through the sleeve and a retaining formation 34 in the form of a cap 36 which includes a disc 38 from which a second hook-shaped formation 40 projects. A small shoulder 24B surrounds a base of the second hook-shaped formation. The sleeve is positioned between the second end 20 of the body 12 and the member 16 with the elongate elastic link 26 extending through the passage.

[0036] The member 16A is made from a tough plastics material such as high density polyethylene in an injection moulding process. The member is generally tubular and has a passage 42 which extends from one end 44 of the member to an opposing end 46. The passage, at the end 44, is flared outwardly to define a golf ball-receiving formation 48. The passage has a small shoulder 50 at an intermediate location. The shoulder 50 is at an upper end 52 of a retaining section 54 of the passage which has a cross-section 56 which is less than the cross-section 58 of the disc 38. The passage includes a section 60 which is adjacent the end 44 and which is generally of complementary shape and size to the upper end 62 of the sleeve 30 so that a central part of the sleeve is'alfgήed with the passage 42.

[0037] The passage 32 is dimensioned so that the first hook formation 22 fits into the passage 'without a great amount of lateral play. Thus a central portion of the body 12 is aligned with the sleeve, 30 and the member 16.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates the golf tee 10 once assembled. The first hook-shaped formation 22 is engaged with an eyelet 28 at one end of the elongate elastic link 26 which is then fed through the passage 32. The first hook-shaped formation is then pushed into the passage until the sleeve abuts the shoulder 24A. The free end of the link is fed through the passage 42 of the member and is stretched slightly so that the eyelet 28 of the free end can be engaged with the second hook-shaped formation 40. The elastic link can be stretched by passing a flexible element such a strong thread, not shown, through the passage 42 from the end 46 to the end 44. A protruding part of the thread is looped through the eyelet and is then pulled upwardly so that the free end of the link is passed through the passage. The second hook- shaped formation is then attached to the link and the cap is pushed into the passage 42 until the disc 38 abuts the shoulder 50. The disc has a cross-section 58 which is slightly larger than a cross-section 64 of a part of a passage which extends between the shoulder and the end 46. The plastics material used in the manufacturing of the member 16 allows the passage 42 to accommodate the cap by deforming slightly as the cap is pushed towards the should 50 and creates a frictional lock between closely opposing surfaces of the passage and the cap.

[0039] The golf tee is now ready for use.

[0040] The upper end 62 of the sleeve 30 is kept engaged, at least to some extent, with the section 16 as a result of the elasticity of the elongate elastic link 26. In the assembled state the elasticity of the link draws the body 12 and the member 16 towards each other and, in doing so, pulls on the first and second hook-shaped formations 22 and 40 respectively. This causes the member to be pulled towards the body and the sleeve 30 is clamped between the components.

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates that the elongate elastic link 26 allows the member 16 to move relative to the body 12 due to the elasticity of the link.

[0042] The body 12 and the member 16 are fairly stiff. Consequently with the tee in the Figure 2 configuration it is possible for a player to push the tee directly into the ground with the pointed first end penetrating into the ground. There is little or no tendency for the interengaged body, sleeve and member to buckle. The depth to which the tee is inserted can be varied according to individual requirement. This is in the manner of usage of a conventional golf tee. A golf ball 130 is then placed on the receiving formation 48 and can be played by a golfer.

[0043] Figure 12 illustrates a ball 66 positioned on the tee 10 which, in turn, is embedded to a required depth in the ground 68. A head 70 of a golf club, shown in dotted outline, is approaching the ball.

[0044] Figure 13 shows the head 70 impacting the ball 66 and coming into contact with the member 16. The member is displaced to the right in the drawing relatively to the body 12. With further passage of the head 70, as shown in Figure 14, the member 16 is moved far to the right. This movement is accommodated by greater flexure of the link 26. Notwithstanding this degree of movement the member 16 is held captive to the body 12 by means of the cap 36 which abuts the shoulder 58 and which does not readily allow the member to become detached from the intermediate component, and by means of the link which remains firmly engaged with the first hook-shaped formation 22 and which ensures that the intermediate component is kept attached to the body 12.

[0045] The golf tee is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of impact with the member 16 being movable, with corresponding movement of the link connection, relatively to the body. After a strike with a golf club the member 16 can be reengaged with the body, as shown in Figure 2, and the tee is ready for play again.

[0046] If the tee is to be withdrawn from the ground, the player can pull on the member 16 and the body is thereby withdrawn from the ground.

[0047] The first and second hook-shaped formations securely anchor the intermediate component to the body 12 and the member 16 respectively. If the member 16 is struck by a golf club it is deflected transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tee. When this happens considerable stresses are imparted to the intermediate component due to bending and tensile forces. The intermediate component can therefore flex about the anchor formation without generating stresses which could lead to premature failure of the intermediate component. It has been found through experimentation and testing that the golf tee of the invention is capable of being used a number of times without failure even if repeatedly directly hit by a heavy golf club moving at speed.

[0048] Figures 4 and 5 show a variation 10A of the golf tee of the invention in which the elongate link is elastic. Figures 6, 7, 8, and Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate variations 10B and 10C respectively of a golf tee according to another form of the invention in which the elongate link is flexible. Like reference numbers are used to designate like components.

[0049] The different embodiments of the golf tee 10 have strong similarities and for this reason only the differences between the different embodiments are described hereinafter.

[0050] The golf tee 10A has a body 12A with an anchor formation 22A which is formed into the second end 2OA and which includes a recess 72 which extends axially into the body, from the second end, and opposed holes 74 and 76 which extend transversely from the recess to outer walls of the body. The intermediate component 14A includes, at one end, a securing formation in the form of a first pin 80, and, at an opposing end, a retaining formation in the form of the second pin 84. Each pin is engaged with a respective eyelet 28. The member 16A has a passage 42A with a small shoulder 5OA at an intermediate location which is at a base of a groove 86. The second pin 84 is sized so that, once the pin is inserted into the groove, the pin engages frictionally with the groove and extends transversely inside the passage. The shoulder 5OA is located at an upper end 52A of a retaining section 54A of the passage which has a cross-section 56A which is less that the cross- section 58A of the second pin 84.

[0051] Figure 5 illustrates the golf tee 10A fully assembled. The second pin 84 is engaged with the upper eyelet 28. An opposing end of the link is thereafter threaded through the passage 42A and the first pin is located within the groove 86. The opposing end of the link is then positioned inside the recess 72, by stretching the link to some extent, so that the opposing lower eyelid 28 can be aligned with the holes 74 and 76. The first pin 80 is thereafter threaded through the holes and the eyelet.

[0052] The golf tee is now fully assembled and ready for use.

[0053] The elasticity of the link draws the body 12A and member 16A towards each other and, in doing so, pulls on the first and second pins 80 and 84 respectively. This causes the first pin to engage frictionally with the holes and the second pin with the groove 86.

[0054] Figure 6' shows a variation 10B of the golf tee according to another form of the invention. An anchor formation 22B is formed into the second end 2OB. It includes a recess 72B which extends axially into the body, from the second end. Opposed holes 74B and 76B extend transversely from the recess to an outer sidewall of the body. The recess, towards the second end, has an outwardly flaring sidewall 90 which imparts to that portion of the recess, a conical or, more preferably, a curved conical shape. A rim 92 surrounds a mouth of the recess at the second end. The intermediate component 14B is integrally formed and includes an elongate flexible link 26B having a retaining formation 34B at one end of the link and a securing formation 78B at an opposing end of the link. The retaining formation 34B has a maximum cross-sectional dimension 58B.

[0055] The link 26B, adjacent the securing formation 78B, has a portion 96 which increases in cross-section in a direction away from the retaining formation 34B.

[0056] In manufacture of the golf tee 10B a body 12B is formed in an injection moulding process. Thereafter the body is placed in a suitable mould and rubber is injected into the cavity of the mould to form the intermediate component 14B. The rubber flows into the recess 72B and fills the recess forming spigots 98 and 100 respectively which extend into the hole 74B and 76B. The securing formation thus completely fills the anchor formation for the latter acts as a mould to shape the securing formation.

[0057] A member 16B has a passage 42B which has a small shoulder 5OB at an intermediate location. A retaining section 54B of the passage, adjacent the shoulder, has a cross-sectional dimension 56B which is less than the cross-sectional dimension 58B of the retaining formation. A section 102 of the passage gradually increases in' cross-sectional dimension in a direction towards the end 44B. The

section is generally of complementary shape and size to the portion 96 of the intermediate component. A small shoulder 104 surrounds a mouth 106 of the passage at the end 44B.

[0058] In order to engage the member 16B with the intermediate component 14B the member is placed in boiling water so that it is softer. A flexible element such as a strong thread, not shown, is passed through the passage from an end 46B to an end 44B. A protruding part of the thread is looped around the retaining formation 34B and is then pulled and the member is simultaneously urged towards the body. A leading end of the retaining formation is smoothly curved and tapered so that the leading end passes readily into the passage. As the intermediate component is made from a flexible resilient material it is capable of being slightly compressed while at the same time the member 16B, which has been heated so that it is soft, is capable of expanding to a limited extent. In this way the retaining formation can be pulled through the passage until it is moved passed the shoulder 5OB.

[0059] Figure 7 shows the golf tee with the member 16B engaged with the body 12B. A section 6OB snugly surrounds the second end 2OB of the body. The portion 96 of the intermediate component fits closely into the section 102. In this way the member 16B is aligned axially and longitudinally with the body 12B

[0060] Figure 9, 10 and 11 show another embodiment 10C. A body 12C includes a first lower body section designated 110 and a second upper body section designed 112.

[0061] The lower body section 110 has a pointed first end 18. An elongate spigot 114 defines an upper portion of the body section 110 and extends in a direction which is opposite to that in which the first end 18 points.

[0062] The second body section 112 includes a'fSirly deep socket 116 which has a base 118 in which is formed a hole 120.

[0063] An intermediate component 14C includes an elongate flexible link 26C, a pointed retaining formation 34C at one end of the link and a securing formation 78C at an opposing end of the link. The securing formation is disc shaped and conforms in cross-section and dimensions to a region 122 of the socket adjacent the base 118.

[0064] Figure 10 and 11 show parts of the tee in an assembled relationship in retracted and extended configurations respectively. The retaining formation 34C is inserted into the socket 116 and is forced through the hole 120. The securing formation 78C is brought to the region 122.

[0065] The spigot 114 is then inserted into the socket 116. These components can be fixed to each other in any appropriate way, for example by means of ultrasonic welding, the use of a suitable adhesive, interengagement of complementary formations, or the like.

[0066] The member 16C is engaged with the intermediate component 14C in a similar manner to which has been described hereinbefore.

[0067] The invention provides a golf tee which can absorb a substantial degree of impact without damage. The various intermediate components allow for the upper part of the golf tee to be movable relative to a ground embedded end of the tee. The interconnecting formations between the various components of the tee allow for the tee to be pushed into the ground without the tee buckling. The interconnection of the intermediate components with the upper part and lower part of the tee allows the tee to be pulled from the ground.