HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE GOLF TEE

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and equipment used in playing and practicing the game of golf. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to an improved golf tee having an adjustable height structure for placement of a golf ball to enable optimum contact by a golf club.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The rules of golf enable a golfer to start every hole with a tee to position the ball above the ground. Typically, golf tees are made of wood or plastic and have a shaft or shank which extends along a substantially constant diameter cross section for a predetermined distance from a pointed end insertable into the ground and then smoothly flares outwardly to an enlarged cup on which the ball is seated.

[0003] The height of the golf ball above the ground is determined by the distance or depth that the pointed end of the tee is inserted into the ground. The ball height above the ground, depending upon the player's action during a golf swing, plays a part in the flight path and distance that the ball will travel when hit. If the height is wrong, i.e. too high above the ground, the ball will travel very high, but not very far down the fairway. Jf the ball height is too low, the ball will not achieve optimal vertical height and it will not, therefore, travel very tar horizontally down the fairway.

[0004] The height of the ball above the ground on each tee shot will vary from golfer to golfer based on an individual's swing. However, a uniform height on each swing is important if the club face is to meet the ball at the same angle each time.

[0005] Setting the ball at the same height each time the golfer swings a drive, a fairway wood, iron or wedge improves a golfer's confidence and provides for repeated consistency in hitting the ball in the center of the face of the club selected.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a height adjustable golf tee which, in one example includes an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a tab structure projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end of the shank. An adjustable stop member is mounted for separate vertical and rotational movement on the shank from an unlocked position to a locked position. The adjustable member is formed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotational Iy receiving the tab structure and providing an interference member frictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect the locking position. [0007] At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member can be provided with locating structure for enabling locating the adjustable stop member at a discrete height position along a length of the shank. The tab structure includes a plurality of resilient, fin-shaped tabs extending from at least one side of the shank. The tab structure is frictionally retained in a seat formed in the internal cavity adjacent the interference member. The adjustable stop member has a substantially flat upper surface. At least a portion of the tab structure is held in the locked position within the adjustable stop member. A slide channel receives the lab structure during vertical sliding movement of the adjustable stop member along the shank, and extends from the flat upper surface of the adjustable stop member to a locking channel beneath the upper surface for rotatably receiving the tab structure. The locking channel has a curved outer wall and a flat top wall. [0008] In another example, a height adjustable golf tee includes an elongated shank have a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end, and a tab structure projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end. An adjustable member mounted for vertical sliding and rotational movement is provided on the shank to establish variable heights for the ball supporting top end of the shank above a ground surface by preventing insertion of the shank into the ground surface beyond the bottom surface of the adjustable member. The adjustable member has a body formed

internally with a slide channel for slidably receiving the tab structure when the adjustable member is moved vertically along the shank. The body is also formed internally with a locking channel for rotatably receiving the tab structure between an unlocked and a locked position, and providing an interference member fπcticmally engageable with the tab structure to effect the locking position in a seat formed in the locking channel.

[0009] In another example, a height adjustable golf tee having a shank with a bail supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a tab structure projecting from the shank, and an adjustable stop member slidable along a shank to an adjustment position and rotatable about the periphery of the shank between unlocked and locked positions. The adjustable stop member is formed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotatably receiving the tab structure, and providing an interference member fractionally engageable with the tab structure to effect a locking condition. At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member is provided with a locating structure for enabling locating the adjustable stop member at the adjustment position along the shank.

[0010] Various other objects, features and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention, [0012] In the drawings:

[0013] Fig. I is a perspective view of a height adjustable golf tee;

[0014] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of Fig. 1 ;

[0015] Fig. 3 is a front elevationai view of a shank used in the golf tee of Fig. 1 ;

[0016] Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; [0017] Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

[0018] Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an adjustable nut/stopper used in the golf tee of Fig. 1 ;

[0019] Fig. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the adjustable nut/stopper;

[0020] Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

[0021] Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

[0022] Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1 showing the adjustable nut/stopper in cross section;

[0023] Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged sectional view depicting rotational movement of the adjustable nut/stopper towards a locking position relative to the shank of the golf tee;

[0024] Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the adjustable nut/stopper in a locked position on the shank of the golf tee;

[0025] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the height adjustable golf tee in a locked position;

[0026] Fig. 14 is an enlarged top perspective view of the adjustable nut/stopper used in the golf tee of Fig. 13;

[0027] Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of the shank used in the golf tee of

Fig. 13;

[0028] Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 rotated 90° counterclockwise;

[0029] Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 15;

[0030] Fig. 18 is a top view of the adjustable nut/stopper shown in Fig. 14;

[0031] Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

[0032] Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

[0033] Fig. 21 is a front elevational view of Fig. 13 ;

[0034] Fig. 22 is a sectional view of Fig. 21 depicting vertical adjustment of the nut/stopper along the shank of a golf tee;

[0035] Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 depicting rotational movement of the nut/stopper about the shank of the golf tee;

[0036] Fig. 24 is an enlarged sectional view of a locating arrangement between the nut/stopper and the shank as taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 21 ;

[0037] Fig. 25 is a bottom view of Fig. 21 ; and

[0038] Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 25 showing the nut/stopper rotated

90° to a locked position on the shank of the golf tee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figs. 1-12 illustrate a golf tee 10 used for setting the position of a golf ball at a specific height as desired by an individual golfer. The tee 10 is adjustable to different heights relative to a playing surface so that the golfer can select the height that is most desirable for the golfer's swing path. [0040] The tee 10 is generally comprised of an elongated, generally cylindrical shank 12, and an adjustable member in the form of a nut/stopper 14 which is mounted for vertical sliding and rotational adjustment on shank 12 between unlocked and locked positions, fn a preferred embodiment, the tee 10 is comprised of a synthetic plastic with corn starch or another additive. [0041] As best seen in Figs. 1-3, the shank 12 has a ball supporting top end or cup 16 which is concavely recessed to seat a golf ball, A peripheral edge of the cup 16 is formed with ribs 18 to help a golfer grip the tee 10. The top end of the shank 12 is not limited to the cup 16, and may take other forms that support the golf ball in an acceptable manner. The shank 12 extends downwardly from cup 16 and terminates in a tapered bottom end 20 to facilitate placement of shank 12 into a playing surface, typically, grass covered soil.

[0042] A plurality of pairs of resilient, fin-like locking tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 defining tab structure are arranged in suitable vertically spaced apart relationship lengthwise of the shank 12. The tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are designed to be movably received and lockingly engaged within the adjustable nut/stopper 14 to hold the nut/stopper 14 firmly in place on shank 12 to set the golf ball at different heights for different club selections. The uppermost pair of tabs 22 is located adjacent to and beneath the ball supporting cup 16. The lowermost pair of tabs 32 is positioned adjacent to and above the tapered bottom end 20. The tabs of each pair are diametrically disposed with respect to each other, and project

outwardly from the shank 12 such that the tabs form two vertically aligned rows extending lengthwise of the shank 12 as seen most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. This alignment helps create a groove in the soil when the tee 10 is placed in use. [0043] The tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 are of substantially identical thickness and are vertically spaced apart equidistantly along a length of the shank to create a number of gaps 34 (Fig. 3) between adjacent ends thereof. Each of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 has an upper surface 36, a lower surface 38 and an outer surface 40 which is sloped inwardly at 42 to aid the golfer when the tee 10 is pulled from the soil. Each of the lowermost tabs 32 has an upper surface 44, and an outer surface 46 which is specially designed to slope inwardly at 48 at a top end, and also slope or taper inwardly at 50 towards the tapered bottom end 20 of the shank 12. The tabs 32 are sloped at 50 with a draft angle formed advantageously to split the soil as the tee 10 is pushed downwardly therein. A tip 52 of the shank 12 is rounded off to prevent any injury to a golfer handling the tee 10. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the periphery of the shank 12 is provided with circumferential indentations 54 formed immediately below the lower surfaces 38 of tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. The indentations 54 serve as locating structure to help the golfer determine a desired vertical adjustment position of the nut/stopper 14 along the length of shank 12. The bottom outer corner 56 of each of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 has a soft radius to further facilitate insertion of tee 10 into the soil. It should be understood that the shank 12 may have different lengths and different numbers of tabs to satisfy the desired design of the individual golfer.

[0044] The adjustable nut/stopper 14 is configured to be adjustably fixed orthogonal to the shank 12 at predetermined locations longitudinally thereof to act as a stop for positioning the cup 16 at predetermined heights above the soil. [0045] Referring now to figs. 6-12, the nut/stopper 14 has a generally frusto- conical body 58 having a flat upper surface 60, a flat lower surface 62, and a flaring sidewall formed with ribbing 64 completely thereon. The ribbing 64 creates a surface that can be easily gripped when twisting the tee 10 and locking the nut/stopper 14 in place on shank 12. The nut/stopper body 58 has a height which

corresponds to the vertical distance between a lowermost surface of cup 16 and the lower surface 38 of tab 22, the lower surfaces 38 between any adjacent tab pair 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and between lower surfaces 38 of tab pair 30 and the outer surface 46 oftab pair 32.

[0046] As best depicted in Fig. 7, the nut/stopper 14 is formed with an internal cavity that includes a slide channel 66 for slidably receiving the tab structure on shank 12 when the nut/stopper 14 is moved vertically along the shank 12, and a locking channel 68 for rotatably receiving the tab structure on shank 12 between an unlocked position and a locked position.

[0047] The slide channel 66 is provided in the shape a key hole having a concentric bore 70 for snuggly and slidably receiving the periphery of shank 12. Slide channel 66 further includes a pair of notches 72 extending radially from the wall of bore 70 for slidably receiving any of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32. The slide channel 66 opens into the locking channel 68 which includes a pair of curved slightly flared or ramped outer walls 74 and a pair of top walls 76. The walls 74 and 76 are designed to provide 90° of rotary travel of the tab structure between the unlocked and locked positions.

[0048] The outer walls 74 are each uniquely formed with an interference snap bead 78 that is located adjacent a locking seat 80 spaced about 90° from notch 72. The seats 80 are shaped to receive and positively retain the tab structure. [0049] In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14 is slidable up and down along tab structure of the shank 12 to a variety of height adjustment positions generally defined by the placement of the bottom surface 62 of nut/stopper 14 immediately above one of the locator indentations 54 formed on shank 32 as illustrated in Fig. 10. Once in a vertical unlocked adjustment position, the nut/stopper 14 may be twisted 90° counterclockwise such that the outer surfaces 40 of tabs 26 frictionally move along the ramped outer walls 74, and the upper surfaces 36 of tabs 26 travel along the top walls 76. During the twisting movement, the lower surfaces 38 of tabs 26 are aligned with the lower surface 62 of nut/stopper 14. When the resilient tabs 26 approach 90° of rotary travel, the outer surfaces 40 engage the interference

beads 78 formed on outer walls 74 and flex back as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1 1. As a golfer applies more rotational pressure, the outer surfaces 40 of the tabs 26 travel over the beads 78 into the seats 80 creating an audible snap sound and tactile response signaling the locked position of the nut/stopper 14 on the shank 12 as shown in Fig. 12. Here, the nut/stopper 14 is prevented from further movement relative to the shank 12 in both the vertical and counterclockwise rotational directions. Once in the locked position, the tee 10 may be pressed into the ground until the lower surface 62 of nut/stopper 14 contacts the soil thereby establishing a desired height position for the cup 16 which may then be loaded with the golf ball. [0050] Once the ball is driven from the cup 16, the tee 10 is extracted from the ground with the help of the upper structure of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32. The golfer is then free to unlock the nut/stopper 14 by applying a clockwise twist, and sliding the nut/stopper 14 to a different vertical height position for a different club, if desired. It should be understood that any dirt retained on the shank 12 after being pulled from the ground will be subsequently removed by the sliding of the nut/stopper 14 on shank 12.

[0051] Figs. 13-26 show an alternative embodiment of a golf tee 10a having a shank 12a and an adjustable nut/stopper 14a. The shank 12a has a ball supporting cup 16a and a tapered bottom end 12a. A plurality of resilient, fin-like locking tabs 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a and 32a project outwardly in vertical alignment from only one side of the shank 12a. Each of the tabs 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, 32a has a generally rectangular shape defined by a horizontal upper surface 36a, a horizontal lower surface 38a and a vertical outer surface 40a as seen in Fig. 22. A series of aligned locator indentations 54a are formed along the length of shank 12, and extend partially around the shank 12a at positions located beneath the tab lower surfaces 38a and spaced rotationally therefrom.

[0052] The adjustable nut/stopper 14a includes a frusto-conical body 58a having a flat upper surface 60a, a flat lower surface 62a and a sidewall which may be formed completely with ribbing 64a (Fig. 13) or partially with ribbing 82 along a lower periphery thereof (Fig. 14). fn the latter design, the sidewall of body 58a is

provided with an area 84 for indicia such as a logo or the like. In addition, the flat upper surface 60a is provided with a directional arrow 86, a symbol 88 representing the unlocked position of the nut/stopper 14a and a symbol 90 representing the locked position of the nut/stopper 14a.

[0053] The nut/stopper 14a is constructed with an internal cavity having a slide channel 66a defined by a concentric bore 70a and a single notch 72a extending radially from the wall of bore 70a. As shown in Figs. 18-21 , the upper end of bore 70a is provided with a projecting nub 92 which is engageable with the indentations 54a as a nut/stopper 14a is moved up and down along shank 12a. The engagement between the nub 92 and the indentations 54a forms a tactile locating arrangement to help the golfer in selecting the desired vertical height adjustment position of the nut/stopper 14a on the shank 12a. Slide channel 66a opens into a locking channel 68a having a top wall 76a and a curved outer wall 74a formed with an interference snap bead 78a adjacent a locking seat 80a. [0054] In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14a is slidable up and down along the tabs 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, and 32a of the shank 12a as depicted in Figs. 21 and 22. During the vertical sliding movement, the nub 92 on nut/stopper 14a sequentially engages a respective indentation 54a corresponding to each tab 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, 32a, In the example illustrated, the tactile engagement of nub 92 with the indentations 54a beneath tab 24a identifies a height adjustment position wherein tab 26a is slidably received in the unlocked position within the nut/stopper 14a as illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25. Nut/stopper 14a is then twisted counterclockwise as shown in Figs. 23 and 26 to move upper surface 36a of tab 26a long top wall 76a and outer surface 40a of tab 26a along outer wall 74a snapping over bead 78a and into the seat 80a which defines the locked position. Besides the audio and tactile signal indicating the locked position of nut/stopper 14a, the golfer may visually observe the unlocked position of the tab 26a within the nut/stopper 14a by means of the unlocked symbol 88, and easily determine that twisting of the nut/stopper 14a in the direction of arrow 86 will lead to the locked position represented by the lock symbol 90.

[0055] The design of the tees 10, 10a is extremely positive keeping the respective nut/stoppers 14, 14a in a secured locked position even after contact with the face of the golf club. The tab structure on each tee serves to hold the nut/stoppers 14, 14a in place, create a snapping, tactile response when locked in place and acts Io anchor the tee in the ground.

[0056] The locking tab structure effectively holds the adjustable nut/stoppers 14, 14a firmly in position to set the golf ball at different heights for different club conditions. The tees 10, 10a can be set at the highest bail position for the driver and at the lowest ball position for wedge shots. Care must be taken by the golfer to properly set the height position of the tee to avoid popping the ball high into the air or driving the ball into the ground. Given that each golfer has a different swing pattern, the tees 10, 10a are designed to be capable of always placing the golf ball in the center of the club face for each different golf club. The height at which the bail is placed needs to be consistent and repetitive in order for the golfer to gain confidence and repetitively hit the ball well. The tees 10, 10a provide multiple settings to always put the ball at the same height based on the golfer's preference and experience. The tees may be used with success for instruction and training of new golfers as well as for refinement of the game by seasoned golf players. [0057] The present disclosure thus provides a unique and effective means for easily locating the sliding adjustable nut/stopper at a desired height adjustment along the shank of a golf tee, and securing tab structure of the shank in a snap fit, locked position internally within the nut/stopper as it is rotated about the shank. [0058] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with the following claims.