Tee By The Numbers

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

[1] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a golf tee which overcomes the drawbacks associated with all other adjustable height and conventional golf tees and which conforms to rules of golf set by the RA and USGA.

[2] The object of the present invention is to provide precision height adjustment and tee stability.

Background Art

[3] Generally, a golf tee, which is a device for locating a golf ball at a predetermined height from the ground, is used for increasing a flying distance of a golf ball by minimizing interference against the teeing ground. Different heights are required for different lofts of golf clubs.

[4] As best shown in FIG. 1, the golf tee of the present invention includes a shaft portion, 1, with a lower end portion, 2, tapering to a point, for anchoring the golf tee into the ground and a concave receipt upper end portion, 3, for supporting a golf ball thereon (FIG 2). The end portions 2 and 3 extend from the lower and upper end portions of the shaft 1, respectively. The upper portion 3 includes an annulus top rim 4 for stabilizing the golf ball under normal or windy conditions. The golf tee is preferably molded from high density polypropylene plastic, metal, wood, foam, or other like suitable material.

[5] As best shown in FIG. 1 and 3, the shaft portion 1 includes a plurality of vertically spaced axial ringed grooves 5 spaced VV on center on the shaft portion 1. Preferably eight ringed grooves 5 are provided on the four inch version, four ringed grooves 5 are provided on the two and a half inch version, six ringed grooves 5 are provided on the three and a half inch version. Numerical indicators 6 are either painted or integrally molded across the ringed grooves 5. The diameter Dl, in FIG. 3, of each grooved ring 5 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the shaft 1. The grooved rings 5 are integrally molded with the golf tee. The axial length between each ringed groove is A '(It is noted herewith that the number of slots and their axial lengths may be varied. For example, the number of ringed grooves may vary. Likewise, the distance and size of the ringed grooves 5 and lengths between may also be provided.).

[6] As best shown in FIG. 2 and 4, a height limiter or height setting device 7 has the configuration of an inverted cup design with squared edge and a hole in the middle.

The disc 7 has a generally round hole 8 for receiving the shaft portion 1. Preferably, the diameter of the hole 8 is slightly less than the diameter of the shaft portion 1 for allowing a tight frictional engagement within the ringed grooves 5.

[7] As best shown in FIG. 2 and 4, a height limiter or height setting device 7 has the configuration of an inverted cup design with squared edge and a hole in the middle.

[8] There is no product in the industry that can accurately measure a golf ball tee height within a VV. With the ability to accurately control the tee height each and every time, one positive result is increased speed of play (a very sore subject among golfers on any course). This result is because golfers aren't trying to eyeball measure the height of their golf ball on the tee compared to their many different clubs; with Tee By The Numbers™ the height of the golf ball is guaranteed because of the numbering system.

Tee By The Numbers

Brief Description of Drawings

[9] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing Tee By The Numbers™ golf tee. It's lower portion for anchoring, it's upper portion which the golf ball rests on, it's shaft portion, it's ringed grooves for the height limiter device to click/snap into, and the numbering on the ringed grooves.

[11] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the golf tee of FIG.1 and the height limiter device in FIG. 4 as they work together to support the golf ball in a predetermined height relative to the ground.

[12] FIG 3. is a cross sectional view showing the golf tee of FIG.1 and the dimensional difference between the shaft portion and the numbered ringed grooves (on center).

[13] FIG 4. is a perspective view showing the Tee By The Numbers™ height limiter device. The inverted cup design for additional anchoring, the thickness, and the centered hole for the Tee By The Numbers™ golf tee insertion.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[14] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail referring to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the invention, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[15] As best shown in FIG. 1, the golf tee of the present invention includes a shaft portion, 1, with a lower end portion, 2, tapering to a point, for anchoring the golf tee into the ground and a concave receipt upper end portion, 3, for supporting a golf ball thereon (FIG 2). The end portions 2 and 3 extend from the lower and upper end portions of the shaft 1, respectively. The upper portion 3 includes an annulus top rim 4 for stabilizing the golf ball under normal or windy conditions. The golf tee is preferably molded from high density polypropylene plastic, metal, wood, foam, or other like suitable material.

[16] As best shown in FIG. 1 and 3, the shaft portion 1 includes a plurality of vertically spaced axial ringed grooves 5 spaced VV on center on the shaft portion 1. Preferably eight ringed grooves 5 are provided on the four inch version, four ringed grooves 5 are provided on the two and a half inch version, six ringed grooves 5 are provided on the three and a half inch version. Numerical indicators 6 are either painted or integrally molded across the ringed grooves 5. The diameter Dl, in FIG. 3, of each grooved ring 5 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the shaft 1. The grooved rings 5 are integrally molded with the golf tee. The axial length between each ringed groove is ¹ A '(It is noted herewith that the number of slots and their axial lengths may be varied. For example, the number of ringed grooves may vary. Likewise, the distance and size of the ringed grooves 5 and lengths between may also be provided.).

Tee By The Numbers

[17] Preferably, the disc 7 is molded from high density polypropylene plastic, rubber, wood, metal, foam, or other like suitable material.

[18] As best shown in FIG. 2 and 4, a height limiter or height setting device 7 has the configuration of an inverted cup design with squared edge and a hole in the middle. The disc 7 has a generally round hole 8 for receiving the shaft portion 1. Preferably, the diameter of the hole 8 is slightly less than the diameter of the shaft portion 1 for allowing a tight factional engagement within the ringed grooves 5.

[19] In order to stabilize the height adjustment disc 7 on the shaft portion 1, the thickness T of the disc 7 is provided to be in general correspondence with the height of each ringed groove 5.

[20] As best shown in Fig 2, the height limiter disc 7, is slipped over the shaft portion 1 through the hole 8 thereof, to set the disc 7 in a desired ringed groove 5. Upon anchoring the golf tee into the ground, the height limiter disc 7 would come to rest or imbed itself onto/into the grass to provide a desired height of the golf ball relative to the ground. By sliding the height limiter disc 7 in the slot numbered T, would yield the lowest position for the golf ball to rest above the ground. On the other hand, positioning the height adjustment disc 7 into the ringed groove numbered '8', would yield the highest position for the golf ball relative to the ground.

[21] From the above, one can observe that by positioning the height limiter disc 7 in the same selected numbered ringed groove 6/5, a golfer may achieve the same height for the golf ball relative to the ground in each instance of anchoring the golf tee into the ground. Alternatively, by inserting the golf tee into the height adjustment disc 7 at different numbered ringed grooves 6/5, a golfer can achieve a different height preferred for any golf club chosen consistently.

[22] While this invention has been described as having preferred sequences, ranges, steps, materials, structures, features, or designs, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as those come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

[23] As described above, the Tee By The Numbers™ golf tee and height limited device, working in as a singular mechanism, according to the present invention has the following effects:

[24] First, it may be used in any golf play worldwide. It conforms to the Rules of Golf as set and regulated by the world golf bodies of the United States Golf Association (USA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Association (UK).

[25] Second, its ease of use makes it compatible for all levels of golf play; from a novice to an established golf pro.

[26] Third, its manufacturing cost may be significantly reduced due to its simple configuration.

[27] Lastly, it is easy and takes no little pocket space to carry a few Tee By The Numbers™ golf tees and height limiter discs in ones pocket during a round of golf.