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Golf teeRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Tee, Relatively Movable Sections, Pivotal About Distinct Horizontal AxisGolf tee description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070249433, Golf tee. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/643,646, entitled "Golf Tee," filed Jan. 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to golf equipment and more particularly to an improved golf tee for use in teeing a golf ball during a round of golf or during driving practice. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Golf is an outdoor recreational game that was invented in Scotland at some time pre-1500 and is enjoyed worldwide today. Each hole begins with a tee box and concludes with a manicured grass area known as a green. It is conventional to begin play at each hole from the tee box by driving or stroking a golf ball with the head of a golf club. The tee box is a well-traveled area that often does not provide a desirable grass surface for ball striking. As a result, a player is permitted by rule to elevate his ball above the ground upon a golf tee. In this elevated position, a properly struck ball will travel farther and on a more predictable path as compared to a ball struck while resting upon the ground. As a result, the use of golf tees in playing the game of golf and in practicing golf is essentially compulsory. [0004] It is accepted that distance off the tee is an important factor in determining success in the game of golf. Distance increases of only several yards are consider material by many players. Therefore, any equipment improvement adding driving length is significant regardless of apparent relevant scope, such as for example, a 5 yard increase to a 225 yard drive. [0005] Most golf tees are made of white birch, other suitable woods, or high density plastics. Conventional tees are about 21/8 inches in length and are defined by a head and a connecting stem. In order to accommodate the increasing size of driver heads, extended length tees are also available. The stem of a conventional tee may be 1/8 to 3/16 inches in diameter. Advertising is often printed along the narrow stem. The stem terminates in a point at one end for insertion into the ground. At an opposing end, the head has a circular-shaped top surface which is slightly concave and adapted to mate to and support a golf ball. To tee up a golf ball, a player will typically hold the ball with his palm, then using his fingers, press the tee head's concave surface in contact with the ball. In this position, the tee is often supported by the stem between two fingers. Next, the tee stem point is inserted into the ground to a depth that varies based on a player's habits, skills or attentiveness. [0006] When a golf ball is struck while upon a conventional tee, the tee inhibits movement of the ball in the direction stuck. Factors contributing to the tee's inhibiting forces include contact surface area with the ball, the coefficients of friction of the tee material, and the rigidity of the tee in an inserted position. [0007] The present invention provides a new and improved golf tee. The golf tee has several benefits over tees known in the art, including increased ball flight and ground roll distance, enhanced depth insertion features, and increased advertising space. The increased ball flight distance is a factor of smaller ball contact surface area, the use of a material with reduced coefficients of friction, and a tee stem with decreased rigidity. The improved tee design also offers an increased surface area for advertising and is less prone to breakage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In an illustrated embodiment of the invention, a golf tee for use in teeing a golf ball is disclosed. For several reasons, the present invention permits longer ball flight and longer ground travel after landing as compared to conventional wood tees. The tee is constructed of material having lower coefficients of friction than birch wood and other conventional materials. The ball engaging surface is much smaller than conventional tees. Further, the tee is made of an elastomeric material that allows the tee to be bendable in the direction of club head when a golf ball is resting upon the ball engaging surface. [0009] In an embodiment, a golf tee including a stem portion and an elongated base portion is provided. The stem portion includes a flexible tubular-shaped body defining a cavity. The body includes a flared portion terminating at a circular rim defining a golf ball engaging surface. The base has a first end terminating in a point adapted for insertion into the ground. The tee further includes depth gauge indicia on an exterior surface of the golf tee for use by a player to insert the golf tee into the ground to a pre-determined depth. The stem portion and base portion are integrally constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by an injection molding process. Other materials having similar properties can also be used. [0010] A method of reducing spin on a golf ball struck off a golf tee is also disclosed. [0011] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a golf tee of the present invention, showing the golf tee in application inserted into a tee box and supporting a golf ball; [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf tee made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the golf tee of FIG. 2, showing a three-piece assembly; [0015] FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of a golf tee made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing an injection molded one-piece golf tee; and [0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the top portion of the golf tee of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] This Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used have their full ordinary meaning. [0018] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a golf tee 10 made in accordance the present invention. The golf tee 10 is shown in application inserted into a tee box 12. The tee box shown is a conventional manicured tee box found on a golf course. The tee box 12 includes a thin grass layer 14 planted over ground base 16. It should be apparent to others with ordinary skill in the art that a tee box is defined as any area suitable for teeing a golf ball, such as for example, a designated area at the beginning of a golf hole, a practice tee area at a golf course, a driving range, or any natural or synthetic area suitable for inserting a tee. Continue reading about Golf tee... Full patent description for Golf tee Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf tee patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf tee or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf club head weight-adjusting structure Next Patent Application: Training device for gymnasium Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf tee patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14036 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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