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Golf tee with enhanced aerodynamic dragRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, TeeGolf tee with enhanced aerodynamic drag description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060166765, Golf tee with enhanced aerodynamic drag. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] This invention is a golf tee assembly containing a tee portion which elevates a golf ball and an aerodynamic drag portion to reduce its flight distance after being struck by a golf club. This reduced flight distance along with the relatively large size of the aerodynamic drag portion provides a tee which is relatively easy to find. In a preferred embodiment, the two portions are two distinct members which are adjustably attached. Since the tee is easily found, it is practical to make the tee from a durable but relatively more expensive material, such as polyurethane, providing a tee with an exceptionally long operational life. [0003] 2. Description of Prior Art [0004] Common rules of the game of golf allow the use of a tee to elevate a golf ball above the ground on the first stroke of a hole. This makes striking the ball easier, especially with golf clubs with relatively large heads such as a driver or fairway wood. Tees commonly used today are made from wood or plastic, have a pointed end for insertion into the ground and a recessed top to support a golf ball. When the ball is struck with the club, the tee is usually also struck and an initial velocity is imparted to the tee. This velocity, for any particular club impact, is essentially independent of the tee's mass since the tee's mass is considerably smaller than the mass of the club head. An initial kinetic energy is therefore imparted to the tee, the magnitude of this kinetic energy being essentially proportional to the tee's mass. For a given club impact, a conventional tee can travel a relatively large distance in various directions making it difficult to find. Breakage is also common, especially in the case of wooden tees. Conventional tees therefore have a relatively short life due to loss or breakage. [0005] One way to prevent tee loss is to simply tie the tee to the ground. Two U.S. patents, U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,796 to Echaves (2002) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,348 to Basso (1995) show two methods of tying a tee to the ground. Present United States Golf Association rules prevent using a tee which can be used to indicate an intended line of play. The tethers shown in these two patents probably violate this rule since the tether could be positioned to indicate an intended line of play. [0006] Several patents for golf tees show the use of a disk-shaped member in their construction but which are not optimally effective in reducing the distance the tee can travel after being struck by a golf club. U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,107 to Sand (2002) shows a tee assembly containing a disk-shaped member, but the purpose of the disk-shaped member is to provide consistent elevation of a golf ball above a teeing surface. The diameter of the disk is shown as having a diameter significantly smaller than the diameter of a golf ball which means it would have limited aerodynamic drag. Also, the two members of the tee assembly as shown are relatively easily separated, and if separated, the disk-shaped member would not reduce the flight distance of the ball-supporting member. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,689 to Lettrich (1991) shows another disk-shaped member used to provide consistent ball elevation. Here again, the disk is typically shown as having a diameter considerably smaller than a golf ball, limiting its aerodynamic drag. In addition, the disk and its shank are shown as having a relatively large thickness, thereby resulting in a disk and shank with a relatively large mass. This large mass, combined with the initial velocity imparted to the tee by the club, means the tee assembly will have a relatively large amount of initial kinetic energy and its travel distance will be relatively great. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,161 to Wilkirson (1993) also shows a tee assembly which contains a member having a disk-shaped portion but with a diameter greater than the diameter of a golf ball, but here again this member as shown can easily separate from the ball-supporting member. Also, the member containing the disk-shaped portion is drawn as being relatively large in size, with relatively thick members, and therefore would have a relatively large mass and relatively large travel distance. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,732 to Gallant (1991) shows a tee assembly containing a disk-shaped member attached to a ball-supporting member. The diameter of the disk portion is shown as being appreciably smaller than a golf ball, and the disk portion is shown as being relatively thick which means relatively large mass, and the travel distance of the tee will be relatively large. In addition, one side of the disk portion is shown as having a tapered shape which would have a relatively low aerodynamic drag coefficient (it would be considered to have a good aerodynamic design), and this shape would further reduce the aerodynamic drag. Therefore, this assembly is also not optimally designed to provide enhanced aerodynamic drag with reduced mass. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES [0010] An object of this invention is a golf tee assembly having an aerodynamic drag portion with an aerodynamic drag surface which reduces the distance the tee travels when struck by a golf club. [0011] A further object of this invention is a golf tee assembly having an aerodynamic drag surface with a shape which increases the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the surface. [0012] A further object of this invention is a golf tee assembly which is relatively easy to find because of its reduced travel distance and a relatively large area of its aerodynamic drag surface. [0013] A further object of this invention is a golf tee assembly which is made from an operationally indestructible material, which along with its being relatively easy to find, results in a tee assembly which can be used many times before breakage or loss. [0014] A further object of this invention is a tee assembly which complies with commonly accepted rules of golf. [0015] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. DRAWING FIGURES [0016] FIG. 1 shows a disassembled view of the golf tee of this invention and [0017] FIG. 2 shows in cross-section the tee of this invention placed in the ground with a ball in position to be struck by a golf club. REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS [0018] 5 golf tee assembly [0019] 10 tee portion [0020] 20 tee tip [0021] 30 recessed top [0022] 40 shoulder [0023] 50 shaft [0024] 60 aerodynamic drag portion [0025] 70 drag portion hole [0026] 80 golf ball [0027] 90 ground DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION-FIGS. 1 & 2 [0028] FIG. 1 shows a golf tee assembly 5 of this invention which contains a tee portion 10 for elevating a golf ball and an aerodynamic drag portion 60. Tee portion 10 contains a tip 20 for insertion of assembly 5 in the ground, a recessed top 30 for holding a golf ball, a shoulder 40, and a shaft 50 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of shoulder 40 and top 30. Aerodynamic drag portion 60 contains a hole 70, the diameter of hole 70 being preferably slightly less than the diameter of shaft 50 but certainly smaller than the diameter of shoulder 40 and top 30. A preferred shape for the perimeter of drag portion 60 is a circle, making portion 60 a circular disk, thereby preventing portion 60 and therefore assembly 5 from indicating any preferred direction, therefore complying with common rules of golf. Drag portion 60 is normally made of a relatively resilient material, such as polyurethane, so that hole 70 can be stretched over shoulder 40, therefore positioning and captivating drag portion 60 on shaft 50 between shoulder 40 and top 30. Tip 20, shoulder 40, and shaft 50 form a barb, and with hole 70, portion 10 and aerodynamic drag portion 60 cannot separate. Continue reading about Golf tee with enhanced aerodynamic drag... 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