Golf tees

Abstract

A golf tee may include a shaft and a head attached to the shaft. The head may include a base, a rear portion extending upward from the rear of the base, and opposing side portions extending upward from the opposing sides of the base, thereby forming a hollow interior between the top and side portions of the base. The rear portion may include a raised support extending upward from the top of the rear portion, forming a rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee. The top of each side portion may form a rail having an upper surface. The upper surface of the rear of each rail may be positioned beneath a raised support. The upper surface may be angled upward toward the front of the rail, forming a front support point at the front of each rail.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf tee. [[Background Art]]

[0002] A golf tee is used to lift a golf ball from the ground. A typical golf tee includes a cup-shaped head and a shaft extending downwardly from the head. The shaft is inserted into the ground to position the head at a desired height. A golf ball is placed on the cup-shaped head and may then be hit using a golf club. Some golf tees designed to reduce friction are configured such that circular prongs are disposed on the head. [[Summary of the Invention]]

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a golf tee. In particular, a golf tee configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can facilitate improved contact between a club face and a golf ball, and can reduce interference when the golf ball leaves the golf tee. As a result, a golf ball hit from such a golf tee can have greater distance, spin, trajectory, or other improvements.

[0004] In some embodiments, a golf tee can include a shaft and a head coupled to the shaft. The head may include a base, a rear portion extending upwardly from a rear of the base, and opposing side portions extending upwardly from the opposing side portions of the base, thereby forming a hollow interior above the base and between the side portions. The rear portion may include a raised support extending upwardly from an upper portion of the rear portion to form a rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee. An upper portion of each side portion may form a rail. Each rail may have a top surface. A top surface of a rear portion of each rail may be disposed below the raised support of the rear portion, and the top surface may be angled upwardly toward a front portion of the rail to form a front support point at the front portion of each rail for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee.

[0005] In some embodiments, each rail may extend forward beyond the front of the base such that the front support point is located in front of the front of the base.

[0006] In some embodiments, the front portion of each side section and the front portion of the base may form a front opening into the hollow interior.

[0007] In some embodiments, the front portion of each side section may extend rearward and downward from the front of the respective rail toward the front of the base.

[0008] In some embodiments, the upper surface of the front of each rail may be flattened relative to the rest of the upper surface. The flattened portion of the upper surface may form the respective front support point.

[0009] In some embodiments, the front and rear support points may be in the same plane, and the upper surface of the rail may be oriented downward at a certain angle from the plane.

[0010] In some embodiments, the angle from the plane may be about 6 degrees.

[0011] In some embodiments, the shaft may be angled backward from an axis perpendicular to the plane.

[0012] In some embodiments, the angle of the shaft with respect to the axis may be about 3 degrees.

[0013] In some embodiments, the raised support may extend across the width of the rear portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the raised support may extend over a portion of the width of the rear section.

[0015] In some embodiments, the raised support may extend upward only from opposing sides of the rear portion, thereby forming two rear support points.

[0016] In some embodiments, the shaft may include one or more steps.

[0017] In some embodiments, the front portion of the rear section may include ribs.

[0018] In some embodiments, each side portion may be joined to a rear portion, thereby enclosing the hollow interior with the rear and side portions of the head.

[0019] In some embodiments, the golf tee may include a shaft and a head coupled to the shaft. The head may include a base, a rear portion extending upward from the rear of the base, and opposing side portions extending upward from the opposing sides of the base and forward from the rear portion, thereby forming a hollow interior between the upper and side portions of the base. The hollow interior may include a front opening. The rear portion may include a raised support extending upward from the top of the rear portion, forming at least one rear support point for supporting a golf ball in the head of the golf tee. The tops of each side portion may form a rail having an upper surface. The upper surface of the rear of each rail may be positioned below the raised support of the rear portion, and the upper surface of the front of each rail may be positioned above the raised support, forming a front support point for supporting a golf ball in the head of the golf tee.

[0020] In some embodiments, the front support point and at least one rear support point may be in the same plane, and the shaft may be angled backward with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane.

[0021] In some embodiments, the front portion of each side and the front portion of the base may form a front opening.

[0022] In some embodiments, the front support point may be located in front of the front of the base.

[0023] In some embodiments, a golf tee may include a shaft and a head coupled to the shaft. The head may include a base, a rear portion extending upward from a rear of the base, and opposite side portions extending upward from opposite sides of the base. The rear portion may include a raised support that extends upward from an upper portion of the rear portion and forms a rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee. An upper portion of each side portion may form a rail having an upper surface. An upper surface of a rear portion of each rail may be disposed below the raised support of the rear portion, and an upper surface of a front portion of each rail may be disposed above the raised support of the rear portion, forming a front support point at the front portion of each rail for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee. The front support point may be disposed forward of a front portion of the base. The rear support point and the front support points may lie within the same plane, and the shaft may be angled rearward from an axis perpendicular to the plane.

[0024] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] It is to be understood that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof. The present disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the golf tee of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a rear view of the golf tee of Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the golf tee of Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a top view of the golf tee of Figure 1. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the golf tee of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the golf tee of FIG. 1 when the shaft of the golf tee is oriented vertically. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another golf tee constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] In the present specification and claims, the terms "front" and "rear" are used to refer to portions of the golf tee that are intended to be positioned toward the golfer's front foot and rear foot, respectively, when the golfer hits a golf ball supported by the golf tee. For example, for a right-handed golfer, it is intended that the rear portion of the golf tee is on the golfer's right side and the front portion of the golf tee is on the golfer's left side. The term "side" is used to refer to a portion of the golf tee that extends between the front and rear portions of the golf tee. For example, when a golfer hits a golf ball supported on the golf tee, the inner side of the golf tee faces the golfer, and the outer side of the golf tee faces away from the golfer. The term "approximately" should be construed to encompass the stated value and values within 10% of the stated value.

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 6 show an example of a golf tee 50 constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The golf tee 50 includes a head 100 and a shaft 200. The shaft 200 extends downwardly from the head 100, and thus can be inserted into the ground to position the head 100 at a desired height above the ground. However, in some embodiments, the head 100 may be disposed on another shaft. For example, the head 100 may be coupled to a shaft configured to be semi-permanently integrated into a mat at a driving range.

[0028] The head 100 includes a base 110 to which the head 100 is coupled to a shaft 200, a rear portion 120 extending upward from the base 110, and opposing side portions 130 extending upward from opposing sides of the base 110 and forward from the rear portion 120. The head 100 does not include a front portion such that the front opening 141 is located in a hollow interior 140 formed between the upper and side portions 130 of the base 110.

[0029] The rear portion 120 may include a raised support 121 extending upward from the upper part 120a of the rear portion 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised support 121 extends across the width of the rear portion 120 and forms a surface 121a on which the golf ball can be supported when the golf ball is supported by the golf tee 50. Thus, the surface 121a forms a rear support point 150a for the golf ball (not shown). In this context, the width of the rear portion 120 can be considered as the distance between the opposing side portions 130. In other embodiments, the raised support 121 may traverse the rear portion 120 over a smaller area, such as only the middle section of the rear portion 120. In some embodiments, this middle section may encompass up to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or another percentage of the width of the rear portion 120. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 120b of the rear portion 120 may include ribs 122 that can reinforce the rear portion 120 against the force of a golf club.

[0030] Each side portion 130 may include a rail 131 that forms the top of the side portion. The rear portion 131a of each rail 131 can be coupled to the rear portion 120. In some embodiments, the upper surface 131c of each rail 131 at the rear portion 131a may be substantially horizontal with respect to the top portion 120a. As best shown in Figure 2, the upper surface 131c may be inclined upward at an angle (θ) toward the front portion 131b of each rail 131. The upper surface 131c of the front portion 131b of each rail 131 may form a front support point 150b. Thus, the head 100 forms three points for supporting the golf ball. In some embodiments, as best shown in Figure 2, the rear support point 150a and the front support point 150b may be located in the same plane.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, when the golf tee 50 is tilted backward, the rear support point 150a and the front support point 150b may be located on the horizontal plane 300. In some embodiments, the angle (θ) at which the upper surface 131c is oriented relative to the horizontal plane 300 may be 2° to 10°, 4° to 8°, 5° to 7°, or about 6°. This angle of the upper surface 131c minimizes contact between the head 100 and the golf ball and facilitates launching the golf ball at a desired launch angle when struck from the golf tee 50, as described below with reference to Figure 7. In some embodiments, the portion of the upper surface 131c forming the front support point 150b may be flatter than the rest of the upper surface 131c to further minimize interference between the rail 131 and the golf ball when the golf ball is struck.

[0032] In some embodiments, the front portion 130b of each side portion 130 may extend rearward and downward from the front portion 131b of the rail 131 toward the front portion 110b of the base 110. Thus, the front support point 150b can be positioned in front of the front portion 110b of the base 110. In some embodiments, the front portion 130b may curve rearward and downward relative to the front portion 110b of the base 110. Thus, the material of the golf tee 50 is not positioned between or below the front support point 150b.

[0033] The shaft 200 includes an upper section 200a coupled to the base 110 of the head 100 and a lower section 200b that forms the bottom of the golf tee 50. In some embodiments, the shaft 200 may include multiple segments of different diameters or thicknesses. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 200 includes an upper section 201, a first intermediate section 202, a second intermediate section 203, and a lower section 204. The first intermediate section 202 may have a smaller diameter than the upper section 201, and the second intermediate section 203 may have a smaller diameter than the first intermediate section 202, thereby creating steps 205a and 205b, respectively. The upper section 201, the first intermediate section 202, and the second intermediate section 203 can be configured relative to each other to position steps 205a and 205b at a desired height from the ground, such that the distance from the bottom 200b represents the insertion depth of the head 100, and thus the shaft 200 in which the golf ball is placed. In such embodiments, the golfer can quickly and easily position the golf ball at the desired height by inserting the shaft 200 until the step 205a or step 205b is horizontal with the ground. The bottom 204 can be tapered to facilitate insertion of the shaft 200 into the ground.

[0034] In some embodiments, the shaft 200 may be angled backward with respect to the horizontal plane 300, as best shown in Figure 2. For example, in a golf tee 50 oriented to form the horizontal plane 300, the angle (α) of the shaft 200 with respect to the vertical may be 1° to 5°, 2° to 4°, or about 3°.

[0035] Figure 7 is identical to Figure 2, except that the golf tee 50 has been rotated so that the shaft 200 is vertical. In some embodiments, the orientation of the golf tee 50 in Figure 7 may be the intended orientation of the golf tee 50 in use. In this orientation, the front support point 150b is positioned at a height (h) above the rear support point 150a. The face of a golf club, such as a driver, is tilted upward. Therefore, by positioning the front support point 150b above the rear support point 150a, the golf ball can be supported in a manner that generally corresponds to the orientation of the face of the golf club, minimizing interference between the golf ball and the rail 131 and / or increasing the launch angle of the golf ball. Furthermore, this positioning of the rear support point 150a below the front support point 150b allows more than one-third of the weight of the golf ball to be supported by the rear support point 150a, thereby allowing the face of the golf club to respond more when the golf ball is struck. For example, the Golf Tee 50 makes it easier to hit the golf ball either above or below the center line of the clubface, allowing you to achieve greater topspin or backspin, respectively.

[0036] Figure 8 shows one possible modification of the golf tee 50. In Figure 8, the raised support 121 extends upward only from opposing sides of the rear portion 120. In other words, in such an embodiment, the raised support 121 can be considered to have a central notch, or the rear portion 120 can be considered to have opposing, spaced-apart raised support 121. In either case, in such an embodiment, the surface 121a forms two rear support points 150a such that the head 100 forms a total of four support points. Providing two rear support points 150a in this way can further minimize interference between the golf ball and the head 100 when the golf ball is struck.

Claims

1. It is a golf tee, The shaft and A head coupled to the shaft, the head comprising: a base; a rear portion extending upward from the rear of the base; and opposing side portions extending upward from opposing sides of the base, thereby forming a hollow interior between the upper and side portions of the base; Equipped with, The aforementioned rear portion includes a raised support portion that extends upward from the upper part of the rear portion and forms a rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee, The upper part of each side portion forms a rail, each rail has an upper surface, the upper surface of the rear of each rail is positioned beneath the raised support of the rear portion, the upper surface is inclined upward toward the front of the rail, forming a front support point at the front of each rail to support the golf ball on the head of the golf tee. Each side portion is connected to the rear portion, thereby enclosing the hollow interior of the head with the rear and side portions, in a golf tee.

2. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein each rail extends forward beyond the front of the base such that the front support point is located in front of the front of the base.

3. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the front portions of each side and the front portion of the base form a front opening into the hollow interior.

4. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein the front portion of each side portion extends rearward and downward from the front portion of the respective rail toward the front portion of the base.

5. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the front portion of each rail is flattened compared to the rest of the upper surface, and the flattened portion of the upper surface forms the respective front support point.

6. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the front support point and the rear support point are in the same plane, and the upper surface of the rail is oriented downward at a certain angle from the plane.

7. The golf tee according to claim 6, wherein the angle from the plane is approximately 6 degrees.

8. The golf tee according to claim 6, wherein the shaft is inclined backward from an axis perpendicular to the plane.

9. The golf tee according to claim 8, wherein the angle of the shaft with respect to the axis is approximately 3 degrees.

10. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the raised support extends over the width of the rear portion.

11. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the raised support extends over a portion of the width of the rear portion.

12. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the raised support extends upward only from opposing sides of the rear portion, thereby forming two rear support points.

13. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the shaft includes one or more sections.

14. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the front part of the rear portion includes a rib.

15. It is a golf tee, The shaft and A head coupled to the shaft, the head includes a base, a rear portion extending upward from the rear of the base, and opposing side portions extending upward from opposing side portions of the base and forward from the rear portion, thereby forming a hollow interior between the top and side portions of the base, the hollow interior including a front opening, Equipped with, The aforementioned rear portion includes a raised support portion that extends upward from the upper part of the rear portion and forms at least one rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee, The upper part of each side portion forms a rail, each rail has an upper surface, the upper surface of the rear of each rail is positioned below the raised support of the rear portion, and the upper surface of the front of each rail is positioned on the raised support, forming a front support point for supporting the golf ball on the head of the golf tee. The front portion of each side section extends rearward and downward from the front portion of the corresponding rail toward the front portion of the base, and the front portion of each side section and the front portion of the base form the front opening of a golf tee.

16. The golf tee according to claim 15, wherein the front support point and the at least one rear support point are in the same plane, and the shaft is inclined rearward with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane.

17. The golf tee according to claim 15, wherein the front portion of each side is curved.

18. The golf tee according to claim 15, wherein the front support point is positioned in front of the front part of the base.

19. It is a golf tee, The shaft and A head connected to the shaft, the head comprising a base, a rear portion extending upward from the rear of the base, and opposing side portions extending upward from opposing side portions of the base, Equipped with, The aforementioned rear portion includes a raised support portion that extends upward from the upper part of the rear portion and forms a rear support point for supporting a golf ball on the head of the golf tee, The upper part of each side portion forms a rail, each rail having an upper surface, the upper surface of the rear of each rail positioned below the raised support of the rear portion, and the upper surface of the front of each rail positioned above the raised support of the rear portion, forming a front support point at the front of each rail for supporting the golf ball on the head of the golf tee, the front support point being positioned in front of the front of the base, The rear support point and the front support point are in the same plane, and the shaft is angled backward from an axis perpendicular to the plane. Each side portion is connected to the rear portion, thereby enclosing the hollow interior of the head with the rear and side portions, in a golf tee.

20. The golf tee according to claim 19, wherein the front portion of each side portion extends rearward and downward from the front portion of the corresponding rail toward the front portion of the base, and the front portions of each side portion and the front portion of the base form the front opening.

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