Golf Tee Modified Concave Support Reduces Interference Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf tees result in significant interference angles and undesirable ball spin due to their design, leading to inconsistent launch trajectories and reduced energy transfer from the club head to the ball.
Innovation Solution
A golf tee with a modified concave upper surface that reduces the interference angle by changing the shape of the ball support from a spherical bowl to a cap-shaped recess, allowing the ball to be supported without relying solely on a circular ridge, thereby minimizing contact area and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional golf tee uses a spherical bowl-shaped recess with a circular resting ridge to support the ball, then the ball is securely positioned, but the interference angle increases causing undesirable ball spin and inconsistent launch trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by transitioning from a spherical bowl-shaped recess to a cap-shaped recess that follows the curvature of the golf ball more closely. The cap-shaped recess is formed by intersecting a sphere (representing the golf ball) with a plane, creating a spherical cap geometry that better matches the ball's surface curvature. This reduces the interference angle between the ball and tee support surface, thereby reducing undesirable ball spin while maintaining stable ball positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the concave upper surface has a large horizontal width to support the ball, then the ball is stable, but the contact area increases causing more friction and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a cap-shaped recess with non-uniform geometry that concentrates support at specific locations rather than distributing it uniformly across a large area. The recess depth and width vary locally to provide optimal support points that minimize contact area and friction while maintaining ball stability. This localized support approach reduces the horizontal width of the recess compared to a spherical bowl, thereby reducing energy loss during ball launch.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a golf tee having a golf ball support and a stem, the support having a modified concave upper surface. The upper concave surface is configured to reduce the support interference angle. During play, a portion of the stem is inserted into the course surface (e.g., tee box surface, soil, sand), at an angle substantially perpendicular to the course surface and at a depth sufficient to allow the golf tee to support or “tee up” a golf ball. When teed, the golf ball nests within a support recess defined by the modified concave upper surface.