Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Tee
Patent
1996-07-22
1998-02-24
Wong, Steven B.
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Tee
473396, A63B 5700
Patent
active
057206775
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a sporting apparatus useful in connection with the game of golf. More particularly this invention relates to an adjustable height golf tee.
BACKGROUND ART
During golf play, it is permissible to use a golf tee--usually a small wooden or plastic peg--to hold a golf ball in an elevated position before striking it with a golf club. The rules of golf normally provide for the use of a golf tee in this manner for the first stroke of each hole.
When playing a tee shot, the player has the option of using a club known as a "wood" or driver, which has a hitting face approaching the vertical, or an iron, which has a more inclined hitting face. A driver is considered more difficult to use and most players prefer to tee the ball in a high position when using a driver. However, when using an iron, many players will "sky" the ball if the tee is in a high position and consequently for tee shots using an iron it is the common practice to push the tee further into the ground so that the ball is teed in a low position.
There are practical difficulties encountered during these procedures. Often, the ground is so compacted or cold that the tee cannot be driven into the ground sufficiently to permit the tee to assume the "low" position. Attempts to force the tee into the ground can break the tee. Even if the tee can be driven into the ground to the desired extent, it is often broken if hit by the iron club, whereas if the tee had been higher, club contact may only lift the tee out of the ground and displace it.
In addition, an average size tee is often too short to achieve the desired "high" position. Some players find it necessary to carry two types of tee: the average size tee for iron shots and extra long tees for use with a driver.
It is an object of this invention to overcome or at least alleviate the difficulties described above, by providing a tee which can be used for both "high" and "low" shots.
The appearance and manufacture of conventional golf tees is well known. The conventional tee has a (usually concave) head, on which a golf ball may be supported, and a shaft, usually ending in a point, to enable the tee to be driven into the ground.
This invention provides a golf tee having a head portion and a shaft portion, characterised in that the head portion is adjustable in relation to the shaft portion to vary the length of the tee, and further characterised in that the tee includes a writing point and/or an eraser.
Preferably, the head portion of the tee includes a sleeve adapted to assume a plurality of positions in relation to the shaft portion. The sleeve may be mounted on the shaft or on an extension of the shaft and movable thereon by any suitable means. For example, the sleeve may be screw-threaded on an extension of the shaft provided for that purpose. Other arrangements may also be suitable, for example, the so-called "multi-start" configuration, or a friction-fit, optionally including a stop for each position of the sleeve on the shaft extension.
The means for adjusting the head portion in relation to the shaft portion are not limited to a sleeve as described. Other constructions will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention.
The tee of the invention may be manufactured from any suitable material. Moulded plastic is preferred, but wood or metal, including common metals and even silver and gold, may be used in the manufacture of the golf tee of the present invention.
The tee of the present invention includes a writing point and/or an eraser. Preferably, the tee of the invention includes both a writing point and an eraser. These features may take the form described in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU93/00042, the contents of which are imported herein by reference.
When the tee of the present invention includes an eraser and a sleeve, in one preferred embodiment, the eraser is located near the head of the tee. The sleeve is adapted to assume three positions in relation to the shaft portion: a first position wherein the
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