Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Tee
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-11-20
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Tee
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319156
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Essential to playing the sport of golf is the golf tee. As is well-known, the tee is utilized to prop up the golf ball above the surface of the ground to thus place the ball in optimal positioning during the initial shot from the tee box of a given hole. Typically, golf tees are made of wood or plastic, and are known to have extremely limited life spans insofar as the impact from the golf club thereagainst can, and almost always does, cause the tee to break or become permanently deformed. Indeed, it is not uncommon for golfers to utilize more than a dozen or so golf tees for a single round of golf.
As a consequence, the golf course, and more particularly the respective tee boxes of the respective holes of a given golf course, can and frequently do rapidly accumulate significant numbers of broken tees that become scattered thereabout. Such scattered tees are not only unsightly and require significant effort to insure that the same do not overly accumulate, but further can cause substantial damage to the golf course itself. In this regard, it is known that such golf tees can become deeply embedded within the tee box, which thus impedes the growth of grass. The latter phenomenon is especially likely due to the frequency by which divots are created as part of the tee-off shot. Indeed, it is widely recognized that the problem posed by broken tees often creates a situation where golfers may find it difficult to even find a suitable area upon the tee box from which to tee off. Moreover, the practice of using easily breakable and difficult to remove golf tees causes the respective tee boxes of the holes of a golf course, to become unsightly, which thus thwarts their aesthetic appeal and value added to the community.
In an attempt to address such problems, it is known in the art to attempt to manufacture golf tees from inert or biodegradable substances. For example, it is known to form golf tees out of compressed sawdust such that over time, the golf tee can disintegrate and blend into the soil. Problematic of such golf tees, however, is the fact that the same do not facilitate the re-growth of grass. Moreover, such golf tees further require prolonged periods of time by which the same achieve their intended purpose of disintegrating or otherwise becoming integrated into the soil. Accordingly, for the most part, such golf tees are generally no better than conventional tees.
Another practice employed to address the foregoing problems is to require golfers to repair the divots made in the tee box by virtue of the tee-off shot or, alternatively, pour a mixture of grass seed and sand at the site at which the divot was made. Although ideal for preserving the integrity of the golf course, and in particular the grounds of the tee-off boxes, such practice is problematic insofar as it relies upon the individual golfers to implement and abide by such procedures, and hence is unreliable. Furthermore, such practice is deficient insofar as the same does not address the issue of golf tees or portions thereof that become embedded within the surface of the tee box and remain therein for prolonged periods of time, if not indefinitely.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a biodegradable golf tee that easily and readily decomposes shortly after use. There is a further need in the art for a biodegradable golf tee that can actually improve the quality of the soil within which the same is embedded and, in particular, provide a fertilizing effect to grass planted therearound. There is still further need in the art for a biodegradable golf tee that, in addition to the foregoing properties, is capable of functioning as per conventional golf tees, and can be readily and easily utilized thereinstead.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a biodegradable golf tee that further acts as a source of fertilizer for grass and other types of vegetation. In a preferred embodiment, the golf tee comprises a mixture of bentonite, potassium nitrate (KNO
3
), and sodium nitrate (NaNO
3
) that is formed into the shape of a conventional golf tee. Optionally, sodium nitrite (NaNO
2
) and chromium (III) oxide (Cr
2
O
3
) may be added, respectively. According to a preferred embodiment, the bentonite is present in an amount from 80.0% to 5.0% by weight, the potassium nitrate is present in an amount from 78.0% to 5.0% by weight, and the sodium nitrate is present in an amount from 65.0% to 5.0%. Optionally, the sodium nitrate is present in an amount from 55.0% to 0.1% by weight, and the chromium (III) oxide is present in an amount from 0.4% to 0.1% by weight. In a more highly preferred embodiment, the golf tees are comprised of a mixture of bentonite being present in an amount of 50%±5% by weight, potassium nitrate being present in an amount of 25.0%±5.0% by weight, the sodium nitrate component is present in an amount of 25.0%±5.0% by weight. Such embodiment may further optionally include sodium nitrite being present in an amount of approximately 7.06%±0.1% by weight and chromium (III) oxide being present in an amount of approximately 0.1%. The biodegradable golf tees are preferably formed to rapidly melt and become dissolved into the surrounding soil as soon as 10 minutes once the golf tee comes into contact with water. The golf tees of the present invention may further be designed to decompose rapidly over the space of 24-48 hours when merely contacted with atmospheric air having a humidity of approximately 20% to 30%. In this regard, the golf tees of the present invention are specifically formulated to selectively change properties from a solid golf tee structure into its individual chemical components shortly after use thereof.
In addition to providing a rapidly degradable, fertilizing golf tee, it is contemplated that the golf tees of the present invention may further be modified to include sand or other soil enhancement agents, such as gypsum (CaSO
4
), grass seed, or combinations thereof. The present invention further comprises a process for manufacturing the biodegradable golf tees of the present invention comprising the steps of combining quantities of bentonite potassium nitrate, and sodium nitrate in a low-humidity environment to form a first admixture wherein the bentonite is present in an amount ranging from 80.0% to 5.0% by weight, the potassium nitrate is present in an amount from 78.0% to 5.0% by weight, and the sodium nitrate is present in an amount from 65.0% to 5.0%. Optionally, sodium nitrate and/or chromium (III) oxide may be added, respectively, to the first admixture such that the sodium nitrite is present in an amount from 55.0% to 0.1% by weight and the chromium (III) oxide is present in an amount from 0.4% to 0.1% by weight. The admixture is heated to approximately 300° F. for a sufficient time until the admixture becomes molten. The molten admixture is thereafter molded into the configuration of a conventional golf tee and allowed to cool to room temperature. Once sufficiently cool, the golf tees may be utilized for their intended purpose provided, however, that the same are kept in a low-humidity environment (i.e., contained in packaging having low humidity) until the same are to be utilized as per conventional golf tees.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a biodegradable golf tee that easily and rapidly degrades from a golf tee configuration into a variety of inert and/or soil-enhancing substances.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable golf tee that is effective in fertilizing grass and other vegetation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable golf tee that is capable of functioning as per conventional golf tees.
Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a bio
Marshall John
Newboles Matthew A.
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
Wong Steven
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