Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Tee
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-05-01
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Tee
C473S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224500
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf tee.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A one-piece plastic or wooden golf tee is known.
However, the conventional one piece plastic golf tee is not adapted to naturally decompose. Thus, if a golfer leaves such a golf tee on a golf course, the conventional golf tee pollutes the natural environment thereof. Further, the conventional one-piece plastic and wooden golf tee do not facilitate hitting a golf ball a long distance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a golf tee which does not pollute the natural environment of a golf course and also allows a player to hit a golf ball a long distance.
A golf tee according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably includes a base having a narrow-shaft shape and having a lower end adapted to be inserted into the ground, and a ball receiving part which is removably installed on an upper end of the base to support a golf ball thereon. Because the base of the golf tee is shaft-shaped, the golf tee can absorb an impact applied thereto and applies a low resistance to a golf club when a golf ball is hit with the golf club. Thus, a player can swing the head of the golf club to an appropriate extent and consequently, hit a golf ball a long distance. Because the base is removable from the ball receiving part, the ball receiving part can be used repeatedly even though the base is broken.
Thus, the golf tee according to preferred embodiments of the present invention is economical. Further, the base and the ball receiving part can be kept and carried separately. Also, because the base has a narrow shaft-shape, the golf tee looks as though it floats in the air when a golfer tees off, which allows the golfer to hit a golf ball easily. Further, because the golf tee has a narrow shaft-shape, it does not damage a blade of a lawn mower if it is left on the golf course.
It is preferable that the ball receiving part has a plurality of through-holes and/or a plurality of concave portions formed thereon. In this case, it is possible to conserve the resin material used to form the ball receiving part. It is preferable to use biodegradably decomposable resin for the ball receiving part in order to allow the golf tee to have improved biodegradably decomposable property. In the case where the through-hole is formed through the ball receiving part, air resistance is increasingly applied thereto. Thus, the golf tee can be prevented from flying far after a golfer swings.
The base preferably has a plurality of cut-out portions formed thereon so that the base can be cut to have a desired length when the golf tee is used. In this case, it is possible to adjust the length of the base as desired and a golfer can tee off at a desired height.
It is preferable that the base is made of a dyed wooden material. This is because the wooden material is easily naturally decomposed. Coloring of the base with dye does not form a film on the surface thereof, unlike painting on the surface thereof. Therefore, the dye does not prevent the base from absorbing water and thus, does not prevent the base from being naturally decomposed.
It is preferable that the ball receiving part has a substantially cylindrical connection portion for connecting the ball receiving part and the base with each other. The ball receiving part also preferably includes a projection portion provided on an inner wall of the connection portion to securely fasten the base to the connection portion. In this case, the base and the ball receiving part are connected with each other by inserting the base into the connection portion. The projection portion formed on the inner wall of the connection portion is pressed tight against the periphery of the base, thus, securely fastening the base to the connection portion.
The projection portion is arranged such that as a level of the projection portion becomes nearer to an innermost end of the connection portion, a projection height thereof from an inner wall of the connection portion becomes increasingly larger. In this case, even though there is a variation in the thickness of the base, the base can be securely fixed to the connection portion. That is, when the height of the projection portion from the inner wall of the connection portion is small, the inner diameter of the connection portion is large, whereas when the height thereof from the inner wall of the connection portion is large, the inner diameter of the connection portion is small. Thus, when the base is inserted into the connection portion, the base is caught by the projection portion at a region thereof having a height corresponding to the thickness of the base. Accordingly, even though there is a variation in the thickness of the base, the base can be securely fixed to the connection portion. Consequently, the base is not required to have a high degree of dimensional accuracy, which makes it easy to manufacture the base.
It is preferable that a through-hole is formed to communicate a ball receiving surface of the ball receiving part and an interior of the connection portion with each other in a thickness direction of the ball receiving part. In this case, the air inside of the connection portion flows through the through-hole. Thus, it is easy to insert the base into the connection portion and remove the base therefrom. The through-hole allows the base to be pressed out from the connection portion using a tool or object such as a narrow needle-shaped member by inserting it into the connection portion through the through-hole.
The ball receiving part preferably has a substantially concave portion that is substantially circular in plan view and coaxial with a ball receiving surface of the ball receiving part disposed on a bottom portion of the ball receiving part.
The ball receiving part is relatively thin and has a plurality of ribs extending radially from an approximate center of the ball receiving part along a curved surface thereof.
With these preferred embodiments, it is possible to reduce the amount of resin to be used for the ball receiving part without reducing the strength thereof. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the volume of the ball receiving part and improve the biodegradable decomposability thereof. Further, it is possible to conserve the amount of resin material used to form the ball receiving part.
The above and further elements, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1542505 (1925-06-01), Jacobus
patent: 1588038 (1926-06-01), Miller
patent: 1616059 (1927-02-01), Mulvehill
patent: 1846407 (1932-02-01), Thompson
patent: 1981810 (1934-11-01), Parkhurst
patent: 3414268 (1968-12-01), Chase
patent: 3690676 (1972-09-01), Costa
patent: 4893818 (1990-01-01), Liccardello
patent: 5679081 (1997-10-01), Santilli
patent: 5690563 (1997-11-01), Gammon
Keating & Bennett LLP
Wong Steven
LandOfFree
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