Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Tee setting device
Reexamination Certificate
2003-07-09
2004-08-03
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Tee setting device
C473S257000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06769999
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to golf tee setters and holders, specifically to a simple and compact reusable device having a three-fold purpose, first to align a golfer to the desired flight path of his or her golf ball, second to position the face of the golfer's club to the intended direction of the ball, and third to enable the golfer to place his/her club head or face at the exact center of the golf ball during club/ball contact. Its use can benefit all golfers by helping them to visualize the position they must take in addressing and striking a golf ball to obtain greater distance and accuracy in launching the ball along a desired flight path. The present invention comprises a substantially T-shaped plate that is used at ground level with its cross member at one of its ends, one centrally located aperture therethrough that is sized and configured for insertion of a golf tee, and the end remote from its cross member having a configuration that tapers to a point. In addition, a darkened substantially perpendicular line extends from the aperture to the center of the cross member, for use by the golfer in positioning his/her club face to the exact center of the golf ball for a center strike of the golf ball at the time of club/ball contact and greater distance and accuracy of the ball once struck. Although not limited thereto, the maximum length and width dimensions of the plate are typically three inches or less. Also, during use the plate is placed on the ground at a spaced-apart distance in front of the golfer's feet with the central aperture positioned under the anticipated point of contact between the ball and the face of the golfer's club. Subsequently, the plate is situated into its usable position with its tapered end directed toward the intended flight path of the golf ball ultimately supported thereby, a golf tee is inserted through the plate's aperture and partially into the ground below the plate, and a golf ball is balanced upon the top surface of the tee at a spaced apart distance above the upper surface of the plate. As the golfer addresses the ball prior to striking it, he or she is positioned to face one of the sides of the plate, not its pointed end or its cross member, with the pointed end of the plate being directed toward the intended flight path of the golf ball and the cross member oriented toward the direction from which the club will be swung so that the golfer can use the cross member to align the face of the golf club prior to the golfer's swing, with the darkened line extending from the aperture to the center of the cross member giving the golfer exact center of the golf ball as a reference for club face positioning. Thus, once the plate is properly positioned at ground level, the golfer is able to rely on the tapered end, cross member, and the darkened perpendicular line between the aperture and the cross member, for directional assistance in self-alignment relative to the desired flight path of his or her golf ball and positioning of the golfer's club face to the intended direction of ball movement for accurate launching of the ball along an intended flight path. Since the golfer does not have to look up prior to the swing, the golfer's position and stance are not compromised during the swing, resulting in a straightened swing that is more consistent in launching a golf ball through the desired flight path. Further, since the present invention is compact in size, typically having length and width dimensions three inches or less, it can easily be stored in a clothing pocket or golf bag between uses. Although standard tees can be used with the present invention and adjusted in height for use with different types of clubs, other tees can also be used, such as a tee having added length dimension that provides more options in ball height adjustment, as well as a tee with several spaced-apart laterally-extending grooves on its shaft that are configured to engage the aperture in the present invention plate and thereby fix the grooved tee at several pre-determined heights, with each groove being designated for ball contact with a different type of club so that a center strike of the launched golf ball can be more consistently achieved, producing more even ball recoil and a more predictable shot. The size of golf tee used is therefore selected according to user preference, however, the suggested minimum size is approximately two-and-one-fourth inches, or fifty-five millimeters.
2. Description of the Related Art
Good performance in golf demands consistency from the golfer, and many golfers seek aids to improve stance, swing, and ball contact during practice and games. Often, such devices are complex and expensive to use. In contrast, the present invention is simple in design, easy to use, compact, effective, and can be manufactured and sold for a reasonable cost. Further, when not in use, it is small enough to be conveniently stored in a clothing pocket or a golf bag, where it can be readily accessed for immediate use as often as needed.
The device thought to be closest to the present invention is the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,482,284 to Vandever (1996). The Vandever invention and the present invention are both golf training and practice devices that assist a golfer in more accurately determining the flight path of a golf ball. However, there are important differences between the Vandever invention and the present invention. The Vandever invention comprises two major parts. The first part has four evenly spaced apart pointers extending from a central hub. One of the pointers extends rearwardly toward the golfer. Another pointer extends in the opposite direction toward the ball, and the remaining two pointers extend laterally relative to the golfer, respectively extending in the direction of the intended flight path of the golf ball once it is struck and in the opposed direction from which the golf ball is to be struck. Each of the golfer's feet are positioned on a different side of the pointer that extends rearwardly toward the golfer, with both feet remaining behind the laterally extending pointers in a position remote from the ball. The second part of the Vandever invention is an alignment member that assists the golfer in angling the face of the club for optimal club/ball contact. The alignment member is attached to the one of the pointers extending toward the ball. In contrast, the present invention is less complex in design and has a unitary construction. No time is required to assemble the present invention prior to use, as it is employed without assembly. Also, when using the Vandever invention, the golf ball to be struck is positioned at the end of a pointer. In contrast, with the present invention, the golf ball to be struck is balanced on a tee above its centrally located aperture. Another difference between the present invention and the Vandever invention is that the portion of the present invention providing flight path directional assistance to a golfer is the end that tapers to a point, while in the Vandever invention the laterally extending pointer is aimed toward the intended flight path of the ball. Also, the alignment portion of the Vandever invention is a separate component that is attached to the forwardly extending pointer and during use is positioned between the ball and the laterally-extending pointer employed as its flight path directional aid. In the present invention the cross member is used for such club face alignment. In addition, the present invention is smaller than the Vandever invention, simpler to use, does not require assembly, and is less expensive to manufacture. No golf tee holder and directional aid is known to have the same structure or all of the advantages of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is the primary object of this invention to provide a compact and easy-to-use reusable device upon which a golfer can rely for effective directional assistance in striking a golf ball balanced upon a tee. It is also an object of t
Morse Dorothy S.
Wong Steven
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