Magnetic Golf Tee and Grip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel magnetic golf tee and corresponding magnetic golf grip attachment. The golf tee is modified with a magnet inside and the magnetic club grip attachment is secured to the handle/grip end of a golf club. The magnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee enabling the user to pick up their tee without having to physically bend over, thereby preventing further strain and effort for the user while playing a round of golf. The magnet on the club can be about the size of a nickel, with a shaft terminating at a bulbous end (i.e., a ball/rivet) such that it can be pushed through the hole at the end of the golf grip. Further, the device is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers to pick up magnetic tees and putters to pick up metal ball markers.

Claims

1. A magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment comprising: a magnetic golf tee having a tee head and a tee shaft including a tee insert; a magnetic golf club grip attachment having a neck portion, a bulbus end, and a magnetic exterior end; wherein said neck portion and said bulbous end mounted inside a golf grip end; wherein said tee insert is a metal; and further wherein said magnetic exterior end is a material selected from an iron, a nickel, and a cobalt.

2. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert embedded in said tee shaft.

3. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gtip attachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert embedded in said tee head.

4. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert mounted proximal to a tip of said tee shaft.

5. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said tee insert is a material selected from an iron, a nickel, and a cobalt.

6. The magnetic golf tee and golf club gtip attachment of claim 2, wherein said tee insert is embedded generally in a midpoint of said tee shaft.

7. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said magnetic golf tee includes a housing having a material selected from a wood and a heat-sealable polymer.

8. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 7, wherein said heat-sealable polymer is a polypropylene or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

9. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 7, wherein said magnetic exterior end having a curvilinear surface extending from said golf grip end.

10. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 1, wherein said golf grip end includes a flexible opening having a first static diameter and said bulbous end having a second diameter, and further wherein said second diameter is greater than said first static diameter.

11. A magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment comprising: a magnetic golf tee having a tee head and a tee shaft including a tee insert; a magnetic golf club grip attachment having a neck portion, a bulbus end, and a magnetic exterior end; wherein said neck portion and said bulbous end mounted inside a golf grip end; wherein said tee insert is a metal; wherein said golf grip end including a flexible opening having a first static diameter and said bulbous end having a second diameter; and further wherein said second diameter is greater than said first static diameter.

12. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said tee insert embedded in said tee shaft.

13. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said tee insert embedded in said tee head.

14. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said tee insert is a material selected from an iron, a nickel, and a cobalt.

15. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said magnetic golf tee includes a housing having a material selected from a wood and a heat-sealable polymer.

16. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 11, wherein said magnetic exterior end having a curvilinear surface extending from said golf grip end.

17. A magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment comprising: a magnetic golf tee having a tee head, a tee shaft, and a metal tee insert; a magnetic golf club grip attachment having a magnetic exterior end; wherein said magnetic golf grip attachment is mounted inside a golf grip end; and further wherein said magnetic exterior end is a material selected from an iron, a nickel, and a cobalt.

18. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 17, wherein said magnetic exterior end having a curvilinear surface extending from said golf grip end.

19. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 17, wherein said material is nickel.

20. The magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment of claim 17, wherein said material is cobalt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters

[0025] refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf grip or handle, with the golf tee engaged to the golf grip attachment;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment of the present invention being used to pick up the magnetic golf tee off the ground;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates elevational views of the golf grip attachment and golf ball tee including the magnetic attraction between the magnetic golf tee and corresponding grip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf grip of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, illustrating the insertion of the grip attachment, use of the tee, and subsequent retrieval of the golf ball tee as described; and

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment of the present invention inserted into the end of the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0031] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It can be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments can be combined.

[0032] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their golf ball tees quickly and without unnecessary strain. There is also a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their metal golf ball markers with ease. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that is adaptable to different golf clubs and removably mounted to the golf clubs depending on the needs of the user.

[0033] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel magnetic golf ball tee and golf club grip attachment. The golf tee is modified with a magnet embedded inside the golf ball tee, in one exemplary arrangement, and the magnetic club grip attachment is secured to the handle end of a golf club. The magnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee enabling the user to pick up their golf ball tee without having to physically bend over, thereby conserving time and preventing unnecessary strain and effort on the golf course. The magnet on the club grip can be about the size of a nickel, with a neck or shaft terminating at a bulbous end, for example a ball/rivet, such that the bulbous end can be pushed through the grip hole at the end of the golf grip. Further, the device is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers to pick up magnetic tees after teeing off and to golf putters to pick up metal ball markers after replacing a marked golf ball onto a golf green.

[0034] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 and golf club grip attachment 100 is an improved golf equipment retrieval device that provides users with the ability to pick up magnetic golf tees and metal ball markers in a novel fashion. The device 100 is particularly designed to enable any suitable user as is known in the art, to pick up magnetic golf tees and metal ball markers without having to physically strain oneself or to physically bend over in order to pick up tees and markers. More specifically, the device 100 comprises a magnetic golf tee 110 having a tee insert or magnet 112, and a magnetic golf club grip attachment 120. FIG. 1 illustrates the magnetic golf tee 110 engaged (i.e., magnetically attracted) with the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120.

[0035] In one exemplary embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 includes a tee insert or magnet 112 embedded therein. The tee insert or magnet 112 can be located or embedded generally halfway (i.e. midpoint) down the neck or shaft 114 of the magnetic golf tee 110. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding the magnetic golf tee 110 and tee insert or magnet 112 may vary dependent upon the dimensions of the golf tee. The tee insert or magnet 112 can be rectangular, cylindrical, or of any other suitable shape. The tee insert or magnet 112 can include magnetizable metal or can include a metal that is attracted to a magnet. The most common magnetizable metals used for permanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rare earth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from “hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials. “Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

[0036] In one embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 can include a housing or body 116 manufactured from wood, heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any material known in the art deemed suitable for the purpose of a golf ball tee.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is the method of picking up the magnetic golf tee 110 using the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120. The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 engages with the magnetic golf tee 110, enabling the user to pick up the magnetic golf tee 110 using the golf club and grip attachment 100 while obviating the need to physically bend over to retrieve the golf tee. The user simply grabs the club face end of the golf club and brings the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 near the magnetic tee insert or magnet 112 to retrieve the magnetic golf tee 110 with ease and convenience.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the engagement mechanism between the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 and the magnetic golf tee 110. The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 is comprised of a grip magnet 122, which is attached to a neck or shaft 124 that terminates at a bulbous end or ball 126. The grip magnet 122 is generally the size of a nickel and engages the magnetic golf tee 110. The golf grip attachment 120 includes the neck or shaft 124 connected to the bulbous end or ball 126 of the grip magnet 122. The bulbous end 126 is inserted into and through a flexible opening 136 at an end of a club grip 138 of a golf club 140 and engages with the inside of the club grip end 138 to secure the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 in place. It is to be appreciated that the flexible opening 136 includes a first static diameter and the bulbous end 126 includes a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first static diameter. The flexible opening 136 can expand to enable the bulbous end 126 to pass therethrough. When fully inserted, the grip magnet 122 is substantially flush with the end of the golf club grip. The grip magnet 122 is curved on an exterior end 132 (i.e., curvilinear outer surface) to enable for easy engagement with the magnetic golf tee 110 and to not be inhibited by the surrounding or circumscribed club grip. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can vary based on the size of the golf grip end.

[0039] In one embodiment, the neck or shaft 124 and bulbous end 126 of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can be manufactured from heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or -butadiene-styrene (ABS), aluminum, stainless steel, or any other material deemed suitable for the purpose described. The grip magnet 122 includes magnetizable metal. The most common magnetizable metals used for permanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rare earth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from “hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials. “Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates perspective views of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, disclosing the insertion of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120, use of the magnetic golf tee 110, and subsequent retrieval of the magnetic golf tee 110 using the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 as described. The magnetic golf tee 110 functions as a traditional golf tee in terms of supporting a golf ball 150 thereon while the golfer swings. It is to be appreciated that the grip attachment 120 is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers 140 in order to pick up magnetic tees and to putters in order to pick up metal ball markers. A golfer tees a golf ball 150 on the golf tee 110 and then strikes the golf ball 150 (i.e., tee shot). The golf tee 110 is left behind and remains on the ground after the tee shot. The golfer then turns the club 140 around and places the golf magnet 122 near the tee insert or magnet 112. The tee insert or magnet 112 is then attracted to the golf magnet 122 and the golf tee 110 attaches to the golf magnet 122 and is retained thereto. The golfer can then turn the club 140 around to remove the golf tee 100 from the golf magnet 122.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 of the present invention inserted into the end of the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The grip magnet 122 is left exposed on the end of the club in order to engage with the magnetic golf tee 110, enabling users to pick up the magnetic golf tee 110 or metal ball markers without having to physically bend over to retrieve the golf tee 110.

[0042] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0043] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.