Golf Tee For Guiding a Ball

Abstract

A golf tee for guiding the trajectory of a golf ball is described herein. The golf tee comprises a penetrating element located at the bottom of a stem which allows the insertion of the golf tee into the ground surface and an angled launch platform adapted to guide the ball when hit by a golf club. The launch platform generally comprises a depression and a launch ramp adapted to receive and retain a golf ball. The golf tee generally improves the golf ball's trajectory by imparting proper spin which allows the ball to remain longer in the air.

Claims

1) A golf tee comprising a ground-piercing stem and a launch platform extending from such stem, the launch platform comprising a launch ramp with a lower and an upper portion, wherein: the lower portion is configured to hold a ball when the stem is planted in a ground; and the upper portion extends from the lower portion at an upwardly angle in relation to the ground when the stem is planted in such ground.

2) The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the launch ramp is concave-shaped.

3) The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the launch ramp is bowl-shaped.

4) The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the launch ramp is elongated and concave-shaped.

5) The golf tee of claim 2, wherein the upper portion of the launch ramp is elongated and concave-shaped.

6) The golf tee of claim 3, wherein the upper portion of the launch ramp is elongated and concave-shaped.

7) The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the upwardly angle is at least 10 deg.

8) The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

9) The golf tee of claim 7, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

10) A golf tee comprising a ground-piercing stem and a launch platform extending from such stem, the launch platform comprising an elongated depression with a lower and an upper portion, wherein: the lower portion is bowl-shaped; and the upper portion extends from the lower portion at an upwardly angle in relation to the ground when the stem is planted in such ground.

11) The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the upwardly angle is at least 10 deg.

12) The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

13) The golf tee of claim 11, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

14) A method of holding a golf ball a distance over a ground, the method comprising: a) providing a ground-piercing stem; b) providing a launch platform extending from such stem, wherein the launch platform comprises a launch ramp with a lower and an upper portion, wherein: i) the lower portion is configured to hold the ball when the stem is planted in a ground; and ii) the upper portion extends from the lower portion at an upwardly angle in relation to the ground when the stem is planted in such ground.

15) The method of holding a golf ball according to claim 14, wherein the upwardly angle is at least 10 deg.

16) The method of holding a golf ball according to claim 14, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

17) The method of holding a golf ball according to claim 15, wherein the upwardly angle does not exceed 30 deg.

18) The method of holding a golf ball according to claim 14, wherein the upper portion extends in a desired direction of travel of the golf ball after such golf ball has been struck by a gold club.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trajectory correcting golf tee.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the trajectory correcting golf tee as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the trajectory correcting golf tee as shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the trajectory correcting golf tee as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trajectory correcting golf tee in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the trajectory correcting golf tee as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] A novel golf tee for guiding a ball will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

[0019] Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of a golf tee 100 is illustrated. The golf tee 100 comprises a penetrating portion 110, a stem 120 and a launch platform 130. The penetrating portion 110 is located at one end 121 of the golf tee 100, generally being the bottom end of the stem 120. In a preferred embodiment, the penetrating portion 110 is shaped to ease the penetration of the portion 110 into the ground surface. The said shape generally aims at allowing the insertion of the tee golf 100 into a desired position while providing some resistance to the impact of the driver club.

[0020] Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the launch platform 130 is attached or is an extension of the top end 122 of the stem 120. The launch platform 130 is generally adapted and/or shaped to receive and/or hold in place a golf ball. The launch platform 130 comprises a launch ramp 132 generally shaped or adapted to form a depression 131. In a preferred embodiment, the launch ramp 132 comprises a lower curved or rounded edge 133, a top edge 139 and side edges 136 and 137. The edges 133, 136, 137 and 139 are generally higher than the launch ramp 132 to form the depression 131.

[0021] The launch ramp 132 further comprises a retainer portion 134 adapted to hold or retain a golf ball. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer portion 134 is concave or curved portion having a radius adapted to the used golf ball. The launch ramp 132 further comprises a curved bottom edge 135 creating an angle between the retainer portion 134 and the remaining of the launch ramp 132.

[0022] The side edges 136 and 137 are preferably adapted to allow guiding of the golf ball once the ball is hit by a golf club. The surface extending between both side edges 136 and 137 and being limited by the bottom edge 135 and a top edge 139 defines a laterally curved section 138 aiming at improving the trajectory of the golf ball by imparting proper spin which allows the ball to remain longer in the air while following a straighter flight path.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the laterally curved section 138 is calculated using the radius of a golf ball, aiming at maximizing contact during launch.

[0024] The top portion of the stem 122 preferably comprises an elongated member 123, such as a protrusion or extension, adapted to attach the launch platform 130 to the stem 120. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated member 123 is integral with the stem 120. When manufacturing the golf tee 100, the launch platform 130 is moulded over the elongated member 123, aiming at providing a durable and integral construction. while following a straighter flight path

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, launch ramp 132 is shaped to form a depression 131 or at least part of a depression 131 (see FIG. 1). The depression 131 is typically formed along the length of the launch ramp 132, thus guiding the trajectory of the ball toward the upper portion of launch ramp 132 when the ball is hit. The lower portion of launch ramp 132 (in the current embodiment retainer portion 134) is preferably shaped as to retain the ball on the golf tee 100. In the preferred embodiment, lower (or retainer) portion 134 of depression 131 is shaped as a cup or half-cup. The upper portion of launch ramp 132 (in the current embodiment laterally curved section 138) is preferably U-shaped or curved as to guide the golf ball.

[0026] In other embodiments, the launch platform 130 and the stem 120 may be integral and form a single rigid structure.

[0027] In yet other embodiments, the launch platform 130 may be attached or fixed to the elongated member 123 and/or to the stem 120 to provide a durable and integral construction.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the stem 120 is made with a rigid and impact resistant material, such as, but not limited to an impact resistant polymer, wood, metal or composite material, and the launch platform 130 is preferably made of any type of material having rubber-like characteristics, such as but not limited to polymer.

[0029] The launch ramp is generally inclined about an angle a with regard to the ground or a horizontal axis. In some embodiments, the angle a may be between 10 and 30 degrees and in a preferred embodiment, the angle is about 20 degrees. The angle is preferably selected to maximize the correction of the direction of the golf ball toward the target and the support or holding property of the golf tee 100.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the stem 120 is preferably made of polycarbonate.

[0031] The golf tee 100 is generally used as other prior art golf tees. As such, the golf player inserts the bottom portion 110 in the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the golf tee is inserted at about 90-degree angle with the ground surface so that the launch ramp 132 is oriented towards the target. The golf player then pushes the golf tee into the ground until a desired remainder height of the stem 120 is obtained. The golf player may then position the ball on the launch platform and use a golf club, such as a driver club, to hit the positioned ball. Thus, the ball, initially retained at the depression 131, slides over the launch ramp before launching in the air. During the sliding of the ball from the lower curved or rounded edge 133 to a top edge 139 of the launch ramp, the side edges 136 and 137 reduce the side spin of the golf ball.

[0032] Understandably, in another embodiment where the stem has a shape allowing rotation, such as a cylindrical shape, the golf tee is inserted at about 90-degree angle with the ground surface. The golf player then pushes the golf tee into the ground until a desired remainder height of the stem is obtained. If not well aligned, the golf tee may then be rotated about a vertical axis so that the launch ramp 132 is oriented towards the target.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the inclined launch ramp 132 creates friction which reduces the side spin of the golf ball when hit. In such an embodiment, at least some energy is transferred to or absorbed by the rubber-like material of the launch platform 130 and the concaved launch ramp 132 aims at correcting the trajectory of the golf ball by guiding the ball towards the target.

[0034] In still another embodiment, the penetrating element 110 may have any shape allowing an appropriate insertion of the tee to the ground.

[0035] In another embodiment, the stem 120 may have any shape allowing an appropriate hitting of the golf ball and an appropriate insertion of the tee to the ground.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the launch platform 130 may be made of any resistant impact material, which is adapted to absorb some impact energy, such as but not limited to rubber-like material.

[0037] Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of a golf tee 100 is illustrated. The golf tee 100 comprises a penetrating portion 110, a stem 120 and a launch platform 130. The penetrating portion 110 is located at one end 121 of the golf tee 100, generally being the bottom end of the stem 120. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one skilled in the art shall understand that the present invention comprises golf tees 100 having different shapes or formats according to the needs of the user.

[0038] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.