GOLF TEE

Abstract

A golf tee for supporting a golf ball comprising a rigid spine section comprising a first spine end and a second spine end; a barb located at the first spine end adapted for insertion of the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; and a ball rest section located at the second spine end; wherein the spine section is elongate comprising to opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges; wherein the ball rest section is circular and comprises a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support the golf ball when the barb is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position; and wherein the castellations are circumferentially distributed around an upper surface of the ball rest section.

Claims

1. A golf tee for supporting a golf ball comprising: a rigid spine section comprising a first spine end and a second spine end; a barb located at the first spine end adapted for insertion of the golf tee into a ground in a substantially vertical position; and a ball rest section located at the second spine end; wherein the rigid spine section is elongate comprising two opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges; wherein the ball rest section is circular and comprises a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support the golf ball when the barb is inserted into the ground in the substantially vertical position; and wherein the plurality of raised castellations are circumferentially distributed around an upper surface of the ball rest section.

2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of raised castellations are polygonal in cross-sectional profile.

3. The golf tee of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of polygonal raised castellations are hexagonal in cross-sectional profile.

4. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the barb is generally circular in cross-sectional profile.

5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the barb comprises a lip adapted to increase a resistance of the golf tee to pulling out of the ground.

6. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the ball rest section comprises opposed extended arms adapted to fixedly engage with the rigid spine section.

7. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised castellations are formed from a rubberised polymer.

8. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein the plurality of rubberised polymer raised castellations are configured to minimise a contact surface area between the golf ball and the raised castellations.

9. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the rigid spine section is formed from a rigid plastics material.

10. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the rigid spine section comprises opposed wings adapted to restrict an insertion depth of the golf tee when inserted into the ground such that, when so inserted, the ball rest section is located at a predetermined height from the ground such that the golf ball resting on the golf tee is located at a preferred height from the ground for striking the golf ball with a golf club.

11. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the ball rest section comprises rigid extended arm portions adapted to fixedly engage with the opposed wings of the rigid spine section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment/preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a prior art golf tee and golf ball;

[0033] FIGS. 2A to 2G shows a first embodiment of an improved golf tee according to the present invention;

[0034] FIGS. 3A to 3C shows a second embodiment of an improved golf tee according to the present invention;

[0035] FIGS. 4A to 4C shows a third embodiment of an improved golf tee according to the present invention; and

[0036] FIGS. 5A to 5C show detail views of the winged tee of FIGS. 4A to 4C according to the present invention.

[0037] In the drawings, like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

Definitions

[0038] The following definitions are provided as general definitions and should in no way limit the scope of the present invention to those terms alone, but are put forth for a better understanding of the following description.

[0039] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. For the purposes of the present invention, additional terms are defined below. Furthermore, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms unless there is doubt as to the meaning of a particular term, in which case the common dictionary definition and/or common usage of the term will prevail.

[0040] For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0041] Golf ball as used herein, is a specific type of sports ball designed to be used in the game of golf. Golf balls are small dense balls, typically having a hard outer coating surrounding a core, which may consist of multiple layers that affect the overall softness, spin, velocity, and other aspects of the ball's performance. The Rules of Golf specify standards for the minimum size, maximum weight, spherical symmetry, initial velocity and overall distance for golf balls sued in tournament play. Under the Rules, a golf ball has a mass no more than 1.620 ounces (49.5g), a diameter not less than 1.680 inches (42.7 mm), and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits.

[0042] Golf Tee and Tee are used interchangeable herein to refer a device used to raise a golf ball off the ground. Tees are typically made of wood, plastic or another similar material. The Rules specify that a tee must not: [0043] be longer than 4 inches; [0044] be designed or manufactured in such a way that it could indicate line of play; [0045] unduly influence the movement of the ball; or. [0046] otherwise assist the player in making a stroke or in his play.

[0047] The articles a and an are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, an element refers to one element or more than one element.

[0048] The term about is used herein to refer to quantities that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by as much as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10% to a reference quantity. The use of the word about to qualify a number is merely an express indication that the number is not to be construed as a precise value.

[0049] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising are used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0050] Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0051] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

[0052] The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0053] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of. Consisting essentially of, when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0054] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

[0055] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present invention provides golf tees that exert minimal effect on a golf ball when hit by a golf club. Specifically, the golf tees of the invention are designed to reduce or eliminate contact between the tee and the golf ball that is unnecessary for supporting the golf ball on the tee. Furthermore, the tee is designed to eliminate interference with the forward motion of the ball away from the tee. The tees of the present invention have a minimum area of contact with the ball, and the contacts are strategically placed such that the forward motion of the ball is minimally impacted by the tee. Specifically, the tees of the present invention reduce or eliminate resistance and friction on the ball as it is struck by a golf club due to raised nodules or castellations provided in the ball rest section of the improved tees as described herein. These castellations minimise the contact surface area between the tee and the ball thus minimising the incidence of unwanted spin as the ball is struck from the tee by a golf club, which in turn allows the golf ball to travel longer distances with the same amount of force applied in a golf shot. In certain embodiments, the tee of the present invention results in at least about 1% greater distance, at least about 2% greater distance, or at least about 5% greater distance travelled by a golf ball on tee-off than the same ball teed-off from a conventional tee (control) by the same golfer using the same club. In certain aspects, the ball typically travels about 1-2% further than the same ball teed-off by the same golfer using the same club and a conventional tee.

[0057] Golf balls include dimples to lessen wind resistance (also known as aerodynamic drag or drag). Golf balls go farther through the air when drag is minimised. The air surrounding a smooth ball in motion becomes detached from the ball and instead follows the flow of fast-moving air farther away from the ball, creating what is effectively a wake behind the ball. As a result, a wake or area of low pressure is created behind the ball, acting as a vacuum to pull it backwards. Used, scuffed golf balls travelled farther than brand-new ones, as early golfers using smooth balls discovered. By making a pattern of scuffs, scratches, or indentions on the ball, this effect might be replicated. Golf ball manufacturers later learned that a pattern of concave indentations (i.e., dimples) provided the same effect and that varying the size, shape, number and distribution of dimples.

[0058] A ball can change how the air flows over it by adding dimples. Around each dimple, there are a few tiny pockets of turbulent flow. The surrounding, high-speed air flow is mixed with the nearby airflow by the turbulence, which prevents the ball from becoming detached from the air flow. A wake does not develop behind the ball because the wind is tighter around it. Contrarily, dimples do somewhat enhance drag. However, they also result in an increase in Magnus lift, which is the force that lifts rotating bodies as they move through a medium like air. A driven golf ball exhibits backspin (i.e., the ball rotates backwards as though rolling back towards the golfer), which causes a phenomenon known as Magnus lift.

[0059] Backspin imparts an upward force that lifts the ball. But when a golf tee makes contact with a golf ball's dimples, the backspin on the ball might be decreased, which lowers the possible Magnus lift. It is more challenging to strike the golf ball with enough force to get the maximum lift, speed, and distance when the dimples are engaged. The effect of the tee on the golf ball's spin is eliminated by keeping the golf tee of the invention from contacting the dimples on a golf ball, specifically by avoiding contact with the depressed centres of the dimples.

[0060] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0061] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0062] Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0063] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprise, comprises, comprising, including, and having, or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0064] Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 2A to 2C shows a golf tee 100 for supporting a golf ball. Tee 100 comprises a rigid spine section 101 comprising a first spine end 101a and a second spine end 101b. The rigidity of spine 101 assists to insert the tee 100 into the ground by the user during a game of golf. A barb 103 is located at first spine end 101a. Barb 103 is adapted for insertion of the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position. Barb 103 is generally circular in cross-sectional profile and comprises a lip 103a adapted to increase the resistance of the tee 100 to pulling out of the ground, particularly when struck by a golf club.

[0065] A ball rest section 105 is located at the second spine end 101b. Ball rest section 105 is circular and comprises a plurality of raised castellations 107 adapted to support a golf ball when the barb 103 and spine 101 are inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position. Castellations 107 are generally circumferentially distributed around an upper surface 105a of ball rest section 105. Ball rest section 105 is preferable formed from a rubberised polymer material. Similarly, castellations 107 are formed from the rubberised polymer material. The combination of castellations 107 combined with rubberised polymer helps to reduce unwanted back spin from the golf ball on launch after being struck by a golf club, since castellations 107 reduce the contact surface area between the tee 100 and golf ball 10, whilst providing a secure platform to support golf ball 10 in use. Increased side spin on the golf ball causes it to veer off-line and will reduce the distance the ball travels therefore. Also, increased back spin also results in reduced ball carry distance. For the experienced golfer who is able to minimise the side spin of the ball (thus minimising slice or hook of the ball in flight) a reduction in the ball back spin will be the most significant contributing faction in increasing their drive distance. Therefore, minimising the contact surface area between the tee 100 and golf ball 10 which is responsible for imparting spin on the golf ball as it leaves the tee, is advantageous. For a given club and launch speed, a decrease in the rate of back swing of the ball off the tee generally translates to an increased carry distance at all loft angles, thus a golfer using tee 100 which imparts a reduced pack spin rate compared to prior art tees, and without changing any other swing parameters, can generally expect to achieve a longer ball carry distance off the tee as seen in Table 1 which shows the results from comparative testing using the TrackMan Golf system between the tee 100 as disclosed herein (Tour Tee 100) compared with a rubber tee, a driving matt tee, and a wooden tee. Table 1 clearly shows the significantly reduced average spin rate of the ball as it is launched from the tee using Tour Tee 100, while maintaining similar average club speeds.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average Ball Metric Test Data (Trackman Golf) - Comparative Tee Testing Tee Driving Tour Ball Metric Rubber Matt Wooden Tee When Struck Tee Tee Tee (100) Club Speed (kph) 106.8 102.3 104.2 104.4 Ball Speed (kph) 157.5 155.0 153.6 156.0 Spin Rate (rpm) 2840.0 2645.0 2467.5 1560.0 Carry (m) 239.2 240.9 236.6 239.7 Total Distance (m) 106.8 102.3 104.2 104.4 Max Ball Height (m) 35.4 38.6 29.6 26.8 Landing Angle 42.0 43.8 37.5 32.6

[0066] From Table 1 it can be seen that, on average, a golf ball when struck from a Tour Tee 100 has about 2% greater ball speed and about 37% lower spin rate than a ball struck from a prior art wooden tee 1 of FIG. 1. In testing, it was also observed that the ball spin rate for a ball struck from tee 100 was up to 56% lower than a ball struck from a wooden tee (minimum test spin rate for the Tour Tee 100 was 1290 rpm with a total drive distance of 273.2 m compared with the minimum spin of 2280 rpm and total distance of 261.8 m observed using a wooden tee). It is also noteworthy from Table 1 that, while the carry distance of a golf ball when struck from tee 100 is comparable to a ball struck from prior art tees, a lower ball height and landing angle translates into an average increase of about 4-5% in the total distance travelled by the golf ball compared to the same golfer using prior art wooden tee 1 of FIG. 1.

[0067] In particular arrangements, spine section 101 is elongate comprising two opposing flat edges 101a and two opposing rounded edges 101b as seen in cross-sectional detail in FIG. 2D.

[0068] Each of the plurality of castellations 107 are either circular or generally polygonal in cross-sectional profile. In particular arrangements, each of the plurality of polygonal castellations 107 are hexagonal in cross-sectional profile as seen in detail top and side views respectively in FIGS. 1F and 1G.

[0069] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a further embodiment golf tee 300. As above, tee 300 comprises rigid spine 301, barb 303, and ball rest section 305 comprising a plurality of castellations 307. In embodiment 300, ball rest section 305 comprises opposed extended arms 309 adapted to fixedly engage with the rigid spine section 301. As above, spine section 301 is elongate comprising two opposing flat edges 301b and two opposing rounded edges 301c formed by arms 309.

[0070] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a further embodiment golf tee 400. As above, tee 400 comprises rigid spine 401, barb 403, and ball rest section 405 comprising a plurality of castellations 407. In embodiment 400, spine section 401 comprises opposed wings 411a and 411b adapted to restrict the insertion depth of tee 400 when inserted into the ground such that, when so inserted, the ball rest section 405 is located at a predetermined height from the ground such that a golf ball resting on the golf tee 400 is located at a preferred height from the ground for striking the ball with a golf club.

[0071] Ball rest section 405 again comprises opposed extended arms 409a and 409b adapted to fixedly engage with respective wings 411a and 411b of rigid winged spine section 401. As above, spine section 401 is elongate comprising two opposing flat edges 401b and two opposing rounded edges 401c formed by arms 409.

[0072] FIGS. 5A to 5C show detail views of a winged tee 400, respectively showing the winged spine 401 in FIG. 4B showing wing projections 411a and 411b of rigid spine 401 and complementary winged extension arms 409a and 409b of ball rest section 405. Winged spine 401 includes a plurality of projections 413 and winged extension arms 409a and 409b includes complementary formations 415 which act to secure winged extension arms 409a and 409b to winged spine 401. Similarly, wing projections 411a and 411b of rigid spine 401 include formations 414 adapted to engage with complementary formations 416 of extension arms 409a and 409b to secure ball rest section 405 to winged rigid spine 401.

[0073] In each of the embodiments 100, 300 and 400 described above, the rigid spine section is formed from a rigid plastics material. During manufacturing of the tee of each of the above-described embodiments, ball rest section 105, 305, and 405 respectively, including extended arms 109a, 309a, and 409a respectively, is formed by coextruding/over-moulding the corresponding spine section 101, 301, and 401 with a rubberised polymer material including the plurality of castellations 107, 307, and 407 respectively.

[0074] In further arrangements, ball rest section 205 and 305 of tees 200 and 300 respectively, may be manufactured separately to respective spine 201 and 301. For example, ball rest section 205 and 305 may initially be manufactured from a rigid plastics material including rigid extension arms 209a and 309a respectively and a core portion (not shown) at one end, wherein ball rest portion including castellations 207, 307 may be coextruded/over-moulded the ball rest rigid core section. In such arrangements, rigid extension arms 209a and 309a respectively may more securely engage respective rigid spine section 201 and 301 to provide greater rigidity to tee 200, 300 thus to reduce the incidence of tee breakage during use.

[0075] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

SCOPE OF INVENTION

[0076] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred arrangements of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0077] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0078] It will be appreciated that the methods/apparatus/devices/systems described/illustrated above at least substantially provide a golf tee for improving the interaction between said golf tee and a golf club/ball.

[0079] The golf tee described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and components of the golf tee may be modified, or may have been substituted therefore known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as may be developed in the future, or such as may be found to be acceptable substitutes in the future. The golf tee may also be modified for a variety of applications while remaining within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is great, and since it is intended that the present golf tee be adaptable to many such variations.