Abstract
A method and device to store and dispense golf tees. A stylized housing that incorporates unique design features to maintain a plurality of golf tees in a stacked arrangement for optimized storage. A novel dispenser is affixed to the housing that works with gravity to present golf tees to the golfer on a one-at-a-time basis. As a golf tee is removed, another rotates into the presentation orientation.
Claims
1. A golf tee dispenser comprising at least a housing with an internal cavity configured to store at least one golf tee, said dispenser comprising: a housing open end, a housing internal cavity forming a gap; a dispensing outlet set around at least a portion of said open end; the dispensing outlet comprising a central slot in communication with the internal cavity; said internal cavity comprising a slot with a pair of internal faces, each of said pair of internal faces comprising at least one depression extending at least partially into the internal cavity.
2. The golf tee dispenser of claim 1 wherein the pair of internal faces each comprise complementary stabilizing bars.
3. The golf tee dispenser of claim 1 wherein the pair of internal faces each further comprise complementary rounded intrusions.
4. The golf tee dispenser of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a lanyard, wherein one end of the lanyard is mechanically coupled with the housing at a point adjacent to the closed end of the internal cavity.
5. The golf tee dispenser of claim 4 wherein the lanyard is coupled with the housing such that when the housing is suspended by the lanyard, the open end of the internal cavity is generally perpendicular to the lanyard.
6. A golf tee dispenser comprising at least a housing and a dispensing outlet, the housing comprising at least an internal cavity, the internal cavity being configured to store at least one golf tee, further the internal cavity being bounded by an upper housing surface, a lower housing surface, a left-side housing surface, a right-side housing surface, a housing closed end and a housing open end, an internal cavity width being the distance between the left-side housing surface and the right-side housing surface, the internal cavity width being at least the length of a golf tee, the internal cavity further configured whereby a gap being established between at least a portion of the upper housing surface and at least a portion of the lower housing surface, the gap extending at least a portion of the distance from the housing open end of the internal cavity to the housing closed end of the internal cavity, the gap being at least the diameter of the stem of a golf tee, the dispensing outlet comprising at least an internal face and an external face, a dispensing face thickness being thereby defined as the distance between the internal face and the external face, the dispensing outlet being configured to removably mount to the housing whereby the internal face being adjacent to the open end of the internal cavity of the housing, the dispensing outlet further comprising a central slot, the central slot being defined by a slot height and a slot width, the central slot connectively coupling the internal cavity of the housing with the external face of the dispensing outlet, the slot height being at least the height of the gap, the slot width being at least the internal cavity width.
7. The golf tee dispenser of claim 6 wherein the housing is configured to resemble a firearm magazine.
8. The golf tee dispenser of claim 6 wherein the dispensing outlet further comprising a provision to prevent a golf tee from being inadvertently dispensed.
9. The golf tee dispenser of claim 6 wherein the dispensing outlet being composed of an elastomeric material.
10. The golf tee dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of golf tees arranged in alternating-single-stack orientation.
11. The golf tee dispenser of claim 6 wherein the housing further comprises a lanyard, wherein one end of the lanyard is mechanically coupled with the housing at a point adjacent to the closed end of the internal cavity.
12. The golf tee dispenser of claim 11 wherein the lanyard is coupled with the housing such that when the housing is suspended by the lanyard, the external face of the dispensing outlet is generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the lanyard.
13. A method for storing and dispensing a plurality of golf tees, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more golf tees in a golf tee dispenser having an internal cavity with a dispensing outlet attached at an open end, whereby the internal cavity is bound by one or more intrusions to form a gap to allow a single tee to pass at a time; dropping a single tee small end through the dispensing outlet while capturing the single tee large end with a lip of the dispensing outlet.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of pulling the single tee downwards to remove the single tee from the dispensing outlet.
15. The method of claim 14 whereby said step of pulling causes a second tee to drop with a small end out of the dispensing outlet, and a large end of the second tee captured by a lip of the dispensing outlet.
16. The method of claim 15 whereby the single tee large end is captured at one side of the dispensing outlet, and the second tee large end is captured at an opposing side of the dispensing outlet.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of removing the dispensing outlet from the housing; inserting at least one golf tee into the open end of the internal cavity.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of further inserting a second golf tee into the open end by alternating the placement of a large end of the golf tee relative to the at least one golf tee inserted creating an alternating-single-stack arrangement of stored golf tees.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of affixing the dispensing outlet onto the housing, thereby enclosing the at least one golf tee and second golf tee within the internal cavity of the housing.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of suspending the housing with dispensing outlet by a housing closed end opposed to the open end; and utilizing gravity to dispense a golf tee, by compelling a lowermost stored golf tee to rotate through a central slot of the dispensing outlet, and suspending the golf tee by the large end with a stem and small diameter end of the golf tee being externally accessible.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of removing the suspended lowermost golf tee; and repeating the dispensing and removing steps until the plurality of golf tees has been exhausted.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a generalized perspective view of a golf tee dispenser storing and dispensing golf tees.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment version of golf tee dispenser.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a right-side view of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a left-side view of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the golf dispenser housing assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf tee dispenser housing halves illustrating the internal cavity volume and the lanyard ring retaining location.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial cut-away view of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly illustrating the closed and open ends of the internal cavity of the housing assembly.
[0018] FIG. 10 depicts a zero-thickness cross-section of the golf tee housing assembly illustrating the shape and volume of the internal cavity, and the gap.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a collection of images representing a positive of the internal cavity volume as well as the cross-section illustrating the boundaries of the internal cavity.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sectioned portion of the housing assembly illustrating internal structure and external mounting provisions for the dispensing outlet.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective overview of a golf tee with large diameter end, stem, and small diameter end.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a collection of views illustrating the alternating-single-stack orientation.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view looking into the open-end of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly illustrating how the housing features align and stack the golf tees within the internal cavity. The balance of the assembly behind the shown tee was eliminated for clarity.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view looking out through the open-end of the golf tee dispenser housing assembly illustrating how the housing features align and stack the golf tees within the internal cavity.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a front plan view of the dispensing outlet of the golf tee dispenser.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a left-end view of the dispensing outlet.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the dispensing outlet illustrating the various internal design features.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing outlet including a section cut line for FIG. 21.
[0029] FIG. 21 depicts the section A-A view of the dispensing outlet illustrating several of the internal design features.
[0030] FIG. 22 depicts two generalized perspective views of the dispensing outlet highlighting both internal and external features.
[0031] FIG. 23 is a bottom view looking into the golf tee dispenser illustrating the alternating-single-stack orientation of the golf tees as they are being dispensed.
[0032] FIG. 24 depicts a perspective view looking out of the internal cavity of the golf tee dispenser again showing the single-stack orientation of the tees.
[0033] FIG. 25 is a series of illustrations demonstrating the alternating dispensing of golf tees.
[0034] FIG. 26 depicts a generalized overview of the golf tee dispenser with several components in transparency to illustrate the alternating-single-stacked configuration of the golf tees as they move through the dispensing outlet.
[0035] FIG. 27 is a front plan view of a golf tee dispenser incorporating a safety feature to prevent the unwanted dispensing of a golf tee. The lanyard has been removed for clarity.
[0036] FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the golf tee dispenser incorporating a safety feature. The lanyard has been removed for clarity.
[0037] FIGS. 29 is a rear plan view of the golf tee dispenser incorporating a safety feature. The lanyard has been removed for clarity.
[0038] FIG. 30 is an end view of the golf tee dispenser with safety feature illustrating how the strap is positioned to prevent tees from dropping out. The lanyard has been removed for clarity.
[0039] FIG. 31 is a front plan view of a golf tee dispenser with safety feature wherein the safety feature is off. The lanyard has been removed for clarity.
[0040] FIG. 32 depicts a rear plan view of the golf tee dispenser with safety feature wherein the safety strap is stowed thereby enabling the dispensing function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The present disclosure describes a golf tee storage and dispensing methods and devices. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment golf dispenser with a cache of stored golf tees, 1500, the assemblage is shown in the standard hanging configuration with one of the internally stored golf tees being presented for use. FIG. 2, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the golf tee dispenser, 1000 (1500 sans golf tees), shown in exploded style. The commercially available lanyard, 200, is shown hosting a plastic carabiner for attaching the golf tee dispenser, 1000, or the golf tee dispenser with cache of tees, 1500, to the exterior of a golf bag or other convenient location. Numerous other attaching mechanisms are available such as a spring clasp or S hook. Housing assembly, 500 (FIG. 3), comprises two molded plastic halves, 400 and 600. The preferred material being acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Other plastic types are possible; however, ABS provides the needed mechanical properties in a resin that can be readily colored for various effects at an economical price, the aforementioned plastic halves being produced using the injection molding process. Ultrasonic welding is the preferred method for joining the two halves to create the single housing being employed for the preferred embodiment. Aside from the male/female mounting provisions found in the four-corners and top-center of each molded plastic half, 400 and 600, the features and design of each is a mirror image of the other and as such indistinguishable once joined. As a result, the number callouts associated with the various features of the housing are therefore interchangeable without impact to the claims or function. For example, molded plastic half, 400, is a mirror image of molded plastic half, 600. Interchanging their orientation or callouts would not impact claims or functionality. Dispensing outlet, 800, made from an elastomeric material such as silicone from a process such as injection molding. Other materials and processes are possible such as nitrile rubber from a compression molding process. Dispensing outlet 800 may be configured as a gasket or otherwise an opening enclosure to circumscribe the lower opening XXX of housing 500.
[0042] The device stores and dispenses golf tees in a one-at-a-time fashion using only gravity coupled with the features found in both the housing and the dispensing outlet. As gravity provides the primary impetus for golf tee motion, reliable dispensing demands that each golf tee is presented to the outlet in a predictable position, and that only one tee at a time be allowed to approach the dispensing outlet. The two main functions, storing and dispensing, are managed by the housing and the dispensing outlet respectively. The housing provides the orderly storage and feeding toward the dispensing outlet that, along with gravity, position the golf tees one-by-one into a readily accessible position for the golfer to access, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0043] Referring now to the housing, 500, shown assembled in FIGS. 3 through 7. As previously discussed, the molded plastic halves, 400 and 600, are assembled and joined using ultrasonic welding to create a unitary hollow housing, 500. Adhesive bonding may be employed in lieu of ultrasonic welding as cyanoacrylate adhesive yields good bond strength in ABS plastic joints. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 7 the external features of housing, 500, are mirrored to provide a symmetrical visual presentation as well as interface for mounting the dispensing outlet, 800. FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the housing, 500, illustrating the presence of a hollow internal cavity while FIG. 7 depicts the external location of the lanyard, 200, mounting interface. Once assembled, the housing, 500, encompasses an internal cavity that is used to store the cache of golf tees. As previously discussed, the molded plastic halves, 400 and 600, are mirrored parts sharing the same design features and characteristics. As shown in FIG. 8, molded plastic half, 600, includes a first partial internal cavity, 605, and one-half of the lanyard mounting provision, 610, as seen in the inset. The partial internal cavity preferably extends most of the path from bottom to top of device, and when at lower end, is only capped by dispensing outlet. Since mirrored, molded plastic half, 400, incorporates the complementary features, second partial internal cavity, 405, and one-half of the lanyard mounting provision, 410. Partial internal cavities 405 and 605 should reflect one another in cross-sectional size and, while longitudinal shape may differ due to the overall shape of the device. FIG. 9 illustrates the assembled housing, 500, from molded plastic halves, 400 and 600, with closed housing end, 505, preferably at the top or oriented upwards, and open housing end, 510, preferably at the lower end or bottom to facilitate gravitational dispensation through open end. The cutaway portion of molded plastic half, 600, as shown, provides insight into the structure and features that form the internal cavity, 515. For clarity, a zero-thickness cross-section of the housing, 500, is presented in FIG. 10. As shown the two molded plastic halves, 400 and 600, have been joined creating an internal cavity, 515, from the combination of the partial internal volumes, 405 and 605. The internal surfaces of the housing, 500, bounds and shapes the internal cavity, 515, where the cache of golf tees are stored. The opposite side forms a similar shape, in cross-section with partial internal volumes 1405 and 1605 forming internal cavity 1515. Cavities 515 and 1515 are preferably parallel (in cross-section) and establish location for a transverse tee to pass thereby (wide enough to allow tee head 105 to pass therethrough as shown below). The gap, 520, is established between the upper housing surface, 530, and the lower housing surface, 540. Gap 520 is shaped by rounded intrusions 570 (two on either side facing complementary features), and stabilizing bars 580 as perpendicularly extending bars from either side 400 and 600. Stabilizing bars do not need to extend perpendicular, and may simply narrow opening at open end 510. Stabilizing bars should extend into the cavity at open end at least as far as intrusions 570 if not further. Stabilizing bar may be centrally located. Stabilizing bars serve to guide the tee stem 115, while internal cavities 515 serve to guide a rounded tee head at large end 105 of a tee (shown below). Internal cavity width, 525, is determined by the distance between the left-side housing surface, 545, and the right-side housing surface, 535, and should be sized appreciably wider e.g. up to 10% or thereabouts to the length of a tee set in gap. The cross-hatched image in FIG. 11 represents the shape and area of the internal cavity, 515, while the positive form, 515P, of the negative internal cavity, 515, is shown for overall visualization. The perspective view of a sectioned assembled housing, 500, shown in FIG. 12 illustrates further that when the molded plastic halves, 400 and 600, are joined they create functional internal structures that work to deliver golf tees to the dispensing outlet, 800, that is attached to the housing, 500, by the mounting lugs, 415 and 615. Dispensing outlet may extend over cavity to occlude stabilizing bars and intrusions. Preferably, dispensing outlet extends as far as intrusions and stabilizing bar, or further.
[0044] Although a commercial item, a brief description of a typical golf tee, 100, is beneficial. As shown in FIG. 13, the typical golf tee, 100, is cylindrical in nature having three main features of importance, they include: the large diameter end, 105, the stem, 115, and the small diameter end, 110. The three-tee stack shown in FIG. 14 illustrates an alternating-single-stack arrangement of a plurality of golf tee, 100, that provides an optimized packing efficiency enabling the most singly-stacked golf tees within a fixed storage volume. An important aspect of one-at-a-time dispensing is preventing the stored golf tees from getting out of single-stack orientation and jamming. The plan view of the housing open end, 510, shown in FIG. 15 without the dispensing outlet, 800, and the housing, 500, being truncated for clarity illustrates the features of the housing, 500, that align and prevent the golf tee, 100, from getting jammed as it approaches the dispensing outlet, 800. The gap, 520, is wide enough to accommodate only one stem, 115, as the golf tee, 100, travels within the internal cavity, 515, thereby preventing a jam. Additionally, the internal cavity width, 525, allows enough freedom of movement to facilitate the gravity-feed mechanism to function without excessive drag or binding. An alternate view of the relationship between the features of the housing, 500, and the golf tee, 100, is provided in FIG. 16 where the housing, 500, has been truncated just ahead of the mounting lugs, 415 and 615, for clarity the dispensing outlet, 800, has been omitted. As previously described, the gap, 520, maintains the single-stack arrangement within the stored cache of golf tee, 100, as first illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0045] From a functional perspective, it is the responsibility of the housing, 500, to maintain the orderly flow of golf tee, 100, to the dispensing outlet, 800, for a one-at-a-time dispensing presentation. The function of the dispensing outlet, 800, is to present the golf tee, 100, or a portion thereof, to the user. FIGS. 17 through 21will illustrate the integrated features that enable the functionality of the dispensing outlet, 800. FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the dispensing outlet, 800, interior including retention tabs, 815, and dispensing depressions, 810 and internal face, 805. Continuing, FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing outlet, 800, illustrating the external dispensing face, 830, with central slot, 825, therein defined by the central slot width, 840, and the central slot height, 845, and section line for section A-A. The central slot, 825, is configured with a central slot width, 840, to be wide enough to let a golf tee, 100, pass through, and a central slot height, 845, being narrow enough to let only the small diameter end, 110, and the stem, 115, of golf tee, 100, pass through under the force of gravity. FIG. 21 illustrates the resulting view of Section A-A, the features of the dispensing outlet, 800, are symmetric about the cutting plane, therefore the reverse of the section A-A would present the exact image as the one provided in FIG. 21. The significant features include the retention tabs, 815, which serve to retain the dimensions of the central slot, 825, against undue flexing. As previously discussed, the dispensing outlet, 800, is removably mounted to the housing, 500, by ensuring that the mounting lugs pairs, 415 and 615, are engaged with the pairs of lug windows, 820, of the dispensing outlet, 800, the mounting arrangement then ensures that the internal dispensing face, 805, is directly adjacent to the open housing end, 510, of the housing, 500. Some additional features of the dispensing outlet, 800, include a pair of dispensing depressions, 810, that partially extend into the dispensing face thickness, 835, to minimize the retention/pull-out force between the golf tee, 100, that is being withdrawn from the golf tee dispenser, 1500, through the dispensing outlet, 800. Two perspective views of the dispensing outlet, 800, are presented in FIG. 22 to further illustrate the relationship between the internal and external functional features. FIG. 23 presents a bottom plan view of the golf tee dispenser, 1500, with the balance of the assembly truncated for clarity. The view depicts a single golf tee, 100, housed in the golf tee dispenser, 1500, just prior to being dispensed. Once suspended by the closed housing end, 505, gravity would force the golf tee, 100, to rotate about the large diameter end, 105, with the small diameter end, 110, and stem, 115, easily passing through the central slot, 825, therein being available to the user. FIG. 24 presents a reverse view of FIG. 23 illustrating the relationship between the alternating-single-stack arrangement of a plurality of golf tee, 100, the housing, 500, and the dispensing outlet, 800, the balance of the golf tee dispenser, 1500, has been truncated for clarity. FIG. 25 includes three sequential views of the tee dispensation in action at and beyond closed end of housing. Specifically dispensing outlet (gasket) is shown side cross section al view with tees 120 hanging therefrom. Tee 120a hangs with small point end 110 downwards, which large end 105 is captured by dispensing outlet 800 at a lip 801. After first tee 102 a is pulled, central image depicts how second tee 120b rotates and falls down on the opposing end as did tee 120a. Similarly, when tee 120b is removed (as by pulling to cause the lip of elastic dispending end to distend slightly and return to form, third tee 120c is again dispensed (rotating out) to dangle in the same orientation as did tee 120a from dispensing outlet 800 below housing 500 and opening 510. FIG. 26 illustrates the one-at-a-time dispensing process starting with image a where gravity has forced the rotation of the lowermost golf tee, 100, counter-clockwise about the large diameter end, 105, and since the central slot height, 845, is narrower, the rotated golf tee, 100, remains captive and presented to the user for withdrawal. Until withdrawn, the suspended golf tee, 120, prevents its successor from rotating into a presentation position thereby maintaining the one-at-a-time dispensing process. Images b and c illustrate the progression of alternating dispensing as each successive golf tee, 100, is dispensed from the opposite side of the golf tee dispenser, 1500.
[0046] FIG. 26 is presented with a portion of housing, 500, and the entirety of the dispensing outlet, 800, in transparency. The image illustrates the alternating-single-stack storage arrangement of the plurality of golf tee, 100, with one golf tee being shown in the presentation orientation, available for withdrawal and use.
[0047] A second embodiment of the golf tee dispenser, 1050 and 1550, is illustrated in FIGS. 27 through 32, for clarity all images shown without the lanyard, 200. The second embodiment includes a mechanism to prevent stored golf tees from being dispensed. FIG. 27 is a front plan view of the golf tee dispenser, 1550, with an augmented dispensing outlet, 850, that includes safety strap, 855, and safety loop, 860, as further illustrated in FIG. 28. Safety strap, 855, is made from a flexible elastomer such as silicone rubber, and is pulled through the safety loop, 860, thereby preventing any of the stored golf tee, 100, from being removed. Additional views of the golf tee dispenser, 1550, with the safety mechanism employed may be found in FIGS. 29 and 30. Finally, FIGS. 31 and 32 provide images of the golf tee dispenser, 1550, with the safety strap, 855, in the stowed position using safety post, 865, to retain the safety strap, 855.
