Golf tee dispenser

Abstract

A golf tee dispenser with a funnel shaped container, a first retaining cap, a second retaining cap, the funnel shaped container capable of holding a plurality of standard golf tees the funnel shaped container has a threaded cylindrical aperture. The first retaining cap is removably retained to the funnel shaped dispenser by mating threads. The first retaining cap is retained to the funnel shaped container by a tether. The first retaining cap includes a plurality of resilient fingers to facilitate the controlled release of one golf tee at a time from the funnel shaped container. The second retaining cap is frictionally retained to the outer surface of the first retaining cap. A preferred embodiment includes a U-shaped handle member fixedly attached to the top surface of the funnel shaped container.

Claims

1. A golf tee dispenser comprising: a funnel shaped container being an essentially hollow upside-down frustum of a cone, the frustum comprising a larger diameter top and a smaller diameter bottom and an angled wall, centered around the frustum axis connecting radial center of the frustum top and radial center of the frustum bottom; a first retaining cap having an outside surface comprising mating threads; a second retaining cap; said funnel shaped container capable of holding a plurality of golf tees; said funnel shaped container having a threaded cylindrical aperture at the bottom; said first retaining cap removably retained to said funnel shaped container by the mating threads; said second retaining cap comprising a ring and a tether; the ring movably holding the second retaining cap to the funnel shaped container above the first cap via the tether; said first retaining cap includes a plurality of resilient fingers to facilitate the controlled release of one golf tee at a time from said funnel shaped container; and said second retaining cap frictionally retained to the outer surface of said first retaining cap.

2. The golf tee dispenser as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a U-shaped handle member fixedly attached to the top of said funnel shaped container.

3. The golf tee dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frustum wall angle of said funnel shaped container is approximately fifteen degrees with respect to the axis.

4. The golf tee dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the funnel shaped container is split along the axis into essentially equal halves creating two cut sides, wherein the two halves are joined on one of the cut sides by a hinge and a snap fastener on the opposite cut side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the first and second caps removed

(4) FIG. 3 is a side section view of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention showing one tee being ready to be dispensed.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with one tee released.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing the snap closure.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention in the opened position.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing one tee ready to be dispensed.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing one tee dispensed from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the invention 100. The container 2 has slanted sides that create a funnel shape. The angle of the slant is approximately fifteen degrees. A second cap 6 is attached to the container 2 via a tether 14. The tether 14 is held onto the container via a ring 8. An inverted U-shaped handle 4 allows the user to attach the container 2 via a carabiner or other standard attachment means.

(14) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention 100 showing the second cap 6 removed and the first cap 16 also removed. The first cap includes internal threads that mate with external threads 10 located at the exit aperture 12 of the container 2. The first cap includes a plurality of flexible fingers 8 that can deflect to allow a standard golf tee to exit.

(15) FIG. 3 is a side section view of the invention 100. Golf tees 22, 24 can be seen leaning against the funnel shaped walls of container 2. This configuration urges the golf tees 22, 24 to the center of cap 16. This configuration makes the tees want to exit the center of finger members 8 without undue shaking or agitation. As shown by the tee 20.

(16) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with one tee ready to be pulled out. The tee can remain in this condition until the user wants to completely pull it out as shown in FIG. 5.

(17) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention 200. This embodiment has the container split into two halves and held together by hinge member 202. As in the first embodiment, the funnel shape allows the golf tees to spontaneously be guided to the center exit port 204.

(18) FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention 200 showing standard snap closure members 208, 210. This allows the device 200 to be easily opened and closed.

(19) Inverted U shape 206 lets the user attach the device 200 to other items such as a golf club bag.

(20) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing the container halves 220, 230 in the open position. Allowing golf tees 212 to be easily loaded into the container 200.

(21) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing one golf tee 212 partially dispensed and ready to be pulled out by the user.

(22) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention showing one golf tee 212 fully pulled out of the dispenser 200.

(23) While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.