US20120122615A1

US20120122615A1 - Golf tee gauge

Info

Publication number: US20120122615A1
Application number: US13/294,314
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert H. Lynch; Lou Ann Lynch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-11
Publication date: 2012-05-17

Abstract

A golf tee gauge has a hollow cylindrical form with a first end and an opposite second end. The first end receives the head of a golf tee. Away from the first end and towards the second end, the gauge has a stiffener that spans the internal diameter gauge. The stiffener has a thickness along the length of the gauge that resists impact and axial forces applied to the head of a golf tee. The cylindrical form of the gauge has a wall with its own thickness. In alternate embodiments, the gauge has a plurality of scribes that allow a golfer to select the embedment distance of a tee when used with the gauge. The scribes permit a golfer to cut, or to manually snap off, portions of the gauge, matching the desired height of the tee above the ground for customizing a golfer's tee height.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to the pending provisional application 61/412,872 filed on Nov. 12, 2010 which is owned by the same inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The golf tee gauge generally relates to athletic equipment and more specifically to ball elevating devices for golf. The invention relates to the game of golf where a player inserts a tee into the ground of a tee box at each hole. The player then places a ball upon the tee and after attaining a proper position of player and golf club, hits the ball off the tee, preferably forward for a great distance as aimed. The player may use a wood or an iron to hit the ball off the tee.
Beginning in the mists of the Scottish highlands in the twelfth century, people have played the great game of golf where a player hits a ball from a tee, plays the ball down the fairway to the green, then putts the ball across the green to the hole. The number of strokes to move the ball off the tee and into the hole determines the score. As each course and hole has different topography, vegetation, and weather, scores can vary during a tournament and over longer lengths of time. Like other sports, the game of golf has rules, some with strict penalties. The rules cover construction of golf courses, manufacture of golf clubs and accessories, and the play of the game itself. Each country generally has a regulatory body for golf with the U.S. Golf Association being a preeminent regulator for golf.
The rules generally allow for a minimum of one drive of the ball from the tee box and a minimum of two putts upon the green. Longer holes have additional drives from the fairway allowed. The minimum number of strokes factors into the calculation of a par score for each hole, a minimum of three but as high as six on select longer holes. A game of golf and each hole of golf begin with a drive from the tee box.
At the tee box, a player has the entire hole ahead. A tee box is generally flat and often raised above the level of the nearby fairway. The tee box has a generally open landscape with vegetation trimmed away for a substantial distance. When teeing off, the player seeks to have the ball travel the greatest distance to an aimed location. Towards that goal, the rules of golf permit usage of a tee beneath a golf ball at the tee box. A tee is generally wooden or plastic and has an elongated slender form with a pointed end for insertion and an opposite end widened and cupped for receiving a golf ball. The tee allows the player to elevate the golf ball from the surface of the tee box. In doing so, the player places the center of the golf ball closer to the center of the selected club face. With the center of the golf ball and club face aligned, the player delivers maximum force under tight control to the golf ball so it travels a great distance to the desired location.
While that reads well in theory, teeing off a golf ball in practice has plenty of challenges. Though a tee box remains open, prior players can alter the tee box surface with divots from their shots. Also, each player swings a golf club slightly differently. Each player also controls insertion and positioning of a tee. Unless paying extreme attention, a player may position a tee slightly different between each tee box. With a tee not in a common position from hole to hole, the hopefully constant swing of a player still yields shots of differing distances and accuracy. The center of the golf ball still does not align with the center of the select club face.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Over the years, various devices have sought to aid golfers placing their golf balls upon tees at a consistent, desirably constant, height above the surface of a tee box. The devices have provided insertion aids to the tee emplacing golfers and select devices modify the tees themselves to achieve the constant height of a golf ball from the tee box surface. The devices have included golf tees painted with colored stripes and rubber washers slid upon tees, and collapsible tees among others. The devices also include a tee with adjustable notches where a golfer emplaces the tee to the same notch that elevates the golf ball to the same height with each use.
The U.S. patent to Blood, U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,719, shows a golf tee insertion device that grips a tee using arms within a sleeve. The sleeve permits threaded adjustment of the arms against a marked scale so a player inserts a tee at a constant elevation. The sleeve attaches to a rod so a player need not stoop or bend.
The U.S. patent to Suwito, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,184, provides a golf tee setting device. This device has a cylindrical member that receives a threaded screw axially. The threaded screw regulates the length of a tee inserted into the device through a notch opposite the threaded screw. The cylindrical member may also include a bubble level.
The U.S. patent to Miketinac, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,758, describes a golf tee gauge of generally planar form. The gauge has apertures arranged inwardly upon its periphery where the apertures denote a height of the tee relative to the tee box surface upon placing the gauge there.
Then the U.S. patent to Musillo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,510, illustrates another golf tee gauge. This gauge is a generally planar pad with at least one row of depressions along the length of the pad. The depressions receive the head of a tee at various distances from the edge of the pad so that a player inserts a tee at a known distance. The pad may include additional rows of depressions to receive tee heads of various geometries.
The U.S. patent to Gamache, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,862, reveals a somewhat round device suitable for gripping by a player's hand that has a flat extended face. The face abuts the tee box surface and inserts a tee to a known depth leaving the tee at a constant distance from the tee box. The device has at least one recess for receiving a tee for insertion.
The U.S. design patent to Thomas, No. D458,332, shows a cylindrical golf tee positioner. The positioner has an elongated cylindrical form with a lengthwise opening, a sidewall, and a center aperture in the sidewall.
And the U.S. patent to Larry Irwin, U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,937, illustrates a golf ball and tee setting apparatus generally in shaft form with two ends. One end has a bore that receives a golf tee and the opposite end has a plate with an incomplete curved aperture that receives a golf ball. Between the two ends, the shaft has a length comfortable for golfers to use without bending at the waist.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides a golf tee gauge that sets a tee at a consistent height while surrounding the head of a golf tee. The present invention has single piece construction and a size to fit in pockets of clothing. The present invention also has alternate embodiments that allow a golfer to select a depth for embedment of a tee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the golf tee gauge has a hollow cylindrical form with a first end and an opposite second end. The first end receives the head of a golf tee during use. Away from the first end and towards the second end, the gauge has a stiffener that spans the internal diameter of the gauge. The stiffener has a thickness along the length of the gauge that allows it to resist impact and axial forces applied to the head of a golf tee. The cylindrical form of the gauge has a wall with its own thickness. In alternate embodiments, the gauge has a plurality of scribes that allow a golfer to select the embedment distance of a tee when used with the gauge. The scribes allow a golfer to detach select portions of the gauge.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. The present invention also includes single piece construction, first and second ends being open, scribes at both ends, and a closed top in place of one open end. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
One object of the present invention is to provide a golf tee gauge that provides a consistent height to a golf ball above a tee box.
Another object is to provide such a golf tee gauge that has one piece construction for prompt manufacturing.
Another object is to provide such a golf tee gauge that eases insertion of a tee into dry or hard ground.
Another object is to provide such a golf tee gauge that lessens breakage of tees when placed upon hard or dry ground.
Another object is to provide such a golf tee gauge that has a low cost of manufacturing so the purchasing golfers, coaches, professionals, tournaments, courses, and organizations can readily buy the golf tee gauge through stores and supply sources.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the present invention near a tee;

FIG. 2 describes a side view of the invention;

FIG. 3 provides a side view of the invention showing internal structure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment showing internal structure; and,

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a further alternate embodiment.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a golf tee gauge 1, as in FIG. 1, that overcomes the limitations of prior devices and methods for setting a golf tee at a consistent height. Generally at a tee box, a golfer emplaces a tee T into the tee box surface G, or ground or later a fairway, and then rests a ball upon the tee. The tee T has a slender elongated form with a wide cupped head H that receives a golf ball and an opposite pointed tip P. The head has a wider diameter than the remainder of the golf tee. A shaft S connects the head to the tip of the tee. The shaft provides the majority of the length of the tee and the distance above ground G for a golf ball (not shown). The present invention has a generally hollow, cylindrical, elongated form with a first end 2 and an opposite second end 3. The first end generally receives the head H of the tee.
Turning to FIG. 2, the present invention 1 has its cylindrical form with the first end and the opposite second end. The first end and the second end are both open and can receive the head of a golf tee. The present invention has a wall 4 formed into a cylinder connecting the first end and the second end. The wall has an inside diameter proximate that of the diameter of the head of a golf tee and an outside diameter comfortable to the grip of golfers. Upon each end, the gauge preferably has a square edge as at 5. The square edge presents a dull edge to the palm of the user when applying pressure to the invention to set a tee. More particularly, the square edge also strengthens an end for embedment into the dry soils of a summer tee box or fairway.
Similar to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the gauge 1. The gauge has its cylindrical form defined by the wall 4 into a generally tube shape. The wall has an inside diameter proximate that of the diameter of the head of a golf tee and an outside diameter comfortable to golfers. Between the inside diameter and the outside diameter, the wall has its thickness sufficient enough to restrain the head of a golf tee, to resist the forces applied by a golfer when setting a tee, and yet thin enough to make a lightweight gauge. As above, the first end 2 and the second end 3 are generally open for receiving the head of a golf tee and have a square edge treatment as at 5. Within the gauge, more proximate the second end than the first end, a stiffener 6 spans across the inside diameter of the gauge and closes off the gauge internally thus preventing a tee from passing completely through the length of the gauge 1. The stiffener has its thickness as at 7 sufficient enough to resist the axial and impact forces imparted upon it by a golfer seeking to insert a tee. The stiffener generally extends inwardly from the wall, preferably as part of a single piece of material used to construct the gauge.
The stiffener divides the gauge 1 into two compartments, a first compartment 8 opening at the first end 2 and receiving a golf tee, and a second compartment 9 opening at the second end 3 of shorter length than the first compartment. The first compartment has a length, as at a, less than that of a golf tee. This length allows a golfer to embed a golf tee at least ½ inch into the ground G, alternatively, the invention also allows for embedment of 2¼, 3, and 3½ inches as desired by the golfer. This length, a, allows a golfer to embed the tip and substantially all, or most, of the shaft of a golf tee. Because of the material for the gauge, a golfer can select further embedment of the golf tee by removing a portion of the wall 4 proximate the first end and moving the first end 2 closer to the stiffener 6. On the other side of the stiffener, the second compartment has its length, as at b. This other length is much shorter than the length, a, of the first compartment. This other length allows the head and fluted portion of the golf tee between the head and the shaft to fit within the second compartment while the majority of the shaft's length extends outwardly from the second end 3. The other length, b, is approximately the outer diameter of the wall while the length, a, is approximately four times the wall's outer diameter.
Turning the gauge 1 to view the first end 2, FIG. 4 shows the gauge ready to receive a tee T. The gauge has a generally round, hollow shape defined by a wall 4 forming a cylinder. The gauge has its first end 2 here shown in the foreground with the stiffener 6 shown inwardly of the first end but in the background and inwardly for the length, a. The stiffener closes off the cylinder preventing a tee from passing through the gauge. As before, the wall terminates in the first end 2 that has a square edge 5 as previously described. Though the first end appears in this description, the description applies similarly to the second end.
An alternate embodiment of the invention appears in FIG. 5 where the gauge has a pattern of scribes 10. This embodiment also has a generally cylindrical form with a wall 4 defining a hollow first compartment, with a length of c, and a hollow second compartment, with a length of d, separated by a stiffener. This gauge also has a third end 11 and an opposite fourth end 12 where the third end receives a golf tee. The third end opens into the first compartment 8 while the fourth end opens into the second compartment 9 and the stiffener 6 separates the two compartments. Proximate the third end, the wall has a plurality of scribes 10 arranged at an interval inwardly from the third end. The scribes follow the circumference of the wall and incise the material of the wall. The scribes allow a golfer to cut, that is, detach, a portion of the wall, effectively shortening the first compartment, that is, reducing the length, c, leading to additional embedment of a golf tee as desired. Alternatively, the scribes allow a golfer to manually snap off a portion of the wall. Opposite the third end, the fourth end has at least one scribe 10 inwardly at the same interval as the scribes proximate the third end. This scribe shortens the length, d, of the second compartment allowing for less insertion of the head of a golf tee into the compartment, that is, more insertion of the golf tee into the ground G, and upper portion of the golf tee shaft. In an alternate embodiment, the scribes form a beveled groove around the circumference of the gauge that allows a golfer to manually snap off a section of the gauge, customizing the height of the golfer's tee.
As above, the gauge has the stiffener 6 positioned more proximate the second end than the first end and the stiffener spans across the inside diameter of the gauge and closes it off, preventing a tee from passing completely through the length of the gauge 1. The stiffener has its thickness, as at 7, sufficient to resist the axial forces imparted upon it by a golfer inserting a tee into the ground with the tee positioned in the first compartment. The stiffener, as part of single piece construction for the gauge, extends inwardly from the wall, closing off the two compartments in this embodiment.
And, FIG. 6 shows a further alternate embodiment of the invention having one compartment, the third compartment 13 extending through the majority of the length of the gauge. This embodiment of the gauge has a third end 15, generally open for receiving a golf tee and an opposite closed top 14. The top 14 spans across the outer diameter of the gauge, closing off one end of the wall, and preventing a tee from passing completely through the length of the gauge 1. The top has its thickness as at 16 that resists the axial forces imparted upon it by a golfer inserting a tee into the ground with the tee positioned in the third compartment. The top closes off the gauge as part of its single piece construction as it extends inwardly from the wall, closing off the third compartment. Proximate the third end 15, the gauge 1 has a plurality of scribes 10 spaced at an interval inwardly from the third end. This embodiment has additional scribes in comparison to the embodiment of FIG. 5. The scribes extend around the circumference of the gauge and incise the wall which allows a golfer to detach portions of the wall, moving the third end closer to the top, and to embed a golf tee further.
In these various embodiments, once a golfer selects a distance, or length for the gauge, and thus the tee embedment, the gauge fixes the length of the tee inserted in the gauge to make that embedment. The gauge thus allows a golfer to embed a golf tee for the same distance, hole to hole. During use, a golfer inserts a tee into the first end or alternatively the third end of the gauge. The golfer with a tee in the device guides the tip of the tee by the golfer's forefinger for embedment into the ground G of a tee box or fairway. The golfer then inserts the tee into the tee box or fairway to a consistent depth from hole to hole during a round of golf, lessening one of the many variables that affect a golf swing.
Preferably, the gauge has a ⅝ inch outside diameter and a length from approximately 2.5 inches to 4 inches. The first compartment has a depth that the golfer selects using the scribes and second compartment has a depth of approximately ¾ inch unless the golfer detaches a portion of the wall at the nearby scribe.
From the aforementioned description, a golf tee gauge has been described. The golf tee gauge is uniquely capable of fitting over and the surrounding the head of a golf tee while encasing a portion of the length of the golf tee allowing a golfer to insert a golf tee to a known consistent depth at a tee box. The golf tee gauge has a pattern of scribes proximate the first end or the third end that allows a golfer to select the amount of tee embedment, or conversely, the amount of tee above the ground. Though the term golfer has been used, others may use the invention such as caddies, instructors, professionals, starters, and other participants related to the game of golf. The golf tee gauge and its various components may be manufactured from many materials, including but not limited to, wood, steel, aluminum, polymers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device that assists a golfer in setting a golf tee at a consistent height, the golf tee having a point, a shaft, and a head opposite the point, said golf tee setting device comprising:

an elongated round hollow cylinder, having a wall, a first end, an opposite second end, said wall extending between said first end and said second end, and a stiffener positioning within said wall; and,

said first end being open and said second end being open, said second end adapted to receive the head of a golf tee and to admit a portion of the shaft within said cylinder.

2. The golf tee setting device of claim 1 further comprising:

a stiffener spanning within said wall and internally closing said cylinder, wherein said stiffener is adapted to prevent a golf tee from passing through said cylinder.

3. The golf tee setting device of claim 2 further comprising:

said stiffener locating proximate said second end, said stiffener dividing said cylinder into a first compartment proximate said first end and a second compartment proximate said second end, said first compartment is adapted to receive the head and a substantial portion of the shaft and said second compartment is adapted to receive solely the head.

4. The golf tee setting device of claim 3 further comprising:

said first compartment having a plurality of scribes arranged at an interval inwardly from said first end and said second compartment having at least one scribe inwardly from said second end;

wherein said scribes denote points of said wall whereupon either cutting or manually snapping said wall, said first compartment and said second compartment have a length suitably selected by a golfer.

5. The golf tee setting device of claim 2 further comprising:

said stiffener locating at said second end and serving as a top for said device, said stiffener providing a first compartment extending for nearly the length of the device from said first end and said first compartment is adapted to receive the head and a substantial portion of the shaft.

6. The golf tee setting device of claim 1 wherein said first end and said second end have a square edge thus easing embedment of said device and preventing laceration of a golfer.

7. A device that assists a golfer in setting a golf tee at a consistent height, the golf tee having a point, a shaft, and a head opposite the point, said golf tee setting device comprising:

is a stiffener adapted to prevent a golf tee from passing through said device;

a cylinder receiving said stiffener, said cylinder having a round, hollow, elongated shape;

said cylinder having a wall, a first end, an opposite second end, said wall extending between said first end and said second end, and said stiffener positioning within said wall proximate said second end; and,

said first end being open and said second end being open, said second end adapted to receive the head and to admit a portion of the shaft within said cylinder.

8. The golf tee setting device of claim 7 further comprising:

said cylinder having a first compartment proximate said first end and a second compartment proximate said second end, said stiffener positioning within said cylinder between said first compartment and said second compartment;

wherein said first compartment is adapted to receive the head and a substantial portion of the shaft and said second compartment is adapted to receive solely the head.

9. The golf tee setting device of claim 8 further comprising:

wherein said scribes define said first compartment at a length suitably selected by a golfer and wherein said scribes allow either cutting or manually snapping of said wall by a golfer.

10. The golf tee setting device of claim 7 further comprising:

said stiffener including a top positioning proximate said second end and providing a first compartment extending for substantially the length of the device from said first end wherein said first compartment is adapted to receive the head and a substantial portion of the shaft.

11. The golf tee setting device of claim 7 wherein said first end and said second end have a square edge thus easing embedment of said device and preventing laceration of a golfer.

12. A device that assists a golfer in setting a golf tee at a consistent height, the golf tee having a point, a shaft, and a head opposite the point, said golf tee setting device comprising:

a cylinder having a round, hollow, elongated shape, a wall, at least one end, said at least one end being open and adapted to receive the head and admit a portion of the shaft within said cylinder, said at least one end having at least one scribe upon the circumference of said cylinder wherein said at least one scribe cuts said wall defining said cylinder to a length suitable for a golfer; and,

said cylinder having one of a stiffener inwardly from said at least one end or a top opposite said at least one end.

13. The golf tee setting device of claim 12 wherein said stiffener divides said cylinder into a first compartment proximate said at least one end and a second compartment opposite said first compartment, said first compartment is adapted to receive the head and said stiffener is adapted to prevent a golf tee from passing through said device.

14. The golf tee setting device of claim 12 wherein said top closes said cylinder opposite said at least one end, provides a first compartment proximate said at least one end that is adapted to receive a golf tee, and said top is adapted to prevent a golf tee from passing through said device.