WO2004101080A1

WO2004101080A1 - Golf tee

Info

Publication number: WO2004101080A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Duk-Hyun Cho
Original assignee: Duk-Hyun Cho
Priority date: 2003-05-16
Filing date: 2004-05-12
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: WO2004101080B1

Abstract

A golf tee (10) includes a body (20) formed as a shank for insertion into the ground, and a head (30) including a support surface (31) having a sidespin-preventing assembly. The head (30) is mounted to an end of the body (20) opposite an end inserted into the ground. The sidespin-preventing assembly includes ribs (31’) formed on the support surface (31) of the head (30), and the ribs (31’) are protruded from the support surface (31) of the head (30).

Description

GOLF TEE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a golf tee on which a golf ball is placed and from which the golf ball is driven. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf tee that effectively prevents sidespin, which results in slicing and hooking, such that driving in a desired direction is possible and a reduction in a drive distance is minimized.

Background Art

[2] Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a game that is typically played on an 18-hole course, and each of the holes is started in a tee box where golfers place a golf ball on a golf tee then strike the golf ball toward a specific hole using a golf club.

[3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional golf tee.

[4] A conventional golf tee 100 includes a main body 102 formed into a shank- type configuration to allow for insertion into the ground, and a head 104 formed on an end of the main body 102 opposite that inserted into the ground. A distal end surface of the head 104 is concavely formed such that a golf ball may be balanced on the head 104 when the main body 102 is inserted into the ground. The golf tee 100 may be formed as an integral unit, or may be formed of a plurality of individual elements (e.g, three elements) that are assembled together.

[5] Referring to FIG. 2a, in a state where a golf ball B is placed on the head 104 of the golf tee 100, a golfer strikes the golf ball B using a golf club in a direction of arrow ® . As a result, vertical spin in the direction of arrow © is given to the golf ball B as the same is sent in the direction of the desired landing location. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6]

[7] However, if the golf club does not strike the golf ball B at a precise angle and some of the force of the golf club is applied to the side of the golf ball B, that is, to either side of a center point C of the golf ball B (see FIG. 2b), sidespin in the directions of arrows © is given to the golf ball B to thereby cause slicing or hooking The golf ball B, therefore, is not directed straight toward the desired location and the drive distance is reduced. [8] As a result, all golfers, regardless of playing ability, are extremely interested in ways at minimizing slicing and hooking

Technical Solution [9] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a golf tee that effectively prevents sidespin, which results in slicing and hooking, such that driving in a desired direction is possible and a reduction in drive distance is minimized. [10] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a golf tee includes a body formed as a shank for insertion into the ground, and a head including a support surface having a sidespin-preventing assembly. The head is mounted to an end of the body opposite an end inserted into the ground. [11] The sidespin-preventing assembly includes ribs formed on the support surface of the head, and the ribs are protruded from the support surface of the head. Further, the ribs are formed with lengths extending along a direction a golf ball travels when struck by a golf club. [12] The head includes a band insertion cavity and a connecting member insertion slot.

The body includes a band for insertion into the band insertion cavity, and a connecting member for insertion into the connecting member insertion slot. [13] A portion of the connecting slot opposite that which the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club is slanted in the direction of travel of the golf ball. [14] In another embodiment, the support surface includes two or more separated sections, which are formed by a separating channel formed along a direction the golf ball travels when struck by a golf ball. [15] In still yet another embodiment, an extension is elongated from the head in the direction the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club.

Description of Drawings [16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional golf tee.

[17] FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views of a golf ball positioned on a conventional golf tee, and are used to describe vertical spin and sidespin. [18] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a golf tee according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [19] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A- A of FIG. 3, in which the golf tee is shown in an assembled state. [20] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a head of a golf tee according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [21] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head of a golf tee according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[22] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head of a golf tee of FIG. 6.

[23] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a head of a golf tee according to still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode

[24] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[25] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a golf tee according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3, in which the golf tee is shown in an assembled state.

[26] A golf tee 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body 20 and a head 30. The body 20 is in the form of a shank to allow for insertion into the ground, and the head 30 is provided on an end of the body 20 opposite that used for insertion into the ground. The golf tee 10 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as a separable unit comprised of the body 20 and the head 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and it is possible to form the golf tee 10 as an integral unit or as an assembly comprised of three or more elements.

[27] The head 30 functions to stably support a golf ball. This is accomplished through a support surface 31 formed on an end of the head 30 opposite an end adjacent to the body 20. The support surface 31 provides an area on which a golf ball is placed. The support surface 31 includes a plurality of ribs 31 ' that protrude at predetermined intervals and in a direction away from the body 20. The ribs 31 ' have a length formed along direction © substantially in-line with a direction the golf ball travels when struck by a user. The golf ball rests on distal ends of the ribs 31 ' prior to being driven.

[28] The ribs 31 ' operate to reduce sidespin. That is, when sidespin is given to the golf ball, the ribs 31 ' elastically deform to absorb the sidespin of the golf ball rested thereon. This action of the ribs 31 ' , therefore, acts to minimize slicing and hooking caused by sidespin.

[29] Furthermore, by forming the ribs 31 ' of the support surface 31 with their lengths in line with the traveling direction © of the golf ball, the ribs 31 ' are not displaced by the vertical spin of the golf ball. As a result, the ribs 31 ' do not disrupt any vertical spin given to the golf ball. Also, because of the spaced-apart formation of the ribs 31 ' as described above, an area of the support surface 31 making contact with the golf ball is reduced. This acts to significantly limit loss in drive distance due to friction of the golf ball with the golf tee 10.

[30] Each of the ribs 31 ' may be formed as a single integral unit along the traveling direction © of the golf ball, or may be formed as a plurality of separated elements along the traveling direction © of the golf ball.

[31] A band insertion cavity 33 is formed in the head 30. The band insertion cavity 33 allows for insertion of a band 21 of the body 20. In addition, a catch protrusion 33 ' is formed at a furthermost end of the cavity 33, that is, an end opposite that next to the support surface 31. A hooking member 21 ' of the band 21 catches on the catch protrusion 33 ' to prevent removal of the band 21 from the head 30. To allow for easy insertion of the band 21 into the band insertion cavity 33, the hooking member 21 ' is made to a small size at its distal end. The hooking member 21 ' gradually increases in size from its distal end in a direction toward the remainder of the body 20 so that removal from the band insertion cavity 33 is prevented by the interaction between the hooking member 21 ' of the band 21 and the catch protrusion 33 ' of the band insertion cavity 33.

[32] Further, a connecting member insertion slot 35 is formed in the head 20 under the catch protrusion 33 ' , that is, to a side of the catch protrusion 33 ' opposite a side to which the band insertion cavity 33 is formed. A connecting member 23 of the body 20 is inserted in the connecting member insertion slot 35. In one embodiment, the connecting member 23 is formed in substantially a rectangular configuration with one of its four sides formed in a circumferential direction of the golf tee 10 (i.e., the one side closest to where the golf club first makes contact with the golf ball) slanted at an angle θ in the traveling direction © of the golf ball, the remaining three of these four sides being formed to make close contact with the connecting member insertion slot 35. Such a configuration allows for easy separation between the connecting member 23 and the connecting member insertion slot 35 when the golf ball is struck by the user. Also, by forming the other three sides to make close contact with the connecting member slot 35, rotation of the head 30 on the body 20 is prevented.

[33] In the above, an example is described in which the band 21 is used to interconnect the head 30 and the body 20. However, it is possible to use other configurations, such as utilizing a hinge or magnets for the detachable interconnection of the head 30 and the body 20.

[34] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a head of a golf tee according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[35] A head 30a in this exemplary embodiment includes a separating channel 37a that is created by forming ribs 31 ' a on a support surface 31a to both sides of the separating channel 37a, and leaving this predetermined area with none of the ribs 31 ' a formed thereon. In one embodiment, the separating channel 37a is formed along the traveling direction © of the golf ball in substantially a center of the support surface 3 la to thereby form two separated sections 31a ' and 31a " . It is also possible to form three or more separated sections by the formation of two or more separating channels. All other aspects of this embodiment are identical to those described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[36] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head of a golf tee according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head of a golf tee of FIG. 6.

[37] A head 30b of this exemplary embodiment includes a support surface having an extension 39b that is elongated in a direction a golf ball travels when struck by a golf club after placement on the head 30b. Ribs 31 ' b are formed over an entire area of the support surface including the extension 39b. By increasing lengths of the ribs 31 ' b with the formation of the extension 39b, sidespin is more effectively reduced.

[38] With particular reference to FIG. 7, the extension 39b is formed having a length 1 that is proportional to a diameter R of the head 30b. In one embodiment, the length 1 of the extension 39b is 10-50% of the length of the diameter R of the head 30b. If the diameter R of the head 30b is made sufficiently large to significantly reduce sidespin, however, it is not necessary to form the extension 39b. Further, it is possible to make the length 1 of the extension 39b greater than 50% of the length of the diameter R of the head 30b depending on the material used for the head 30b.

[39] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the extension 39b has a planar shape that is substantially half of an ellipse. However, this is jist one example of the shape that may be used for the extension 39b, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the extension 39b may be formed having a quadrilateral planar configuration.

[40] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a head of a golf tee according to still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[41] Using the basic configuration of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, a support surface is formed similar to the way in which it is formed in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 (and not extended as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7). An extension 39c of a head 30c is formed by elongating ribs 31 ' c from the support surface a predetermined distance in a direction a golf ball travels. As a result, gaps 39 ' c are formed between the ribs 31 ' c in the area of the extension 39c. [42] With this configuration of FIG. 8, the ribs 31 ' c in the area of the extension 39c are unattached to other elements. This enables the ribs 31 ' c to better absorb sidespin gi ven to the ball.

[43] In the present invention described above, ribs are formed on the head of a golf tee for reducing sidespin. Therefore, if the golf ball is struck slightly away from the intended target point, sidespin is effectively reduced by the action of the ribs as described above. As a result, slicing and hooking become less likely. Such an advantage is welcomed by beginners and experts alike.

[44] Further, by forming the ribs with lengths in the direction the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club, the golf tee minimally affects vertical spin given to the golf ball. Also, this configuration reduces an area of contact between the golf ball and the head of the golf tee, thereby minimizing a reduction in a drive distance caused by friction between the golf tee and golf ball. Such an advantage is further enhanced by dividing the head into two or more separated sections.

[45] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and/or equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[46] For example, other configurations including means to prevent sidespin on the support surface are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Also, the ribs may be formed as protrusions having a circular or multilateral configuration.

Claims

[ 1 ] 1. A golf tee, comprising : a body formed as a shank for insertion into the ground; and a head including a support surface having a sidespin-preventing assembly, the head being mounted to an end of the body opposite an end inserted into the ground. [2] 2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the sidespin-preventing assembly includes ribs formed on the support surface of the head. [3] 3. The golf tee of claim 2, wherein the ribs are protruded from the support surface of the head. [4] 4. The golf tee of claim 3, wherein the ribs are formed with lengths extending along a direction a golf ball travels when struck by a golf club. [5] 5. The golf tee of claim 4, wherein the head includes a band insertion cavity and a connecting member insertion slot, and the body includes a band for insertion into the band insertion cavity and a connecting member for insertion into the connecting member insertion slot. [6] 6. The golf tee of claim 5, wherein a portion of the connecting slot opposite that which the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club is slanted in the direction of travel of the golf ball. [7] 7. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the support surface includes two or more separated sections, which are formed by a separating channel formed along a direction the golf ball travels when struck by a golf ball. [8] 8. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein the sidespin-preventing assembly is formed using ribs formed on the support surface. [9] 9. The golf tee of claim 8, wherein the ribs are protruded from the support surface of the head. [10] 10. The golf tee of claim 9, wherein the ribs are formed with lengths extending along a direction a golf ball travels when struck by a golf club. [11] 11. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the head includes a band insertion cavity and a connecting member insertion slot, and the body includes a band for insertion into the band insertion cavity and a connecting member for insertion into the connecting member insertion slot. [12] 12. The golf tee of claim 11, wherein a portion of the connecting slot opposite that which the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club is slanted in the direction of travel of the golf ball. [13] 13. The golf tee of claim 1, further comprising an extension that is elongated from the head in the direction the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club. [14] 14. The golf tee of claim 13, wherein the sidespin-preventing assembly is formed using ribs formed on the support surface. [15] 15. The golf tee of claim 14, wherein the ribs are protruded from the support surface of the head. [16] 16. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the ribs are formed with lengths extending along a direction a golf ball travels when struck by a golf club. [17] 17. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the head includes a band insertion cavity and a connecting member insertion slot, and the body includes a band for insertion into the band insertion cavity and a connecting member for insertion into the connecting member insertion slot. [18] 18. The golf tee of claim 11, wherein a portion of the connecting slot opposite that which the golf ball travels when struck by a golf club is slanted in the direction of travel of the golf ball.