GB2366210A

GB2366210A - Resilient tee device

Info

Publication number: GB2366210A
Application number: GB0021477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ching-Shui Liao
Original assignee: CHARGEMAIN SPRING IND CO Ltd
Current assignee: CHARGEMAIN SPRING IND CO Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-01
Filing date: 2000-09-01
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0021477D0; DE20015728U1

Abstract

A resilient tee device comprises a hollow pointed peg (1) having a flared top (13), a hollow cylindrical holder (2) having an engagement member (23), and a first elastic member (31) with a bottom end anchored within the peg and a top ring (32) secured in the engagement member. In use, the holder is temporarily bent and separated from the peg due to the expansion of the elastic member when a player strikes a ball resting on the tee. The holder then returns to its normal position by the compression of the elastic member. For the purpose of fastening the elastic member in the hollow peg, a second elastic member (33) surrounds the first elastic member, an abutment sleeve (4) is put on the second elastic member, and an elastic sleeve (6) is abutted on the abutment sleeve.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> RESILIENT TEE DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tees and more particularly to a resilient tee device with improved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, a tee is employed to hold a golf ball. A conventional tee is made of wood. It is disadvantageous for being susceptible of breakage once hit by the head of golf. In a worse case, ball together with tee are flied away in the stroke. Another conventional tee is made of plastic material. Such tee comprises a pointed bottom end inserted into earth, a shank, and a flare-shaped top for holding ball, It is still disadvantageous for being prone to fly away once hit. A still another conventional tee comprises a bell-shaped holder made of polyethylene (PU) and a metal pointed peg having bottom inserted into earth and top inserted into the center slot of the holder. It has a limited elastic extended distance once hit by the head of golf. But it is still disadvantageous for being prone to fly away once the limit is not enough for a very strong stroke. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a resilient tee device comprising a peg including a pointed bottom end inserted'into earth, a shank, an upper flare-shaped member, a hole having a cascaded inner surface forming a plurality of slots, and a curvature on the outer surface of hole; a cylindrical holder including a cylinder having an outer diameter conformed to flare-shaped member, a center through hole, a conical member for holding golf bell, an engagement member having a center through hole, a through slit on either side of engagement member, a slit on either side of engagement member being perpetidicular to through slit, an inner circumferential groove matingly engaged with curvature, a second inner circumferential groove above groove, and an

inner circumferential flange; and an elastic member including a bottom end anchored in slot and a top ring projected above the through slit which is further turned 90 degrees to secure in slit. In use, holder is temporarily bent and separated from peg due to the expansion of elastic member after player making the stroke. Thereafter, holder returns to its normal position by the compression force of elastic member. This tee device is stable, reliable, and durable. Player may enjoy very much.

The -above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a resilient tee device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1 tee; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the tee of the invention; FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the FIG. 3 tee; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the bent FIG. 3 tee after being hit by a golf club; FIG, 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the tee of the invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the tee of the invention; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the tee of the invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-8ectional view of a five embodiment of the tee of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a six embodiment of the tee of the invention; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional. view of the FIG. 8 tee; and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a seven embodiment of the tee of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3A, and 313, there is shown a resilient tee device constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a peg I including a pointed bottom end 11 inserted into earth, a shank 12, an upper flare-shaped member 13, a hole 14 having a cascaded inner surface forming a plurality of slots 15 (e.g., slot 15 having the smallest diameter and slot 17 having a diameter larger than slot 15), and a curvature 16 on the outer surface of hole 14; a cylindrical holder 2 including a cylinder 20 having an outer diameter conformed'to flare-shaped member 13, a center through hole 21, a conical member 22 for holding golf ball 5, an engagement member 23 having a center through hole, a through slit 24 on either side of engagement member 23, a slit 25 on either side of engagement member 23 being perpendicular to through slit 24, an inner circumferential groove 26 matingly engaged with curvature 16, a second inner circumferential groove 27 above groove 26, and an inner circumferential flange 28; and an elastic member 3 (e.g., spring 31) including a bottom end anchored in slot 15 and a top ring 32 projected above the through slit 24 which is further turned 90 degrees to secure in slit 25.

In use, holder 2 may be temporarily bent and separated from peg I due to the expansion of elastic member 3 after player making the stroke (FIG. 313). Thereafter, holder 2 returns to its normal position (FIG. 3) by. the compression force of elastic member 3. In view of the foregoing, this tee device is stable, reliable, and durable. Player may enjoy very much.

Referring to FIG. 4, an elastic sleeve 6 is put on spring 31. Elastic sleeve 6

includes a top circumferential flange 61 slidable in the lower part of through hole 21 in the normal condition. Flange 61 is slid into groove 26 when holder 2 is bent. This may prevent dirt and so on from entering into holder 2. Also, elastic sleeve 6 may prevent dirt and so on from entering into spring 31.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown another spring such as second spring 33 having a diameter larger than spring 31 and a strength stronger than spring 31. The bottom end of spring 33 is anchored in slot 17, while the top end 34 of the upper flare-shaped portion of spring 33 is engaged with groove 27 in the bottom of engagement member 23. It is possible to form a thread portion 18 around the inner surface of slot 17 so as to enhance the engagement between slot 17 and second spring 33 (FIG. 6). This dual spring design may further fasten the engagement between peg I and holder 2. In assembly, first insert spring 31 into second spring 33. Then fasten them together to hole 14. Finally, insert them into holder 2 for fastening. It is possible to install only the second spring 33 (FIG. 5).

An abutment sleeve 4 is sleeved on second spring 33 being inserted into through hole 21. Abutment sleeve 4 comprises an outer circumferential groove 41 engaged with flange 28 such that the engagement between abutment sleeve 4 and second spring 33 is enhanced. Abutment sleeve 4 is moved up to engage with the shoulder 36 of second spring 33 when pulling peg 1. At this point, two springs 31, 33 are expanded simultaneously. This can prevent spring 31 from damaging due to excessive expansion.

Referring to FIG. 7, elastic sleeve 6 is abutted on the bottom of abutment sleeve 4. The functions of elastic sleeve 6 is detailed in the description of FIG. 4 above.

Referring toFIG. 8 and 9, the differences between this embodiment and first embodiment are detailed below. A second elastic sleeve 161 is sleeved on

elastic sleeve 6 having an outer thread portion 162 around the bottom and a slightly outward arcuate surface 163. A top aperture 19 is formed on hole 14. A thread portion 191 is provided around the inner surface of aperture 1.9 being threadedly secured to the outer thread portion 162. Springs 31, 33 are both inserted through second elastic sleeve 161. Hole 14 has a three cascaded slots each having a thread portion around the inner surface thereof. Elastic sleeve 6 has a circumferential flange 62 on the boftom being passed through the center bore of second elastic sleeve 161. Flange 62 is engaged in the bottom of second elastic sleeve 161, thus securing the bottom of elastic sleeve 6 within the peg 1. Note that it is possible to install a single spring in this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, above springs are eliminated. Instead, an elastic sleeve 6 preferably made of rubber is provided. The bottom of elast-ic sleeve 6 is anchored within peg I as that shown in FIG. 9. The top of elastic sleeve 6 is passed the bore of through abutment sleeve 4. As such, flange 61 of elastic sleeve 6 may engage with the top of abutment sleeve 4, thereby secuting elastic sleeve 6 to abutment sleeve 4. The elastic force of elastic sleeve 6 provides the bending of holder 2.

While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invenbon set forth in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A tee device comprising: a peg including a pointed bottom end, a shank, an upper flare-shaped member, a first hole having a cascaded inner surface forming a plurality of slots, and a curvature on the outer surface of the first hole; a cylindrical holder including a cylinder having an outer diameter conformed to the flare-shaped member, a center through hole, a conical member for holding a golf ball, a first inner circumferential groove matingly engaged with the curvature, and a second inner circumferential groove above the first inner circumferential groove; and an elastic member enclosed by the peg and the holder.
2. The tee device of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring means.
3. The tee device of cAaim 2, wfierein the holder further comprises an engagement member having a through hole, a through slit on either side of the engagement member, and a slit on either side of the engagement member being perpendicular to the through slit, and wherein the top end of the spring means is projected above the through slit being turned 90 degrees so as to secure in the slit.
4. The tee device of claim 2, wherein the bottom end of the spring means is either threadedly secured to or clung to the bottom slot of the peg.
5. The tee device of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the spring means is clung to one of the slots of the peg other than the bottom slot thereof.
6. The tee device of claim 2, wherein the spring means is a first spring.
7. The tee device of claim 6, further comprising an elastic sleeve put on the first spring including a top circumferential flange slidable in the through hole of the holder.
8. The tee device of claim 2, wherein the spring means is a second spring

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strong than the first spring.
9. The tee device of claim 8, wherein the bottom end of the second spring is secured to one of the slots of the peg and the top end thereof is secured to the bottom of the engagement member.
10. The tee device of claim 8, further comprising an abutment sleeve put on the second spring.
11. The tee device of claim 10, wherein the abutment sleeve comprises an outer circumferential groove, and the holder further comprises an inner circumferential flange engaged with the outer circumferential groove of the abutment sleeve so as to secure the abutment sleeve in the through hole of the holder.
12. The tee device of claim 8, further comprising an elastic sleeve put on the second spring including a top circumferential flange slidable in the through hole of the holder.
13. The tee device of claim 8, wherein one of the slots comprises an inner thread portion engaged with the second spring.
14. The tee device of claim 2, wherein the holder further comprises an engagement member having a through hole and an inner circumferential flange, the spring means comprises an inner first spring having the bottom end -secured to the bottom slot of the peg and an outer second spring strong than the first spring having the bottom end secured to the other slot adjacent the bottom slot of the peg and the top end secured to the engagement member, further comprising an abutment sleeve put on the second spring including an outer circumferential groove engaged with the inner circumferential flange of the holder so as to secure the abutment sleeve in the through hole of the holder.
15. The tee device of claim 14, wherein one of the slots comprises an inner thread portion engaged with the second spring.

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16, The tee device of claim 14, wherein the second spring further comprises an upper flare-shaped portion having the top end engaged with the second groove in the bottom of the engagement member.
17. The tee device of claim 14, further comprising an elastic sleeve put on the first spring including a top circumferential flange slidable in the through hole of the holder
18. The tee device of claim 14, wherein the holder further comprises a through slit on either side of the engagement member and a slit on either Side of the engagement member being perpendicular to the through slit, and wherein the top end of the first spring is projected above the through slit being turned 90 degrees so as to secure in the slit.
19. The tee device of claim 14, wherein the second spring further comprises a shoulder at the bottom of the upper flare-shaped portion being engaged with the top of the abutment sleeve when the peg is pulled up.
20. The tee device of claim 1, further comprising an elastic sleeve means put on the elastic sleeve having an outer thread portion around the lower portion and an outward arcuate surface in the upper portion, and a top second hole on the first hole having a thread portion around the inner surface being threadedly secured to the outer thread portion of the elastic sleeve means, wherein the elastic member is inserted through the eWtic sleeve means.
21. The tee device of claim 20, further comprising an elastic sleeving member including a circumferential flange on the bottom being passed through the center of the elastic sleeve means and engaged in the bottom of the elastic sleeve means, thus securing the bottom of the elastic sleeving member within the peg.
22. The tee device of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an elastic sleeving means made of rubber.

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23. The tee device of claim 22, wherein the holder further comprises an engagement member having a through hole and an inner circumferential flange, further comprising an abutment sleeve put on the including an outer circumferential groove engaged with the inner circumferential flange of the holder so as to secure the abutment sleeve in the through hole of the holder, and an elastic sleeve put on the elastic sleeving means including a top circumferential flange slidable in the through hole of the holder.
24. The tee device of claim 23, wherein the elastic sleeving means is secured in the top of the peg, further comprising an elastic sleeve means put on the elastic sleeve having an outer thread portion around the lower portion and an outward arcuate surface in the upper portion, a top second hole on the first hole having a thread portion around the inner surface being threadedly secured to the outer thread portion of the elastic sleeve means, and a bottom circumferential flange secured in the peg, wherein the elastic member is inserted through the elastic sleeve means.
25. A tee device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.