Golf tee insertion depth marker

A golf tee insertion depth marker comprises a reservoir having a fluid container. Over the reservoir is a cover having a series of spaced apart openings, each sized to receive a shaft of a golf tee. In the fluid container is an ink-impregnated sponge having wells that are sized to receive the shaft of the tee. Each well is axially aligned with a corresponding one of the openings in the cover. The bottom of the reservoir has ledges configured in stair step fashion that are aligned with the openings in the cover. When a golf tee is inserted through any of the openings, the shaft of the tee rubs against the inner surface of the well of the sponge which marks the shaft with ink. The height of the marking is determined by the height of the ledge below the tip of the tee.

FIELD

This invention relates to gauges for golf tees and, in particular, to a golf tee insertion depth marker that marks the shaft of a golf tee at a certain height to assist in ensuring that the golf tee is inserted into the ground at the desired depth consistently.

BACKGROUND

In the game of golf, a player may strike a golf ball while it lies directly on the ground surface or from a tee that has been placed into the ground. Golfers may prefer to hit the ball from a tee instead of the ground for various reasons. One reason is that the ground surface may not be suitable for hitting the ball (e.g., frozen ground). Another reason is that it places the ball more easily into the path of the golf club's head. For example, drivers have heads that are larger than most other golf clubs and are often used for the first or “tee” shot. A player will often use a golf tee to ensure that the golf ball is placed in the club's swing path thereby ensuring that the club strikes the ball squarely in order to optimize distance and trajectory of the ball.

When using a tee, a player manually pushes the shaft of the tee into the ground to a certain depth to place the top of the golf tee at a certain height above the ground surface. Varying this insertion depth varies the height at which the ball sits above the ground surface. Different clubs may require different ball heights in order to optimize the ball's distance and trajectory once it is hit. For example, for a large driver, the ball would likely be positioned higher (i.e., further from the ground), while use of a smaller club may require a ball to be positioned lower (i.e., closer to the ground).

Another reason for varying the tee height is that different golfers may have different preferences that are unique to them and may depend on a number of factors, such as their height, swing pattern, whether they want to hit a hook or slice shot, etc.

Once the golfer has determined a suitable tee height and club combination, the golfer endeavors to maintain that same combination from one shot to the next to ensure that the ball is hit consistently. Golfers who can minimize the number of variables in their game that may contribute to errors are often the most successful. Therefore, in addition to developing a consistent swing pattern, another important factor for having a successful golf game is to maintain a consistent tee height. In doing so, it is often beneficial to have some visual marking present on the golf tee itself to indicate how far the tee should be inserted into the ground. Finally, as mentioned before, the desired tee height may vary depending on the type and size of club used. Therefore, it is also preferable to have a way to easily mark the tee at different locations along the length of the shaft of the tee in order to provide for different tee heights.

What is needed, therefore, is a golf tee insertion depth marker that provides a visual depth marking on the tee itself and at adjustable heights to assist the golfer in maintaining a consistent tee height from one shot to the next.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by a golf tee insertion depth marker for providing markings on the shaft of a golf tee. In one embodiment, the marker comprises a housing having a reservoir portion that includes a fluid container portion disposed adjacent a bottom portion. A cover portion is disposed over the reservoir portion. Extending through the cover portion are a plurality of spaced apart openings, each of which is sized to receive a shaft of a golf tee. A golf tee inserted through any of the openings in the cover portion enters the fluid container portion. A marking fluid is disposed in the fluid container portion for marking the shaft of the golf tee when it is inserted.

A sponge may be disposed within the fluid container portion for soaking up and holding the marking fluid and for depositing the fluid onto the shaft of the golf tee. The sponge preferably includes a plurality of wells that are sized to receive the shaft of the golf tee. Each well of the sponge is axially aligned with a corresponding one of the openings in the cover portion.

The upper surface of the bottom portion of the reservoir portion has a plurality of ledges configured in stair step fashion such that each ledge is either above or below an adjacent ledge and is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the openings in the cover portion. With this configuration, a golf tee that is inserted through an opening extends through the fluid container portion and contacts the corresponding ledge, thereby setting the height of the marking fluid on the shaft of the tee.

In another embodiment, a golf tee insertion depth marker includes a housing having a reservoir portion that includes a fluid container portion disposed adjacent a bottom portion. A cover portion, which is disposed over the reservoir portion, has first and second openings extending through it. The first opening is sized to receive a threaded adjustment screw and the second opening sized to receive the shaft of a golf tee. The adjustment screw is disposed through the first opening, extends into the reservoir portion of the housing, and is operable to freely rotate within the first opening. Within the housing is a substantially planar depth platform, a portion of which is aligned with the second opening in the cover portion. The platform has a hole through it that is aligned with the first opening in the cover portion and is sized to receive the adjustment screw. The threads of the adjustment screw contact upper and lower surfaces of the platform adjacent the hole as the adjustment screw is rotated with respect to the housing, thereby moving the platform and varying a distance between the platform and the cover portion. A marking fluid in the fluid container portion marks the shaft of the golf tee when the golf tee is inserted into the second opening in the cover portion and seats against the platform. The height of the marking on the shaft is determined by the position of the platform within the housing.

In another embodiment, a golf tee insertion depth marker includes a housing having a bottom portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a third side portion, and a top opening for receiving a shaft of a golf tee. A corner formed between the first and second side portions is disposed directly opposite the third side portion. A plurality of windows are formed in the third side portion of the housing. Each window is sized and configured to receive a tip portion of a marking device inserted therein. The tip portion of the marking device presses the shaft of the tee into the corner between the first and second side portions so that the shaft is laterally secured as it is rotated to make a mark around the shaft. The selection of window determines the height of the marking on the shaft of the tee.

Further details of each of these and other embodiments of the invention are provided in the drawings and in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering firstFIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated an embodiment, generally indicated10, of a golf tee insertion depth marker within which features of the present invention are embodied. The marker10is in the form of a handheld device for marking golf tees that may be placed conveniently into a golf bag, for example, for easy access and use. In general, as further described below, golf tees may be inserted one of a series of wells formed into the device and a marking fluid inside of the device marks the tee. The height of that marking is determined by how far the tee is inserted into the device. Each well has a different depth such that tees may be marked at different heights by placing them into the different wells.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the marker10includes an elongate generally rectangular housing12that is made from two pieces, an upper cover portion14and a reservoir portion16that holds the marking fluid. The reservoir portion16of the depicted marker10is preferably a one-piece component comprising a fluid container portion18having a hollow center area and a bottom portion20that are integrally joined together. However, the reservoir16can be constructed as a multi-component item. In a preferred embodiment, the upper cover portion14and the reservoir portion16are made of thermoplastic and are formed by injection molding or 3D printing.

The bottom20includes a series of ledges22that are formed in stair step fashion such that adjacent ledges are at different heights from one another. When a tee is inserted into the marking device10, the height of the ledges22determines how far the tee may be inserted, which, in turn, determines the height at which the tee is marked. The difference in height of the ledges22may vary from one step to the next, or they may be uniformly spaced. For example, each ledge22may be ¼thof an inch higher or lower than the adjacent ledge. Alternatively, the height of two ledges22may be ⅛thof an inch apart while the height of two other ledges may be ½ of an inch apart.

The upper cover portion14of the depicted marker10extends across the top of the marker and covers the open top of the reservoir portion16. The cover14portion and the reservoir portion16may be permanently sealed together, such as by sonic welding or with an adhesive. Alternatively, they may be press-fit together so that the two portions may be separated from one another. Preferably, the two portions14and16are separable from one another to provide access to the fluid container portion18of the reservoir16. Such access may be beneficial for refilling the marker10with marking fluid or for removing debris that may become trapped within the marker.

The cover portion14includes a plurality of openings28, sized to permit a golf tee to be accepted into them, that are formed along the length of the cover portion14at distances that correspond with the ledges22of the bottom20such that each opening28aligns with a corresponding ledge22when the cover portion14and the reservoir portion16are joined together. For this and other embodiments described herein that incorporate marking fluid, plugs may be provided to seal the openings28when the marker is not in use to slow evaporation of the marking fluid or prevent spilling of the marking fluid.

As shown inFIG. 2, the marking device10also includes a sponge24, which is of a type similar to sponges for stamps, that is infused with a marking fluid for marking the tees. The marking fluid may include pigments, inks, dyes, etc. The shape of the sponge24preferably mimics the shape of the interior of the marker10, including having a bottom surface that includes stair step ledges, such that the sponge rests on the ledges22of the bottom20of the marker. Alternatively, the sponge24extends downward only partially into the fluid container portion18and is flat along its bottom surface. The sponge24further includes a series of passageways, bores or wells26disposed along its length that align with the openings28and are correspondingly spaced apart with the ledges22such that a well corresponds with each of the ledges.

The wells26are sized and configured to accept a golf tee when it is inserted into the marker10through one of the openings28. As may be appreciated, upon inserting a tee into the marker10, a portion of the marking fluid is transferred to the outer surface of the tee, thereby marking the tee. Accordingly, to ensure that the marking fluid is transferred effectively, the dimensions of the opening28and well26should be substantially the same as the dimensions of the shaft portion of the tee.

FIG. 3depicts an example of tees marked at two different heights. Inserting the tee into an opening28that is paired with a well26having a greater depth causes the golf tee to be marked higher up on the shaft of the tee, which thereby indicates that the tee should be inserted further into the ground. Conversely, a more shallow well marks the tee at a lower height, which indicates that the tee should be inserted at a more shallow depth into the ground such that the ball rests higher above the ground.

It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be made to the first embodiment of a marker10described above without departing form the spirit of the invention. For example, although the embodiment10includes several openings28, wells26, and ledges22that are formed along the length of an elongate housing12, the length of the housing may be significantly shorter and include a single opening, well and ledge. For example,FIGS. 4-7illustrate an alternative embodiment of a golf tee insertion depth marker30having a housing32that is made from two pieces: an upper cover portion34and a reservoir portion36that holds the marking fluid. As in other embodiments, a sponge impregnated with a marking fluid is disposed in the reservoir portion36of the housing32. As the tee is inserted into the marker30, marking fluid is transferred from the sponge to the tee in order to mark the tee.

The marker30preferably includes a single opening38through which a tee may be inserted into the marker. As shown inFIG. 6, a depth platform40is disposed within the reservoir portion36of the housing for determining how far a tee may be inserted into the reservoir portion36. The depth platform40is preferably a flat platform having a first surface42and a second surface44and an aperture formed through it. The platform40is sized to fit within and travel along the inside of the walls of the reservoir portion36of the marker30. Moving the platform40upwards causes the distance between the first surface42of the platform and the opening38to be reduced, which causes the height of the marking on the tee to be lowered. Conversely, moving the platform40downward causes the distance between the first surface42of the platform and the opening38to be increased, which causes the height of the marking on the tee to be higher.

This adjustment may be made using an adjustment screw46, which is located within the reservoir portion and extends through the aperture in the depth platform40. A lip48, surrounds the aperture on the second surface44of the platform40, rests on threads50of the screw46. As the screw46is turned, the lip48travels along the threads50of the screw thereby causing the platform40to be raised or lowered, depending on the direction that the screw is turned. As shown best inFIG. 4, the screw46is turned using the external depth dial52. Preferably, indicia54are provided on or near the depth dial52to indicate the depth to which a tee may be inserted into the platform40. To mark a golf tee using the marker30, the desired depth of insertion is first selected using the depth dial52. The golf tee is then inserted into the opening38until the tip of the tee comes into contact with the platform. To mark a tee at a different depth, the depth dial is then adjusted and the process of marking is repeated. The indicia may be provided in various increments, such as ¼thor ⅛thof an inch. This will enable a user to quickly and easily select a preferred depth by simply turning to the desired depth. However, one notable advantage of this design is that a user may optionally select a depth that is between the indicia markings54. For example, a user might prefer a depth that is between ⅞thof an inch and one inch. In that instance, the dial52could be turned to a desired position between these two indicia54, thereby providing an infinite number of marking possibilities.

The size, configuration and location of the sponge in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4-7may vary. In one preferred embodiment depicted in cross-section inFIG. 13, the sponge24is sized so that it fills substantially the entire reservoir area36. In that instance, the sponge may be provided with a slot94that enables the platform40to travel within the reservoir area36. Slots92and96are provided in the sponge24to accommodate the screw46and receive the tee. In some embodiments, the sponge24is sized such that it occupies only a portion of the reservoir area36. Preferably, the sponge is positioned within the reservoir area36immediately adjacent to and extending a short distance away from the upper cover portion34, such that the sponge is located between the platform40and the upper cover portion. In this configuration, the slot94is not necessary since the platform40does not travel through the sponge24.

With reference now toFIGS. 8-10, a golf tee insertion depth marker60according to a third embodiment is depicted. Unlike the aforementioned embodiments10and30, this embodiment60does not require a tee to be inserted into a reservoir of marking fluid. Rather, an external marking device, such as a permanent marker or ink pen, may be used to mark the tee.

The marker60comprises a housing62that includes an upper cover portion64, including an opening66to allow for a tee to be inserted into the housing, an elongate lower marking portion68, including a plurality of windows70formed along the side of the housing, a bottom portion72, and a central channel74for receiving the shaft of a golf tee. The cover portion64, lower marking portion68, and bottom portion72of the depicted marker60preferably form a one-piece component that is integrally joined together. However, the marker60can be constructed as a multi-component item. In a preferred embodiment, the upper cover portion64, the lower marking portion68and bottom72are made of thermoplastic and are formed by injection molding or 3D printing.

This marker60permits a user to mark the entire perimeter of the tee quickly and easily at various heights along the shaft of the golf tee. The first step is to insert the shaft of the tee into the marking device through the opening66and into the channel74. The opening66and channel74are preferably large enough to permit the tee to easily turn within the opening. However, these features are preferably small enough that the movement of the tee is limited to prevent skewed marking caused by excessive movement. As depicted in the drawings, the tee may be inserted until the bottom surface of the head of the tee contacts the upper surface of the cover portion64at the opening66.

As shown best inFIGS. 8 and 9, once the tee has been inserted, portions of the shaft of the tee are visible through the windows70disposed at various heights along the side of the marker60. The windows70shown in the figures are exaggerated in size for illustration purposes only. The windows70are preferably sized and configured so as to receive and securely hold the tip of a marking device, such as an ink marker, pencil or pen, such that it contacts the exterior surface of the tee. The windows70may be positioned at various locations along the housing62in order to mark the tee at various heights. For example, each window70may be ¼thof an inch higher or lower than the adjacent window. Alternatively, the distances between two windows70may vary. Although the figures show windows70only on one side of the marker60and axially aligned with the channel74, windows may be located and spaced about the entire housing in order to provide a larger choice of marking heights. Once the tee and marker pen have been correctly positioned, the tee is then turned within the housing62in order to mark the perimeter of the tee.

In a fourth embodiment depicted inFIG. 11, the marker80includes a housing82having sides84and an open top86that is sized to receive the shaft of a golf tee. Preferably, the open top86is only slightly larger than the golf tee, while at the same time being large enough to permit the tee to be easily turned within the opening.

One or more of the sides84also include a plurality of windows88. As before, portions of the shaft of a tee inserted into the marker80would be visible through windows88, which are positioned at various heights along the side(s)84of the marker. Although pictured on only one side84of the marker80, windows88may be placed on multiple sides of the marker device. These windows88accommodate the tip of a marking device in a manner similar to the windows discussed above.

After inserting the tee into the open top86, a marking device is then inserted into a window88at the desired height. The tip of the marking device presses against the shaft of the tee, thereby urging the tee against a corner90where two sides of the housing meet and stabilizing the tee as it is turned and marked with the marking device. As previously mentioned, windows88may be placed on multiple sides of the housing so that a variety of marking heights are available. Accordingly, the housing82of the marker80is preferably triangular in cross section as shown inFIG. 11, so that it would function in the same manner from all sides. However, the marker80may be formed in shapes other than triangular, such as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 12which includes a leaf spring98that urges the shaft of the tee against the inside of the front side84of the housing82in which the windows88are disposed.