Golf tee positioning tool

A hand-held golf tee tool which ensures a consistent vertical placement of a golf tee comprises a “T”-shaped body. The body includes a recess which mimics the shape of a golf tee in order to retain the golf tee via friction fit for placement in a desired ground area. Height adjustment segments are removably attached to a lower surface of the body to increase the height of the golf tee.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf training devices, and in particular, to a golf swing training aid which provides a visible target positioned in front of a golf ball to direct a follow-through of a swing path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of golf has become one (1) of the most technologically advanced sports in the world today. Experts in science and physics have combined state of the art materials with ergonomic and aerodynamic principles in order to produce golf clubs and golf balls that produce more accurate and consistently longer golf shots. Even with all of this technology however, people still have difficulty in mastering the basics of the game, such as the simple ability to place the golf ball on the tee properly. Many people inadvertently place the tee into the ground at an angle, while others place it in too far or not far enough. Such inconsistencies can account for a great swing on one (1) hole and a “so-so swing” on the next. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which golf tees can be properly and consistently inserted in an effort to improve one's golf swing in a consistent manner. The development of the golf tee placement and alignment tool fulfills this need.

There have been attempts in the past to provide a golfer with such a tool. U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2002/0183138 and 2008/0135444 in the name of Malcolm disclose a combination golf tee setter, divot tool, and golf ball marker. Unfortunately, the Malcolm device does not provide for a means to provide an add-on height adjustment adapter as the present invention.

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0042839 in the name of Smith et al. describes a golf tee height regulator and installation tool. The tool utilizes a golf tee securement foot and an extendable shaft maneuvering the head of the golf tee actuated by a set screw. The Smith et al. device does not fall under the scope of the present invention which comprises a single hand-held upper body with a recess to hold the golf tee in and removably attachable height adjustment portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,161 in the name of Wilkerson discloses a device to customize the height of a golf tee, providing detachable segments on the top portion of the stem of the device. The golf tee is placed through a center hole of the stem. The present invention comprises a main body having a recess matching the shape of the golf tee and is easier to remove once in place. Also, the height adjustment portions are on the bottom of the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an apparatus by which golf tees can be positioned in the ground with a simple, easy-to-use tool with a single hand. The principles of the present invention provide for an apparatus for positioning a golf tee to address this identified need.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to address this need by providing an tool comprising a main body and a plurality of height adjustment segments removably attached to the main body.

It is a further object of the present embodiments of the invention to provide such a main body comprising a “T”-shaped member having a recess along a face thereof shaped to generally correspond to that of a golf tee. The recess is centrally positioned along a central vertical axis of the “T”-shaped member. A golf tee is able to placed therein.

It is yet a further object of the present embodiments of the invention to provide such a plurality of height adjustment segments each comprising at least one (1) fastener located at an upper surface thereof for fastening to a corresponding fastener in the bottom of the main body. Each height adjustment segment further comprises a recess along a central vertical axis thereof to match the general shape of the shaft of a golf tee. When each height adjustment segment is attached to the main body or an adjacent height adjustment segment, the recesses align with the recesses of the main body and adjacent height adjustment segment to permit the placement of a golf tee therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted withinFIGS. 1 through 4. However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an elevational view of the golf tee placement and alignment tool10(herein described as the “tool”), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The tool10is comprised of an upper body15having a main shaft20and a “T”-shaped handle25. In addition, the tool10comprises one (1) or more add-on height adjustment segments30which are attached at the lower or distal end of the main shaft20. Further functionality and operational characteristics of the add-on height adjustment segments30will be provide herein below.

The main shaft20is provided with a golf tee-shaped recess35which accepts approximately half of the volume of a golf tee40arranged about its vertical symmetrical axis as shown. The vertical axis of the golf tee40is perpendicular to the handle25as depicted by alignment nomenclature45. The recess35continues into the each of the adjustment segments30as shown as cylindrical-shaped cutouts50. Thus, when a golf tee40is placed into the recess35and at least one (1) of the cutouts50, a lower portion55remains exposed. Such lower portion55is consistent in overall length and results in a consistent insertion of the golf tee40when inserted into the ground using the tool10.

As aforementioned described, the alignment of the recess35is perpendicular to bottom surface60of the main shaft20or each of the adjustment segments30as utilized. This results in a perpendicular insertion into grade (earth)65when the bottom surface60is placed flush and in full contact with the grade (earth)65. It is envisioned that the tool10would be manufactured from plastic although other materials such as steel, aluminum or the like could be used with equal effectiveness and should not be considered as a limiting factor of the present invention.

Referring next toFIG. 2, an exploded elevational view of the tool10according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This figure clearly shows the “add-on” characteristics of each adjustment segment30in relation to the main shaft20. It is envisioned that the overall height (“h”)70of each add-on height adjustment segment30is approximately one-quarter inch (¼ in). Thus, should two (2) of the add-on height adjustment segment30be used as shown, this will result in an elevation delta of approximately one-half (½ in). This will effectively raise the golf tee40(as shown inFIG. 1) an additional approximate one-half (½ in) resulting in a lower portion55(as shown inFIG. 1) that is approximately one-half (½ in) less.

It is envisioned that once a golfer finds the satisfactory height (“h”)70, continuous and repeated insertions in accordance with that height (“h”)70will result in better and more repeatable golf swings. Connection between the main shaft20and the add-on height adjustment segments30is made by a pair of mechanical fasteners75. Each mechanical fastener75is envisioned to be mechanical in nature and would involve the use of magnets; snap friction fit couplings or the like. The use of a specific type of mechanical fastener75is not necessary and should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The pair of mechanical fasteners75would involve the use of a male component80on the upper side of each add-on height adjustment segment30, and a female component85(not visible in this FIG. due to illustrative limitations) on the lower side of each add-on height adjustment segment30as well a female component87on the lower side of the main shaft20. Such attachment and removal of various add-on height adjustment segments30can be made without the use of external tools.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a sectional view of the tool10according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure clearly shows the male component80on the upper side of each add-on height adjustment segment30. Such orientation results in a self-aligning configuration ensuring that the cutouts50of the height adjustment segment30aligns with other cutouts50of other height adjustment segment30as well as with the recess35(as shown inFIG. 1) of the main shaft20(as shown inFIG. 1).

Referring next toFIG. 3b, a sectional view of the tool10according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. This figure clearly shows the female component87located on the lower side of the main shaft20which also functions as the bottom surface60should no additional add-on height adjustment segments30be utilized. A similar view would be provided on the lower side or under side of each respective add-on height adjustment segment30as well. Such orientation results in a self-aligning configuration ensuring that the cutouts50of the subject add-on height adjustment segments30aligns with other cutouts50of other add-on height adjustment segments30as well as with the recess35(as shown inFIG. 1) of the main shaft20(as shown inFIG. 1).

Referring finally toFIG. 4, an elevational view of the tool10depicted in a utilization state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This figure depicts the golf tee40placed within the recess35of the main shaft20and the cutouts50of the add-on height adjustment segments30. The tool10and the golf tee40are gripped by a user's hand90as shown with an index finger95used to hold the golf tee40within the confines of the tool10so that it does not inadvertently fall out during the insertion process. This hand grip position is held as the lower portion55of the golf tee40is inserted into grade (earth)65with the aid of the tool10. As the golf tee40is driven in, a stop is provided by the bottom surface60as it contacts the grade (earth)65. At such a point, the golf tee40is not only placed in a vertical manner that is perfectly perpendicular to the surface of the grade (earth)65, but is also inserted to the same depth and placement as all other insertions before this point. After insertion, the user simply removes their index finger95from the golf tee40and slides the tool10backward along a travel direction path arrow100as shown. In such a manner, the golfer is provided with a golf tee40that is perfectly aligned and consistently placed from shot to shot thus removing one of the variables that are present in every golf swing.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a combined golf tee and golf tee placement and alignment tool. Such a combination includes a golf tee40and a golf tee placement and alignment tool10. The golf tee placement and alignment tool includes an upper body15including a main shaft20including a centrally-registered vertical axis, and a recess35having a golf tee shape aligned with the vertical axis. Such a recess35accepts an upper portion of the golf tee40such that the golf tee40is aligned along the vertical axis of the main shaft20. A “T”-shaped handle25is attached to the main shaft20. Such a “T”-shaped handle25is disposed above the recess35and situated at a proximal end of the upper body15. The main shaft20is rectilinear and monolithically formed with the “T”-shaped handle25. The vertical axis passes through the golf tee40and is registered parallel to a longitudinal length thereof.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, at least one (1) height adjustment segment30is removably attached to a distal end of the main shaft20opposite to the “T”-shaped handle25. Notably, the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30includes a cutout50capable of partially receiving a portion of the golf tee40.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, the at least one (1) height adjustment segment includes an upper side and a male component80attached thereto, as well as a lower side and a female component85attached thereto. Advantageously, the male and female components80,85are detachably mated and self-aligning in such a manner that the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30is vertically aligned with the main shaft20. Notably, the recess35is vertically aligned and contiguously engaged directly with the cutout50when the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30is coupled to the female components87of the main shaft20.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, a first one (1) of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30has a first one (1) of the cutouts50. Likewise, a second one (1) of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30has a second one (1) of the cutouts50. Advantageously, the first cutout50is vertically aligned and contiguously engaged with the second cutout50when the male component80of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30is inserted directly into the female component85of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, the main shaft20includes a female component87formed at the distal end thereof. As an example, the male component80of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment30is removably coupled to the female component87of the main shaft20.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the tool10would be constructed in general accordance withFIG. 1throughFIG. 3b. Said construction would utilize plastic injection molding, casting, and/or machining depending on the material of construction. Said construction could follow many price set points from a novelty apparatus that is given away free as marketing and/or advertising incentive, to a high cost item using rare or valuable materials and coatings.

During initial use of the tool10, the user would apply none, one (1), or more of the add-on height adjustment segments30to the bottom of the main shaft20as shown inFIG. 1. It is envisioned that the subsequent uses of the tool10would provide the user with the ideal insertion depth that would be used on a continual basis. Subsequent adjustments of the quantity of add-on height adjustment segments30added to the tool10would not be required. Such consistent insertion would then provide the golfer with a stable and consistent platform to hit the ball from resulting in continuous improvement over time as one's swing is refined and perfected without the variable of golf ball placement in regards to height above the grade (earth)65or displacement from a perpendicular position. Prior to insertion, the user would place a golf tee40within the confines of the recess35and the cutouts50and secure it in place on a temporary basis using the index finger95of the user's hand90holding the tool10. At this point in time, the tool10is ready for use.

During the actual insertion process, the user inserts the lower portion55into the grade (earth)65at the desired location. By applying force to the handle25, the golf tee40is easily inserted into even the hardest of grade (earth)65. By continuous application of force, the bottom surface60will contact the grade (earth)65thus ensuring a consistent and perpendicular insertion. At this point in time, the tool10is removed from the golf tee40by removing one's index finger95and sliding the tool10backwards along the travel direction path arrow100. This leaves the golf tee40behind and ready to accept a golf ball. Said process repeats on a continuous basis with the same or other golf tee40as required. It is envisioned that the tool10would be utilized during practice, actual games or competition or anytime an insertion of a golf tee40is required.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.