Patent Publication Number: US-6338685-B1

Title: Golf ball and tee placement device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/117,634, filed Jan. 28, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a device that tees up a golf ball, and particularly to assisting the insertion of a golf tee into the ground and placement of a golf ball thereon by a user easily and without having to bend over. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The game of golf is very popular, especially among many older individuals. In playing golf, before the start of each hole it is often necessary to place a golf tee in the ground and place a golf ball on the tee. This requires the individual to bend over, insert the golf tee into the ground, and place a golf ball balanced on the golf tee. For some individuals, this is inconvenient and troublesome. There have been several devices developed to aid in the placement of a golf ball on a golf tee. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,826 entitled “Golf Ball and Tee Setting Apparatus” issuing to Trefts on Oct. 14, 1986. Therein disclosed is a manually operated golf ball teeing unit having a pair of arms pivotally mounted at the base of the unit. The arms are spring biased to engage and support the golf ball on top of a golf tee. A hand operated camming rod pivots the arm against the spring bias to release the ball and tee once positioned. Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,357 entitled “Golf Ball and Tee Setting Device” issuing to Wolf on Jan. 14, 1992. Therein disclosed is a device for setting a golf ball and associated tee in the ground. A pair of articulated jaw assemblies is operated by a handle. Opposing links are caused to pivotally move each jaw assembly outward. Jaw assemblies co-act to hold a golf ball and tee and are released therefrom after the tee has been inserted into the ground. While these devices have been useful in permitting a user to tee up or place a golf ball on a golf tee inserted into the ground without bending over, they are relatively complex and have many parts. Additionally, it is often difficult to manipulate the release of the golf ball and tee and remove the device without causing the golf ball to topple off of the tee. Accordingly, there is a need for a simpler, more easily manufactured device that provides improved release of the golf ball and tee to prevent the golf ball from falling off of the tee once placed thereon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The golf tee and ball placement device of the present invention facilitates easy placement of a golf tee and golf ball thereon and removal of the device so as to prevent the golf ball from falling off of the golf tee. An elongated main tube body has an actuator rod placed therein. At one end of the actuator rod is positioned a domed push button and at the other end of the actuator rod is a ball holder or guide. An arm base has two arms pivotally attached thereto that hold a golf tee and golf ball within the ball holder or guide. Leaf springs and magnets hold the arms against the golf tee and ball until released by the downward action of the ball holder or guide. A spring biases the actuator rod upward in a set or ready position. A threaded height adjuster may be used with the device. Additionally, a bubble level may be used in the top handle or domed push button. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can easily place a golf ball on a golf tee without the golfer having to bend over. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that reduces the likelihood that a golf ball will fall off of the golf tee upon removing the device. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention that a golf ball can easily be positioned within the holder and reset for placement on the ground. 
     It is a further advantage of the present invention that it is easily manufactured and is of relatively simple construction. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that a golf ball holder or guide is used. 
     It is another feature of the present invention that arms holding the golf tee and golf ball have releasable spring clips. 
     It is another feature of the present invention that the arms have multiple surfaces interacting with the spring clips assisting in the secure holding and releasing of the golf ball. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features will become readily apparent in view of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A is a partial cross section illustrating the handle of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1B is a cross section illustrating another embodiment of a handle of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the golf tee and ball holding mechanism. 
     FIG. 2A is a cross section of a portion of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 in a release position. 
     FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a height adjuster. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section illustrating another embodiment of the golf tee and ball holding portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section illustrating another embodiment of the golf tee and ball holding portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section illustrating another embodiment of the handle portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the internal operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 a  illustrates another embodiment of the golf tee and ball holding portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 b  illustrates the golf tee and ball holding portion illustrated in FIG. 8 a  in a release position. 
     FIG. 9 a  illustrates one half of the golf tee and ball holding portion in greater detail. 
     FIG. 9 b  is a bottom plan view illustrating the arms for holding a golf tee. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the height adjusting portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the height adjusting portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the handle portion of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates very generally one embodiment of the present invention. The golf ball teeing apparatus  10  has a body  14  with an elongated rod  12  reciprocally placed therein. Body  14  is threaded onto housing  16 . Housing  16  has a perimetrical edge  17 . A placement cap  20  is placed on the elongated rod  12  and separated by body  14  by a spring  22 . Placement cap  20  is stopped preventing movement of elongated rod  12  when contacting body top end  24 . Arrow  18  illustrates the reciprocal movement of elongated rod  12 . 
     FIG. 1A illustrates the handle portion of the golf ball teeing apparatus  10 . Cap  20  is biased upward by spring  22  a distance D. Extending portions  30  and  32  strike inner walls  35  when extended upward in the direction of arrow  18   b . Extending portions  30  and  32  are in contact with inner wall  34 . Upon depressing the placement cap  20  in the direction of arrow  18   a , placement cap  20  strikes surface  24 . 
     FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of a handle portion of the present invention. In this embodiment, spring  28  is enclosed within the body  14 ′. Rod  12 ′ is attached to placement cap  20 . Blocking member  27   b  holds spring  28  at the bottom and blocking member  27   a  holds protrusion or lip  26  at the top within the body  14 ′. Spring  28  is biased upward against protrusion or lip  26  and blocking member  27   a.    
     FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the golf tee and ball holding portion of the present invention. A bottom surface or end  38  of saddle  36  has a curve matching the curve of a golf ball  39 . End portion  40  of rod  12  has a pin  44  therein. Actuator arms  54  and  56  are attached to arms  46  and  48  respectively. Magnets  60  and  64  are placed on the ends  58  and  62  of the arms  46  and  48 . The magnets  60  and  64  are shaped to hold a golf tee and are of the appropriate polarity so as to attract. Accordingly, when center rod  12  is pushed downward, arms  46  and  48  release the golf tee  68  and ball  39 . Release of the ball begins when the ball is at a height H from the turf or ground  70 . 
     FIG. 2A illustrates the downward motion of rod  12  causing the arms  46  and  48  to release the golf tee  68  and ball  39 , now at position  39   b , and formally at position  39   a . The ball has moved a distance D′. 
     FIG. 2B illustrates a height adjusting mechanism used with the present invention. A transparent or cut-away window  80  permits viewing of indicia  82  having a scale  83  thereon. Indicator  84  identifies the scale  83  corresponding to a unit of height. The indicia  82  may be placed on the rod. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the golf tee and ball holding portion of another embodiment  100  of the present invention. Rod  102  extends within body  104  having an inner wall  114 . Housing  106  is threaded onto the body  104 . Housing  106  has an edge  107 . Lower portion  120  can move up and down within the housing  106  in the directions of arrows  108   a  and  108   b . A bottom end  109  contacts extending portion  132  limiting upward movement. Flange or lip  112  attached to end portion  110  contacts the upper end  118 . Saddle  116  is attached to lower portion  120 . Lower portion  120  has an end  122  thereon that has a concave surface adapted to receive golf ball  39 . Adjacent the concave surface or end  122  are surfaces  124  and  126 . Surfaces  124  and  126  may have magnets  128  and  130  thereon. Arms  134  and  136  are pivotally attached to housing  106  by pivots  138  and  140  respectively. Arms  134  and  136  have magnets  142  and  144  thereon. The magnets  142  and  144  have a polarity so as to attract magnets  124  and  126  respectively. Ends  146  and  150  of arms  134  and  136  have magnets  148  and  152  thereon. The magnets  148  and  152  are shaped and have a polarity so as to hold golf tee  68 . In this embodiment, when lower portion  120  is advanced downwards, arms  134  and  136  are caused to spread apart, releasing golf ball  39  and the golf tee  68 . The magnets  128 ,  130 ,  142 ,  144 , and  148 ,  152  help to hold the ball in a set position prior to release. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the ball holding portion of the present invention. The golf ball teeing apparatus  200  has a center rod  202  within a body  204 . Body  204  is attached to housing  206 . Housing  206  has an edge  207 . The rod  202  can reciprocate up and down in the directions of arrows  208   a  and  208   b  within the housing  204 . On rod  202  are protruding or extending portions  210  and  212 . A saddle  214  retains the extending or protruding portions  210  and  212 . A portion of the saddle  214  is held within a wall  216 . The saddle has an inner wall portion  218   a  and  218   b . Wall or shoulder  220  of saddle  214  contacts protruding portion  212  and prevents upward movement. Bottom portion  222  has a curved shape adapted to mate with the golf ball  39 . End portion  224  includes a pin  227 . Golf tee holder arms  230  and  232  are pivoted to saddle  214  by pivot pins  234  and  236 . The golf tee holder arms  230  and  232  have an upper portion  230   a  and  232   a  and a lower portion  230   b  and  232   b . Ends  238  and  242  have magnets  240  and  244  thereon. The magnets have a shape and polarity so as to hold the golf tee  68 . The pivot pin  227 , upon being advanced downward, causes the arms  230  and  232  to move outward in the directions of arrow  246 . The golf tee  68  and ball  39  are thereby released with the tee  68  in the ground  70 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the handle portion of the present invention. A cap  300  has a top  302 . Inner wall  306  is connected to a wall  304 . Wall  304  has a block member  308  attached thereto at one end. Rod  310  is held within a body  312 . Body  312  has lips or protrusions  314  thereon. Lips or protrusions  314  hold spring  316  at the bottom portion thereof. Spring  316  is retained at the top portion by inner wall  306 . Body  312  has openings  320  and  322  therein for receiving a knob  328 . The knob  328  is pivotally connected to the rod  310  and biased outward by spring  332  pushing on lever  326 . When retracted, the knob  328  is held within recess  330 . Extending portion  336  extends through slot  324  and has a bottom surface or edge  340  and a top edge or surface  344 . The top edge  344  contacts edge  346  and the bottom edge contacts edge  342 . The protrusion  336  prevents rod  310  from traveling too far in the direction of arrows  318  and  338 . The use of the knob  328  in combination with the openings  320  and  322  permit the golf ball and tee holding portion to be set in different positions. 
     While the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 are desirable, their structure is relatively complicated and often difficult to manufacture. The following embodiments are believed to be of simpler design and more easily manufactured. Additionally, the following embodiments have proven by experimentation to achieve a more desirable ball release. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a golf tee and ball placement device  410  having a reciprocating handle portion  411  and a golf tee and ball holding portion  413 . 
     FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the internal operation of the golf tee and ball placement device  410 . A main tube body  414  has an actuator rod  412  coaxially positioned therein. Attached to the main tube body  414  is an upper conical housing  416 . Attached or formed as part of the upper conical housing  416  is a lower cylindrical housing  418 . Movable within the lower cylindrical housing  418  is a threaded height adjuster  417 . The threaded height adjuster  417  should have a sufficient diameter so as to be stable on the ground or turf  470 . On the other end of the main tube body  414  is placed a domed push button  20  having a stem  421  connected thereto. A bubble level  452  may be placed on the domed push-button  420 . The bubble level  452  helps the user maintain the golf tee and ball placement device  410  vertical and substantially perpendicular to the ground or turf  70 . Motion slide  433  is connected to stem  421  and received within one end of the main tube body  414 . A spring  422  is positioned around the actuator rod  412  and biases the motion slide  433  upward. The spring  422  is retained at the bottom by lower spring retainer  427  which is attached to the main tube body  414  by a fastener, screw, or lock pin  429 . The motion slide  433  has a stop collar  435 . Stop collar  435  contacts tube top surface  432  when advanced downward against the biasing force of spring  422 . Equivalent stop means may be employed such as those disclosed in the other embodiments of the present invention or known equivalents. For example, a concentric tube portion may be attached to the lower spring retainer  427  and motion slide  433  such that the distance between the concentric tube portions is the predetermined distance of motion such that when the respective ends meet, it acts as a stop. On the other end of actuating rod  412  is positioned a ball holder or guide  450 . Ball holder  450  has a cylindrical portion holding a golf ball  39 . The ball holder  450  slides within an arm base  436 . Pivotally connected to the arm base  436  are arms  446 . Arms  446  have an opening therein to hold a golf tee  68 . The arms  446  are held in position against the golf ball  39  and the golf tee  68  by leaf springs  447 . 
     FIG. 8 a  more clearly illustrates the golf ball and tee holding portion  413 . Actuator rod  412  is attached to the ball holder or guide  450  by screw  451 . A channel in the cylindrical ball holder or guide  450  slides within key  455  on arm base  436 . This guides the ball holder  450  when moving up and down. A portion of the side walls of the cylindrical ball holder or guide  450  is cut away forming a cut away portion  455 . The cut away portion  455  if the side walls of the cylindrical ball holder or guide  450  has a width sufficient to permit the arms  446  to fit therein. The arm base  436  is attached to the lower cylindrical housing  418  by screws  453 . Arm base  436  has shoulders  437  for retaining the ball holder or guide  450 . Spring clips or leaf springs  447  are attached to the arm base  436  by fasteners  449 . The distal end of the spring clips or leaf springs  447  contact an end of arms  446 . Arms  446  are pivotally connected to the arm base  436  by pivots  438 . The other end of arms  446  hold golf tee  68 . The arms  446  have portions of a hole or semi-circles therein such that when the arms  446  are mated they securely hold golf tee  68 . Additionally, the holes may be beveled to provide a broader contact surface against the tee  68 . Magnets  424  of one polarity are attached to arm base  436  and correspond or match magnets  426  of an opposite polarity or pole attached to arms  446 . The magnets  424  and  426  help to hold arms  446  in a retaining position to hold the golf tee  68  and ball  39  in position within the ball holder or guide  450 . While magnets are illustrated, it should be appreciated that other equivalent holding means, such as for example sticky tape, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners, may be used. The height of the teed position of the ball is adjusted by threading threaded height adjuster  417  within the lower cylindrical housing  418 . 
     FIG. 8 b  illustrates the golf tee and ball placement device in a release position with the golf tee  68  being partially imbedded in the turf or ground  70  with the golf ball  39  placed thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 8 b , when the actuator rod  412  is pushed downward advancing the ball holder  450 , the ball holder and guide  450  causes the arms  446  to pivot outward releasing the golf tee  68  and ball  39 . The ball holder or guide  450  rides within groove or channel  457  and key  455  on the arm base  436 . The cut away portions  445  aids in facilitating movement of the arms  446  and contributes to the controlled release of the golf ball  39 . After setting of the golf tee  68  and golf ball  39  in a teed position, the actuator rod  412  is raised upward, withdrawing the ball holder  450  without moving arms  446 . Accordingly, the arms  446  do not interfere or come close to the golf ball after the ball guide or holder  450  is withdrawn, thereby greatly eliminating the possibility that the golf ball  39  will fall or be knocked off the tee upon removing the golf tee and ball placement device. This is a common problem in prior devices where an actuating member is in contact or linked to the arms used to hold the golf tee or golf ball. Once the golf tee and golf ball have been positioned and the golf tee and golf ball placement device removed, another ball can be positioned within the ball holder and guide  450  and the arms  446  easily reset into a holding position. 
     FIG. 9 a  illustrates a section of one-half of the golf ball and tee holding portion  413  illustrated in FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b . FIG. 9 a  more clearly illustrates the interaction between the spring clip or leaf spring  447  and the arms  446 . Arm  446  has a plurality of surfaces that contact the spring clips or leaf spring  447 . When arm  446  is in a retaining position, flat surface  474  rests broadly on the surface of the spring clip or leaf spring  447 . This helps retain the arm  446  in a holding position. Adjacent or an one side of flat surface  474  is a flat surface  472  substantially perpendicular to flat surface  474 . Adjacent to the other side of flat surface  474  is a camming surface  476  that is curved. Adjacent the other side of the camming surface  476  is a flat surface  478 . The camming surface  476  aids in the release or swinging of the arm  446  when the golf tee  68  and ball  39  are being released. The flat surface  472  helps hold the arm  446  against the flat surface of arm base  436 , as does the flat surface  478  adjacent the surface of the spring clip or leaf spring  447 . Accordingly, after being released, the arm  446  is held away from the golf ball  39  so that upon removing the golf tee and ball placement device, the arm  446  is well away from the golf ball  39 , preventing any knocking or jarring which could cause the golf ball  39  to topple or fall off of the golf tee  68  after placement. FIG. 9 a  also more clearly illustrates a pivot mount  439  attached to the arm base  436  for holding the pivot  438 . There are two pivot mounts  439  for each arm  446 . 
     FIG. 9 b  more clearly illustrates the shape of the arms  446 . A pivot mount, not illustrated, holds each end of the pivots  438 . The distal ends of the arms  446  are preferable curved to facilitate placement of the golf tee  68  within the opening formed at the distal ends of the arms  446 . The golf tee  68  is placed within the opening  443 . The perimeter of opening  443  may have a bevel  441  to aid in holding the golf tee  68 . 
     FIG. 10 more clearly illustrates the height adjusting mechanism of the present invention. The threaded height adjuster  417  has indicia  483  thereon. The threaded height adjuster  417  is threaded into internal threads on the lower cylindrical housing  418 . The bottom of the lower cylindrical housing  418  then acts as a reference from which the indicia  483  can be read. The height adjusting mechanism results in accurate and repeatable positioning of a golf ball or a golf tee depending upon the preference of the user or golfer. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a height adjuster. In this embodiment, housing  518  has a plurality of male threads which are threaded into internal female threads  519  on the height adjuster  517 . The indicia  583  can then easily be read with reference to the top of the height adjuster  517 . It should be appreciated that many other equivalent structure or methods may be utilized to adjust and determine the height the golf tee extends from the ground. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a handle portion  511  of the present invention. This embodiment of the handle portion  511  utilizes a button  528  to prevent the unintentional release of a golf ball and tee once retained or set. A domed push button  520  is attached to a stem  521  and a motion slide  533 . Motion slide  533  has a button  528  attached with an integral or living hinge. The button  528  is sized to fit through an opening  525  within the main tube body  514 . One end of the motion slide  533  has a top spring retainer  523  with a spring  522  concentrically placed thereover. The other end of the spring  522  is concentrically placed over a bottom spring retainer  531  which is subsequently attached to the ball and tee holding portion, not illustrated. In order to lower the dome d push button  520  to release a golf ball and tee that have been set, button  528  must be depressed. Accordingly, button  528  may be utilized to prevent the unintentional depression of the domed push button  520 , resulting in the release of the retained golf ball and golf tee. 
     The present invention and the various different embodiments illustrated greatly improves the ease and accuracy in which a golf ball can be placed or set on a golf tee. The present invention can be easily set with a golf ball retained securely prior to being positioned or teed up. The use of retaining arms that are released and held in a position away from the golf ball upon removal of the golf tee and ball placement device greatly reduces the likelihood that the golf ball will topple off of the golf tee upon removal of the golf tee and ball placement device. The present invention, therefore, eliminates much of the frustration associated with prior devices which have been difficult to use and have a low degree of consistent and accurate placement of a golf ball on a tee. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable to a variety of situations where a user places a golf ball on a golf tee. For example, on a golf course, at a driving range, in a field, or practicing golf anywhere. Additionally, the present invention is useful for a golfer of any age to avoid having to bend over. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, clearly modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.