Patent Publication Number: US-8974321-B2

Title: Golf tee setting apparatus

Description:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to sports equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to a tee setter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. It is believed that it sometimes may be difficult to set regular wooden or zero friction tees in some tee ground, and it may also be difficult setting these tees at a golfer&#39;s desired depth with consistency. Furthermore, a golfer may have no place to store tees between tee offs to keep the tees close at hand to generally avoid searching for tees. 
     The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that there are some currently available golf tee setters. It is believed that these current golf tee setters typically to not provide a place to store a tee in between use. Moreover, many of these current golf tee setters are bulky, and one may expect that the size of these tee setters may preclude these tees from being stored in an easily accessible manner. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an exemplary tee setter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective side view of the tee setter in a closed position, and  FIG. 1B  is a partially transparent perspective side view of the tee setter in an open position; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the bottom portions of exemplary tee setters, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic bottom view of a tee setter for a traditional tee, and  FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic bottom view of a tee setter for a zero friction tee; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary tee setter that may store an extra tee, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of an exemplary tee setter comprising a score card, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. 
     Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention. 
     Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom. 
     References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. 
     As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application. 
     It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention relate to means for quickly and easily setting golf tees at the same desired depth consistently. One embodiment provides a device into which a tee is loaded, and in which a golfer&#39;s desired depth for the tee is set by a screw so that the tee can be set in the tee ground at the desired depth with ease. Some embodiments may also store the tee between uses in a manner that also makes the tee ready for setting at the next tee off. Some embodiments may be handily stored in a shirt or pants pocket with or without a loaded tee. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an exemplary tee setter  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective side view of tee setter  100  in a closed position, and  FIG. 1B  is a partially transparent perspective side view of tee setter  100  in an open position. In the present embodiment, tee setter  100  is approximately ⅝ of an inch in diameter and about the length of a ball point pen. It is contemplated that tee setter  100  may be made of a multiplicity of suitable materials such as, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, etc. Referring to  FIG. 1B , the bottom portion of tee setter  100  comprises a hollow chamber  105 . Chamber  105  extends up roughly 3 inches from the bottom of tee setter  100 . In alternate embodiments, longer or shorter chambers may be used depending on the type of tee with which the tee setter is to be used. In the present embodiment, a hole  110  is drilled into the bottom of tee setter  100  just big enough for the stem of a golf tee  115  to pass through. Tee  115  may be a regular wooden or plastic tee or a zero friction tee. A door  120  is located in the bottom portion of tee setter  100 . Referring to  FIG. 1B , door  120  may be opened to typically enable tee  115  to be inserted into tee setter  100  and may close around tee  115  and hold tee  115  in place until tee  115  is set. Door  120  may be held shut by a rubber band  125  or by a clip  130 . Clip  130  may be made of a slightly flexible material such as, but not limited to, metal or plastic and may be attached to door  120  so that clip  130  extends upward past a hinge point  135  of door  120 . The flexibility of clip  130  typically enables door  120  to be opened to accept tee  115  and may provide pressure on door  120  to typically hold door  120  closed. Clip  130  may also be used to hold tee setter  100  firmly in a shirt or pants pocket or elsewhere, for example, without limitation, on the side or a golf bag or on a visor. In some embodiments, a hook and loop material may be used to hold the tee setter to another object. Some alternate embodiments may be implemented without a clip or with clips in various different locations which may or may not hold the door in a closed position. Some alternate embodiments may comprise a multiplicity of suitable means for holding the door in the closed position such as, but not limited to, a spring loaded mechanism, a clasp, magnets, etc. Some alternate embodiments may be implemented without a door and may use a retention device such as, but not limited to, a clip to hold the tee in place. Other embodiments may comprise various different means to hold the tee in place rather than a door including, without limitation, rubber bands, clips, straps, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B  in the present embodiment, at the upper portion of chamber  105  a screw  140  may be inserted into the upper portion of tee setter  100 , which may comprise a threaded opening into which screw  140  may be screwed, with the threads of screw  140  going upward. When loading tee setter  100 , tee  115  is typically inserted into chamber  105  until the head of tee  115  rests against the head of screw  140 . To adjust the depth to which tee  115  is set, and thus to determine how high above the tee ground the ball will rest, screw  140  may be screwed in our out. Turning screw  140  clockwise reduces how far tee  115  is set into the tee ground and sets the ball higher off of the tee ground. Turning screw  140  counterclockwise sets tee  115  deeper into the tee ground so that the ball is closer to the tee ground. In some embodiments the screw may comprise a removable or permanently attached cap. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that a multiplicity of suitable means may be used to adjust the depth at which the tee is set. For example, without limitation, in some embodiments the adjustable depth setting screw may be designed to come in from the top, or the tee setter may comprise a pin through the stem of the tee setter so that the pin may be used to change the depth the tee is set. In other embodiments a disc or other flat surface may be movably attached within the tee setter near the same location as screw  140  in the present embodiment and held in the desired location by various different means such as, but not limited to, a pin, a set screw, a ratcheting mechanism, etc. Different types of depth adjusting means may be used in yet other embodiments including, without limitation, removable and replaceable spacers, inflatable bladders, telescoping shafts, etc. In some embodiments the depth of the placement of the tee may not be adjustable. 
     In the present embodiment, hole  110  in the bottom of chamber  105  is slightly tapered to be shaped like a funnel pointing downward. This may help open door  120  once tee  115  is set and the tee setter is being removed, as the tapered shape may enable hole  110  to more easily slide over the head of tee  115  as tee setter  100  is pulled upward. Furthermore, chamber  105  is typically large enough to insert a tee with little resistance. Thus tee setter  100  may typically be pulled free of tee  115  while leaving tee  115  firmly set in the tee ground at the desired depth. In the present embodiment a large portion of the bottom of tee setter  100  is flat so as to aid in ensuring accuracy in depth setting, as more surface area may generally prevent the end of tee setter  100  from sinking into soft tee ground, while typically enabling the diameter of tee setter  100  to be small enough to be comfortably stored in a shirt or pants pocket. The bottom surface of tee setter  100  is mostly flat except for the area near door  120 , which may slant inward and upward so as to generally allow the head of tee  115  to be used to open door  120  to insert tee  115 . In some alternate embodiments, the bottom surfaces may be configured differently with flat and slanted areas located in various different places. Some embodiments may comprise a completely flat surface. Furthermore, some embodiments may have a rounded bottom or a bottom with some rounded areas, for example, without limitation, the edges may be rounded. In some embodiments, a bottom may be shaped like a funnel pointing into the tee chamber from the bottom so one need only to place the head of the tee into the funnel and push to open the door to insert the tee. 
     In accordance with the present embodiment, tee setter  100  is simple to load, store, and use, and can enable golf tees to be quickly and easily set in virtually any type of tee ground, even in hard tee ground, at the same depth consistently. The depth at which tee  115  is set may be easily adjusted to the desired depth of the user by screw  140 . In addition, tee setter  100  may be comfortably and handily stored in a shirt or pants pocket while not in use and can also store tee  115  within chamber  105  so that tee setter  100  is loaded and ready for use at the next tee off. Tee setter  100  may also safely straighten and set damaged tees with little danger to the user&#39;s hands. 
     In typical use of the present embodiment, tee setter  100  is first loaded with tee  115  by holding tee  115  at an angle so as to allow the head of tee  115  to be placed against the area of door  120  that is slanted inward and upward. Tee  115  is then used to open door  120  and is inserted until the top of tee  115  rests against the head of screw  140  in the upper portion of tee setter  100 . Tee setter  100  is now loaded. To set tee  115 , tee setter  100  is held so that the upper portion of tee setter  100  is in the palm of a user&#39;s hand with the forefinger resting against the bottom portion of tee setter  100  on the opposite side of door  120 . When tee  115  touches the ground, the forefinger may be used to put slight pressure against tee  115  to generally prevent tee setter  100  from wobbling and opening door  120 . It is contemplated that some users may hold tee setter  100  differently when setting tee  115 . Once tee  115  is at the ground, the user then pushes down on tee setter  100  to set tee  115  into the ground. The head of screw  140  pushes down on the head of tee  115  to force tee  115  into the ground. Tee  115  is set to the desired depth once the bottom of tee setter  100  is firmly against the ground. The height of tee  115  from the ground is roughly equal to the distance from the bottom of tee setter  100  to the head of screw  140 , and tees may be set to this height repeatedly unless the user adjusts screw  140 . Once tee  115  is set, tee setter  100  may be pulled straight up and away from tee  115  which is usually held fast by the tee ground. As tee setter  100  is pulled upward, door  120  typically opens automatically from the pressure of the head of tee  115  to generally enable tee setter  100  to be removed leaving tee  115  set at the desired depth and ready to hold a golf ball. After use, tee setter  100  may be placed in a shirt or pants pocket or a in a golf bag, etc. After driving the ball, tee  115  may be removed from the ground and placed back into tee setter  100 . In some instances, the user may be able to replace tee  115  without removing tee setter  100  from his pocket. Setting a tee in this way using tee setter  100  typically takes about 2-3 seconds and can set tees consistently at the precise desired depth. Moreover, damaged tees may sometimes be used in tee setter  100 . When a damaged tee is placed in tee setter  100  and door  120  is shut, the relatively small diameter of chamber  105  may straighten the damaged tee and may enable the user to set the tee with little danger to the hands of the user. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the bottom portions of exemplary tee setters, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic bottom view of a tee setter for a traditional tee, and  FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic bottom view of a tee setter for a zero friction tee. Referring to  FIG. 2A  in the present embodiment, the bottom of the tee setter comprises a hole  201  through which a traditional tee may easily slide. A zero friction tee typically comprises three prongs to support a golf ball rather than a cup as found in a traditional tee. Therefore, referring to  FIG. 2B , the bottom of the tee setter comprises a hole  205  surrounded by three notches  210 . The shaft of the zero friction tee may fit into hole  205  and the prongs may slide through notches  210 . Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that traditional tees may be used in tee setters for zero friction tees and vice versa. Moreover, the bottoms of some tee setters may be implemented with various different configurations. 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary tee setter  300  that may store an extra tee  305 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, tee setter  300  comprises a cavity in the upper portion of a handle  310  into which extra tee  305  may be inserted and held. It is contemplated that this cavity may be used to hold a multiplicity of suitable items such as, but not limited to, a pencil or pen, a rolled up scorecard, a ball, ball markers, etc. Handle  310  also comprises a textured or non-slip covering  315  which may help to provide added grip when setting a tee, particularly in wet conditions. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of an exemplary tee setter  400  comprising a score card  401 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, score card  401  is a paper cylinder that may slip over a handle  405  of tee setter  400 . Score card  401  may typically eliminate the need to carry and store a separate score card or the need to repeatedly go to a golf cart to score. In some embodiments the tee setter may comprise an electronic handle with which the score may be kept electronically. This electronic score card may be set to score for 9 or 18 holes and may be configured so that when each hole is scored the total is automatically tallied. In some applications, the pointed end of a tee may be used to push small buttons on the handle to enter the score. In some alternate embodiments, electronic handles may also be implemented to display various different types of information including, without limitation, a clock, a timer, weather conditions, hole parameters, etc. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that some alternate embodiments may be implemented with a multiplicity of suitable features that may be inserted into or integrated into the tee setter such as, but not limited to, flashlights, divot replacers, wrist straps, lanyards, attachment straps of hook and loop material, radios, magnifying lenses, etc. 
     Other useful design variations may include, without limitation, providing tee setters of various different lengths and diameters. For example, in one embodiment, the handle may be made long enough so that users do not have to bend over to set a tee. In some embodiments with a longer handle, a golf ball setting attachment may be located on the end of the handle opposite the tee setter, so that after setting the tee, the tee setter may be turned end for end to set a ball on the tee and release the ball once in place. This may be especially helpful for older or handicapped people. Some alternate embodiments may comprise telescoping handles or handles with adjustable lengths. The tee setters described in the foregoing largely refer to devices with cylindrical bodies. Some alternate embodiments may be implemented with various different shapes such as, but not limited to, bodies with rectangular, elliptical or triangular cross sections, and some embodiments may comprise ergonomic bodies that may aid a user in gripping the tee setter. 
     All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a tee setter according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the tee may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the tee setters described in the foregoing were principally directed to golf tee implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to setting various different objects into the ground at a consistent depth such as, but not limited to, tent stakes, garden stakes, seedlings or seeds, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification. 
     Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.