Patent Publication Number: US-7223184-B2

Title: Golf tee setting device and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to devices used to control placement of an object into the ground, and more particularly, to a golf tee setting device and a method wherein the device is adjustable for enabling a user to precisely align the height of a golf tee above the ground, and the angle at which the golf tee extends from the ground. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the game of golf, a golfer is allowed to hit the golf ball from the tee box by placing the ball on a golf tee to raise the level or height at which the ball rests above the ground. Particularly for use of drivers or other clubs of similar configurations, it is necessary to raise the height of the ball to some level thereby ensuring the club face strikes the ball at the correct height and angle. 
   A performance goal for professional as well as recreational golfers is to develop skills so that the game of golf becomes a more routine and repeatable sequence of actions thereby helping to eliminate the great number of variables that can produce an undesirable golf score. Highly skilled golfers such as professionals have the opportunity to play golf quite frequently, and because of this frequency, these golfers develop a certain “feel” for every aspect of the game to include the manner in which a golf ball is properly teed. However, recreational golfers do not get the opportunity to play as frequently, and inherently, will not have either the skill, patience, or discipline to correctly tee the golf ball each time. Ultimately, proper setting of the tee is important because it affects a golf ball&#39;s launch angle, launch direction, and the type and amount of spin imparted on the ball. Accordingly, improperly setting the golf tee will undermine a golfer&#39;s opportunity to shoot a better score. 
   A number of prior art devices exist to assist a golfer in setting a golf tee at the proper height. One example of such a device is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,388. This reference discloses a device having a threaded arrangement that allows a user to incrementally select a height at which a golf tee extends above the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,357 is another example of a device used to set a golf tee. This device includes a pair of articulated jaw assemblies located at a lower end portion of an elongated tubular shaft, and a handle jaw operating lever located at an upper end of the shaft. Manual squeezing of the lever moves an actuation rod within the shaft causing opposed lengths associated with the rod to move each jaw assembly outwardly. The jaw assemblies coact to hold a golf ball and tee, and are releaseable therefrom after the tee has been inserted into the ground. 
   Yet another example of a device used for adjustably setting a golf tee includes the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,113. This reference discloses a clamp for engaging the shaft of the golf tee, and a positioning screw engages a head of the golf tee such that a predetermined length of the tee shaft projects beyond the clamp for insertion into the ground. 
   Although there are a number of prior inventions that exist, many of them suffer from various disadvantages to include being structurally complex and difficult to use. Additionally, the prior art suffers in that the references fail to provide both angular alignment and height adjustment of the tee with respect to the ground. Additionally, the prior art suffers in that many of the devices are large and bulky, and are not easily stored or carried by a golfer. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is one object of the present invention to provide a golf tee setting device that is structurally simple, yet provides a golfer with an effective solution for setting a golf tee at a precise height and angle with respect to the ground. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a golf tee setting device that is easily and precisely adjustable allowing a golfer to choose the desired height and angle of the tee. 
   In accordance with the method of the present invention, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a quick and repeatable method of setting a golf tee, along with easy disengagement of the device from the golf tee after it has been set. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that is adapted for use with the most common form of golf tees, namely, wooden tees used by both professionals and recreational golfers. 
   In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device of the invention may be constructed from a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical piece of material having a threaded adjustment screw manipulated by the user to set the particular height of the golf tee. The body has a longitudinal cavity formed therethrough for receiving the adjustment screw. A slot is formed in the body by removing a section thereof thus exposing the longitudinal cavity enabling a user to view the tee when engaged with the device. A visual scale may be incorporated on the body of the device enabling the golfer to quickly reference the desired height to set the tee. A bubble level may be attached to an upper portion of the body thereby allowing a user to adjust and set the angular orientation of the tee with respect to the ground. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, in lieu of using a threaded adjustment screw to adjust the setting of the tee, a plurality of stepped openings may be formed in the chamber, the openings being aligned longitudinally with one another along the length of the body. Thus, several incremental tee heights are provided. In the second embodiment, a bubble level may also be incorporated to provide a user with the capability to adjust the angular orientation of the tee. It may also be desirable to offset the bubble level so that the golfer can engage the upper portion of the body when setting the golf tee, thus, the bubble level remains visible for angular adjustment of the tee as necessary. 
   In lieu of a bubble level, it may be desirable to incorporate other accessories on the device such as ornaments, or a key chain holder. 
   Yet another feature that may be incorporated with the present invention is a plurality of arcuate shaped grooves formed on a bottom portion of the device, these grooves being particularly adapted for creating low golf tee settings. 
   In yet another feature of the present invention, multiple cavities may be provided on the body to provide a user with additional tee settings. 
   It is also contemplated within the present invention that the depth of the cavity formed in the body can be varied to best suit the desired manner in which to engage and disengage the golf tee. 
   In yet another feature of the present invention, one or more fine adjustment elements may be provided in the form of small projections in the cavity of the body. These projections provide a pre-set angular orientation of the tee with respect to the ground. 
   In yet another feature of the present invention, the back or rear side of the body of the device may be especially adapted to receive an advertising logo, or an additional cavity may be formed in the rear side of the body for storing one or more golf tees. 
   In yet another feature of the present invention, the lower portion of the device may have an external annular groove thereby providing a better gripping surface for the user to set a tee. 
   Because of the relatively small size and cylindrical shape of the device, the device fits well in a golfer&#39;s hand and is easily carried by the golfer. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the drawings, taken in conjunction with the detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view showing a golf tee engaged with the device; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3B and 3C  are perspective views of example ornaments that may be placed on the device in lieu of a bubble level; 
       FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of a key chain holder that may be placed on the device in lieu of a bubble level; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a modification to the device wherein the bubble level is offset from the body of the device; 
       FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the second embodiment illustrating a modification to the feature used to create various tee settings; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the present invention illustrating special features used to create low tee height settings; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates yet another feature of the present invention in the form of an additional cavity formed in the body of the device thereby providing another set of tee height settings; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the device having a cavity of a particular depth; 
       FIG. 9  is another perspective view similar to  FIG. 8  but illustrating the device having a cavity of a different depth; 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the device wherein angular adjustment of a tee may be modified by use of one or more protrusions within the cavity; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a rear or backside of the body of the device especially adapted for receiving an advertisement; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the backside of the device modified to include an additional cavity and brackets for holding one or more golf tees; and 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another modification of the present invention wherein an external groove is formed on a lower portion of the device thereby providing a more ergonomic gripping surface for emplacement of the golf tee in the ground. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The device  10  is defined by a body  12  having a longitudinal channel or cavity formed therethrough defined by interior surface  14 . One side or surface of the body  12  is removed thereby exposing the cavity. Faces  18  define the areas where the body  12  has been removed to expose the cavity, the removed portion also referred to as a slot. 
   The body  12  is shown as being elongated, and may be made in a cylindrical shape. An upper portion of the body  12  includes a threaded opening. The threaded opening receives an adjustment screw  24 . The threaded opening may simply include threads formed on the interior surface of the body defining the opening, or a threaded insert  19  can be mounted within a non-threaded opening. The adjustment screw  24  includes a screw head  26  that may be manipulated by the golfer to vary the length at which the screw  24  is positioned within the cavity. The position of the screw  24  determines the height of the tee to be set. A lower portion of the body  12  includes a pair of flanges  20 , and a notch  22  formed between the flanges. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a standard golf tee T is shown engaged with the device  10 . The golf tee T includes a head H, a shaft S, and a neck portion N. The upper surface of the head H contacts the free end of the adjustment screw  24 . A user may rotate the adjustment screw to position the tip of the screw along scale  28 . Scale  28  may be a distance scale or index indicating the height at which the tee is to be positioned with respect to the ground. Optionally, an additional scale in the form of a club head selection scale or range  30  may be provided on the other face  18  also providing a golfer an indication of where to position the tip of the adjustment screw  24 . For example, the cross-hatched lines positioned above the letter D indicates a range corresponding to a desired tee setting for a particular golf club, such as a driver. 
   In use, a golfer secures a golf tee, inserts it in the cavity, and places the top surface of the golf tee against the end of the screw  24 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A user then adjusts the adjustment screw  24  to position the tee at the desired height, utilizing either the scale  28  and/or scale  30 . The golfer then places one or more fingers over the head of the golf tee to ensure that the golf tee remains engaged within the cavity and against the end of the adjustment screw. The golfer then presses the golf tee into the ground until the lower surface or edge  16  of the device is flush with the ground. The device is then disengaged from the golf tee by simply moving the device laterally away from the golf tee. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3A , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this second embodiment, the device  40  is also characterized as having a cylindrical shaped body  42 , and a longitudinal cavity extending therethrough. Within the longitudinal cavity, a plurality of longitudinally aligned recesses  44  are formed, the recesses  44  being sized and spaced from one another to create incremental tee settings. The recesses are shaped to receive the head H of the golf tee, as shown. The recesses are defined by a plurality of ridges  45  extending from the interior surface defining the cavity. The recesses  44  may be further defined as including arcuate sloping portions  46  that abut the neck N of the tee. In  FIG. 3A , a total of six settings are provided for height adjustment of the golf tee; however, more or less settings can be provided as desired. The device  40  may further include a setting scale  56  and/or a club level selection scale  58  placed on the respective faces  43  of the body. The device  40  further includes a pair of flanges  48  formed at a lower portion thereof and a notch  50  positioned between the pair of flanges  48 . As shown, the body  12  maintains its cylindrical shape at the location of the flanges  48  so that the notch  50  is simply a cut out portion and the flanges do not protrude beyond the cylindrical shape. 
   As also shown, the flanges  48  have a uniform thickness edge  49  forming a most lower end of the body  12 . The edge  49  is a continuation of the body  12  and extends perpendicular to the notch  50 . 
   One additional feature shown with respect to the embodiment in  FIG. 3A  is a bubble level  60 . The bubble level is simply attached to the upper surface of the body  42 . The bubble level may include indicia such as an alignment mark  61 , cross hairs  62 , and angular alignment lines  64 . 
   In use, a golfer secures the tee within the recess  44  corresponding to the desired height at which the golfer desires to set the tee. The golfer holds the golf tee and device  40 , and presses the tee into the ground. As the golfer inserts the tee, the golfer may observe the bubble within the bubble level to align the bubble with the indicia. 
   In some circumstances, it may be desirable to place the tee at a particular angle depending upon the type of club used, and the desired golf shot to be obtained. For example, placing the golf tee at a slight rearward angle with respect to the flight direction of the ball may assist a golfer in creating a back spin when the club face strikes the ball, or placing the golf tee at a slight forward angle with respect to the flight direction may assist a golfer in creating an over spin when the club face strikes the ball. If the golfer desires to set the tee at an angle, the golfer would choose a particular angular line  64 , and align the bubble with that particular line. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , in lieu of placing a bubble level on the device, an ornament  66  may be placed on the upper portion of the device thereby adding to the overall ornamentality of the device. The ornaments  66  shown are simply examples, and a user could choose any type of ornament in order to enhance the look of the device. As shown in  FIG. 3D , yet another option is to attach a key chain holder  68  to the upper portion of the device, the holder  68  including a opening  70  for receiving a key chain or key ring (not shown). 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a modification to the present invention wherein the device includes an arm  72  attached to the body, and placement of the bubble level  60  on the arm  72 . Accordingly, the upper surface  74  of the body is free for the golfer to place the golfer&#39;s thumb or palm of the hand for setting the golf tee. Directing a force along the longitudinal axis of the device is made easier by pressing on the upper surface, and also avoids damaging and obscuring the bubble during use. Particularly, in dry ground conditions, it may be necessary to press on the upper surface of the device to improve the amount of force applied in penetrating the ground. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates yet another embodiment shown as device  40 ′ that is similar to the device  40 ; however, the particular shape of the features in the cavity have been changed. More specifically, a plurality of longitudinally spaced arcuate protrusions  84  are formed on the interior surface  85  defining the channel or cavity. The arcuate protrusions  84  are spaced from one another and sized so that the head H of the golf tee is secured between pairs of adjacent protrusions. Accordingly, various tee settings are provided between the protrusions. Also as desired, a setting/distance scale and/or a club head selection scale may be placed on faces  82  in the same manner as  FIGS. 1  and/or  FIG. 3A . As also shown in  FIG. 5 . the notch  50  has a substantially u-shaped configuration. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , an additional feature that may be incorporated within the present invention includes the provision of a plurality of arcuate shaped recesses  88  formed on a bottom surface  86  of the device. Although this feature is shown as being combined with the third embodiment, it shall be also understood that the bottom portion of each of the embodiments may be so modified to include the arcuate recesses  88 . When it is only desired to have the golf tee extend slightly above the level of the ground, a golfer simply inserts the head of the tee within the desired recess  88 , and then presses the golf tee into the ground until the bottom surface  86  is flush with the ground. Particularly for teeing the ball on a par three hole, it may only be necessary or desired by the golfer to slightly raise the level of the golf ball above the ground. Accordingly, the recesses  88  are particularly adapted for use of the device in this circumstance. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , yet another feature of the present invention is shown wherein a device  80  may include a first channel  81  with recesses  83  formed therein and adapted in size to create tee settings, and an additional channel  85  with recesses  87  formed therein to create additional tee settings. The recesses  83  and  87  may be longitudinally offset, the offset shown as differential distance  90 . Thus, the offset arrangement between the channels provides the additional tee settings since the distance to the lower end of the device  80  is different for each recess. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , these figures simply illustrate the ability of the present invention to provide a cavity having variations in depth. Depending upon a golfer&#39;s preference, it may be desirable to provide a device with a deeper cavity depth thereby reducing effort required to maintain the tee within the cavity during insertion of the tee into the ground. Alternatively, it may be desirable to provide the cavity at a shallower depth, thereby easing disengagement of the tee from the device after the tee has been set.  FIG. 8  shows a device with the shallower cavity while  FIG. 9  shows a device with the deeper cavity. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , yet an additional feature contemplated within the present invention is to provide one or more protrusions in the form of set screws or shims  92  that protrude from the various recesses within the longitudinal cavity. The purpose of these protrusions is to adjust the angle at which the tee is set. The protrusions may be of differing lengths to thereby create different tee angles. For example, a golfer may wish to routinely place the golf tee at a particular forward or reverse angle with respect to the flight of the ball. Accordingly, use of one or more of the protrusions will result in the tee having an inherent angle or inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device. Shim receiving holes  93  are provided along the cavity at desired locations to receive the shims. In use, a golfer secures a tee in the channel and maintains contact of the tee against the shims  92 . The golfer can observe the bubble level which normally indicates vertical alignment of the tee, but because of the shims  92 , the tee is inserted at the prescribed angle. A user may selectively remove or add shims  92  to adjust tee angles. As shown, the shims  92  may be either placed within the individual recesses, or may be placed within the portion of cavity below the most lower recess. Although  FIG. 10  shows two shims  92 , only one shim is required to provide some angularity. Additionally, the shims can be used to compensate for the size of the particular tee used to provide a desired tee angle. Not all tees have the same diameter at the head, and diameters also differ at the tee shafts. If a different type of tee is used with different dimensions, the golfer can then reset the shims to provide the necessary compensation for angularity. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the rear or backside of the body is shown wherein a logo or advertisement  102  may be attached thereto. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , yet another feature contemplated within the present invention is an additional cavity or opening  104  formed in the body, and a plurality of brackets  106  sized and spaced from one another for securing golf tees. 
   Yet another feature of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 13 . An external arcuate groove  108  may be formed on the lower portion of the body, thereby providing a user a more ergonomic shape for grasping the device when setting the tee. 
   Although extension  72 , recesses  88 , shims  92 , groove  108 , and deeper vs. shallower cavity depths ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) have been illustrated with respect to a device having a particular type of channel/cavity, to include particular types of recesses for creating various tee settings, it shall be understood that these features can be used with any channel/cavity disclosed herein. 
   A number of different types of materials may be used for making the present invention. Perhaps the best material is a thermoplastic that can be molded into the desired shape. The shape of the present invention is easily repeatable within a molding process. The present invention could also be constructed of a metal which is either molded, or shaped as by use of a router and lathe. The present invention can also be made of wood. The bubble level may be made of a clear plastic such as acrylic. 
   While the foregoing invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various other changes and modifications to the invention can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, as claimed.