Abstract:
The present invention relates to a golf tee holder for use during the play of golf. The holder can be comfortably carried in a shirt or pant pocket during play. The holder includes a housing having a top portion providing access to a hollow inner chamber, surrounding walls and a bottom portion. In a preferred embodiment, at least the top portion is flexible and resilient and includes a longitudinally oriented slit opening normally biased to a closed position allowing a golfer to add or remove golf tees by squeezing from the ends of the top to open and close the chamber.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/202,994 filed Aug. 10, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/301,140 filed Feb. 29, 2016, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the game of golf, more specifically to a device for holding golf tees during play of the game. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Golf is a popular sport around the world. Participation in the game requires various pieces of specialized equipment and accessories including clubs, golf balls, and golf tees to name a few. Golf tees are used to elevate the ball off the ground when playing the first shot to drive the ball down a fairway. Golf tees have a head, elongated shaft, and a pointed end for pushing into the ground and are generally about 1.5 to 3.25 inches in length and about ⅜ inch in diameter at the head. During play, golf tees are frequently lost or broken, and having a backup supply of replacement tees is desirable. Many players carry spare tees in their golf bag which can be cumbersome and lead to delays in the game as a player has to continually retrieve spare tees from their golf bag. A simpler method for carrying spare tees involves placing a number of tees in a trouser or shirt pocket. While this is more convenient than carrying tees in a cart or bag, it can cause other problems such as excessive wear in pockets, holes in pockets or even discomfort on the skin underneath a pocket owing to the pointed tips on the tees. 
         [0004]    A number of golf tee holders and dispensers have been developed to address some of these problems. However, many golf tee holders and dispensers include complex and burdensome mechanisms that require a player to load and dispense tees in a prescribed orientation, for example, head to tail in single file or on top of one another. This can be burdensome, whether performed before or during play. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,300 provides a golf tee holder that is mounted to a golf club having an elongated spine with holes that must be loaded one tee at a time. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,130 provides a hollow spherically-shaped golf tee holder in which a plurality of golf tees protrude through holes in the sphere allowing the golfer to retrieve a protruding tee by pulling it from the hole. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,615 provides a pair of adhesively-backed strips which can be loaded with an array of golf tees while being mounted to a golf cart. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No 4,573,610 provides a cylindrically-shaped vessel that accommodates a plurality of golf tees that must be loaded in head-to-tail fashion. A golfer dispenses tees by pushing on one end of the device to eject a tee from the other end. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,260 provides a complex multi-component golf tee dispenser. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,697 discloses a golf tee holder that includes a longitudinal track having two parallel rails that accommodate the heads of a plurality of linearly-arrayed golf tees. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,615 provides a complex golf tee dispensing device having a pair of springs operably-connected to a plate that upwardly directs pressure on a stack of tees positioned thereabove to eject tees one at a time. 
         [0011]    While the prior art golf tee holders provide some useful features many are burdensome to use, overly-complex, expensive, and require care in loading prior to use. There remains a need for a simpler, easy-to-load and unload, low-cost golf tee holder that a golfer can carry in a pocket or on the belt. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    This Summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to a low-cost golf tee holder that can be carried in a golfer&#39;s trouser or shirt pocket or attached to the belt to provide ready and convenient access to a plurality of golf tees when needed during play while also protecting clothing from damage that can arise when carrying sharp-ended tees in a pocket. The tee holder of the invention includes a housing having a hollow inner chamber easily accessible through a top member. The holder can be easily loaded and unloaded with multiple tees without the need to load or unload tees one at a time or in a prescribed order or spatial arrangement. In one embodiment the device preferably includes a flexible and resilient top that is biased to a closed position but when compressed is easily opened to quickly and easily deposit or remove one or more tees. 
         [0013]    Variations of the invention allow the user to drop any desired number of tees into the inner chamber without the need to arrange the tees in ordered fashion, which saves time and is less burdensome than devices that require loading and unloading in a specific fashion, one tee at a time. This feature provides added convenience and saves time during play. 
         [0014]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  provides a front view of one embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  provides a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 1C  shows a cross section of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  at line  1 C- 1 C. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1D  provides a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 1E  provides a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1F  shows a top view of an embodiment of golf tee holder in open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1G  shows a front view of an embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention loaded with golf tees. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1H  shows a side view of an embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention encasing a plurality of golf tees. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf tee holder having an integral edge at the sides. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  A shows a side view of an embodiment of a tee holder having curved front and back walls. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the tee holder in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of another embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention with a flap top in the closed position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  shows a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  with the flap top in open position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4C  shows a cross sectional view along line  4 C- 4 C. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4D  shows a side view of an embodiment with a flat top and tapered walls. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  shows a front perspective view of another embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention having a flex frame opening at the top. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  shows a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5C  shows a typical flex frame member. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6A  provides a top view of a dip mold for fabricating an embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6B  provides a front view of a dip mold for fabricating an embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6C  provides a side view of a dip mold for fabricating an embodiment of a golf tee holder of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    As used herein the terms “enclose” or “encase” refers to an aspect of the invention in which one or a plurality of golf tees are fully contained within the inner chamber of a golf tee holder of the invention. 
         [0037]    As used herein, the term “flexible” has the ordinary meaning of capacity to bend without breaking. 
         [0038]    As used herein, the term “resilient” has the ordinary meaning of the property of returning to an original shape after deformation, bending, stretching, or being compressed. 
         [0039]    Referring now to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail.  FIGS. 1A-1H  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a flexible and resilient golf tee holder  10  of the present invention. Holder  10  has a top region  28  and bottom region  30 , and includes front wall  34 , back wall  40 , side walls  36 , top member  22  and bottom member  44 . Holder  10  can be of any shape suitable for enclosing one or a plurality of golf tees. Preferably holder  10  is rectangular-shaped. Holder  10  provides a hollow inner chamber  42  for fully enclosing and storing golf tees  16 . Inner chamber  42  is defined by the inwardly-facing surfaces of top member  22 , bottom member  44 , front wall  34 , back wall  40 , and side walls  36 . Golf tees are placed in inner chamber  42  in any order and/or arrangement but preferably with the tee heads nearest to top region  28  and the tails adjacent to bottom region  30 . 
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment, top member  22  includes two opposing sides  25  and two opposing ends  29 . Top member  22  further includes a slot opening  24  extending along a centrally located longitudinal axis between opposing ends  29  defining two opposing lips  26 . Slot opening  24  includes opening ends  31  that terminate before, at, or beyond opposing ends  29 , i.e. extend slightly down side walls  36 . Slot opening  24  is normally biased to a closed position but is adaptable to be opened by application of a compression force at opposing top ends  29  which results in parting the opposing lips  26  to expose inner chamber  42  to store or retrieve golf tees. 
         [0041]    Side walls  36 , front wall  34 , and back wall  40  form a junction at side peripheral edges  38 . A top peripheral edge  39  is formed at the juncture between top member  22 , front wall  34 , back wall  40  and opposing side walls  36 . Side peripheral edges  38  and top peripheral edge  39  intersect at four corners  47 . Peripheral edges  38  and/or  39  and corners  47  may be sharp or rounded. Opposing side walls  36  depend downwardly at an orthogonal or approximately orthogonal angle from opposing top ends  29  to intersect with bottom member  44 . 
         [0042]    Front wall  34  and back wall  40  depend downwardly and inwardly from top member  22  to intersect with bottom member  44  forming an angle of less than 90°, or about 80° to less than 90°, alternatively 80-87°, preferably 85°, with a horizontal plane parallel with bottom member  44  (See e.g. dimension F,  FIG. 6C ). The angled descent of front wall  34  and back wall  40  provides a larger depth for holder  10  at top region  28  than at bottom region  30  ( FIG. 1B ). 
         [0043]    For added convenience, holder  10  may include a key hole  20  for carrying a key ring and keys. A key hole can be located anywhere on holder  10  but preferably is located at or near bottom region  30  on one side or the other of holder  10 . Additionally, holder  10  may include a clip member  46  for attachment of the holder to a belt, pocket or golf bag. 
         [0044]    Preferably holder  10  is fabricated from a material that is flexible and resilient so that a user can repeatedly compress top member  22  from ends  29  to open and close the holder ( FIGS. 1E-1F ). Alternatively, at least top member  22  is fabricated from a flexible, resilient material. 
         [0045]    Holder  10  can be of any size but preferably is sized to comfortably fit in a shirt or trouser pocket. The size should be sufficient to fully enclose or receive one or more golf tees in inner chamber  42 , for example, from one to ten, or more ( FIGS. 1G-1H ). In preferred embodiments, holder  10  will have a length (top to bottom) of between 3 to 5 inches; alternatively 3.5 inches to 4 inches; more preferably 3.5-3.7 inches; most preferably 3.5 inches. Holder  10  preferably has a width (side to side) of from 2 to 3 inches; alternatively 2 to 2.5 inches; alternatively still 2.3-2.5 inches; most preferably 2.1 inches. Holder  10  preferably has a depth at the top (front wall to back wall) of 1 to 2 inches; preferably 1 to 1.5 inches, and a depth at the bottom (front wall to back wall) of from 0.5 to 1 inch; more preferably 0.6 inches. 
         [0046]    Front wall  34  and/or back wall  40  optionally may be imprinted with any identifier such as advertising, logos, slogans, or any other desired mark. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment ( FIG. 2 ), front wall  34  and back wall  40  converge to form an integral edge  52  at the junction therebetween. 
         [0048]    In still another embodiment, as depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , holder  10  has a curved cross-sectional shape with front wall  34  being convex and back wall  40  being concave to provide a more contoured fit against the upper thigh (if carried in a pant pocket) or chest (if carried in a shirt pocket). 
         [0049]    In another embodiment, as shown in  Figs 4A-4D , holder  10  has a flap top member  70  that preferably includes a finger tab  76  on the front side, and includes suitable fastening means  80  positioned on tab  76  to operably engage with a corresponding portion near the top of front wall  34  such that flat top member  70  can reversibly couple to front wall  34  for loading or removing tees. For purposes of illustration, a snap fastener has been depicted but it should be understood that any suitable fastening means known to the skilled artisan can be used including, but not limited to, hook and loop fixture, VELCRO®, clasp, buckle, and the like. In this embodiment, front wall  34  and back wall  40  may depend orthogonally downward from flat top member  70  ( FIG. 4C ), or alternatively, depend angularly in inwardly converging fashion ( FIG. 4D ). 
         [0050]    In another embodiment of holder  10 , as illustrated in  Figs. 5A-5C , a flex frame member  86  is provided in close proximity to top member  22  to provide additional resilience when opening and closing the device. A flex frame top may be desirable when holder  10  and/or top  22  is fabricated from a low resiliency material such as leather, fabric, or the like. Flex frame member  86  can be any type known to the skilled artisan, for example, metallic or plastic strips  88  or wires that are joined at their ends  90 . When compressed from ends  90  the flex frame bows outward and when released snaps back to its original shape. The flex frame is preferably secured to holder  10  at or near the top, around the inside perimeter of the walls. 
         [0051]    Holder  10  can be fabricated by joining separate components together, for example by gluing or stitching. Alternatively, holder  10  can be manufactured as an integral unit by known methods. Any suitable material can be used for purposes of fabrication including but not limited to plastic, leather, silicon, rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic resin, vinyl, Plastisol No. 65 a suspension of PVC in a liquid plastisizer (Industrial Arts Supply Co., Minneapolis, Minn.), or synthetic or natural fabric such as cotton or hemp. In preferred embodiments at least the top member is fabricated from a flexible, resilient material such as plastic or PVC to allow the top to be easily compressed from the ends to expose the inner chamber and return to a closed position when released. 
         [0052]    A preferred holder of the invention is produced as an integral unit, for example by a dip-molding process. A suitable mold for the inner chamber of a holder can be prepared (See  FIG. 6 , Table 1, and Example 1) for use in a dip molding process using a liquid plastic material such as Plastisol No. 65. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary dip mold dimensions for inner chamber of an integral 
               
               
                 golf tee holder of the invention. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Dimension 
                 Symbol 
                 Measurement 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Width 
                 A 
                  2.4 in. 
               
               
                   
                 Dipping hook depth 
                 B 
                 0.75 in. 
               
               
                   
                 Dipping hook diameter 
                 C 
                 0.12 in. 
               
               
                   
                 Outer edge radius 
                 D 
                 0.06 in. 
               
               
                   
                 Top front to back 
                 E 
                 0.85 in. 
               
               
                   
                 Front wall angle 
                 F 
                 5° 
               
               
                   
                 Upper portion front and 
                 G 
                 0.25 in. 
               
               
                   
                 back wall 
               
               
                   
                 Top to bottom 
                 H 
                  3.6 in. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0053]    In the preferred embodiments, a golfer inserts or removes one or more golf tees from the holder by compressing the top to expose the inner chamber, or by flipping the top to open position. While golf tees can be inserted in random array, generally it is more efficient to orient them with the tee heads at the top. 
         [0054]    While the form of the device herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise form of apparatus or device, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       EXAMPLE 1 
     Dip-Molding Process 
       [0055]    A golf tee holder of the invention was fabricated by a dip-molding process. A mold for the inner volume or chamber of the holder depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1D  was prepared in accordance with the dimensions and specifications shown in  FIG. 6  and Table 1. The mold was preheated for 15 minutes at 400° F. and then dipped into Plastisol No. 65 (vinyl dispersion No. 65 Plastisol, Industrial Arts Supply, Minneapolis, Minn.). The mold was left in Plastisol for 90 sec., cooled, and then withdrawn. Thereafter, the dipped mold was cured for 20 minutes in a 350° F. oven. After curing, the molded golf tee holder was removed from the mold by cutting a lengthwise slit along the top section and pulling the cured holder from the mold.