US20140128180A1

US20140128180A1 - Golf tee

Info

Publication number: US20140128180A1
Application number: US14/128,198
Authority: US
Inventors: Takeo Imai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-17
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Also published as: JP5374746B1; WO2013121576A1; JPWO2013121576A1

Abstract

A golf tee includes a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is placed; and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from the ball seat portion. The support shaft portion has a projection that is laterally formed on and projected from the support shaft portion. The ball seat portion and the support shaft portion are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane including a central axis line of the support shaft portion and a point of the projection. In the single plane, a virtual plane including contact portion that contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball seat portion and a central axis line of the support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a golf tee that makes a player easily imagine a direction of hitting a golf ball, and reduces resistance of hitting the golf ball.

BACKGROUND ART

A golf tee holds a golf ball at a predetermined height position above the ground when a golf player hits a tee-shot. Conventionally, golf tees of various shapes, structures and materials have been proposed, sold and used.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of a golf tee in the related art. This golf tee 10 includes a ball seat portion 14 on which a golf ball 12 is placed, and a rod-shaped support shaft portion 16 vertically formed downward from the bottom of the ball seat portion 14. Angle α formed by a virtual plane (shown with broken line A) and the support shaft portion 16 is a substantially right angle (substantially 90 degrees) as illustrated in FIG. 7. The virtual plane includes a contact portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with the golf ball 12 when the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat portion 14.
In a case where the golf ball 12 is hit using such a conventional general golf tee 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8( a), first, a golf player vertically sticks the support shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 into the ground up to a suitable depth. In this state, furthermore, the golf player places the golf ball 12 on the ball seat portion 14.
Next, the golf player decides a target point to which the golf player wants to hit the golf ball 12. In a golfer's basic stance for normal shot (square stance), a direction of a line between the feet of a golf player, more specifically as direction of a line between the toes of the golf player, is parallel to a direction of a line between the target point and the golf ball 12 on the ball seat portion 14, or a target direction of the hit ball (hereinafter, referred to as a target direction).
Based on his or her preference or requirements such as a kind of an intended ball trajectory. The golf player takes as stance, the golf player takes a stance where the left leg moves back (open stance for a right-handed hitter) or a stance where the right leg moves back (closed stance for a left-handed bitter). In this way, the golf player can be oriented, in the target direction.
If a golf ball 12 can be ideally hit by a golf player with such a stance and a correct swing form, the golf bail 12 can accurately fly in the target direction.
However, a golf player hardly takes a stance by accurately orienting to a remote target point by eye. In many cases, the orientation of a golf player in stance deviates from the target direction. Therefore, even if the golf player can ideally hit the golf ball 12 with a correct swing, the actual direction of the hit ball may be different from the target direction.
The orientation deviation is smaller when the orientation of the golf player is oriented to a target point closer to the golf player. Therefore, the golf player finds something oriented in the same target direction from among a closer tree or grass, and defines it as a temporary target. Further, the golf player takes a stance b orienting the golf player to the temporary target, and thereby reduces the orientation deviation.
However, there is not always something to be suitable as a temporary target in the same direction as the target direction in all holes. There are many cases where it is not possible to determine a temporary target. In that case, the golf player cannot help but necessarily orient the golf player to a remote target point. Therefore, there is a problem that the imp between the target direction and the direction of an actually hit ball is likely to become large as described above.
Therefore, the following golf tee has been proposed. This golf tee includes a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is placed, and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from the ball seat portion. In this tee, in a single plane, a virtual plane and the central axis hue of the support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line. The virtual plane includes a contact portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball seat portion.
In this golf tee, as illustrated in FIG. 8( b), the support shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 is diagonally stuck into the ground toward the direction in which the golf ball 12 is hit. In such a condition, the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat portion 14 of the golf tee 10.
The golf player takes a stance in front of the golf tee 10 in this state. The support shaft portion 16 faces to the target when seen from the golf player. Therefore, the support shaft portion 16 serves as a suitable indication for orienting the golf player to orient to the target. The support shaft portion 16 allows the golf player to take a stance while orienting the golf player to the target more accurately.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP-U-3060039
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2000-116832

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in a case where the golf tee is stuck into the ground while tilting the support shaft portion toward the target direction, the golf ball placed on the ball seat portion blocks the tilted direction of the support shaft portion from the player's view. Therefore, it is difficult to tilt the support shaft portion to the target.
Further, in such a case, the golf player has no choice but to remove the golf ball from the ball seat portion once. Then, the golf player confirms that the tilt of the support shaft portion faces to the target, and returns the golf ball onto the ball seat portion again. Alternatively, the golf player has no choice but to touch the support shaft portion of the golf tee to tilt the support shaft to the target.
A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide the following golf tee. Even in the case of sticking diagonally this golf tee with a golf ball is placed on the ball seat portion into the ground, the player can make the side (from side), on which an angle formed by the virtual plane and the support shaft portion on the obtuse angle side is the greatest, face to the target accurately, and the player can hold the virtual plane of the ball seat portion substantially horizontally.

Solutions to the Problems

The most significant feature of the present invention is to include a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is placed and a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from the bottom part of the ball seat portion. The support shaft portion has a lateral projection. The support shaft portion is diagonally formed on a virtual plane that includes a contact portion of the ball seat portion. The contact portion is configured to contact with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed thereon. The projection is formed on and projected from a side on which an obtuse angle is formed by the virtual plane and the support shaft portion.
More specifically, the ball seat portion and the support shaft portion are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane including: a central axis line of the support shaft portion and a point of the projection. The virtual plane includes a contact portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball seat portion. In the single plane, this virtual plane and the central axis line of the support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line. The projection is formed on and projected from the side on which the obtuse angle is formed.
As the shape of the ball seat portion, any shape is possible as long as it is possible to place a golf ball on the ball seat portion without rolling down the ball seat portion. For example, the shape of the ball seat portion may be a dish shape with a rounded outer edge part or a shape with an irregularly-curved outer edge part. Further, the support shaft portion may be rod-shaped or square-bar-shaped. From the standpoint of ease of sticking into the ground, it is preferable that the support shaft portion have a sharp point.
The obtuse angle formed on one side of the axis line of the support shaft portion can be arbitrarily changed in a range between 100 degrees and 120 degrees. Moreover, the acute angle formed on the other side of the axis line can be arbitrarily changed in a range between 60 degrees and 80 degrees. When ease of imaging the direction at: the time of hitting the golf ball, ease of fall of the tee which is stuck into the ground and on which the golf ball is placed, and lack of resistance at the time of hitting the golf ball are determined in a comprehensive manner, it is preferable that the obtuse angle be in a range between 105 degrees and 108 degrees. Further, it is preferable that the acute angle be in a range between 72 degrees and 75 degrees.
It is possible to form the projection in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle height position of the support shaft portion. In that case, it is preferable that the position of the projection be a position in which it is possible to hold the forefinger under the projection and softly grip the golf ball placed on the ball seat portion. The shape of the projection is not especially limited. It is preferable that the shape of the projection be a fin shape with a sharp point, in the sense of a sign indicating the direction to hit the golf ball.
The most common materials of golf tees include a wood and plastic (for example, polycarbonate). In the case where a way of placing a golf tee on the ground is to stick the golf tee into the ground, the material of the golf tee is not specifically limited and any material is acceptable as long as it has strength enough to withstand a stress produced by sticking the golf tee into the around and to support the ball placed on the tee.
The ball seat portion and support shaft portion forming the golf tee are normally formed with the identical material. Alternatively, the golf tee may be formed by combining parts formed with respective materials.
Moreover, the golf tee of the present invention complies with the rule of golf. The golf tee of the present invention can be naturally used not only in practice of golf in a driving range or the like but also in a golf game in as golf course.

Effects of the Invention

In the golf tee of the present invention, a projection is torn on and projected from the side on which a support shaft portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to a virtual plane of a ball seat portion. Therefore, only by a sense of touching the projection by hand, it is possible to recognize the obtuse angle side of the support shaft portion, that is, the front side of the golf tee. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to stick the golf tee into the ground without looking at the golf tee in a state where the front side of the golf tee is tilted by an appropriate angle with respect to the target direction to hit a golf ball.
Further, there is a case player sticks the golf tee into the ground and plays in a state in which the golf tee is tilted in the target direction to hit the golf ball. In this case, with the golf tee of the present invention, the player can visually check the support shaft portion of the golf tee at any time. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is easy to create an image of the target direction to hit a golf ball when the player hits a teed golf ball by a driver.
Moreover, there is a case where the player sticks the golf tee into the ground and plays in a state in which the golf tee is tilted in the target direction to hit the golf ball. In this case, with the golf tee of the present invention, the player can visually check the support shaft portion of the golf tee at any time. Therefore, even if there is no suitable temporary target, the golf player can take a stance while accurately orienting the golf player to the target direction. As a result, there is an advantage that it is possible to reduce a gap between the target direction and the direction of an actually hit ball.
Moreover, there is a case where the player sticks the golf tee into to the ground in a state in which the golf tee is tilted by an appropriate angle with respect to the target direction to hit the golf ball, and places the golf ball on the ball seat portion in this state. In this case, in the golf tee of the present invention, the center of gravity of the golf ball which is applied to the support shaft portion of the golf tee is shifted from the support shaft portion. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the weight of the golf ball. As a result, there is an advantage it is possible to reduce the golf tee resistance given to a driver when the golf ball is hit by the driver (see FIG. 6).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of a bead part of a golf tee according to an example, of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a golf tee according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a golf tee according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that conceptually illustrates as golf tee and golf ball according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram to describe resistance which a golf tee gives to a driver.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram thin illustrates one example of a conventional golf tee.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a tee and golf ball in a state seen from a golf player.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is possible to realize an object to make it easy to create an image of the target direction to hit a golf ball when hitting a teed golf, with a simple configuration without breaking the rule of golf.

EXAMPLE 1

In the following, a golf tee according to an example of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf tee according to the example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of the head part of the golf tee according to the example or the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf tee according to the example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the golf tee according to the example of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram to conceptually describe a golf tee and golf ball according to the example of the present invention.
As illustrated in these figures, the golf tee 10 includes the ball seat portion 14 on which the golf ball 12 is placed, and the rod-shaped support shaft portion 16 formed downward from the bottom of the ball seat portion 14. The support shaft portion 16 includes a projection 16 a that is projected and formed toward the side direction. The ball seal portion 14 and the support shaft portion 16 are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane (not illustrated) including the central axis lint of the support shaft portion 16 and the point of the projection 16 a.
A virtual plane (broken line P) includes a contact portion on the ball seat portion 14. The contact portion contacts with the golf ball 12 when the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat portion 14. In the single plane, this virtual plane (broken line P) and the central axis line of the support shaft portion 16 form angle α (obtuse angle) on one side of 11 e central axis hue, that is, on one side of the support shaft portion 16, and form angle β (acute angle) on the other side of the central axis line, that is, on the other side of the support shaft portion 16. The projection 16 a is formed on and projected from the side on which angle α (obtuse angle) is formed.
As the shape of the ball seat portion 14, any shape is possible as long as it is possible to place the golf ball 12 so as not to roll down. In general, it is preferable that the shape of the ball seat portion 14 be a circular dish shape in which the center part becomes hollow and the surroundings heighten. However, if it is possible to place the golf ball 12 so its not to roll down, for example, even a shape with an irregularly-curved outer edge part is possible as the shape of the ball seat portion 14.
As the shape of the support shaft portion 16, any shape is possible as long as it is possible to stick it into the ground. In the point of ease of sticking into the ground, a rod shape with a sharp point is preferable. The support shah portion 16 may be column-shaped or prism-shaped. In the present example, the ball seat portion 14 and the support shaft portion 16 are integrally formed by polycarbonate.
A preferable range of angle α formed by the central axis of the support shaft portion 16 and the virtual plane varies depending on the person. As angle α becomes larger, resistance to a driver becomes less and it becomes more difficult to stick the support shaft portion 16 into the ground. As angle α becomes closer to 90 degrees, the resistance to the driver becomes greater and it becomes easier to stick the support shaft portion 16 into the ground. Angle α formed on one side of the axis line of the support shaft portion 16 can be arbitrarily changed within a range of 100 to 120 degrees. Moreover, angle β formed on the other side of the axis line can be arbitrarily changed within a range of 60 to 80 degrees.
When ease of imaging the direction at the time of hitting the golf ball 12, ease of fall of the golf tee 10 which is stuck into the ground and on which the golf ball 12 is placed, and lack of the resistance at the time of hitting the golf ball 12 are determined in a comprehensive manner, it is preferable that angle α formed on one side of the axis line of the support shaft portion 16 be in a range of 105 to 108 degrees. Further, it is preferable that angle β formed on the other side of the axis line be in a range of 72 to 75 degrees.
The projection 16 a can be formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion 14 than the middle height position of the support, shaft portion 16. In that case, it is preferable that the position of the projection 16 a be a position in which it is possible to hold the forefinger under the projection 16 a and softly grip the golf ball 12 place on the ball seat portion 14. Moreover, in the point of ease of grip and ease of holding the forefinger, it is preferable that a curved concave portion 16 b be formed from the lower part of the projection 16 a to the support shaft portion 16. The shape of the projection 16 a is not specifically limited. In the sense of a sign indicating the direction to hit the golf ball 12, it is preferable that the shape of the projection 16 a be a fin shape with a sharp point.
As for a material of the golf tee 10, a wood or plastic (for example, polycarbonate) is given as the most representative example. In a case where the installment format of the golf tee 10 into the ground is a format of sticking the golf tee 10 into the ground, a material of the golf tee 10 is not specifically limited and any material is acceptable as long as it has strength enough to withstand a stress produced by sticking, the golf tee 10 into the ground and to support the golf ball 12 placed on the tee 10. Moreover, the ball seat portion 14 and the support shaft portion 16 forming the golf tee 10 are normally formed with the identical material. Alternatively, the golf tee 10 may be formed by combining parts formed with respective materials.
Next, the usage of the golf tee according to the example of the present invention is described.
First, the forefinger is held under the projection 16 a of the golf tee 10 according to the example of the present invention, the golf ball 12 is placed on the ball seat portion 14 and the golf ball 12 is gripped together with the golf tee 10. The projection 16 a is directed to the target point to which the golf ball 12 is desired to be hit while recognizing the touch of the projection 16 a by the forefinger. The support shaft portion 16 is stuck while being tilted by 10 to 30 degrees from the perpendicular line with respect to the ground. At this time, the ball seat portion 14 is maintained such that the virtual plane (broken line A) becomes horizontal as much as possible.
In this state, the golf player takes a stance in front of the golf tee 10 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8( b), the support shaft portion 16 is directed to the target direction when seen from the golf player. Therefore, the support shaft portion 16 becomes a suitable indication to orient the golf player. The support shaft portion 16 allows the golf player to take a stance while orienting the golf player to the target more accurately. Moreover, based on this, the golf player can take the open stance or closed stance.
Moreover, when the golf player hits the golf ball 12 by a golf club, the club head of the golf club impacts the golf ball 12. The direction of the support shaft portion 16 is the same as the direction of the trajectory of the club head before or after the dub head impacts the golf ball 12. Therefore, the direction of the support shaft portion 16 becomes a standard of the trajectory of the club head. Therefore, the support shaft portion 16 assists the golf player to hit the golf ball 12 with a correct club head trajectory.
Moreover, resistance which the golf tee 10 gives to a driver is described. The resistance which the golf tee 10 gives to the driver relates to the weight of the golf tee 10 and angle β formed by the axis of the golf tee 10 and the ground. Further, as illustrated an FIG. 6( a), angle β formed by the support shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 and the ground is 90 degrees in the conventional tee 10. The center of gravity of the golf ball 12 is placed immediately on the support shaft portion 16 and the support shaft portion 16 supports the weight of the golf ball 12 as it is. By contrast with this, as illustrated in FIG. 6( b), the support shaft portion 16 of the golf tee 10 forms angle β (β<90 degrees) with respect to the ground in the golf tee 10 according to the present invention. B this means, the golf tee 10 according to the present invention shifts the center of gravity of the golf ball 12 from the support shaft portion 16 and supports it, as compared with the conventional golf tee 10 in which the support shaft portion 16 forms angle β. Therefore, it is considered that resistance B to the driver in the golf tee 10 according to the present invention becomes less than resistance A to the driver in the conventional golf tee 10.
Here, the golf tee 10 of the present invention does not break the rule of golf. The golf tee 10 of the present invention can be naturally used not only in practice of golf in a hitting range or the like but also in a golf game in a golf course. Moreover, the golf tee 10 according to the present invention can be naturally used by both right-handed golf players and the left-handed golf players.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

10 golf tee
12 golf ball
14 ball seat portion
16 support shaft portion
16 a projection

Claims

1. A golf tee comprising:

a ball seat portion on which a golf ball is placed; and

a rod-shaped support shaft portion formed downward from the ball seat portion, wherein

the support shaft portion has a projection that is laterally formed on and projected from the support shaft portion at a part spaced apart from the ball seat portion;

the ball seat portion and the support shaft portion are formed plane-symmetrically on a single plane including a central axis line of the support shaft portion and a point of the projection;

in the single plane, a virtual plane including a contact portion that contacts with a golf ball when the golf ball is placed on the ball seat portion and a central axis line of the support shaft portion form an obtuse angle on one side of the axis line and form an acute angle on the other side of the axis line; and

the projection is formed on and projected from a side on which the obtuse angle is formed.

2. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is between 100 degrees and 120 degrees, and the acute angle is between 60 degrees and 80 degrees.

3. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the obtuse angle is between 105 degrees and 108 degrees, and the acute angle is between 72 degrees and 75 degrees.

4. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the projection is formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle height position of the support shaft portion.

5. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the projection is formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle height position of the support shaft portion.

6. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein the projection is formed in a position closer to the ball seat portion than a middle height position of the support shaft portion.

7. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

8. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

9. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

10. The golf tee according to claim 4, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

11. The golf tee according to claim 5, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

12. The golf tee according to claim 6, wherein the projection is fin-shaped.

13. The golf tee according to claim 7, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.

14. The golf tee according to claim 8, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.

15. The golf tee according to claim 9, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.

16. The golf tee according to claim 10, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.

17. The golf tee according to claim 11, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.

18. The golf tee according to claim 12, wherein a curved concave portion is formed from a lower part of the projection to the support shaft portion.