COMBINATION GOLF TEE HEIGHT SETTING FEATURE AND DIVOT REPAIR TOOL

Abstract

A number of variations may include a product comprising a combination golf tee height setting feature and divot repair tool.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes golf tee height setting devices and divot repair tools.

BACKGROUND

Golfers frequently stick a golf tee in the ground, place a ball on the tee so that the ball is in an elevated position above the ground and thereafter strike the ball on the tee with a “wood” or “iron” golf club. Whether using a golf tee or not, often golfers create a divot when striking a golf ball.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

A number of variations may include a product comprising a combination golf tee height setting feature and divot repair tool.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination tool showing a second face according to a number of variations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combination tool showing a first face according to a number of variations.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combination tool showing the second face according to a number of variations.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a combination tool showing the first face according to a number of variations.

FIG. 5 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a first recess or opening formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a second opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 7 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a third opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 8 illustrates a combination tool having a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a fourth opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a golfer using the divot repair portion of the combination tool to replace a divot according to a number of variations.

FIG. 10 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion received in an opening or recess formed in the combination tool and positioned above a grass playing surface according to a number of variations.

FIG. 11 illustrates a golfer holding the combination tee in his hand with a thumb placed over the golf tee at a location wherein the golf tee is starting to engage the grass playing surface according to a number of variations.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a golfer inserting a golf tee into the ground of the playing surface using a combination tool according to a number of variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a number of variations may include a product 10 which may include a body portion 12 and a divot repair portion 13 connected to or extended from the body portion. The body portion may include a first face 14 and an opposite second face 16, a bottom edge 18, a first side edge 22 and an opposite second side edge 24. In a number of variations, the bottom edge 18 may form an angle A with the first side edge 22 which may be a 90 degree angle, and the bottom edge 18 may form a second angle B with respect to the second side edge 24 which may be a 90 degree angle. The divot repair portion 13 may include at least a first finger 26 extending from the body portion 12. The first finger 26 may include an inner side edge 28 and an opposite outer side edge 30. The inner side edge 28 and the outer side edge 30 may converge toward each other and terminate in a first tip 32. The divot repair portion may include a second finger 34 spaced apart from the first finger 26. The second finger 34 may include an inner side edge 36 and an opposite outer side edge 38. The inner side edge 36 and outer side edge 38 may converge toward each other and terminate in a second tip 40.

The body portion 12 may include at least a first opening 42 or recess formed therein. The body portion may include edges constructed and arranged to define the opening 42 or recess to receive at least a portion of the head portion of a golf tee. Adjacent the first opening, a first arc shaped portion 144 of the body portion 12 may be constructed and arranged so that a concave surface 44 defined by the arc shaped portion 144 may receive the cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee. The first arc shaped portion 144 may have a convex surface 45 opposite the concave surface 44. The first opening 42 or recess may be constructed and arranged so that the top of a tee head received therein will be spaced a first distance from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. FIG. 5 illustrates a number of variations which may include one or more stops 100 that may partially define the first opening 42 and may prevent the head 58 of the tee from moving out of the first opening 42 when the tee is inserted in the ground. In a number of variations the one or more stops may include a pair of spaced apart nubs, wherein one nub may be positioned near the first finger 26 and may extend in a medial direction with respect to the body portion 12, and the other nub may be positioned near the second finger 34 and may extend medially with respect to the body portion 12. Although the nubs are illustrated with a square or rectangular shape the nubs may have any of a variety of shapes including a partial oval shape, a partial circular shape, a triangular shape, a rombus shape or any other shape sufficient to prevent the head 58 of the tee from moving out of the first opening 42 when the tee is inserted in the ground. In other embodiments the one of more stops may be construed and arranged similarly to the arc shaped portion 114.

The body portion 12 may include a second opening 46 or recess formed therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head of a golf tee. The second opening 46 or recess may be spaced from the first opening 42 or recess formed in the body portion 12. A second arc shaped portion 148 may be formed in the body portion 12 adjacent the second opening 46 or recess and may include a concave surface 48 constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a cone shaped portion of the head or the shaft of a golf tee. The second opening 46 or recess may be constructed and arranged so that when a golf tee head is received therein, the top of the golf tee head is spaced a second distance from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion. In a number of variations, the second distance is less than the first distance.

In a number of variations, a third opening 50 or recess may be formed in the body portion 12 and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of the head portion of a golf tee. A third arc shaped portion 152 may be formed in the body portion adjacent to the third opening 50 or recess. The third arc shaped portion 152 may include a convex surface 53 on one side and an opposite concaved surface 52 on the other side constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the shaft of a golf tee. The third opening 50 or recess may be constructed and arranged so that when a golf tee head is received therein, the top of the golf tee head is spaced a third distance from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion. In a number of variations, the third distance is less than the second distance.

The body portion 12 may include a fourth opening 54 or recess formed therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of the head portion of a golf tee. A fourth arc shaped portion 156 may be formed in the body portion 12 adjacent the fourth opening 54 or recess and may include a convex outer surface 57 and an opposite concave surface 56 constructed and arranged to receive a at least a portion of the cone shaped portion of the head or the shaft of a golf tee. The fourth opening 54 or recess may be constructed and arranged so that when the head portion of a golf tee is received therein, the top of the golf tee head is spaced a fourth distance from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. The fourth distance may be less than the third distance.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a golf tee may include a head portion 58 connected to a cylindrical shaft 64 which terminates in a pointed tip 66. The head portion 58 may include a first portion 60 which may have a cylindrical shape and a second portion 62 extending from the first portion which may have a cone shape. The second portion 62 may be connected to the cylindrical shaft 64. In a number of variations, the openings or recesses 42, 46, 50, 54 formed in the body portion 12 may be constructed and arranged to receive the first portion 60 and at least a portion of the second portion 62 of the golf tee. The concave surfaces 44, 48, 52, 56 may be constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the second portion 62 of the tee head 58.

FIG. 5 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a first recess or opening formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a second opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 7 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a third opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

FIG. 8 illustrates a combination tool having a golf tee having a head portion thereof received in a fourth opening or recess formed in the combination tool according to a number of variations.

Referring again to FIG. 8, in a number of variations, the first opening 42 or recess formed in the body portion 12 may be constructed and arranged so that the top of the tee head 58 is spaced a distance of approximately 2 inches from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. The second opening 46 or recess may be constructed and arranged so that the top of a tee head 58 received therein is spaced a distance of approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. The third opening 50 or recess formed in the body portion 12 may be constructed and arranged so that the top of the tee head received therein is spaced approximately 1 inch from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. The fourth opening 54 or recess formed in the body portion may be constructed and arranged so that the top of the tee head 58 received therein is spaced a distance of approximately 0.5 inches from the bottom edge 18 of the body portion 12. However, the distance between the adjacent openings or recesses, or the distance from the bottom edge 18 or the body portion may vary. For example, but not limited to, the distance between adjacent openings or recesses 3/16 inch, 5/16 inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch or any distance there between or any other suitable distance.

FIG. 9 illustrates a golfer's hand 68 holding a combination tool 10 having a first finger 26 and a spaced apart second finger 34 of a divot repair tool portion inserted into the ground of the playing surface.

FIG. 10 illustrates a combination tool with a golf tee having a head portion received in an opening or recess formed in the combination tool and positioned above a grass playing surface according to a number of variations.

FIG. 11 illustrates a golfer holding the combination tee in his hand with a thumb placed over the golf tee at a location wherein the golf tee is starting to engage the grass playing surface according to a number of variations.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a golfer inserting a golf tee into the ground of the playing surface using a combination tool according to a number of variations.

In a number of variations, the boding portion and the first finger may be a single piece. In a number of variations, the boding portion and the second finger may be a single piece. In a number of variations, the single piece may comprise at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone. In a number of variations, the body portion comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a product that may include a combination golf tee height setting feature and divot repair tool that may include: a body portion and a divot repair portion that may be connected to or extended from the body portion; the body portion may have a first face and a bottom edge; the body portion may have a first opening or recess defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the first opening or recess a top of the head is space a first distance from the bottom edge of the body portion; the divot repair portion may have at least a first finger extending from the body portion.

Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the body portion may include a second opening or recess defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the second opening or recess a top of the head is space a second distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in Variation 2 wherein the body portion includes a third opening or recess defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the third opening or recess a top of the head is space a third distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the third distance is less than the second distance.

Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in Variation 3 wherein the body portion includes a fourth opening or recess defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the fourth opening or recess a top of the head is space a fourth distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the fourth distance is less than the third distance.

Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the body portion further comprises a first arc shaped portion adjacent the first opening or recess, the first arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the first arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in Variation 2 wherein the body portion further comprises a second arc shaped portion adjacent the second opening or recess, the second arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the second arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in Variation 3 wherein the body portion further comprises a third arc shaped portion adjacent the third opening or recess, the third arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the third arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in Variation 4 wherein the body portion further comprises a fourth arc shaped portion adjacent the fourth opening or recess, the fourth arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the fourth arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-8 wherein the first finger includes an inner side edge and an outer side edge converging toward each other and terminate in a first tip.

Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-9 further comprising a second finger extending from the body portion, the second finger being spaced from the first finger.

Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-10 wherein the second finger includes an inner side edge and an outer side edge converging toward each other and terminate in a second tip.

Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-1 wherein the first distance is approximately 2 inches.

Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 2-12 wherein the second distance is approximately 1.5 inches.

Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 3-13 wherein the third distance is approximately 1 inch.

Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 4-14 wherein the fourth distance is approximately 0.5 inches.

Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-15 wherein the boding portion and the first finger are a single piece.

Variation 17 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 10-16 wherein the boding portion and the second finger are a single piece.

Variation 18 may include a product as set forth in Variation 16 wherein the single piece comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

Variation 19 may include a product as set forth in Variation 17 wherein the single piece comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

Variation 20 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-19 wherein the body portion comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A product comprising a combination golf tee height setting feature and divot repair tool comprising: a body portion and a divot repair portion connected to or extended from the body portion;the body portion having a first face and a bottom edge;the body portion having a first opening defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the first opening a top of the head is space a first distance from the bottom edge of the body portion;the divot repair portion comprising at least a first finger extending from the body portion.

2. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a second opening defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the second opening a top of the head is space a second distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

3. A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the body portion includes a third opening defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the third opening a top of the head is space a third distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the third distance is less than the second distance.

4. A product as set forth in claim 3 wherein the body portion includes a fourth opening defined therein and constructed and arranged to receive at least a portion of a head portion of a golf tee so that when at the head of the golf tee is received in the fourth opening a top of the head is space a fourth distance from the bottom edge of the body portion, and wherein the fourth distance is less than the third distance.

5. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body portion further comprises a first arc shaped portion adjacent the first opening, the first arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the first arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

6. A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the body portion further comprises a second arc shaped portion adjacent the second opening, the second arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the second arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

7. A product as set forth in claim 3 wherein the body portion further comprises a third arc shaped portion adjacent the third opening, the third arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the third arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

8. A product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the body portion further comprises a fourth arc shaped portion adjacent the fourth opening, the fourth arc shaped portion being constructed and arranged so that a concave surface defined by the fourth arc shaped portion receives a cone shaped portion of the head or shaft of a golf tee.

9. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first finger includes an inner side edge and an outer side edge converging toward each other and terminate in a first tip.

10. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a second finger extending from the body portion, the second finger being spaced from the first finger.

11. A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the second finger includes an inner side edge and an outer side edge converging toward each other and terminate in a second tip.

12. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first distance is approximately 2 inches.

13. A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second distance is approximately 1.5 inches.

14. A product as set forth in claim 3 wherein the third distance is approximately 1 inch.

15. A product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the fourth distance is approximately 0.5 inches.

16. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body portion and the first finger are a single piece.

17. A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the boding portion and the second finger are a single piece.

18. A product as set forth in claim 16 wherein the single piece comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

19. A product as set forth in claim 17 wherein the single piece comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.

20. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises at least one of a metal, polymeric material, wood, ceramic, composite, or stone.