Many sports require the use of small pieces of equipment including golf tees. These pieces of equipment, while critical to the proper execution of the game, are difficult to transport. Many times, players will forget to bring the small pieces to the required area of the playing field, resulting in a delay in the game. Conventional systems for transporting these pieces are not user friendly and often times result in the pieces being lost in transit.
Therefore, a need exists for a system that will allow the player of a game, such as golf, to transport small pieces, such as golf tees, with them as they play the game. There is also a need for a better, more convenient and less expensive method, system and/or device to carry golf tees and a golf ball marker on the golfer while playing golf without interference with the golfer's swing. The methods, systems and/or devices disclosed herein fulfill these and other needs, and provide further advantages and benefits in carrying golf tees and a golf ball marker on the golfer during a round of golf.
One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a game piece holding unit including an upper portion having a plurality of openings, a lower portion, a curved portion connected to the upper portion and the lower portion where each of the plurality of openings is configured to hold a golf tee.
In another embodiment, the upper portion has an elliptical shape.
In another embodiment, the lower portion is biased towards the upper portion.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gripping units are formed on a surface of the lower portion closest to the upper portion.
In another embodiment, the gripping units are angled towards the curved portion.
In another embodiment, the curved portion has a semicircular shape.
In another embodiment, the gripping units are triangular in shape.
In another embodiment, a channel is formed on a side of each opening closest to the lower portion.
In another embodiment, the channels are configured to enlarge the size of the opening when an object is inserted into the opening.
One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of securing a game piece including the steps of forming an upper portion having a plurality of openings, forming a lower portion, forming a curved portion connected to the upper portion and the lower portion where each of the plurality of openings is configured to hold a golf tee.
In another embodiment, the upper portion has an elliptical shape.
In another embodiment, the lower portion is biased towards the upper portion.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gripping units are formed on a surface of the lower portion closest to the upper portion.
In a another embodiment, the gripping units are angled towards the curved portion.
In another embodiment, the curved portion has a semicircular shape.
In another embodiment, the gripping units are triangular in shape.
In another embodiment, a channel is formed on a side of each opening closest to the lower portion.
In another embodiment, the channels are configured to enlarge the size of the opening when an object is inserted into the opening.
In yet another embodiment, a plurality of channels for holding golf tees are provided in one half of the upper portion, and a securing device for holding a golf ball marker is provided in the other half of the upper portion.
In use, the unit is clipped on the brim of a hat, for example a baseball cap, such that the golf tees and the ball marker of carried on top of the brim of the hat.
Additional objectives, advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. Details of the present invention, including non-limiting benefits and advantages, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description refers to numerous specific details which are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant method(s), system(s) and device(s) disclosed herein. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or structures have been described at as relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.
While the description refers by way of example to methods and devices relating to holding and carrying golf items, it should be understood that the method(s) and device(s) described herein may be used in any situation where holding and/or carrying small items is needed or desired while performing an activity.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. All dimensions are the preferred dimensions and may vary in alternate embodiments so long as the holder performs substantially the same function in substantially the same way and produces substantially the same result. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
The curved portion 106 may be made of a material having memory characteristics such as plastic. The curved portion 106 is configured such that the lower securing portion 104 is biased towards the upper portion 102 causing the lower portion 104 to move towards the upper portion 102 when a force is applied to the lower portion 104 in a direction away from the upper portion. An end 114 of the lower securing portion 104 is separated from the lower surface of the upper portion 102 by a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance is approximately equal to the thickness of a brim of a hat. The surface of the lower securing portion 114 facing the lower surface of the upper portion 102 may include gripping units 116 that are configured to engage the surface of an object positioned between the lower securing portion 114 and the upper portion 112. In one embodiment, the lower portion 104 includes at least one gripping unit 116. In another embodiment, the lower portion 104 includes a plurality of gripping units 116. The gripping units 116 may extend along or across a length or width of the lower portion 116 or may be individual gripping units 116.
The lower portion of each opening 108, 110 and 112 includes a channel 204. The channel 204 provides access from the lower surface of the upper portion 102 to the cavity of the opening 108, 110 or 112. The channel 204 also allows the openings 108, 110 and 112 to flex when a force is applied on opposite ends of the upper portion 102. As an illustrative example when a force is applied perpendicular to the short diameter of the upper portion 102, the channel is narrowed allowing the opening 108, 110 or 112 to deform.
The lower surface of the curved portion 106 is substantially coplanar with the lower surface of the upper portion 102. The curved portion 106 may form a substantially semi-circular shape. The gripping units 116 may be substantially triangular in shape with the center axis of the triangle being angled towards the curved portion 106. By angling the central axis of the gripping units 116 towards the center portion, the golf tee holder 100 is held in position when the upper portion 102 and lower securing portion 104 engage a surface. In one embodiment, the top of the upper portion 102 is removable. Consistent with this embodiment, the top may be removed to expose the openings 108, 110 and 112.
The golf tee holding portion 20 of top portion 12 of holder 10 includes a plurality of projections or formations which define a plurality of golf tee shaft receiving channels. More particularly, a first projection 26 and a second projection 28 extend upward from top portion 12. These projections are generally tear drop shaped or water droplet shaped, generally defined by a neck portion and a bulbous end portion, as best seen in
Additionally, it is preferred that the spacing of the channels is such that golf tees must be placed in alternating directions in the channels to enable room for the golf tee heads. Golf tees in the first and second channels 36 and 38 are preferably oriented in a first direction, while the golf tee in the third channel 40 is oriented in a direction opposite to or one hundred eighty degree from the first direction. In this manner, the channels may be located closer together, without having the golf tee heads interfere with each other, as illustrated in
Golf ball marker holding portion 22 of top portion 12 of holder 10 includes a fastener 24 for removably fastening the golf ball marker 6 to the golf ball marker holding portion 22. Preferably, the fastener 24 is a magnet and the golf ball marker 6 is at least partially or wholly of a metal which is magnetic. It should be understood however that fastener 24 can be any suitable fastener such as a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive which can removably secure thereto a golf ball marker of any material such as plastic or metal in whole or in part. Preferably, the fastener sits in and/or is secured in a recessed area 45 in the golf ball marker holding portion 22, as best seen in
The bottom portion 14 curves upward to a distance of 0.051 inches from the top portion 12, with the lined attached. This 0.051 inch distance from the free end of the bottom portion 14 to the top portion 12 sufficiently allows for the insertion of the brim of a standard baseball hat or cap, having a thickness of at least 0.051 inches, such that the holder 10 can be clipped on the brim of such hat and remain secured thereto during normal use until pulled off of the brim of the hat by a pulling force. Preferably, at least the connector portion 16 is resilient and provides a clipping force between the free end of the bottom portion 14 and the top portion 12 such that the holder 10 is held frictionally on the brim of a hat.
The first projection 26, second projection 28 and tubular formation 30 can further be seen in
In the present disclosure, the words βaβ or βanβ are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. While the embodiment(s) disclosed herein are illustrative of the structure, function and operation of the exemplary method(s) and device(s), it should be understood that various modifications may be made thereto with departing from the teachings herein. Further, the components of the method(s) and device(s) disclosed herein can take any suitable form, including any suitable components capable of adequately performing their respective intended functions, as may be known in the art.
While the foregoing discussion presents the teachings in an exemplary fashion with respect to the disclosed method(s) and device(s) for holding and carrying golf accessories on the golfer during a round of golf, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may apply to other method(s) and devices(s) in other applications. Further, while the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the method(s) and device(s) may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein.
This application claims the benefit of and the priority from U.S. provisional Application No. 62/039,498 filed Aug. 20, 2014 entitled GOLF TEE HOLDING UNIT, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/828,644 filed Aug. 18, 2015 entitled GOLF TEE HOLDING UNIT, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62039498 | Aug 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14828644 | Aug 2015 | US |
Child | 15835994 | US |