Not Applicable.
The present invention relates generally to golf training devices, and in particular, to a golf swing training aid which provides a visible target positioned in front of a golf ball to direct a follow-through of a swing path.
The game of golf has become one (1) of the most technologically advanced sports in the world today. Experts in science and physics have combined state of the art materials with ergonomic and aerodynamic principles in order to produce golf clubs and golf balls that produce more accurate and consistently longer golf shots. Even with all of this technology however, people still have difficulty in mastering the basics of the game, such as the simple ability to place the golf ball on the tee properly. Many people inadvertently place the tee into the ground at an angle, while others place it in too far or not far enough. Such inconsistencies can account for a great swing on one (1) hole and a “so-so swing” on the next. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which golf tees can be properly and consistently inserted in an effort to improve one's golf swing in a consistent manner. The development of the golf tee placement and alignment tool fulfills this need.
There have been attempts in the past to provide a golfer with such a tool. U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2002/0183138 and 2008/0135444 in the name of Malcolm disclose a combination golf tee setter, divot tool, and golf ball marker. Unfortunately, the Malcolm device does not provide for a means to provide an add-on height adjustment adapter as the present invention.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0042839 in the name of Smith et al. describes a golf tee height regulator and installation tool. The tool utilizes a golf tee securement foot and an extendable shaft maneuvering the head of the golf tee actuated by a set screw. The Smith et al. device does not fall under the scope of the present invention which comprises a single hand-held upper body with a recess to hold the golf tee in and removably attachable height adjustment portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,161 in the name of Wilkerson discloses a device to customize the height of a golf tee, providing detachable segments on the top portion of the stem of the device. The golf tee is placed through a center hole of the stem. The present invention comprises a main body having a recess matching the shape of the golf tee and is easier to remove once in place. Also, the height adjustment portions are on the bottom of the main body.
The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an apparatus by which golf tees can be positioned in the ground with a simple, easy-to-use tool with a single hand. The principles of the present invention provide for an apparatus for positioning a golf tee to address this identified need.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to address this need by providing an tool comprising a main body and a plurality of height adjustment segments removably attached to the main body.
It is a further object of the present embodiments of the invention to provide such a main body comprising a “T”-shaped member having a recess along a face thereof shaped to generally correspond to that of a golf tee. The recess is centrally positioned along a central vertical axis of the “T”-shaped member. A golf tee is able to placed therein.
It is yet a further object of the present embodiments of the invention to provide such a plurality of height adjustment segments each comprising at least one (1) fastener located at an upper surface thereof for fastening to a corresponding fastener in the bottom of the main body. Each height adjustment segment further comprises a recess along a central vertical axis thereof to match the general shape of the shaft of a golf tee. When each height adjustment segment is attached to the main body or an adjacent height adjustment segment, the recesses align with the recesses of the main body and adjacent height adjustment segment to permit the placement of a golf tee therein.
The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
a is a top plan view of the golf tee placement and alignment tool 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
b is a bottom plan view of the golf tee placement and alignment tool 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
Referring now to
The main shaft 20 is provided with a golf tee-shaped recess 35 which accepts approximately half of the volume of a golf tee 40 arranged about its vertical symmetrical axis as shown. The vertical axis of the golf tee 40 is perpendicular to the handle 25 as depicted by alignment nomenclature 45. The recess 35 continues into the each of the adjustment segments 30 as shown as cylindrical-shaped cutouts 50. Thus, when a golf tee 40 is placed into the recess 35 and at least one (1) of the cutouts 50, a lower portion 55 remains exposed. Such lower portion 55 is consistent in overall length and results in a consistent insertion of the golf tee 40 when inserted into the ground using the tool 10.
As aforementioned described, the alignment of the recess 35 is perpendicular to bottom surface 60 of the main shaft 20 or each of the adjustment segments 30 as utilized. This results in a perpendicular insertion into grade (earth) 65 when the bottom surface 60 is placed flush and in full contact with the grade (earth) 65. It is envisioned that the tool 10 would be manufactured from plastic although other materials such as steel, aluminum or the like could be used with equal effectiveness and should not be considered as a limiting factor of the present invention.
Referring next to
It is envisioned that once a golfer finds the satisfactory height (“h”) 70, continuous and repeated insertions in accordance with that height (“h”) 70 will result in better and more repeatable golf swings. Connection between the main shaft 20 and the add-on height adjustment segments 30 is made by a pair of mechanical fasteners 75. Each mechanical fastener 75 is envisioned to be mechanical in nature and would involve the use of magnets; snap friction fit couplings or the like. The use of a specific type of mechanical fastener 75 is not necessary and should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The pair of mechanical fasteners 75 would involve the use of a male component 80 on the upper side of each add-on height adjustment segment 30, and a female component 85 (not visible in this FIG. due to illustrative limitations) on the lower side of each add-on height adjustment segment 30 as well a female component 87 on the lower side of the main shaft 20. Such attachment and removal of various add-on height adjustment segments 30 can be made without the use of external tools.
Referring now to
Referring next to
Referring finally to
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a combined golf tee and golf tee placement and alignment tool. Such a combination includes a golf tee 40 and a golf tee placement and alignment tool 10. The golf tee placement and alignment tool includes an upper body 15 including a main shaft 20 including a centrally-registered vertical axis, and a recess 35 having a golf tee shape aligned with the vertical axis. Such a recess 35 accepts an upper portion of the golf tee 40 such that the golf tee 40 is aligned along the vertical axis of the main shaft 20. A “T”-shaped handle 25 is attached to the main shaft 20. Such a “T”-shaped handle 25 is disposed above the recess 35 and situated at a proximal end of the upper body 15. The main shaft 20 is rectilinear and monolithically formed with the “T”-shaped handle 25. The vertical axis passes through the golf tee 40 and is registered parallel to a longitudinal length thereof.
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 is removably attached to a distal end of the main shaft 20 opposite to the “T”-shaped handle 25. Notably, the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 includes a cutout 50 capable of partially receiving a portion of the golf tee 40.
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, the at least one (1) height adjustment segment includes an upper side and a male component 80 attached thereto, as well as a lower side and a female component 85 attached thereto. Advantageously, the male and female components 80, 85 are detachably mated and self-aligning in such a manner that the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 is vertically aligned with the main shaft 20. Notably, the recess 35 is vertically aligned and contiguously engaged directly with the cutout 50 when the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 is coupled to the female components 87 of the main shaft 20.
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, a first one (1) of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 has a first one (1) of the cutouts 50. Likewise, a second one (1) of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 has a second one (1) of the cutouts 50. Advantageously, the first cutout 50 is vertically aligned and contiguously engaged with the second cutout 50 when the male component 80 of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 is inserted directly into the female component 85 of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30.
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned combination, the main shaft 20 includes a female component 87 formed at the distal end thereof. As an example, the male component 80 of the at least one (1) height adjustment segment 30 is removably coupled to the female component 87 of the main shaft 20.
It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the tool 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
During initial use of the tool 10, the user would apply none, one (1), or more of the add-on height adjustment segments 30 to the bottom of the main shaft 20 as shown in
During the actual insertion process, the user inserts the lower portion 55 into the grade (earth) 65 at the desired location. By applying force to the handle 25, the golf tee 40 is easily inserted into even the hardest of grade (earth) 65. By continuous application of force, the bottom surface 60 will contact the grade (earth) 65 thus ensuring a consistent and perpendicular insertion. At this point in time, the tool 10 is removed from the golf tee 40 by removing one's index finger 95 and sliding the tool 10 backwards along the travel direction path arrow 100. This leaves the golf tee 40 behind and ready to accept a golf ball. Said process repeats on a continuous basis with the same or other golf tee 40 as required. It is envisioned that the tool 10 would be utilized during practice, actual games or competition or anytime an insertion of a golf tee 40 is required.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.
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