The present disclosure relates generally to devices for reconditioning golf tees.
A game of golf begins by hitting the first shot off a tee box, and continues that way on each subsequent hole that is played. On every tee box, each player has the option of using a golf tee that is placed in the ground to position the ball for optimum hitting proficiency. Almost all golfers use golf tees on every tee box. Optimally, when a golf ball resting on a tee is struck, only the golf ball is hit. However in reality, more often than not, both the golf ball and tee are hit, thereby breaking the tee. Broken tees typically are not reused because they cannot easily be inserted back in the ground. Being splintered, or otherwise damaged, these broken tees are unusable and discarded.
Briefly and in general terms, various embodiments are directed towards devices for reconditioning golf tees. According to one embodiment, the device includes a body having a bore extending into the body. A portion of the bore is sized only to accommodate a golf tee. The bore also terminates at a blunt conical point. The device also includes an opening positioned along a portion of the blunt conical point. The device further includes a cutting member positioned over a portion of the opening and is coupled to an outer surface of the body. The cutting member is positioned such that it is offset from a centerline of the bore.
In another embodiment, the device includes an inner body having a bore in which a portion of the bore is only sized to accommodate an outer diameter of a golf tee. The bore terminates at a blunt conical point and has an opening positioned along a portion of the blunt conical point. The device also includes a blade coupled to an outer portion of the inner body. The blade is positioned along the blunt conical point, and the blade is offset from a centerline of the bore. The device further includes an outer housing having an elongated body The outer housing has a recess extending into the elongated body. The outer housing also includes an aperture that is located on the outer housing such that the aperture corresponds to the opening on the inner body. In this device, the inner body Is fitted into the outer housing and the blade is secured between the inner body and the outer housing.
The device is designed specifically to refurbish broken golf tees into reusable golf tees, replicating the function and shape as original, new golf tees. Furthermore, features of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Devices for reconditioning golf tees are disclosed herein. The device transforms a broken tee into a working golf tee by trimming off as little of the remaining portion of the broken tee as possible while at the same time sculpting the end of the broken tee into a shape that replicates the design of the original golf tee. While the resulting tee is generally shorter than the original tee, the reconditioned tee retains as much of its original length as possible because the device minimizes the amount of material needed to be removed in order to recondition the tee. The device also shapes the terminal end of the tee (i.e., the portion that is inserted into the ground) so that the tee terminates at a dull point.
Since the reconditioned tee has a dull point, a player is more inclined to fix a broken tee. Otherwise, a golfer would be subject to injury every time they reach into their pockets. Since golf tees are commonly carried in the golfer's subject to injury every time they reach into their pocket to retrieve the tee. With a dull point at the end of the recycled golf tee there is no possibility of this potential injury.
The device allows a golfer to recondition and reuse a tee. This is environmentally friendly as fewer trees are needed to make golf tees. Additionally, the device spares golf courses with the need of cleaning up and removing broken tees that usually litter tee boxes as well as reducing potential damage to lawn care equipment.
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in
The device 10 also includes an opening 24 on the outer housing 14. The openings 34 on the body and the opening 24 on the outer housing are co-aligned. The openings are sized to allow the portions of the golf tee that are trimmed from the golf tee to be released from the bore 28.
The outer housing 14 also includes openings 22 that are sized to receive a chain or rope 20 to allow the device 10 to be attached to another object such as, but not limited to, a belt loop, belt, golf bag, golf bag strap, zipper opening, or the like. The outer housing 14 also includes one or more surfaces 38 in which text and/or the logo of a company, brand, or event title may be printed, etched, embossed, adhered, or otherwise applied to the device 12.
Turning now to
In the embodiment of
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature and formula to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the disclosure. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others of skill in the art to utilize the disclosure, and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and those of skill in the art recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/799,886, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, the entire disclosure thereof is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13799886 | Mar 2013 | US |
Child | 16018083 | US |