Golf tee

• US 4,893,818 A
• Filed: 08/03/1988
• Issued: 01/16/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Liccardello
• Original Assignee: Patrick Liccardello
• Inventors: Liccardello, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, THEATRICE
• Application Number:
  US07/227,984
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 273/33, 273/203-212, 273/32 A, 273/32 B
• US Class Current: 473/396
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/10 Golf tees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/207 Golf ball position marker holders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/353 Golf ball position markers

Abstract

A golf tee includes a highly flexible plastic body having an enlarged head with a concave surface for receiving a golf ball, and an axial through-bore. A hard plastic stem, having an outer surface continuous with that of the body, is attached to the body by means of a spear integral with the stem and having a groove thereon for snap engagement within a ridge within a lower portion of the bore. A ball marker is removably installed in the upper end of the bore.

Claims

1. A golf tee comprising

an elongated body portion made of a soft plastic material, said body having an axial bore and a concaved ball support surface at one end thereof,

a stem made of a hard plastic material, said stem including a point for ground penetration at one end and an integral spear at its other end,

said spear including a shaft having a conical tip, said shaft having an annular groove adjacent said tip, and

at least one annular ridge disposed within said bore engaging said groove and thereby retaining said spear within said bore of said body portion.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said ridge has a downwardly divergent lower surface to facilitate assembly of the tee.

3. The invention of claim 1, comprising a plurality of additional annular ridges spaced along said bore, at least one of said ridges being disposed to engage said shaft and having an interference fit therewith.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said body has a first peripheral surface and said stem has a second peripheral surface, said surfaces forming a smooth transition between the body and the stem.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said axial bore extends through said body, from its upper surface to its bottom.

6. The invention of claim 5, further comprising a ball marker comprising a flat head and an integral shank sized to fit within said through-bore at said one end of the body.