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US 12,636,556 B1Granted
Hinged golf tee assembly
AssigneeIce Tees LLC
InventorDalton C. Rauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A golf tee assembly includes a base with turf engagement members for ground insertion and a hinged tee holder that pivots when struck by a golf club. The hinge member contains a cavity for removably receiving a tee shaft and rotates about a horizontal axis to deflect upon impact, protecting the tee shaft from damage. The assembly may be manufactured as a single unit using 3D printing.
Claims15
A golf tee assembly, comprising:
- a base member comprising:
- a top surface,
- a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface,
- at least one turf engagement member extending downwardly from the bottom surface and configured to engage with a ground surface;
- and
- a hinge member pivotally connected to the base member and configured to rotate about a horizontal hinge axis, the hinge member comprising:
- a hole extending completely through the hinge member from a top to a bottom and configured to removably receive a tee shaft in a friction-fit engagement that securely holds the tee shaft,
- wherein the hinge member is configured to pivot from an upright position to a deflected position when subjected to an impact force from a golf club, thereby allowing the tee shaft to rotate without becoming damaged.
5 more elements
A method of using a golf tee assembly, comprising:
- positioning a base member on a ground surface, the base member having a top surface, a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, and at least one turf engagement member extending downwardly from the bottom surface;
- inserting a tee shaft into a hole that extends completely through a hinge member from a top end to a bottom end, the tee shaft being removably received in a friction-fit engagement within the hole, wherein the hinge member is attached to the base member at a pivotal connection and is configured to rotate about a horizontal hinge axis relative to the base member;
- placing a golf ball on the tee shaft;
- and
- striking the golf ball with a golf club, wherein an impact force causes the hinge member to pivot from an upright position to a deflected position, thereby allowing the tee shaft to rotate without becoming damaged.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.