EP2729221A1

EP2729221A1 - A golf tee holder

Info

Publication number: EP2729221A1
Application number: EP12807561.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth ÅSBERG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-04
Filing date: 2012-06-25
Publication date: 2014-05-14
Also published as: EP2729221A4; WO2013006126A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf tee holder (1) comprising an upper side (T) and a bottom side (B) and a side wall (2) ex- tending between the upper and bottom side, whereby the upper side comprises an upper surface (3), which comprises a cut (5) and a centre hole (4). The centre hole is positioned substantially in the centre of the upper surface. The cut through the entire upper surface comprises a first part as a straight cut (5a) and a second part as a curved cut (5b). Two cutside walls (6) extend vertically on both sides of the cut when the cut through the upper surface is in a closed position. The cutside walls are connected by a bottom surface (7) over a distance (d3), which includes at (east the centre hole and the straight cuts. The cutside walls are configured to be separated at an angle (α1).

Description

Title: A golf tee holder

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a golf tee holder according to the pre-characterized portion of claim 1 and a method for preparing said golf tee holder according the pre-characterized portion of claim 15.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Golf tees are an essential part of the golf equipment of a golf player. Golf tees are used as an aid to position a golf ball above the ground surface before striking the golf ball with a golf club. The golf tees may be used for the first golf strike on every golf hole. Golf tees are especially used on the driving range for practicing the golf swing.

Golf tees have a convex bottom end configured to push or stick the golf tee in soul or another ground surface and a concave shaped top end configured to hold the golf bali when the golf tee is in the vertical position. The top and bottom end are normally connected by a cylinder.

Most golf tees are made of wood, but other material may be used as well, such as plastics; The length of the golf tee may vary from 2 cm to 10.16 cm (4 inches). Golf tees are normally provided in bags containing for example 10 or 100 golf tees. Text, logos and commercials texts may be printed on the golf tees.

After striking the golf ball from a golf tee, the golf tee is often moved from its original position. The golf tee may in fact fly a couple of meters. The golf tee may even fly against the golf player. Therefore, it is necessary for the golf tee to be light and small so that injuries can be prevented.

It is not always easy to find the golf tee after striking the golf ball. The golf tee may be moved to anywhere in a 10 meter radius from its original position. Most golf tees fly forwards and become hidden in the grass. On the driving range it is dangerous to step forwards to retrieve the golf tee because the golf player may get hit by a ball from other players.

Another problem with golf tees, especially those made of wood, is that the golf tee may break during the golf strike.

These problems necessitate the need for replacing golf tees continuously.

The use of plastic golf tees may solve the problem of breakage and thereby reduce the amount of replacement tees. However, from an environmental point of view these plastic golf tees are not favoured because they cannot be consumed by nature. When the golf tee cannot be found after the golf strike, the golf tee will remain on the ground surface and may even be ingested by animals. Painting golf tees with different colours helps to find the golf tees, but not to the extent that they are always found.

Different shapes of golf tees have been developed to prevent the golf tee from moving longer distances or from moving at all. For example, cone or volcano shaped golf tees have been developed. These cone shaped cylinders are broad at the bottom end and smaller at the top end where the golf ball is positioned on the hollow cylinder. The cylinder must be made of relatively stiff material so that the golf ball remains on the golf tee. The material may be relatively heavy to prevent the golf tee from flying a long distance after striking the golf bail. However, these golf tees do move after striking the golf ball and like the normal, lighter golf tees, they cannot always be found after striking the golf ball. Wires attached to the golf tee on one end and a weight attached to the other end of the wire has also been used, but these products increase the risk of injuring the golf player.

On the driving range practising mats are often used to practice the golf swing. These mats may comprise a hole through the mat. A special golf tee can be pushed from underneath the mat through this hole. These golf tees comprise a vertical hollow cylinder on which a golf ball may be placed on the top end and a horizontal bottom surface around the cylinder on the bottom end. The bottom surface holds the golf tee in the hole and prevents the golf tee from moving from its position after striking the golf ball. The problem with these golf tees is that the practice mat must be provided with a hole, which is not always the case. The forces on the golf tees from striking the golf ball are quite substantial. Because these golf tees do not move position most of the forces are absorbed by the golf tee. For this reason, these golf tees are made of flexible material. These forces, however, wear out the golf tee and reduce the durability of the golf tee. These golf tees can hardly be used on the golf course, because they are too flexible to hold the golf ball when no hole through the ground surface is available to support the golf tee. So even if these golf tees stay in position after striking a golf ball, they cannot be used on the golf course and they need to be replaced regularly because they wear out from repeated usage. Besides, these golf tees are a tenfold more expansive than the wooden golf tees.

WO2007/149576 discloses a golf tee holder, which has an upper surface and a bottom surface with a centre hole and a cut that extends radially on both sides of the centre hole through the upper surface. A golf tee can be inserted through the centre hole and Into a ground surface under the golf tee holder. The golf tee holder can be used to consistently tee up a golf ball at the same height, whereby the holder serves as a stopper when pushing the golf tee into the ground. The golf tee holder can also be used as a guide for the direction in which the golf ball can be hit.

US 5,743,819 discloses a non-portable golf tee holder comprising an upper member and a bottom plate. The upper member has a central slit on the top for holding a golf tee in a vertical position. The slit may extend to the bottom plate. The golf tee holder is adapted to be positioned in a hole in the practice mat and has a height that is similar to the height of the practice mat in which it is inserted.

There is still a need for providing a golf tee or a holder for a golf tee that overcomes the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a golf tee holder, which can be used everywhere on the golf course and driving range and which holds the golf tee in its original position or at least close thereto. The golf tee holder can preferably be used without supporting equipment such as practice mats. Another object is to provide a golf tee holder that prevents the need for replacing golf tees after one or two ball strikes. A further object is to provide a golf tee holder that minimises break- age of the golf tee. Yet a further object is to provide a golf tee holder and a golf tee that can be used repeatedly and which are durable and environmentally friendly. Yet another object is to provide a golf tee holder and a golf tee that does not injure the golf player and can easily be found when displaced after striking the golf ball. The new golf tee holder and golf tee are preferably inexpensive and can be produced at low costs. The objects are achieved by the golf tee holder as defined in claim 1 , characterised in that

- the centre hole has an inner diameter and is positioned sub- stantially in the centre of the upper surface,

- the cut is provided through the entire upper surface radiating from opposite sides of the centre hole towards and through the side wall, whereby a first part of the cut is a straight cut extending at least a distance from the centre hole towards the side wail and whereby a second part of the cut is a curved cut extending from the straight cut towards and through the side watl, and

- two cutside walls extending adjacently on both sides of the cut from the cut and the centre hole in the upper surface to the bottom side along the vertical y-axis when the cut through the upper surface is in a closed position, and

whereby the cutside walls are connected by a bottom surface extending on the bottom side between the cutside wails over a distance, which distance includes at least the centre hole and the straight cut on both sides of the centre hole, and

whereby the cutside wall) are configured to be separated at an angle when the cut through the upper surface is in an open position.

The golf tee holder is configured to hold the golf tee in the golf tee holder after striking a golf ball from the golf tee that was positioned vertically in the centre hole. After striking the ball, the golf tee is pushed from the centre hole towards and into the straight cut adjacent to the centre hole. It is important for the functioning of the golf tee holder that the cut is present over the entire length of the upper surface. This makes it possible to separate the upper surface upon a ball strike. Upon striking a golf ball, the forces applied to the golf tee will force the golf tee forwards over the bottom surface and into the straight cut. The golf tee holder of the present invention prevents the golf tee from flying away from its original position. In fact, the golf tee does normally not move more than a couple of centimetres after striking the golf ball. The same golf tee can thus be used repeatedly. The height of the golf tee holder is !ow enough so that it will normally not be hit by the golf club. Even when it gets hit, it will only move some meters from its original position due to its disc shape form. When a force is applied to the golf tee, the force is used to transport the golf tee forwards into the cut adjacent to the centre hole. This means that the force is no longer available for breaking the golf tee. Again, this prevents continu- ously replacement of the golf tees. in one embodiment, at least two inner walls in the centre hole extend parallel and attached to the cutside wall and having a length of at least 75% of the distance and equally divided on each side of the cut and positioned at least a distance from the straight cut that extends from the centre hole along the x-axis, whereby an inner diameter of the centre hole is adapted to hold a golf tee, and whereby the inner walls are configured to guide the golf tee towards the straight cut adjacent to the centre hole when a force is applied to the golf tee.

In another embodiment, the distance is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm. in a further embodiment, four inner walls are present in the centre hole.

The inner walls inside the centre hole assist the golf tee to move towards the adjacent cut. The upper surface opens at the cut when the golf tee is pushed into the cut. The golf tee will normally remain in the cut with a bottom end of the golf tee stuck some distance from the centre hole. in one embodiment of the invention, the distance of the straight cut is at least 5 mm and at the most 15 mm. After the golf bail has been stricken the golf tee is forces into the cut adjacent to the centre hole. For this purpose the cut adjacent to the centre hole must be straight parallel to the horizontal x-axis for at least a short distance. The remaining of the cut through the upper surface toward the side wall is preferably not straight but shaped in a C-curve as shown in Fig 1 . This curved part of the cut prevents the cut to be used as an aid for directing the golf ball on the golf course. Such aids are not allowed by golf regulations. A non-curved cut might thus prevent the use of the golf tee holder on the golf course.

In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the centre hole is at least 4.6 mm. The standardised diameter of a golf tee is about between 4 and 5 mm. Therefore, the diameter of the centre hole should be slightly more than the diameter of the golf tee so that the golf tee can be steadily positioned in the centre hole and remain in the vertical position when a golf ball is positioned on the golf tee.

In one embodiment, the angle between the cutside walls is at least 60° upon opening of the cut in the upper surface.

In yet another embodiment, the upper surface can be separated at an angle between 10 and 180°. In one embodiment the angle is at least 90°.

The angle between the cutside walls can be separated is preferably large enough to fit a golf tee. The separation of the upper surface is also important for the spreading out of the forces applied on the golf tee over the golf tee holder.

In a further embodiment, the bottom surface has a thickness of 2 to 4 mm.

Preferably, the bottom surface is rigid or thick enough to prevent the golf tee holder from bending. Such resistance is needed to withstand the pressure that is being exercised on the golf tee after striking the golf ball. If the resistance becomes too low, the golf tee holder may move from the original position after the ball strike. In one embodiment, the upper surface has a volcano shape, whereby a diameter of the bottom of the volcano is between one third and half of a diameter of the golf tee holder and a distance between the top side and the bottom side at the centre hole is between 10 and 25 mm.

This volcano shape improves spreading of the forces from the ball strike and improves the strength of the golf tee holder.

In a further embodiment, the upper surface is flat or convex.

The golf tee holder is preferably easy to manufacture, while at the same time have an aesthetic appearance.

In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface further com- prises at least one through hole positioned in the upper surface between the centre hole and the side wall, whereby the through hole comprises a side wall extending along the vertical y-axis between the upper side and the bottom side, and whereby the diameter of the through hole is adapted to hold the golf tee, and whereby the side wall of the through hole is supported by support walls connected to the upper surface and extending to the bottom side as well as extending from the side wall of the through hole to the cutside wall and the side wall of the golf tee holder, whereby the support walls are configured to prevent the walls of the through hole from bending when a force is applied to the golf tee, which is placed through the through hole.

The length of a golf tee may vary from 1 .5 to 10.16 cm. When a golf player wishes to shorten the golf tee, the player needs to break off the lower part of the golf tee. Unfortunately, this is not easily done. Breaking the golf tee by hand is difficult because the golf tees are stiff. Special equipments may be available for cutting golf tees. Quite often, teeth are used to break off a part of the golf tee. The through hole in the golf tee holder may be used for breaking off a part of the golf tee, thereby preventing damaging teeth, shoes, etc or hurting hands. The through holes also make the purchasing and carrying of addition equipment redundant.

In yet an alternative embodiment, a wire is attached to the side wall, whereby the wire comprises attachment means for attaching the golf tee, and whereby the wire has a minimal length that allows the golf tee to be positioned vertically in the centre hole of the golf tee holder when attached to the wire. In a rare case, the golf tee may be moved from the golf tee holder. To prevent the golf tee from being transported too far from its original position, the golf tee holder and golf tee may be connected with the wire. The attachment means may be a permanent attachment or a clamp or a ring through which the golf tee can be pushed. The wire additionally prevents the continuous replacement of golf tees.

In one embodiment, the golf tee is permanently attached to the wire and the wire is attached to the lower end of the golf tee. A golf tee holder with a wire and a golf tee attached to it makes it unnecessary to replace the golf tees at all. The same golf tee can be used over and over again. The wire is attached on one end to the side wall of the golf tee holder and on the other end to the lower end of the golf tee. Attachment to the lower end helps to guide the golf tee towards and into the cut adjacent to the centre hole. If the wire is attached to a higher position on the golf tee this guiding may not be possible.

In another embodiment, the golf tee has a convex bottom end and a concave top end configured to hold a golf ball when the golf tee is in the vertical position and a cylinder between the top and bottom end, whereby the cylinder comprises solid material at the lower end at least at a distance from the bottom end of the golf tee. In one embodiment, the cylinder comprises solid material at the lower end at the distance, and whereby the remainder of the length of the cylinder is hollow.

The solid material at the lower end of the golf tee helps to guide the golf tee towards and into the straight cut adjacent to the centre hole. The solid material, as compared to a hollow cylinder, also provides for a more stable golf tee when the golf tee is positioned vertically. One embodiment of the invention relates to a use of the golf tee holder as described above, anywhere on a golf course and independently of other piece of equipment for supporting the holder.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method characterised in that the method comprises the steps of

preparing a mould comprising a shape of the golf tee holder, to which optionally a wire is attached around an outside of the side wall of the golf tee holder with breakable connections between the wire and the side wall, except for a point on the sida wall, where the wire is permanently attached to the side wall, and whereby optionally a golf tee is attached to said wire such that the wire is attached a distance from the bottom end of the golf tee;

- filling the mould with fluid plastic material to be moulded;

cooling the material; and

- removing the golf tee holder from the mould.

In one embodiment, the filling of the mould is performed at elevated temperature, such as a temperature between 50 and 250°C, or 100 and 200°C. The manufacturing costs can be relatively low, when the golf tee holder with or without the wire and/or golf tee can be manufactured using one moulded form. This method also makes mass production possible, which again lowers the manufacturing costs. The golf tee holder is preferably made of a durable plastic material. The material is preferably biodegradable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the golf tee holder.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the golf tee holder.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the golf tee holder.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the golf tee holder.

Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the golf tee holder.

Figure 6 shows a wire with attachment means.

Figure 7a-7c shows the golf tee holder with a golf tee.

Figure 8a-8b shows the golf tee holder with a volcano shape

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail. Fig 1 to 4 show a portable golf tee holder 1 comprising an upper side T and a bottom side B extending along a horizontal x-axis. The golf tee holder 1 comprises further a side wall 2 extending substantially along a vertical y-axis between the upper side T and bottom side B. The upper side T comprises an upper surface 3 extending along the upper side T and a centre hole 4 positioned substantially in the centre of the golf tee holder 1.

The outline of the golf tee holder 1 may be circular such as round or oval, but also rectangular such as a square, or the outline may be different at different sides of the holder 1 . Preferably, the golf tee holder 1 is circular such as round, especially at the side of the golf tee holder 1 that faces the direction in which the golf ball is to be stricken. This prevents displacement of the golf tee holder 1 from its original position. The length and breadth of the golf tee holder 1 may vary and depend on golf regulations. The size is preferably also a comfortable size to be carried by the golf player. The diameter a1 of the golf tee holder 1 may be between 3 and 15 cm. Preferably, the diameter a1 is between 3 and 8, or 4 and 6, or 5 cm. The upper surface 3 may be flat or convex, but other shapes may be possible as well. The upper surface may for example have a volcano-like protrusion having the centre hole 4 in the middle. (Fig 8) Diameter a7 at the bottom of the volcano may be around three times the diameter of the centre hole 4, or diame- ter a7 may be substantially less than half the diameter 1 a of the golf tee holder 1. Diameter 7a may be around one third of the diameter of the golf tee holder 1 .

The upper surface 3 may comprise dimples such as dimples that are characteristic for a golf ball. The golf tee holder 1 must have a minimum height so that the golf tee 8 can be positioned vertically in the centre hole 4. The distance d1 between the upper side T and bottom side B as measured at the centre of the golf tee holder 1 is at least 3 mm and at the most 30 mm. The dis- tance d1 may be between 5 and 30 mm, or between 10 and 20 mm, or 12 mm. Alternatively, the distance d1 a at the centre of the golf tee holder 1 may be between 10 and 30 mm, or between 10 and 20 mm, or 12 mm. A volcano shaped golf tee holder 1 may have a distance d1 a of between 10 and 25 mm, or 15 and 20 mm. The distance d1 b at the side wall 2 may be between 1 and 15 mm, or between 2 and 8 mm, or between 4 and 6 mm, or 5 mm.

The side wall 2 may be rounded, curved, partially curved or may extend straight vertically along the y-axis. The upper surface 3 comprises a centre hole 4, which is positioned in or close to the centre of the upper surface 3. Preferably, the centre hole 4 is positioned in the centre of the upper surface 3.

The upper surface 3 is separated in two parts, preferably two halves, by a cut 5 through the upper surface 3. The cut 5 extends along the horizontal x-axis radially from the centre hole 4 towards and through the side wall 2 of the golf tee holder 1 as shown in Fig 1 . From both sides of the centre hole 4 firstly a straight cut 5a extends along the x-axis. The length of this straight cut 5a is at least a distance d2 of between 5 mm and 15 mm, or between 5 and 10 mm from the centre hole 4. It is important that the first part of the cut 5 is straight so that the golf tee 8 placed in the centre hole 4 can be pushed into the cut 5a after striking the golf ball.

Secondly, a cut 5b extends from the straight cut 5a to and through the side wall 2. This second part of cut 5 may be straight. However, such a straight cut or line 5b on the upper surface 3 of the golf tee holder 1 becomes visible for the golf player when the player is positioned to strike the golf ball. The golf player may then use this line 5b to direct the golf ball toward a goal on the golf course. Such aids for directing a golf ball are not permitted by golf regulations. Therefore, the cut 5b through the remaining of the upper surface 3 is preferably curved instead of straight. The curve may have any shape, such as for example a C- or S-shaped curve. The cut 5 may be symmetric or asymmetric on both sides of the centre hole 4.

Two cutside walls 6 extend from the cut 5 in the upper surface 3 to the bottom side B along the vertical y-axis. When the cut 5 is closed, the cutside walls 6 are adjacent on both sides of the cut 5. The cutside walls 6 are connected by a bottom surface 7 on the bottom side B over a distance d3, which at least includes both cuts 5a and the centre hole 4. In one embodiment, the bot- torn surface 7 extends over the entire length of the cut 5 including the centre hole 4. In another embodiment, the bottom surface 7 extends over 75% of the length of the cut 5. In a further embodiment, the bottom surface 7 does not extend over the en- tire length of the cut 5, to improve flexibility of the golf tee holder 1.

When the cut 5 in the upper surface 3 is in the open position the cutside walls 6 may be separated on the upper side T at an an- gle a1 between 0 and 180°, or at an angle a1 of 180° or 90°, or less, as shown in Fig 5. For example, the angle a1 may be around 60° when the golf tee 8 is pushed into the cut 5 after striking the golf ball. In this position the cutside walls 6 are connected by the bottom surface 7 over at least a distance d3.

The centre hole 4 may comprise at least two inner walls 9. The number of inner walls 9 is preferably equally divided on each side of the cut 5 through the centre hole 4. The inner walls 9 are attached to the inside of the centre hole 4 and extending parallel to the cutside wall. The inner walls 9 are positioned at least a distance d4 from the straight cut 5a, which distance d4 is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, or 1 mm, or 2 mm. The centre hole 4 may have four inner walls 9 as shown in Fig 2 and 4. The inner walls 9 may have the same length as the cutside walls 6 or a length of at least 50%, or 75% of the distance d1 between the upper side T and bottom side B. An inner diameter a2 of the centre hole 4 is adapted to hold the golf tee 8. The diameter a2 may be between 2 and 8 mm, or 3 and 6 mm, or 4, or 4.6, or 5 mm. The inner walls 9 are configured to guide the golf tee 8 to- wards the straight cut 5a, when a force is applied to the golf tee 8. An outer diameter a3 of the centre hole 4 may be between 3 and 10 mm, or 4 and 8 mm, or 5, or 6, or 7 mm. The differences in diameter between the inner- and outer diameter a2, a3 is the radial thickness of the inner wall 9. The centre hole 4 does not have any lining around the centre hole 4, such as a lining of flexible rubber material. Such lining is not necessary, because the golf tee 8 can be inserted firmly in the centre hole 4.

The golf tee holder 1 may further comprise at least one through hole 10 positioned in the upper surface 3 between the centre hole 4 and the side wall 2. The through hole 10 may be positioned anywhere in the upper surface 3, e.g. along a horizontal z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis as shown in Fig 2. The through hole 10 comprises a side wall extending along the vertical y-axis between the upper side T and the bottom side B. The diameter a4 of the through hole 10 is adapted to hold or fit the golf tee 8, and may be between 2 and 8 mm, or 3 and 6 mm, or 4, or 4.6 or 5 mm. The through hole 10 may be used to break off a lower part of the golf tee 8. When a wooden golf tee 8 is pushed through the through hole 10 and bend to be broken, it is important that the side wall 1 1 of the through hole 10 is preferably able to withstand the pressure used for breaking the golf tee 8. To prevent the side wall 1 1 from bending under pressure, the side wall 1 of the through hole 10 is preferably supported by support walls 12. (Fig 4) The support walls 12 are preferably connected to the upper surface 3 and extend to the bottom side B along the vertical y-axis. The support walls 12 extend horizon- tally from the side wall 1 1 of the through hole 10 to the cutside wall 6 as well as to the side wall 2 of the golf tee holder 1 . The support walls 12 preferably form a cross on one side of the cut 5 with the through hole 10 substantially at the centre of the cross as shown in Fig 4. Two of the support wails 12 may extend par- allel to the horizontal x-axis and two other support walls 12 may extend parallel to the horizontal z-axis perpendicular to the x- axis. The golf tee holder 1 may comprise two through holes 10, or four through holes 10. The thickness of the surfaces and walls may vary and depend on the material used to manufacture the golf tee holder 1 . The thickness of the surfaces and wails may be the same or different. For example, the walls 2, 6, 9, 1 1 , 12 and surfaces 3, 7 may have a thickness between 0.1 and 4 mm, or 1 and 1 .5 mm, or around 1 mm. Alternatively, the upper and bottom surface 3, 7 may have a thickness between 1 .2 and 4 mm and the walls 2, 6, 9, 1 1 , 12 may have a thickness between 0.1 and 2 mm, or 1 .2 mm. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 7 has a thickness of at least 3 mm, such as between 3 and 5 mm, or 3, 4 or 5 mm. The golf tee holder 1 is configured to hold the golf tee 8 in the holder 1 after striking a golf ball from a golf tee 8 that was positioned vertically in the centre hole 4. After striking the ball, the golf tee 8 is pushed from the centre hole 4 towards and into the straight cut 5a adjacent to the centre hole 4 possibly with help of the inner walls 9 inside the centre hole 4. The upper surface 3 opens at the cut 5 when the golf tee 8 is pushed into the cut 5a. The golf tee 8 will preferably remain in the cut 5 with a bottom end 13 of the golf tee 8 stuck some distance from the centre hole 4.

Normally, no additional aid is needed to prevent the golf tee 8 from flying away from the golf tee holder 1. However, the golf tee 8 may be moved and fly from the golf tee holder 1 . To prevent the golf tee 8 from flying a longer distance from its original position, a wire 14 may be used. One side of the wire 14 may be attached to the golf tee holder 1 and the other side may be attached to the golf tee 8. The wire 14 can be attached anywhere on the golf tee holder 1 , for example on the outside of the side wail 2 as shown in Fig 2. The wire 14 must have a minimal length that allows the golf tee 8 to be positioned vertically in the centre hole 4 of the golf tee holder 1 when attached to the wire 14. The length of the wire 14 may be between 3 and 70 cm, or between 10 and 60 cm, or 50 cm. The wire 14 may be attached to the golf tee 8 by any attachments means 5, such as a plastic clamp or clip surrounding the golf tee 8 partly or completely. The wire 14 may be permanently attached to the golf tee 8. (Fig 1 ) Preferably, the wire 14 is attached to a lower end L of the golf tee 8, such as a distance d5 between 10 and 20 mm, or 10 and 15 mm, or 12 mm from the bottom end 13 of the golf tee 8. (Fig 6) The wire may be made of elastic or non-elastic material. Preferably, the wire is made of stretchable material such that the user can change the length of the wire. Normally, the golf tee 8 has a convex bottom end 13, which is shaped as a relative sharp point that allows the golf tee 8 to be pushed into soul or another ground surface. The top end 16 of the golf tee 8 normally has a concave shaped top end 16 configured to hold a golf ball when the golf tee 8 is in the vertical posi- tion. A cylinder 17 connects the bottom and top end 13, 1 6. For some golf tees 8, the top end 16 comprises a hollow ending of the cylinder 17. Alternatively, the top end 16 comprises three or more tentacles standing up from the cylinder 17, which together form a concave surface on which the golf ball may be posi- tioned. The cylinder 17 may be circular or rectangular. The cylinder 17 may be hollow or solid. The golf tee 8 according to the present invention is preferably solid at least at the lower end L of the cylinder 17. The cylinder 17 may be solid at least a distance d6 from the bottom end 13 of the cylinder 17, which dis- tance d6 may be between 5 and 20 mm, or 5 and 15 mm, or 10 and 15 mm, or 15 mm. The remainder of the cylinder from the lower end L to the top end of the golf tee may be hollow. In one embodiment the cylinder is entirely solid. In another embodiment, the cylinder is 75% solid.

The golf tee holder 1 and the wire 14 and the golf tee 8 may be manufactured from any material. Preferably, the golf tee holder 1 is manufactured at low costs. Plastic materials are suitable for manufacturing. Such plastic materials are preferably durable, biodegradable, stiff but slightly flexible. Examples of plastic material are polyolefins such as polypropylenes, polyethylenes, or polyamides , polyphenols and the like, or copolymers and/or mixtures thereof, optionally further comprising additives and/or fillers. A preferred material is polypropylene.

5 The golf tee holder 1 may be manufactured by moulding. The golf tee holder 1 may be moulded together with a wire 14 and/or a golf tee 8 attached to the holder 1 . The wire 1 4 may be moulded such that it becomes attached to the side wall 2 of the holder 1 with breakable connections 1 8, which can be easily

A O broken to free the wire 1 4 from the outside of the side wall 2 of the golf tee holder 1 . Preferably, the wire 1 4 is attached to the golf tee holder 1 with breakable connections 1 8 except on one point on the side wall 2 where the wire 1 4 is permanently attached to the side wall 2. This permanently attachment point

15 may be located anywhere on the outside of the side wall 2 such as close to the cut 5 as shown in Fig 1 . The golf tee 8 is preferably permanently attached to the end of the wire 1 4, whereby the wire 14 is attached to the lower solid end L of the golf tee 8 For example, the wire 14 may be attached at a distance d5 of

20 about 12 mm from the bottom end 1 3 of the golf tee 8.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a golf tee holder 1 comprising an upper side T and a bottom side B extending along a horizontal x-axis with a distance d 1 a between the sides of be-

25 tween 1 0 and 20 mm at the centre of the holder 1 and a distance d1 b of between 4 and 7 mm at a side wall 2, which extends substantially along a vertical y-axis between the upper side T and bottom side B, and whereby the upper side T comprises an upper surface 3, and a centre hole 4, characterised i n that

30 - the centre hole 4 is positioned substantially in the centre of the upper surface 3,

a cut 5 is provided through the upper surface 3 from the centre hole 4 towards the side wall 2 on opposite sides of the centre hole 4, whereby a straight cut 5a extends at least a distance d2

35 of 5 to 1 5 mm straight along the horizontal x-axis adjacent to the centre hole 4 and a cut 5b extends from the straight cut 5a to the side wall 2 in a C-shaped curve,

- two cutside walls 6 extending adjacently on both sides of the cut 5 from the cut 5 and the centre hole 4 in the upper surface 3 to the bottom side B along the y-axis when the cut 5 through the upper surface 3 is in the closed position, and whereby the cut- side walls 6 are connected by a bottom surface 7 extending along the x-axis on the bottom side B between the cutside walls 6 over a distance d3 between 16 and 40 mm, which is at least equal to the length of both straight cuts 5a with the centre hole 4 in the middle, whereby the cutside walls 6 are configured to separate the upper surface 3 at an angle of at least 60° when the cut 5 through the upper surface 3 is in the open position, and

- at least two inner walls 9 in the centre hole 4 extending parallel and attached to the cutside wall and having a length of at least 75% of the distance d1 a? between the upper side T and bottom side B and equally divided on each side of the cut 5 and positioned at least a distance d4 of 1 mm from the straight cut 5a that extends from the centre hole 4 along the x-axis, whereby an inner diameter a1 of the centre hole 4 is between 4 and 6 mm, and whereby the inner walls 9 are configured to guide the golf tee 8 towards the straight cut 5a adjacent to the centre hole 4 when a force is applied to the golf tee 8.

This embodiment may have through holes 1 0 as described above.

Processes for moulding articles of different shapes are well known in the art. A method of manufacturing the golf tee holder 1 of the present invention may comprise the steps of

preparing a mould comprising the shape of the golf tee holder 1 ;

- filling the mould with fluid plastic material to be moulded;

- cooling the material; and

removing the golf tee holder 1 from the mould. Alternatively, the method comprises the steps of preparing a mould comprising the shape of the golf tee holder 1 to which a wire 14, including attachment means 15, is attached around the outside of the side wall 2 of the golf tee holder 1 with breakable connections 18 between the wire 14 and the side wall 2;

- filling the mould with fluid plastic material to be moulded; cooling the material; and

- removing the golf tee holder 1 from the mould.

In a further alternative, the method comprises the steps of > preparing a mould comprising the shape of the golf tee holder 1 to which a wire 14 is attached around the outside of the side wall 2 of the golf tee holder 1 with breakable connections 18 between the wire 14 and the side wall 2, and whereby the wire 14 has a length between 30 and 50 mm and whereby a golf tee 8 is attached to said wire 14 such that the wire 14 is attached a distance d5 between 10 and 15 mm from the bottom end 13 of the golf tee 8;

- filling the mould with fluid plastic material to be moulded;

- cooling the material; and

- removing the golf tee holder 1 from the mould. The fluid plastic material may be a granulate. This granulate normally has an elevated temperature such as a temperature around 200°C, upon filling the mould.

Optionally, a colour may be added to the plastic before moulding or the holder may be painted after moulding. Further, logos and the like may be used on the golf tee holder 1 including the golf tee 8.

The wording "between" as used herein includes the mentioned values and all values in between these values. Thus, a value between 1 and 2 mm includes 1 mm, 1.654 mm and 2 mm. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments closed but may be varied and modified within the scope of following claims.

Claims

1 . A golf tee holder (1 ) comprising an upper side (T) and a bottom side (B) extending along a horizontal x-axis with a distance (d1 ) between the sides (T, B) of at least 3 mm and at the most 25 mm, and a side wall (2) extending substantially along a vertical y-axis between the upper side (T) and bottom side (B), and whereby the upper side (T) comprises an upper surface (3), which comprises a cut (5) and a centre hole (4),

characterised in that

- the centre hole (4) has an inner diameter (a2) and is positioned substantially in the centre of the upper surface (3),

- the cut (5) is provided through the entire upper surface (3) radiating from opposite sides of the centre hole (4) towards and through the side wall (2), whereby a first part of the cut (5) is a straight cut (5a) extending at least a distance (d2) from the centre hole (4) towards the side wall (2) and whereby a second part of the cut (5) is a curved cut (5b) extending from the straight cut (5a) towards and through the side wall (2), and

- two cutside walls (6) extending adjacently on both sides of the cut (5) from the cut (5) and the centre hole (4) in the upper surface (3) to the bottom side (B) along the vertical y-axis when the cut (5) through the upper surface (3) is in a closed position, and

whereby the cutside walls (6) are connected by a bottom surface (7) extending on the bottom side (B) between the cutside walls (6) over a distance (d3), which distance (d3) includes at least the centre hole (4) and the straight cut (5a) on both sides of the centre hole (4), and

whereby the cutside walls (6) are configured to be separated at an angle (a1 ) when the cut (5) through the upper surface (3) is in an open position.

2. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least two inner walls (9) in the centre hole (4) extend parallel and attached to the cutside wall (6) and having a length of at least 75% of the distance (d1 ) and equally divided on each side of the cut (5) and positioned at least a distance (d4) from the straight cut (5a) that extends from the centre hole (4) along the x-axis, whereby an inner diameter (a2) of the centre hole (4) is adapted to hold a golf tee (8), and whereby the inner walls (9) are configured to guide the golf tee (8) towards the straight cut (5a) adjacent to the centre hole (4) when a force is applied to the golf tee (8).

3. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 2, characterised in that the distance (d4) is between 0.5 and 2.5 mm.

4. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that four inner walls (9) are present in the centre hole (4).

5. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the distance (d2) of the straight cut (5a) is between 5 mm to 15 mm.

6. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the inner diameter (a2) of the centre hole (4) is at least 4.6 mm.

7. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the angle a1 between the cutside walls (6) is at least 60° upon opening of the cut (5) in the upper surface (3).

8. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the bottom surface (7) has a thickness of 2 to 4 mm.

9. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the upper surface (3) has a volcano shape, whereby a diameter (a7) of the bottom of the volcano is between one third and half of a diameter (a1 ) of the golf tee holder (1 ) and a distance (d1 a) between the top side (T) and the bottom side (B) at the centre hole (4) is between 10 and 25 mm.

10. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the upper surface (3) further comprises at least one through hole (10) positioned in the upper surface (3) between the centre hole (4) and the side wail (2), whereby the through hole (10) comprises a side wall (1 ) extending along the vertical y-axis between the upper side (T) and the bottom side (B), and whereby the diameter (a4) of the through hole (10) is adapted to hold the golf tee (8), and whereby the side wall (1 1 ) of the through hole (10) is supported by support walls (12) connected to the upper surface (3) and extending to the bottom side (B) as well as extending from the side wall (11 ) of the through hole (10) to the cutside wall (6) and the side wall (2) of the golf tee holder (1 ), whereby the support walls (12) are configured to prevent the walls of the through hole (10) from bending when a force is applied to the golf tee (8), which is placed through the through hole (10).

1 1 . The golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a wire (14) is attached to the side wall (2), whereby the wire (14) comprises attachment means (15) for attaching the golf tee (8), and whereby the wire (14) has a minimal length that allows the golf tee (8) to be positioned vertically in the centre hole (4) of the golf tee holder (1 ) when attached to the wire (14).

12. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the golf tee (8) is permanently attached to the wire (14) and the wire (14) is attached to the lower end (L) of the golf tee (8).

13. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 12, characterised in that the golf tee (8) has a convex bottom end (13) and a con- cave top end (16) configured to hold a golf ball when the golf tee (8) is in the vertical position and a cylinder (17) between the top and bottom end (13, 16), whereby the cylinder (17) comprises solid material at the lower end (L) at least at a distance (d6) from the bottom end (13) of the golf tee (8).

14. The golf tee holder (1 ) according to claim 13, characterised in that the cylinder (17) comprises solid material at the lower end (L) at the distance (d6), and whereby the remainder of the length of the cylinder (17) is hollow.

15. Use of the golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, anywhere on a golf course and independently of other piece of equipment for supporting the holder (1 ).

16. A method of manufacturing the golf tee holder (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the method comprises the steps of

preparing a mould comprising a shape of the golf tee holder (1 ), to which optionally a wire (14) is attached around an outside of the side wall (2) of the golf tee holder (1 ) with breakable connections (18) between the wire (14) and the side wall (2), except for a point on the side wall (2), where the wire (14) is permanently attached to the side wall (2), and whereby optionally a golf tee (8) is attached to said wire (14) such that the wire (14) is attached a distance (d5) from the bottom end (13) of the golf tee (8);

- removing the golf tee holder (1 ) from the mould.