Moldable golf tee and method of making same

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a golf tee includes a step of molding a shaft using a first moldable material. The method also includes molding an upper portion of the tee using a second moldable material. The upper portion has a ball receiving structure. A portion of either the shaft or the upper portion is used as a part of a mold for the molding of the other of the shaft or the upper portion.

1 . A golf tee, comprising:
 a shaft formed from a first moldable material an upper portion formed from a second moldable material, the upper portion moldably affixed to the shaft.   
   
   
       2 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a unitary structure. 
   
   
       3 . The golf tee of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion has a length that is less than one-half of a length of the shaft. 
   
   
       4 . The golf tee of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion has a length that is less than one-third of a length of the shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein, in a molded state, the second moldable material has a greater flexibility than the first moldable material. 
   
   
       6 . The golf tee of  claim 5 , wherein the upper portion includes at least one continuous annular portion. 
   
   
       7 . The golf tee of  claim 6 , wherein the upper portion has a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings continuously surrounded by the second moldable material. 
   
   
       8 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the first moldable material and the second moldable material cooperate to form a bond at an interface there between. 
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing a golf tee, comprising:
 a) molding a shaft using a first moldable material   b) molding an upper portion using a second moldable material, the upper portion having a ball receiving structure;   and wherein a portion of one of the shaft and the upper portion is used as a part of a mold for the molding of the other of the shaft and the upper portion.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of the shaft is used as a part of the mold for molding of the upper portion. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first moldable material and the second moldable material bond to each other in one of step a) and step b). 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first moldable material and the second moldable material bond to each other in step b). 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, in a molded state, the second moldable material has more flexibility than the first moldable material. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first moldable material is selected from a group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate and ABS; and   the second moldable material is selected from a group consisting of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), urethane and silicone.   
   
   
       15 . A golf tee, comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first unitary structure of a first moldable material   an upper portion comprising a second unitary structure of a second moldable material, the second moldable material having a greater flexibility than the first moldable material, the upper portion affixed to the shaft, the upper portion including a shaft end and a ball receiving end, and wherein a diameter of the ball receiving end exceeds a diameter of the shaft end.   
   
   
       16 . The golf tee of  claim 15 , wherein the upper portion has a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings continuously surrounded by the second moldable material. 
   
   
       17 . The golf tee of  claim 18 , wherein the first moldable material and the second moldable material form a bonding connection at an interface therebetween. 
   
   
       18 . The golf tee of  claim 15 , wherein the upper portion includes a first annular member configured to receive a golf ball, a second annular member affixed at least in part to the shaft, and a plurality of support member, each connected between the first annular member and the second annular member. 
   
   
       19 . The golf tee of  claim 18 , wherein the first moldable material and the second moldable material form a bonding connection at an interface therebetween. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first moldable material is selected from a group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate and ABS; and   the second moldable material is selected from a group consisting thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), urethane and silicone.