Golf tee with shape memory metal and method to produce the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a golf tee comprised of two sections, a shape memory metal that connects the said two sections and a resilient protective outer shell for a golf tee that lessens impact and improves performance.

1 . A multi-section golf tee comprising: a cylindrical shape lower section with a pointed end for ground penetration, a flexible connection mean, an upper section for capturing said flexible connection mean, a protective outer shell; said lower section is connected to a one end of said flexible connection mean through a retaining feature, the second end of said flexible connection mean is connected to said upper section through a retaining feature, said outer protective shell partially encapsulates side surfaces of said upper section such that said upper section is shielded from a golf club strike, said outer protective shell having a unitary structure wherein said outer protective shell partially encapsulates said upper section forming a binding structure between the inner surface of said protective shell and outer surface of said upper section such that no relative movement between said protective outer shell and said upper section is possible. 
   
   
       2 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , said protective outer shell interlocks with said upper section via a through hole within said upper section to form an interlocking cross member which has the shape defined by the inside surface of said through hole in said upper section, wherein said cross member is perpendicular to the axial direction defined by the centerline of said flexible connection mean, wherein said outer protective shell is prevented from moving in the axial direction defined by the centerline of said flexible connection mean, said protective shell partially encapsulates said flexible connection mean which is encapsulated by said upper section. 
   
   
       3 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, said flexible connection mean is constructed from a superelastic shape memory metal. 
   
   
       4 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lower and upper sections are constructed from a rigid polymer by injection molding. 
   
   
       5 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said protective outer shell is constructed from a soft resilient polymer by injection molding over said upper section and said flexible connection mean. 
   
   
       6 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible connection mean can be set to any suitable shape through a shape memory setting process. 
   
   
       7 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lower section has a plurality of indication for ground depth penetration. 
   
   
       8 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper section further comprises of a recess surface for positioning a golf ball. 
   
   
       9 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer protective shell fully encapsulates said upper section. 
   
   
       10 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer protective shell having a unitary structure further comprising a cylindrical section and a taper section. 
   
   
       11 . A golf tee as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said flexible connection mean consists of one single straight wire made of a superelastic shape memory metal.