Batting tee

Abstract

A batting tee supporting a ball has a base, a telescoping post having a first tube, a second tube, a rod, and a flexible ball holder secured to the telescoping post. Wearable bushing assemblies enable friction between components of the tee to remain at least substantially constant over a range of tolerances, even as bushings wear. Each bushing assembly includes a bushing holder, a C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of the bushing holder, and a C-shaped bushing constructed of wearable material and positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of the C-shaped spring. Each bushing assembly is positioned into a respective tube such that the C-shaped bushing contacts an inner surface of its respective tube. The C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between the C-shaped bushing and the inner surface of the tube when one component is axially moved relative to another.

1 . A tee for supporting a ball, said tee comprising:
 a telescoping stanchion, wherein said telescoping stanchion comprises a tube and a rod;   a flexible ball holder secured to a first end of said rod;   a base, wherein, when said tee is assembled, said stanchion extends upwardly from said base and said ball holder is positioned at the top of said tee;   a bushing assembly comprising—
 a bushing holder; 
 C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of said bushing holder, and 
 a C-shaped bushing constructed of wearable material, wherein said C-shaped bushing is positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of said C-shaped spring, 
   wherein said bushing assembly is positioned into an open end of said tube such that an outer periphery of said C-shaped bushing contacts an inner surface of said tube,   wherein said rod is positioned at least partially within said tube and secured to said bushing assembly, and   wherein said C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between said C-shaped bushing and said inner surface of said tube when said rod is axially moved relative to said tube.   
     
     
         2 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein a spring rate of the C-shaped spring is such that an amount of radial load applied to the C-shaped bushing is at least substantially consistent over a range of dimensional tolerances, thereby enabling at least substantially constant friction between said C-shaped bushing and said tube even as said C-shaped bushing wears from use. 
     
     
         3 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said rod is constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said rod is secured to said bushing assembly by a removable fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The tee of  claim 4 , wherein said removable faster is accessible through an opening in the bottom of the tee. 
     
     
         6 . The tee of  claim 4 , wherein said removable fastener comprises a screw. 
     
     
         7 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said rod is secured to said bushing assembly by a weld. 
     
     
         8 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said bushing assembly is positioned into a bottom end of said tube and said C-shaped bushing comprises a first bushing, said tee comprising a second bushing that is positioned in a top open end of said tube and said rod passes through said second bushing, wherein the friction between said second bushing and said rod is less than the friction between said C-shaped bushing and said tube. 
     
     
         9 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said bushing assembly is positioned into a bottom end of said tube and said C-shaped bushing comprises a first bushing, said tee comprising a second bushing that is positioned in a top open end of said tube, wherein said tube has an annular bead and said second bushing has an outer ridge such that said outer ridge of said second bushing mates with said annular bead, thereby retaining said bushing in said tube, wherein said rod passes through said second bushing. 
     
     
         10 . The tee of  claim 9 , wherein said second bushing comprises a C-shape. 
     
     
         11 . The tee of  claim 1 , wherein said tube comprises a first tube, said tee further comprising:
 a second tube;   a second bushing assembly comprising—
 a second bushing holder; 
 a second C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of said second bushing holder, and 
 a second C-shaped bushing constructed of said wearable material, wherein said second C-shaped bushing is positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of second said C-shaped spring, 
   wherein said second bushing assembly is positioned inside said second tube,   wherein said first tube is at least partially positioned within said second tube from the top of said second tube, and   wherein a bottom end of said first tube is fastened to said second bushing assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The tee of  claim 11 , wherein said second C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between said second C-shaped bushing and said inner surface of said second tube when said first tube is axially moved relative to said second tube. 
     
     
         13 . A tee for supporting a ball, said tee comprising:
 a telescoping stanchion, wherein said telescoping stanchion comprises a first metal tube, a second metal tube, and a plastic rod;   a flexible ball holder secured to a first end of said plastic rod;   a base, wherein, when said tee is assembled, said stanchion extends upwardly from said base and said ball holder is positioned at the top of said tee;   a first bushing assembly comprising—
 a first bushing holder; 
 a first C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of said first bushing holder, and 
 a first C-shaped bushing constructed of wearable material, wherein said first C-shaped bushing is positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of said first C-shaped spring; 
   a second bushing assembly comprising—
 a second bushing holder; 
 a second C-shaped spring positioned around at least a portion of said second bushing holder, and 
 a second C-shaped bushing constructed of wearable material, wherein said second C-shaped bushing is positioned at least partially around an outer periphery of said second C-shaped spring; 
   wherein said first bushing assembly is positioned into an open end of said first metal tube such that an outer periphery of said first C-shaped bushing contacts an inner surface of said first metal tube,   wherein said plastic rod is positioned at least partially within said first metal tube and secured to said first bushing assembly,   wherein said first C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between said first C-shaped bushing and said inner surface of said first metal tube when said rod is axially moved relative to said first metal tube,   wherein said second bushing assembly is positioned inside said second metal tube,   wherein said first metal tube is at least partially positioned within said second metal tube from the top of said second metal tube,   wherein a bottom end of said first metal tube is fastened to said second bushing assembly, and   wherein said second C-shaped spring provides an outward radial force for applying friction between said second C-shaped bushing and said inner surface of said second tube when said first tube is axially moved relative to said second tube.   
     
     
         14 . The tee of  claim 12 , wherein said rod is secured to said first bushing assembly by a removable fastener, and wherein said removable faster is accessible through an opening in the bottom of the tee. 
     
     
         15 . The tee of  claim 12 , wherein said rod is secured to said first bushing by a weld.