CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/228,782, which was filed on Aug. 3, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic golf tee and magnetic club grip attachment that provides users with the ability to pick up golf tees or magnetic ball markers with the end of their club. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in the field of golf equipment. Specifically, the magnetic golf tee is able to be picked up with the magnetic grip attachment at the end of the user's club. The aforementioned components of magnetic golf equipment are generally desired in the art because they make golf a more accessible and convenient sport. One particular area of concern is that prior hip or back injuries may make it difficult for the user to bend down and retrieve their tees and/or metal ball markers. Further, the magnetic golf tee and grip attachment prevents unnecessary strain on the body caused by repeatedly bending over to pick up tees and ball markers. To be described in more detail hereinafter, the invention enables for a more enjoyable golfing experience for all users.

Additionally, if users have prior injuries or physical ailments that make it difficult to pick up tees and ball markers, it may take extra time to perform these activities. The time spent struggling to pick up equipment may delay the next group of golfers from teeing off. Many popular golf courses regularly book all of their tee times, which are usually very close together (i.e., tightly sequenced tee times). The magnetic golf tee, ball marker, and grip enables users to quickly retrieve their equipment, preventing frustration and delay of the game.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic golf tee, golf ball marker, and corresponding magnetic club grip attachment. The magnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee and ball marker enabling the user to pick up their tee and ball marker without having to physically bend over, thereby conserving time and preventing further strain and effort on the golf course. Furthermore, the device is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers in order to pick up magnetic tees and to putters in order to pick up metal ball markers.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their tees quickly and without unnecessary strain. There is also a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their metal ball markers with ease. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that is adaptable to different clubs depending on the needs of the user.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a magnetic golf tee and corresponding magnetic golf club grip attachment. The device is a tool that enables users to pick up their golf ball tees and metal ball markers without having to physically bend over. The device comprises a modified golf tee that has a small magnet embedded therein, as well as a magnetic attachment that is secured to a terminal handle or grip end of a golf club. In one exemplary embodiment, the magnet on the golf club can be about the size of a nickel protruding outside of the golf club handle or grip. The golf club handle magnet further including a neck having a bulbous terminal end for inserting into a flexible opening (i.e., hole) of the club handle or club grip. The bulbous terminal end providing a retention means for securing the club handle magnet to the club grip opening.

In this manner, the magnetic golf tee and grip of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that quickly and easily retrieves tees and metal ball markers without having to physically bend over. The device is particularly useful to players who are older in age, have previous back/hip injuries, and/or other physical limitations. The device generally improves the golfing experience for all players, while conserving time and effort spent on the course.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a magnetic golf tee, golf ball marker, and corresponding magnetic golf club grip attachment. The device is a tool that enables users to pick up golf tees and metal ball markers without unnecessary physical strain. The device comprises a modified golf tee with a small magnet inside. The device also comprises a magnetic golf club grip attachment that has roughly a nickel sized magnet protruding therefrom to engage with the magnetic golf tee and/or metal golf ball markers.

The grip attachment is adaptable to any golf club depending on the needs of the user. For example, it can be used on a driver to pick up the magnetic golf tee, or it can be used on a putter to pick up metal golf ball markers on the green. The adaptable mounting is accomplished by the shape of the grip attachment. The attachment includes a neck terminating at a ball/rivet (i.e., bulbous end) so that it can be pushed into the elastomeric hole at the end of the golf grip, thereby leaving the, for example, nickel sized magnet substantially flush and outside of the golf grip.

In one embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises a small rectangular magnet embedded inside of the tee, generally halfway (i.e. midpoint) down the neck of the tee. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding the tee may vary upon further development and manufacturing.

In one potential embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises a small cylindrical magnet inside of the tee.

In another potential embodiment, a grip attachment is adaptable and mountable to any golf club grip prior to mounting the grip to the golf club shaft. For example, the magnetic grip attachment can be in form of a planar circle (i.e., coin shape) having a small hole to enable air to pass therethrough. The magnetic grip attachment can be secured to the inside of the end of the golf grip. The grip can then be secured to the end of a golf club shaft (i.e., driver shaft and putter shaft).

In another potential embodiment, the magnetic tee component comprises a magnet mounted inside the top portion or “head” of the tee, where the ball is placed.

In one embodiment, the magnetic tee component can be manufactured from wood, heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as, polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any material known in the art deemed suitable for the purpose of a golf tee.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf tee comprises a plurality of indicia.

In one embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment comprises a generally nickel sized magnet that is connected to a neck that terminates at a ball/rivet (i.e., bulbous end). The ball/rivet or bulbous end is inserted into the elastomeric and flexible hole in the end of a golf club grip so that the circular magnet is substantially flush with the end of the grip. The magnet is curved on the end to enable for easy engagement with the magnetic golf tee. It is to be appreciated that a flat magnet can be inhibited (i.e., circumscribed) by the surrounding club grip terminal end. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon further development and manufacturing.

In one potential embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment is external and encompasses, i.e., mounts over and around the end of the golf grip.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment includes a housing or body manufactured from heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), aluminum, stainless steel, or any other material deemed suitable for the purpose described.

In yet another embodiment, the magnetic golf club grip attachment comprises a plurality of indicia printed thereon.

Numerous benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters

refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf grip or handle, with the golf tee engaged to the golf grip attachment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment of the present invention being used to pick up the magnetic golf tee off the ground;

FIG. 3 illustrates elevational views of the golf grip attachment and golf ball tee including the magnetic attraction between the magnetic golf tee and corresponding grip attachment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf grip of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, illustrating the insertion of the grip attachment, use of the tee, and subsequent retrieval of the golf ball tee as described; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment of the present invention inserted into the end of the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It can be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments can be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their golf ball tees quickly and without unnecessary strain. There is also a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that enables users to pick up their metal golf ball markers with ease. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a golf equipment retrieval device that is adaptable to different golf clubs and removably mounted to the golf clubs depending on the needs of the user.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel magnetic golf ball tee and golf club grip attachment. The golf tee is modified with a magnet embedded inside the golf ball tee, in one exemplary arrangement, and the magnetic club grip attachment is secured to the handle end of a golf club. The magnetic club grip engages the magnet inside the golf tee enabling the user to pick up their golf ball tee without having to physically bend over, thereby conserving time and preventing unnecessary strain and effort on the golf course. The magnet on the club grip can be about the size of a nickel, with a neck or shaft terminating at a bulbous end, for example a ball/rivet, such that the bulbous end can be pushed through the grip hole at the end of the golf grip. Further, the device is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers to pick up magnetic tees after teeing off and to golf putters to pick up metal ball markers after replacing a marked golf ball onto a golf green.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 and golf club grip attachment 100 is an improved golf equipment retrieval device that provides users with the ability to pick up magnetic golf tees and metal ball markers in a novel fashion. The device 100 is particularly designed to enable any suitable user as is known in the art, to pick up magnetic golf tees and metal ball markers without having to physically strain oneself or to physically bend over in order to pick up tees and markers. More specifically, the device 100 comprises a magnetic golf tee 110 having a tee insert or magnet 112, and a magnetic golf club grip attachment 120. FIG. 1 illustrates the magnetic golf tee 110 engaged (i.e., magnetically attracted) with the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120.

In one exemplary embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 includes a tee insert or magnet 112 embedded therein. The tee insert or magnet 112 can be located or embedded generally halfway (i.e. midpoint) down the neck or shaft 114 of the magnetic golf tee 110. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding the magnetic golf tee 110 and tee insert or magnet 112 may vary dependent upon the dimensions of the golf tee. The tee insert or magnet 112 can be rectangular, cylindrical, or of any other suitable shape. The tee insert or magnet 112 can include magnetizable metal or can include a metal that is attracted to a magnet. The most common magnetizable metals used for permanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rare earth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from “hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials. “Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

In one embodiment, the magnetic golf tee 110 can include a housing or body 116 manufactured from wood, heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any material known in the art deemed suitable for the purpose of a golf ball tee.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is the method of picking up the magnetic golf tee 110 using the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120. The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 engages with the magnetic golf tee 110, enabling the user to pick up the magnetic golf tee 110 using the golf club and grip attachment 100 while obviating the need to physically bend over to retrieve the golf tee. The user simply grabs the club face end of the golf club and brings the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 near the magnetic tee insert or magnet 112 to retrieve the magnetic golf tee 110 with ease and convenience.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the engagement mechanism between the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 and the magnetic golf tee 110. The magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 is comprised of a grip magnet 122, which is attached to a neck or shaft 124 that terminates at a bulbous end or ball 126. The grip magnet 122 is generally the size of a nickel and engages the magnetic golf tee 110. The golf grip attachment 120 includes the neck or shaft 124 connected to the bulbous end or ball 126 of the grip magnet 122. The bulbous end 126 is inserted into and through a flexible opening 136 at an end of a club grip 138 of a golf club 140 and engages with the inside of the club grip end 138 to secure the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 in place. It is to be appreciated that the flexible opening 136 includes a first static diameter and the bulbous end 126 includes a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first static diameter. The flexible opening 136 can expand to enable the bulbous end 126 to pass therethrough. When fully inserted, the grip magnet 122 is substantially flush with the end of the golf club grip. The grip magnet 122 is curved on an exterior end 132 (i.e., curvilinear outer surface) to enable for easy engagement with the magnetic golf tee 110 and to not be inhibited by the surrounding or circumscribed club grip. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications regarding the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can vary based on the size of the golf grip end.

In one embodiment, the neck or shaft 124 and bulbous end 126 of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 can be manufactured from heat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene or -butadiene-styrene (ABS), aluminum, stainless steel, or any other material deemed suitable for the purpose described. The grip magnet 122 includes magnetizable metal. The most common magnetizable metals used for permanent magnets are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys of rare earth metals. There are two types of permanent magnets: those from “hard” magnetic materials and those from “soft” magnetic materials. “Hard” magnetic metals tend to stay magnetized over a long period.

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective views of one embodiment of the magnetic golf tee and golf club grip attachment 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, disclosing the insertion of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120, use of the magnetic golf tee 110, and subsequent retrieval of the magnetic golf tee 110 using the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 as described. The magnetic golf tee 110 functions as a traditional golf tee in terms of supporting a golf ball 150 thereon while the golfer swings. It is to be appreciated that the grip attachment 120 is adaptable to any golf club including but not limited to drivers 140 in order to pick up magnetic tees and to putters in order to pick up metal ball markers. A golfer tees a golf ball 150 on the golf tee 110 and then strikes the golf ball 150 (i.e., tee shot). The golf tee 110 is left behind and remains on the ground after the tee shot. The golfer then turns the club 140 around and places the golf magnet 122 near the tee insert or magnet 112. The tee insert or magnet 112 is then attracted to the golf magnet 122 and the golf tee 110 attaches to the golf magnet 122 and is retained thereto. The golfer can then turn the club 140 around to remove the golf tee 100 from the golf magnet 122.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the magnetic golf club grip attachment 120 of the present invention inserted into the end of the golf club grip in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The grip magnet 122 is left exposed on the end of the club in order to engage with the magnetic golf tee 110, enabling users to pick up the magnetic golf tee 110 or metal ball markers without having to physically bend over to retrieve the golf tee 110.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.