Golf tee sharpener
United States Patent 3911577
A handy pocket device having an inclined socket, and a vertical way containing a thumb actuated plunger provided with a sharp edge for safely and neatly shearing off the ground end portion of a used golf tee inserted in the socket.
US Patent References:
Apparatus for notching the ends of tubing in the preparation of tubular assemblies
Koster - January 1963 - 3073195
Apparatus for notching the ends of tubing in the preparation of tubular assemblies
Koster - January 1963 - 3073195
Application Number:
05/474716
Publication Date:
10/14/1975
Filing Date:
05/30/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
83/581, 30/282, 30/278, 144/30, 30/280
International Classes:
A63B57/00; A63B57/00
Field of Search:
144/30 30/241,113,92,223,278,280,282 83/581,580,694 273/32B,33
Primary Examiner:
Meister J. M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
King, Barnwell R.
Claims:
I claim
1. A handy golf tee sharpening device for shearing off the ragged end portion of a used golf tee stem, to thereby renew the latter for further use, said device consisting of
1. A handy golf tee sharpening device for shearing off the ragged end portion of a used golf tee stem, to thereby renew the latter for further use, said device consisting of
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the game of golf a short tee is used in every round of the game. After being broken the used tees are usually picked up and discarded. The ground end of a used tee is generally feathered or jagged, making smooth insertion into the ground difficult or in some cases even impossible. If some way could could be found for uniformly trimming or renewing such used tees it would be highly desirable.
The main object of this invention is to provide a device for easily sharpening a golf tee by simply inserting the tee in the device and pressing a thumb-piece to shear off the end of the tee.
Another object is to provide a golf tee sharpener that is handy, is light in weight, safe to use, resuls in uniformly sharpened tee, and is inexpensive to manufacture.
A further object is to provide a quick and easy way of diagonally shearing the damaged stem of a golf tee to renew the tee for subsequent use even though the tee was previously useless.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a device having an inclined socket for receiving a used golf tee to be sharpened, and a vertical shear-way into which the end portion of such stem projects. The shear-way contains a thumb-actuated plunger having a sharp edge which is adapted to cut off the undesired end of the tee when the plunger is pressed down.
The body of the device is provided with laterally extending finger grips, so that the device can be inserted between the fingers and thumb while the tee is inserted in the socket and the plunger actuated by simply pressing the latter with the thumb, thereby shearing off the unwanted end of the tee.
The plunger is urged to an initial position with the edge of the shear above the opening to the socket by a spring located between the thumb-piece and the top of the body. Such spring conveniently surrounds the plunger where it extends outside of the body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For a full understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view mainly in vertical cross-section of a golf tee sharpening device illustrative of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a used golf tee before being sharpened.
FIG. 4 is a similar view of such tee after being sharpened.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated device 10 comprises a body 12 having a vertical shear-way 14 of rectangular cross-section: an inclined, tapered socket 16 opening to the lower part of one side of the way 14; and a finger grip 18 extending laterally on each side of the body.
A plunger 20 of similar cross-section to that of the way 14 is mounted to slide in such way 14 when pressed against the force of a coil-spring 22 by the actuation of a thumb-piece 24 on the top of the plunger 20.
In use a used tee to be sharpened is inserted in the socket 16 with one hand and the plunger 20 is actuated by depressing the push-button 24 with the thumb of the other hand. This action causes the blade 28 of plunger 20 to neatly shear off the feathered end portion 30 of the tee 26, providing a sharp new end 32 on the tee 26.
In the game of golf a short tee is used in every round of the game. After being broken the used tees are usually picked up and discarded. The ground end of a used tee is generally feathered or jagged, making smooth insertion into the ground difficult or in some cases even impossible. If some way could could be found for uniformly trimming or renewing such used tees it would be highly desirable.
The main object of this invention is to provide a device for easily sharpening a golf tee by simply inserting the tee in the device and pressing a thumb-piece to shear off the end of the tee.
Another object is to provide a golf tee sharpener that is handy, is light in weight, safe to use, resuls in uniformly sharpened tee, and is inexpensive to manufacture.
A further object is to provide a quick and easy way of diagonally shearing the damaged stem of a golf tee to renew the tee for subsequent use even though the tee was previously useless.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a device having an inclined socket for receiving a used golf tee to be sharpened, and a vertical shear-way into which the end portion of such stem projects. The shear-way contains a thumb-actuated plunger having a sharp edge which is adapted to cut off the undesired end of the tee when the plunger is pressed down.
The body of the device is provided with laterally extending finger grips, so that the device can be inserted between the fingers and thumb while the tee is inserted in the socket and the plunger actuated by simply pressing the latter with the thumb, thereby shearing off the unwanted end of the tee.
The plunger is urged to an initial position with the edge of the shear above the opening to the socket by a spring located between the thumb-piece and the top of the body. Such spring conveniently surrounds the plunger where it extends outside of the body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For a full understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view mainly in vertical cross-section of a golf tee sharpening device illustrative of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a used golf tee before being sharpened.
FIG. 4 is a similar view of such tee after being sharpened.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated device 10 comprises a body 12 having a vertical shear-way 14 of rectangular cross-section: an inclined, tapered socket 16 opening to the lower part of one side of the way 14; and a finger grip 18 extending laterally on each side of the body.
A plunger 20 of similar cross-section to that of the way 14 is mounted to slide in such way 14 when pressed against the force of a coil-spring 22 by the actuation of a thumb-piece 24 on the top of the plunger 20.
In use a used tee to be sharpened is inserted in the socket 16 with one hand and the plunger 20 is actuated by depressing the push-button 24 with the thumb of the other hand. This action causes the blade 28 of plunger 20 to neatly shear off the feathered end portion 30 of the tee 26, providing a sharp new end 32 on the tee 26.