Golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee having a stem constructed of a rigid plastic material having a first end terminating in a tip adapted to penetrate the earth and a second end which supports a golf ball supporting member having a plurality of upwardly directed extensions arranged to support a golf ball. The golf ball support member may be constructed of a flexible plastic material which is over molded on the stem at the end thereof opposite the earth penetrating tip. The golf ball supporting member may be constructed of a plurality of upwardly extending fingers or a plurality of tooth shaped outwardly flared members.

1 . A golf tee comprising:
 (A) a stem constructed of a rigid plastic material and having a first end terminating in a tip adapted to penetrate the earth and a second end terminating in a head shaped member;   (B) a golf ball supporting member constructed of a flexible plastic material permanently affixed to said head shaped member of said second end; and   (C) said golf ball supporting member having a plurality of upwardly directed extensions arranged to support a golf ball;   
     
     
         2 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 1  wherein said upwardly directed extensions include three tooth shaped extensions flared outwardly from said stem. 
     
     
         3 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 2  wherein said golf ball supporting member is over molded on said stem. 
     
     
         4 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 1  wherein said upwardly directed extensions include a plurality of fingers disposed peripherally about said head shaped member. 
     
     
         5 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 4  wherein said head shaped member comprises a radially outwardly extending flange having a peripheral edge. 
     
     
         6 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 4  wherein said golf ball supporting member is over molded on said head shaped member. 
     
     
         7 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 2  wherein said golf ball supporting member surrounds and is bonded to said head shaped member. 
     
     
         8 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 5  wherein said golf ball supporting member surrounds said head shaped member and is over molded thereon. 
     
     
         9 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 3  wherein said tooth shaped extensions have an outer surface contiguous with an outer surface of said stem. 
     
     
         10 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 9  wherein said tooth shaped extensions each have a distal end, said distal ends being spaced apart by an amount such that golf ball is supported only by said distal ends. 
     
     
         11 . A golf tee comprising:
 a stem having a first end terminating in a point for insertion into the earth;   said stem having a second end terminating in a plurality of upwardly extending discrete tooth shaped extensions each having a base permanently attached to said stem and a distal end flared outwardly from said stem and arranged to support a golf ball.   
     
     
         12 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 11  further comprising a protrusion from said stem disposed between said first and second ends for indicating the extent said tee should be inserted into the earth. 
     
     
         13 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 12  wherein said protrusion is recessed to provide a gripping area for a finger of a user to insert said tee into the earth. 
     
     
         14 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 13  wherein said discrete tooth shaped members are three in number and said distal ends are spaced apart by an amount such that a golf ball is supported only by said distal ends. 
     
     
         15 . A golf tee comprising:
 a stem formed from a molded rigid plastic having a point at one end and having a radially outwardly extending head having a peripheral edge at the other end;   a golf ball supporting member including a plurality of discrete fingers disposed equiangularly about said periphery of said head and extending upwardly and terminating at distal ends upon which a golf ball is supported.   
     
     
         16 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 15  wherein said ball support member is over molded on and bonded to said head. 
     
     
         17 . A golf tee as defined in  claim 16  wherein said stem is formed from polycarbonate plastic and said ball support member if formed from polyurethane plastic having a hardness of between 60 and 90 durometer as measured on the Shore scale A.