Adjustable lenght golf tee

Abstract

An adjustable length golf tee designed for use with a complementary driving range practice mat includes a base member, an intermediary member and an upper member that are telescopingly joined together in an interlocking relationship to form a unitary, inseparable device. Each of the base, intermediary and upper members is hollowed out along the majority of its length. As a result, the tee is designed to collapse or otherwise temporarily deform upon being struck with a golf club, thereby rendering the tee highly durable in nature. In use, the intermediary member is capable of displacement relative to the base member and, in addition, the upper member is capable of displacement relative to the intermediary member to provide the tee with an overall length that can be adjusted between 1.75 inches and 3.40 inches. In this manner, the tee can accommodate a wide range of golf club head sizes.

1 . An adjustable length golf tee, comprising:
 (a) a base member shaped to define a longitudinal interior cavity;   (b) an intermediary member telescopingly coupled to the base member, the intermediary member being shaped define a longitudinal interior receptacle; and   (c) an upper member telescopingly coupled to the intermediary member, the upper member being hollowed out along the majority of its length, the free end of the upper member being adapted to receive and support a golf ball.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the intermediary member extends coaxially within the interior cavity in the base member and is capable of longitudinal displacement therewithin. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the upper member extends coaxially within the interior receptacle in the intermediary member and is capable of longitudinal displacement therewithin. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the transverse cross-sectional diameter of the interior cavity in the base member is less than the overall height of the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each of the base member, intermediary member and upper member is constructed of a material from the group consisting of rubber, polyurethane and a synthetic composite thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the tee can be adjusted between a maximum overall length of approximately 3.400 inches and minimum overall length of approximately 1.750 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the base member comprises an enlarged pedestal from which projects an elongated tubular body, the tubular body having an inner surface, an outer surface and an open free end. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the intermediary member includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end that is fittingly disposed within the interior cavity in the base member and an open second end that extends out beyond the open free end in the base member. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the intermediary member includes an outwardly protruding collar at its first end, the collar being fittingly disposed within the interior cavity in the base, the collar being dimensioned to continuously frictionally engage the interior surface of the base member. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the tubular body of the base member includes a shelf formed on its inner surface that protrudes inwardly into the interior cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the collar on the intermediary member is dimensioned to selectively abut against the shelf in the base member to limit upward displacement of the intermediary member relative to the base member and thereby prevent separation of the intermediary member from the base member. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the upper member comprises an enlarged head from which protrudes an elongated stem, with the enlarged head being fittingly disposed within the interior receptacle in the intermediary member and the stem extending through the open second end in the intermediary member. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the stem is hollowed along the entirety of its length. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the stem includes a funnel-shaped cup portion at its free end that is adapted to receive and support a golf ball, the free end of the cup portion being approximately 0.45 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the enlarged head of the upper member is dimensioned to continuously frictionally engage the inner surface of the intermediary member. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the enlarged head of the upper member is dimensioned to selectively engage the intermediary member to limit upward displacement of the upper member relative to the intermediary member and thereby prevent separation of the upper member from the intermediary member. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the intermediary member includes an interior wall that substantially encloses the interior receptacle at its second end. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 17  wherein a vent hole extends transversely through the interior wall in the intermediary member. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable length golf tee as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the enlarged head of the upper member is dimensioned to selectively abut against the interior wall in the intermediary member to limit downward displacement of the upper member relative to the intermediary member. 
     
     
         20 . An adjustable length golf tee comprising a plurality of individual members that are telescopingly coupled together, each of the plurality of members being hollowed out along the majority its length.