Beverage Container and Golf Tee Device

This U.S. Non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/653,392 filed May 30, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to golf tees and beverage containers, and more particularly, to a combination beverage container and golf tee device which may be used as a beverage container and golf tee.

Golf, a game of precision, skill, and patience, has evolved significantly over the centuries. Among the many innovations that have shaped the sport, the golf tee stands out as a seemingly small yet indispensable tool. From its modest beginnings to the intricate designs of modern times, the evolution of the golf tee mirrors the evolution of the game itself, reflecting advancements in technology, materials, and player preferences.

The origins of the golf tee can be traced back to the dawn of golf itself. In the early days of the game, golfers played off the natural terrain, using small mounds of sand or piles of soil to elevate the ball for the initial stroke. However, this method posed numerous challenges, including inconsistency in height and stability, leading players to seek a more reliable solution.

The first recorded mention of a specialized device for teeing up the golf ball dates back to the late 19th century. In 1889, Dr. George Grant patented a wooden peg-shaped tee, providing golfers with a simple yet effective tool for elevating their balls. Grant's invention marked a significant milestone in the history of golf, offering players greater control and consistency in their tee shots.

As golf grew in popularity and technological advancements flourished, so did the evolution of the golf tee. Throughout the 20th century, golf tees underwent numerous design iterations, with manufacturers experimenting with various materials and shapes to enhance performance and durability.

Wood remained the primary material for golf tees well into the 20th century, offering a natural feel and sufficient durability for repeated use. However, the advent of plastic and synthetic materials revolutionized tee design, providing golfers with options that were more resilient, customizable, and environmentally friendly.

In the contemporary era of golf, the tee plays an indispensable role in the game's dynamics and strategy. Golfers of all skill levels rely on tees to optimize their initial shots, providing a stable platform for launching the ball with precision and power.

Golf has also grown to include many types of tournaments, games and celebrations for golfers of all levels. Some of the games and celebrations include different types of drinks. Further, many golfers enjoy fluid intake during rounds for hydration. In addition to golf tees, water bottles and other drinking containers take up space in a golfer's bag and require additional organization in preparation for a round of golf as well as during the round.

Accordingly, there is an established need for a more convenient, entertaining solution for a golfer to carry golf tees and beverage while golfing. For example, there remains a more convenient solution for golf bag organization and ease for carrying golf tees and beverages.

The present invention is directed to a beverage container and golf tee device which may be alternately used as a beverage container and a golf tee, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for dedicated golf tee devices, dedicated beverage containers, and enhancing social and entertainment aspects of golfing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate a beverage container and golf tee device may include a container body including an interior space configured to house a beverage, the container body comprising a neck portion ending in an edge, the edge defining an opening arranged in spatial communication with the interior space; wherein the beverage container and golf tee device is configured to selectively adopt a first configuration, in which the beverage is contained within the interior space of the container body, and a second configuration, in which the container body is placed in an upright position with respect to a ground, and edge of the neck portion is arranged in an elevated and spaced-apart relationship with respect to the ground, and further in which a standard golf ball is stably rested on the edge of the neck portion.

In a second aspect, the beverage container may include one or more protrusion extending downward with respect to a base of the beverage container.

In another aspect, the one or more protrusions may be configured to stably rest on a planar, horizontal surface.

In another aspect, in the second configuration, the one or more protrusions may be inserted into the ground.

In another aspect, the one or more protrusions may include a plurality of protrusions arranged angularly spaced apart with one another about a central vertical axis or centerline of the container body.

In another aspect, fours spike may be arranged at about 90-degree intervals.

In another aspect, the one or more spike may be wedge-shaped.

In yet another aspect, the one or more spike may be arcuate.

In another aspect, the beverage container and golf tee device may include a cap. The cap may be selectively arranged in an open position and a closed position, exposing or sealing the opening of the container body, respectively.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, including: a tubular container body including a base, a first end and a sidewall extending therebetween, the base including an upper surface facing the first end and a lower surface facing away from the first end; an opening at the first end, an edge of the sidewall surrounding the opening, the opening and edge extending substantially horizontal; a cavity within the container body, the sidewall connected to the base and the sidewall and the upper surface of the base defining the cavity such that the cavity is configured to hold a substance, the cavity in fluid communication with the opening, the base being wider than the opening; and a plurality of protrusions connected to the lower surface of the base, each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions being elongated and extending between a bottom edge and a base end, the base end connected to the lower surface of the base and the bottom edge extending away from the lower surface of the base, the bottom edge being narrower than the base end such that the bottom edge is configured to be inserted into a surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, further including: a cap configured to be placed on the opening, the cap configured to seal the cavity.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, wherein the substance is a solid, liquid, or any combination thereof.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, wherein the container body further includes: a neck portion and a body portion, the neck portion and the body portion defined by the sidewall, the neck portion being tubular, the neck portion extending between the opening and the body portion, the neck portion including neck width; and the body portion connected to the neck portion, the body portion extending between the base and the neck portion, the body portion including a body width, wherein the body width is greater than the neck width.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is a spike configured to be inserted into a surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, wherein each bottom edge of each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is coplanar.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container, wherein the base or each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is impermeable to fluid.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a container wherein the sidewall, base, and protrusions are formed of an impermeable material.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a combination golf tee and container device including: a container body including a base, a first end and a sidewall extending therebetween, the base including an upper surface facing the first end and a lower surface facing away from the first end; a platform and an opening at the first end, the platform formed of an edge of the sidewall surrounding the opening such that the platform is configured to support a golf ball;

a cavity within the container body, the sidewall connected to the base and the sidewall and the upper surface of the base defining the cavity such that the cavity is configured to hold a substance, the cavity in fluid communication with the opening, the base being wider than the opening; and a plurality of protrusions connected to the lower surface of the base, each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions being elongated and extending between a bottom edge and a base end, the base end connected to the lower surface of the base and the bottom edge extending away from the lower surface of the base, the bottom edge being narrower than the base end such that the bottom edge is configured to be inserted into a surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is a spike configured to be inserted into a surface. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each bottom edge of each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is coplanar such that the container body may rest on a horizontal surface with the platform extending horizontally.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of using a container, the method including: storing a fluid in a cavity within a container body, the container body including a base, an opening, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the base and sidewall defining the cavity and the opening such that the cavity and opening are in fluid communication, the container body including a plurality of spikes extending from the base; and storing the container body on a surface such that spikes of the plurality of spikes are in contact with the surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: placing a golf ball on the opening wherein the golf ball is spaced apart from the surface by at least a height of the container body.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: inserting the spikes into a surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: hitting a golf ball from the container body.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Also, as used herein, the words “connected” or “coupled” are each intended to include integrally formed members, direct connections between two distinct members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers are used to indicated like elements throughout, there is shown ana preferred embodiment of a combination golf tee and beverage container devicewhich may serve as both a beverage container and a golf tee. Deviceof this embodiment includes a container bodyincluding opening, interior space or cavity, protrusionsprotruding and extending from base. The interior cavityallows deviceto hold a variety of substances such as beverages while opening, via platform edge, allows a golf ball to rest on bodysuch that devicemay also serve as a golf tee. Further, devicemay include a vertical or longitudinal centerlinewhich, in this embodiment, is a central vertical axis.

Container bodyincludes top or first end, baseand sidewallextending therebetween. Further, bodymay include centerlineand be tubular with interior cavityhaving an openingat the first end. That is, sidewalldefines openingat first end, and sidewallentirely surrounds the sides of interior cavitywhile baseextends laterally or substantially horizontal with respect to centerlineand forms a closed end of cavity. Sidewalland baseare connected at connection portionin manner that may render body, except for opening, impermeable to fluids and impervious to the environment. In other words, sidewalland baseabut and are sealed together around the entire perimeter of base. Also, openingis in fluid or spatial communication with interior cavity.

Due to the impervious seal of baseto sidewall, interior cavityallows bodyto function as a container for holding a variety of substances including solids and fluids. For example, bodymay hold a variety of beverages, spices, candy and/or condiments.

As shown in, first endserves the dual purpose of allowing a liquid to flow into cavityand support golf ballfor a tee shot. Openingmay be entirely surrounded by platform edgewhich is the portion of sidewallsurrounding opening. Also, openingis preferably located at first end() of the container body. The first endbeing separated from basevia sidewalland cavity. In this embodiment, platform edgeforms platformsuch that openingand platform edge extend substantially in a horizontal plane and positioned such that a substance would fall downward through the openinginto the interior cavity. For instance, in the present embodiment, openingis located at first endof the container bodyand would be oriented upward when deviceis supported by protrusionsresting on a surface or inserted into the ground of surface.

Surfacemay include any material on which golf may be practiced or played. For example, surfacemay be a grassy tee area, ground, artificial tee, artificial turf, rubberized surface, etc.

In some embodiments, the container bodymay include a main body portionand a tee or neck portion. The interior cavityof the container bodymay be divided into a first space(), defined by and within the main body portion, and a second space(), defined by and within neck portion. Second spaceextends from first spaceto opening, such that opening, second space, and first spaceare in fluid communication with one another.

The main body portionmay be significantly wider than neck portion. The neck portionmay be formed as a relatively narrow, preferably cylindrical, hollow, tube section, a proximal end of which extends from the main body portion. As shown in, neck portionincludes a tee or neck widthwhich is narrower than second or body width. As shown, body portionmay include many widths that are wider than first width. In preferred embodiments, the neck portionmay be generally straight and extends away from main body portion. The neck portionmay extend between portionand opening. Also, neck portionmay extend upwardly from the main body portionwhen the container bodyis arranged in an upright position that is supported by protrusionsin surfaceor resting on a surface (e.g., the position of). For instance, the neck portionof the present embodiment is elongated, tubular, generally straight and cylindrical, and extends vertically upward from the main body portion.

The combination of the neck portionand the body portionis beneficial to golfers. This configuration allows cavityto be large enough to hold a particular volume of fluid or food, etc. While the neck portionserves as a golf tee as it is narrower than body portionportion allows deviceto support a golf ballon platformsuch that golf club() may contact golf ballbefore contacting device.

As shown in, the distal end of neck portionmay include edgeopposite the proximal end of the neck portion(i.e. with neck portionseparating edgefrom main body portion). Edgeof the neck portionmay define opening. In some embodiments, openingand edgemay extend in horizontal plane A. For instance, in the present embodiment, edgeis circular and arranged on a horizontal plane. Further, openingmay be defined by edgeas generally circular or in other shapes such as a triangular or square. Further, openingand edgemay have non-planar arrangements as long as edgeprovides a structure suitable to hold golf ball. For example, edgemay include 3 spaced apart points or prongs arranged in a plane.

Devicemay further include a closure or cap, which may be selectively moveable from a closed position() and to an open position(). In the closed position, capis mounted to neck portionand seals openingsuch that openingis impervious to fluids and solids contained in body. In the open position, the capis removed from the neck portionand the openingis thereby exposed. In some embodiments, the devicemay include a fastener mechanism configured to secure the capto the neck portion. For instance, in the present embodiment, the fastener mechanism consists of a male threadprovided on neck portionand configured to rotationally advance with a female thread with provided inside the cap. In other embodiments, the fastener mechanism may alternatively or additionally include a snap fastener, a bayonet fastener, a friction fitting, or other fastening means configured to secure the capto the neck portionin the closed position.

For purposes describing this embodiment, openingand the edgeare dimensioned such that a standard, spherical golf ball having a diameter of 1.68 inches (42.67 mm) and a mass of 1.62 oz (45.93 g) may stably rest on the edgeand slightly pass through openingto penetrate second space. That is, opening and second spaceare configured to receive a portion of golf ball. It is noted that deviceand/or openingmay be of various sizes and may accommodate different size and shaped objects or balls such as a pickle, ping pong, football, baseball (t-ball), soccer and tennis.

As shown in, basemay include an upper surfacefacing interior cavityand openingand a lower surfacefacing away from upper surfaceand interior cavity. Lower surfacemay be opposite upper surface. As shown inand further shown in the side elevation view of, basemay extend entirely between the edge of the sidewall, and sidewallmay extend from the baseto opening. First space, or interior of the main body portion, may be defined by the upper surfaceof baseand the sidewall. For instance, main body portionof the present embodiment includes a single, generally frustoconical sidewallextending upward from the base. The sidewallmay include a rounded or convex, bottom connecting portionproviding a smooth transition between the sidewalland base.

In some embodiments, devicemay include at least one protrusionor a plurality of protrusionsattached to the lower surfaceof base. Each protrusionmay connect to lower surfaceand extend away from baseand cavitysuch that each protrusionmay extend downwardly if golf ballis positioned on opening. As shown in, this embodiment may include four protrusionsand protrusionsmay be angularly spaced apart from one another with respect to centerlineof deviceand also protrusionsmay be equidistance from each other. This arrangement of the protrusionsaids deviceto balance platform.

In some embodiments, each protrusionmay be generally elongated extending between based endand bottom edge. For instance, each protrusionmay be elongated and arcuately formed about centerline. In embodiments comprising more than one protrusion, protrusionsmay be arranged equidistant from the centerlineand/or angularly equidistant from one another; for instance, in the present embodiment, the four protrusionsare angularly equidistant from one another (or arranged at about 90-degree intervals) and equidistant from centerline. In some embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the neck portionmay be coaxially formed with the main body portionabout centerline. Protrusionsmay thus be arranged equidistant from the neck portion, and thus neck portionmay provide a convenient gripping area for maneuvering protrusionsin operation of deviceas will be described hereinafter. Also, a configuration such as that ofwith protrusionsequidistant from each other and on the periphery of base, is desirable because the center of mass is balanced allowing deviceto more easily stay upright.