WO2006099654A1

WO2006099654A1 - Article for displaying promotional material

Info

Publication number: WO2006099654A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brenton Nigel Lawrence
Original assignee: Brenton Nigel Lawrence
Priority date: 2005-03-24
Filing date: 2005-03-24
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

An article for displaying promotional material, comprising: at least one sheet of material adapted to be formed into a folded three-dimensional configuration so that at least part of a surface of the sheet of material provides a viewable surface for displaying promotional material, and the sheet being provided with at least one fastening portion for retaining the sheet in the folded three-dimensional configuration. The article may be, but is not limited to a support for a ball, and may be a golf tee.

Description

ARTICLE FOR DISPLAYING PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL

Field, of the Invention

The present invention relates to an article for displaying promotional material and especially, but not exclusively, to such an article in the form of a tee for golf.

Background of the Invention In many sports it is desirable to have a medium for displaying promotional material.

In the sport of golf, corporate and charity events are common.

Tees have been used in golf for many years. However, conventional golf tees have a small visible surface area, and are not well suited for displaying - promotional material .

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article for displaying promotional material, comprising: at least one sheet of material adapted to be formed into a folded three-dimensional configuration so that at least part of a surface of the sheet of material provides a viewable surface for displaying promotional material, and the sheet being provided with at least one fastening portion for retaining the sheet in the folded three-dimensional configuration. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article for supporting a ball comprising: a support portion for support the ball relative to a surface; and a direction alignment portion for alignment in a direction substantially in which it is desired to project the ball.

In a preferred embodiment the direction alignment portion is provided by one or both of the sides of a square tee, which can be aligned to point towards the target. As one alternative a corner of a tee may be used to point towards the target. Preferably the article further comprises an impact alignment portion for indicating the correct alignment, at impact, of at least part of an item of equipment used to projeat the ball.

In a preferred embodiment this is provided by a rear face of a tee.

Preferably the impact alignment portion is connected to the directional alignment portion so as to indicate an alignment which is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which it is desired to project the- ball.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an article for supporting a ball, comprising a structure for defining a volume of air substantially under the ball, wherein upon impact of an item used to project the ball the structure deforms expelling at least some air in an upwards direction. Expelling air in an upwards direction may exert adequate upwards pressure on the ball to assist launch of the ball.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of striking a ball from a. tee comprising: using a tee which has at least one visible portion, which is visible in use when a ball is supported on the tee; aligning the tee so that said visible portion is in a predetermined orientation relative to the direction in which it is desired to strike the ball; setting the ball upon the tee; using the visible portion as a guide to assist in striking the ball towards the target; and ' striking the ball.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an article for displaying promotional material, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in a folded configuration ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing one side of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an unfolded configuration; Pig. 3 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing the other side of the embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view, otherwise corresponding to the view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a first intermediate stage in changing the configuration of the article from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration;

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a second intermediate stage in changing the configuration of the article from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration;

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a third intermediate stage in changing the configuration of the article from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 in folded configuration supporting a golf ball;

Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in folded configuration; and

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show an embodiment with different proportions to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 9 but otherwise corresponding to the view of Figs 1 to 3, respectively.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

With reference to Figs. 1 to 9, a preferred embodiment of an article for displaying promotional information is in the form of a golf tee generally designated 10 formed entirely from a flat sheet of material cut to the desired shape (and scored, as will be discussed below) . The sheet is preferably coated cardboard but other materials may be used. The tee 10 comprises first, second, third and fourth panels 11, 12, 13, 14, respectively. The first to fourth panels are connected side to side, so that the first panel 11 may be regarded as being at a first end of the sheet of material and the fourth panel 14 at a second end. A first connection tab 15 is connected to the free side of the first panel 11 and a second connection tab 16 is connected to the free side of the fourth panel 14.

Each panel is similar in shape to the others, so only the shape of the first panel 11 will be described in full detail.

The first panel has a curved top edge 21 and a straight bottom edge 22 which extends across a laterally central portion of the bottom of the panel. At the lateral extremes of the bottom of the panel are first and second projecting portions 23, 24 which, in use, act as foot portions.

The lateral bonds of the first panel 11 are defined by panel sides which extend between the projecting portions 23, 24 and the top edge 21. The panel sides are not parallel but are angled at 18 degrees to each other so that the panel is tapered, or may be regarded as being a truncated segment in shape.

The differences between the individual panels will now be described. The second and third panels 12, 13 have both sides defined by score lines. Thus the width of the second panel 12 is defined by first and second score lines 31, 32 and the width of the third panel is defined by the second score line 32 and a third score line 33. The first panel 11 is defined at the side which is shared with the second panel 12 by the first score line 31. The first panel 11 is defined at its other side by a fourth score line 34 which extends from the projecting portion 23 about half way towards the top edge 21, and by a free edge 25 which extends about half way from the top edge 21 towards the projecting portion. The fourth score line 34 represents the boundary between the first panel 11 and the first tab 15.

The fourth panel 14 is defined at the aide which is shared with the third panel 13 by the third score line 33. The fourth panel 14. is defined at its other aide by a fifth score line 35 which extends about half way from a top edge 26 of the fourth panel towards the bottom of the fourth panel 14, and by a free edge 28 which extends about half way from the bottom of the fourth panel 14 towards the top edge 26 of the fourth panel 14. The fifth score line 35 represents the boundary between the fourth panel and the second tab 16.

The first tab 15 includes an attached part 17 attached to the first panel 11 at the fourth score line 34 and a free projecting part 18 which is not directly attached to the first panel 11, but is attached across its width to the attached part 17. A sixth score line 36 is provided between the attached part 17 and the free projecting part 18.

The second tab 16 includes an attached part 19 attached to the fourth panel 11 at the fifth score line, and a free projecting part 20 connected to the attached part 19 at the seventh score line 37.

The first and second tabs 15, 16 are generally in the form of elongate rectangles aligned parallel to the sides of the first and fourth panels 11, 14 to which they are connected.

It will be appreciated that the first to seventh score lines 31 to 37 become fold lines in use and that either term may be considered appropriate. Various methods of scoring or otherwise weakening parts of sheet materials to facilitate folding are known per se, and could be used if desired.

As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the top edges 21 and 26 of the first and fourth panels 11, 14 and top edges 27, 29 of the second and third panels are arcuate and form a continuous arcuate edge when the tee is in its unfolded configuration.

The steps of configuring the tee from the flat unfolded configuration of Figs. 2 and 3 to the folded configuration of Fig. 1 will now be described, with particular reference to Figs . 4 to 7.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view generally corresponding to the view of Fig. 3. The first step is to fold the sheet along the first, second and third score lines 31, 32, 33, which results in a configuration substantially as shown in Fig. 5. The next step is to fold the first and second tabs 15, 16 so that the planes of the tabs are generally perpendicular to the first and fourth panels 11, 14, respectively. The tabs 15, 16 are folded so that they point towards each other (so that they will eventually be concealed in the interior of the tee) . This results in the configuration substantially as shown in Fig. 6. The next step is to insert the fourth score line

34 between the free projecting part 20 and the fourth panel 14, simultaneously inserting the fifth score line 35 between the free projecting part 18 and the first panel 11, as illustrated in Fig. 7. Aligning the top edges 21, 26 of the first and fourth panels 11, 14 results in the tee being configured ready for use, and the tabs 15, 16 being concealed within the tee.

With reference to Fig. 8, a golf ball 40 may be supported by the tee. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the golf ball 40 is supported on the top edges 21, 26, 27, 29 of the panels.

It is considered desirable that the area of contact between the tee and the ball be very small. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the ball is supported by only very small central parts of the top edges 21, 26, 27, 29 of the panels. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the tee and shows schematically the support parts 41, 42, 43, 44 of the top edges. (Fig. 9 also illustrates the concealed positions of the tabs 15, 16 in. the interior of the tee) . it will be appreciated that although the top edges may be considered somewhat concave, the radii of curvature of the top edges are significantly greater than the radius of the golf ball. In a preferred embodiment the radius of curvature of each top edge is approximately 6.5 cm (2.5 inches), whereas the radius of a golf ball is approximately 2cm (0.8 inches). The concave top edges thus provide an attractive appearance without greatly increasing the contact area between the tee and the ball.

The illustrated preferred embodiment of a golf tee is approximately 44mm high, 34mm wide at the bottom and 20mm wide at the top. Of course, other sizes may be provided and it is envisaged that providing three heights (about 22-25mm, about 31-33mm and about 43 -45mm) would allow most players to choose a suitable height tee for most playing styles, golf clubs and situations.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 correspond generally to the views of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but illustrate a shorter tee 50, about 25mm high, but still 34mm wide at the base. It will be appreciated that the shorter tee 50 must be more steeply tapered. Thus the angle between the sides of each panel 51, 52, 53, 54 in the illustrated embodiment of the tee 50 is about 31.2 degrees. It will further be noted that unlike the tee of Figs. 1 to 9 the radius of curvature of the top edges 55, 56, 57, 58 does not correspond to the distance between the top edges and the imaginary point of convergance of the score lines which define the panel sides. Thus the top edges 55, 56, 57, 58 do not form a continuous arc, but instead each top edge 55, 56, 57, 58 has a larger radius of curvature, in order to avoid unduly increasing the amount of contact with the golf ball.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of tees may be suitably proportioned for supporting balls other than golf balls. For example rugby balls and softballs are often supported by tees.

It will also be appreciated that not all embodiments will be tees. One embodiment is a marker for use at golf tee areas, or for use as a table marker, for example, at golf related dinners. Such a marker would preferably be between 10cm and 20cm high, and could be made to look like an oversized golf tee, even to the extent of supporting an oversized replica golf ball. A preferred embodiment is 14cm in height.

Returning now to the preferred embodiment in the form of a golf tee, it has been found that a number of advantages over conventional golf tees are provided.

One advantage iε that the illustrated embodiment provides adequate surface area for promotional material. Furthermore the tapered, truncated-pyramid shape provides faces which face upwards to some extent, allowing effective viewing even by a standing person when the tee is on the ground. Because the tee may be printed when in the form of a flat sheet of material, printing can be simple and economical.

A further advantage is that the tee is free standing, and it is not required to insert the tee into the ground, which can be difficult if the ground is dry and hard, or inappropriate at, for example, driving ranges .

A further advantage if that the contact is between the golf ball and the tee is very small.

In preliminary testing, drives from a prototype tee have been found to have greater range than from conventional tees. It is believed that this is due to one or more of the following factors: the smaller contact area may reduce at least some component of spin imparted to the ball, allowing more energy to be converted to linear velocity; energy is not wasted in forcing a tee out of the ground (a conventional tee may require considerable force to remove it from the ground) .

Another advantage over a conventional tee is that the tee can be used as a guide to help properly align a club face. Because the preferred embodiment of the tee is square in shape, if two parallel edges of the square are aligned to point at a target (which may be the pin or an area to which it is desired to hit a ball) , then the other two edges will be perpendicular to the direction between the tee and the target. A player can therefore align a club face perpendicular to the desired direction of play by aligning the club face parallel with the rear of the tee- This can improve directional accuracy, and also improve range since a player may be able to concentrate more on the mechanics of the swing. It may also encourage a user to keep watching the apofc where the tee is placed through the entire swing, which is known to be desirable for good technique .

An alternative embodiment may be in the form of a truncated triangular pyramid, in which case a point of the triangle could be used to point towards the target, thus aligning the opposite side perpendicular to the target direction.

It will be appreciated that a preferred embodiment of tee deforms on impact by a club and also that it defines a volume of air under the ball . It is believed that upon impact by the club, air is forced upwards out of the tee, and that this may lift the ball slightly, providing a further reduction in friction from the tee when the ball is struck.

Tees made in accordance with the preferred embodiments have been found to be robust in use. Although they may deform upon impact by a club, this generally does not cause significant permanent damage, and tees may be refolded and reused. Furthermore, the described embodiment is easily visible and hence generally easy to retrieve.

One envisaged embodiment may be provided in the form of a business card, either in the shape of the sheet of material (for example as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 10 or 11) or rectangular in form with a sheet of material that can be removed from the remainder of the card, for example using perforations. Although score lines are described in relation to the preferred embodiment., these could be replaced by other regions of material which are weakened or made more flexible compared to the surrounding material in other ways, for example by use of perforated lines.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it will be appreciated that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example although a four sided shape is preferred, shapes with three, five or more sides could be used. Also, although a preferred means of retaining the article in its folded form comprises tabs on the two end panels, other retaining means, such as hook and loop fasteners, releasable adhesive, press studs, elastic bands etc. could be used. Different sizes with different taper angles could be used.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as

"comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claims ;

1. An article for displaying promotional material, comprising: at least one sheet of material adapted to be formed into a folded three-dimensional configuration so that at least part of a surface of the sheet of material provides a viewable surface for displaying promotional material, and the sheet being provided with at least one fastening portion for retaining the sheet in the folded three-dimensional configuration.

2. An. article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet of material comprises a plurality of panel portions adapted to provide respective faces of the folded three-dimensional configuration, each panel portion being at least partially defined by a boundary between the given panel portion and an adjacent panel portion.

3. An article as claimed in claim 2 wherein each boundary comprises at least one selected from a fold; a line of weakness or increased flexibility in the sheet material; a marking indicating a desirable position of a fold.

4. An article as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 wherein the sheet of material comprises a first-end panel portion, one or more intermediate panel portions and a second-end panel portion.

5. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein there are provided two intermediate panel portions .

6. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein at least two of the panel portions are tapered so that the folded three-dimensional configuration of the article is tapered, having, in use, a wider base and a narrower top.

7. An article as claimed, in any preceding claim wherein there are provided complimentary fastening portions, at spaced apart positions on the sheet of material, adapted to engage and be retained relative to each other to retain the sheet in the folded three- dimensional configuration.

8. An article as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fastening portions are in the form of portions of the sheet of material adapted to mutually interlock.

9. An article as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8 wherein a first fastening portion is located on or attached to a first-end panel portion of the sheet and a second fastening portion is located on or attached to a second-end panel portion of the sheet.

10. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one fastening portion is adapted to be located substantially inside the article when the article is in the folded three-dimensional configuration.

11. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the article is a tee for supporting a ball used in a game or sport .

12. An article as claimed in either of claim 11 and including the features of claim 2, wherein at least two of the panel portions have at least one support edge adapted to support said ball .

13. An article as claimed in claim 12 wherein the support edges are shaped to provide a concave region adapted to support a ball.

14. An article as claimed in either of claims 12 or 13 wherein the article is adapted, to support a ball on only the centres of the support edges.

15. An article as claimed, in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the article is a golf tee.

16. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet material is one selected from: paper; cardboard; a synthetic plastic material.

17. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, when not in its folded three-dimensional configuration, the article can be in the form of a business card.

18. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, in its folded three-dimensional configuration, the article is substantially in the form of a truncated pyramid.

19. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the form is substantially that of a truncated four sided pyramid.

20 An article as claimed in claim 18 wherein in the folded three-dimensional configuration the article has a height of between about 20 mm (0.8 inches) and 50 mm (2 inches) .

21. An article as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the article is at least 10 cm tall.

22. An article as claimed in claim 21 wherein the article includes, in use, an imitation of a golf ball, larger than a standard golf ball, so that, in use, the article is a larger than life-size reproduction of a golf tee with a golf ball thereon.

23. A method o£ striking a ball from a tee comprising: using a tee which has at least one visible portion, which ie visible in use when a ball is supported on the tee; aligning the tee so that said visible portion is in a predetermined orientation relative to the direction in which it is desired to strike the ball; setting the ball upon the tee; using the visible portion as a guide to assist in striking the ball towards the target; and striking the ball.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of setting the ball is performed after the step of aligning the tee.

25. A method as claimed in either of claims 23 or 24 wherein the method is a method of striking a golf ball.

26. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25 wherein at least part of the visible portion is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which it is desired to strike the ball.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the step of using the visible portion as a guide includes orienting or attempting to orient a club face substantially parallel to at least part of the visible portion.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 27 wherein the tee is substantially square or triangular in horizontal cross-section.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 28 wherein the tee is an article as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20.