Ball Cart Dropstep Pedal Mechanism for Hands-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volleyball coaches face difficulties in efficiently opening and closing ball carts due to having their hands full, which complicates the process of preparing the cart for transportation, highlighting a need for easier and more efficient sporting equipment solutions.
Innovation Solution
A ball cart design featuring a support frame with vertical posts, diagonal members, a dropstep pedal, springs, and a handle that allows for hands-free operation by using foot pressure to expand or collapse the cart, leveraging the spring bias to open or close the frame without manual hand intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to open and close the ball cart, then the coach can control the cart, but the coach's hands are occupied making it difficult to operate the cart when carrying balls
Solution Approach 1:
The cart utilizes spring mechanisms that automatically expand the frame when the pedal is released, and the pedal mechanism automatically collapses the frame when pressed, allowing the cart to perform its own opening and closing operations without requiring manual manipulation of multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal acts as an intermediary device between the user's foot and the cart frame, translating simple downward pressure into the complex coordinated movement of diagonal members and vertical posts required to collapse or expand the cart structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cart is designed to be easily collapsed for storage, then transportation becomes easier, but the structural integrity during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cart frame transitions between two stable configurations: an expanded configuration during use where diagonal members provide structural rigidity, and a collapsed configuration for storage where the same components are repositioned through the pedal mechanism, allowing the structure to adapt its form based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The cart is divided into modular components (vertical posts, diagonal members, pedal mechanism) that can independently move relative to each other, allowing the frame to be segmented and reconfigured from an expanded operational state to a collapsed storage state while maintaining structural integrity in both configurations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and efficient opening and closing of the ball cart using foot pressure, reducing the need for manual hand operation, facilitating quick setup, storage, and transportation while maintaining the cart's structural integrity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring, a handle, and a pedal. The movable member is movably mounted at least partially around the first vertical support post. Moreover, the movable member is configured to move along a length of the first vertical support post, and the handle is mounted to a support structure and biased toward the first vertical support post. The spring is affixed at one end to the handle and at a second end to the support structure and biased toward the handle.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball cart for holding sporting equipment is disclosed. The cart may be capable of opening for use and closing into a shape that is more convenient for storage and transportation purposes. The cart consists of multiple folding parts and a dropstep pedal to efficiently collapse a sporting equipment cart. First springs bias the cart toward an open position. Second springs bias a handle that releases the cart from a closed position and allows the bias of the first springs to open the cart. The dropstep may be operated with a user's foot and does not require the use of hands.