Multi-Ball Rake Head Structure to Prevent Ball Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball collection tools for sports like baseball and softball are inefficient for collecting large numbers of heavy balls scattered over varied terrain and are often fragile, making manual collection the primary method.
Innovation Solution
A ball rake with a broad horizontal rake head, durable materials like steel or aluminum, and design features to prevent ball escape, allowing efficient collection on flat terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a grappler is used to collect balls one-by-one, then balls can be retrieved from hard-to-access areas, but the collection efficiency is too low for large numbers of balls
Solution Approach 1:
The rake head is divided into multiple tines or teeth that can individually penetrate and lift balls from the ground, allowing simultaneous collection of multiple balls across different locations rather than one-by-one retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical one-by-one ball retrieval (grappler method) to horizontal multi-ball collection across the field surface, adding spatial dimensionality to the collection process by sweeping across the ground with the rake head
2Ease of manufacture
If a plastic ball rake is used, then the tool is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but it is too fragile to withstand impacts from baseballs or softballs
Solution Approach 1:
The rake combines a wooden or composite handle with a metal rake head, creating a composite tool that balances manufacturing ease with impact resistance - the metal head withstands ball impacts while the handle remains relatively simple to produce
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the rake have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the rake head uses hard, impact-resistant material to withstand ball strikes, while the handle uses lighter material for ease of manipulation, with each component's material selected for its local requirements
3Productivity
If a broad horizontal rake head is used to collect multiple balls at once, then collection efficiency improves, but the tool becomes harder to maneuver on varied terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The rake head is designed to be flexible or adjustable rather than rigid and fixed, allowing it to adapt its shape and configuration to different ground conditions and ball distributions, making the broader rake head more maneuverable on varied terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The rake head incorporates vertical dimension through elevated tines or teeth that lift balls off the ground, allowing the broad horizontal structure to clear terrain irregularities while maintaining its wide collection surface
Data Source
AI summary
A ball rake and method of manufacture are disclosed herein. The ball rake is a hand-held device for collecting objects such as baseballs and softballs (“ball rake”) to provide an effective and time-saving device for ball collection both on a field and in a batting cage. The ball rake addresses the need for a ball collection tool that is particularly suitable for baseballs, softballs, and the like. The ball rake includes a handle and a rake head. The rake head may have a solid horizontal blade or a set of blades. The rake head is high enough to prevent balls from escaping over a top edge of the rake or through any spaces or openings between the blade(s). The arms of the rake head are angled towards the front of the blade to prevent the collected balls from escaping from the left or right side of the rake head.