Ball Throwing Scoop With Flap Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld devices with baskets for throwing balls face challenges in consistently lifting a stationary ball from the ground, requiring skilled maneuvering to avoid inadvertently moving the ball away from the scoop.
Innovation Solution
A scoop design with a basket and handle featuring a loading hole with a flap or obstruction that prevents the ball from falling through once loaded, allowing for easier and more consistent ball capture and throwing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional scoop design without obstruction is used, then the ball can be easily inserted into the basket, but the ball may fall through the basket unintentionally during the throwing motion
Solution Approach 1:
A flap mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the ball and the loading hole. The flap acts as a one-way gate that allows the ball to pass through during loading but prevents it from falling back through during the throwing motion, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable ball retention and ease of loading
2Reliability
If a flap mechanism is added to prevent ball from falling through, then ball retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is constructed as a flexible, thin element that can be easily integrated into the basket structure. This flexible film approach minimizes the added complexity while effectively performing the ball retention function, as the flap can be made from simple materials and integrated with minimal additional components
Data Source
AI summary
A throwing system for throwing and catching a ball of a first diameter. A scoop is provided that has a basket and a handle. The basket has a first end, a second end, a bottom surface and an open top, wherein the handle extends from the second end of the basket. A loading hole is disposed through the bottom surface of the basket. A flap or other obstruction is provided that at least partially obstructs the loading hole. The obstruction prevents the ball from passing through the loading hole in one direction. The ball is loaded into the scoop by simply pressing the scoop over the ball so that the ball passes through the loading hole and into the basket. Once in the basket, the ball can be thrown from the scoop in a traditional manner.