Batting Tee Continuous Channel Guide Rail System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing batting practice tees lack full coverage of the hitting area, restrict tee movement, and suffer from instability during use, leading to unwanted repositioning and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-adjustable batting tee with a base assembly featuring a continuous channel and an inner-locking guide rail system, allowing the tube assembly to be moved and locked securely across the entire hitting area, providing enhanced stability and full coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pin and hole system or multi-position tee holes are used to allow rotation to different positions, then the tee can be placed in multiple locations on the base, but the tee still does not provide full coverage of the hitting area and restricts ball placement to specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static pin-and-hole positioning system into a dynamic continuous adjustment system. The tube assembly can be rotated to any angle and locked at any position along the circular channel, providing continuous adaptability rather than discrete positions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling full hitting area coverage without requiring a complex grid of pins and holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented into a circular channel that allows independent rotational adjustment of the tube assembly. This segmentation separates the positioning function into radial and angular components, enabling the tube to be placed at any location along the circular path rather than being constrained to fixed positions, thus achieving full coverage with a simpler system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a slotted horizontal support member is used to allow pivoting about a central point, then additional tee adjustment is provided, but the tee still does not allow ball placement in front of the base or along the sides where optimal force can be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a rotational dimension to the tube assembly positioning. Instead of only linear movement along a slot, the tube can now rotate around the central axis and lock at any angular position. This dimensional addition enables placement in front of and along the sides of the base, providing complete circular coverage of the hitting area while maintaining ease of operation through simple rotation and locking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete grooved slots spaced apart are used in the base assembly, then some tee positioning is enabled, but the tee does not permit ball positioning at any desired location over the base assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal circular channel system that serves multiple positioning functions simultaneously. A single continuous circular channel replaces multiple discrete spaced slots, allowing the tube assembly to be positioned at any angular location around the base. This universal system provides complete positional flexibility without the complexity of multiple separate channel systems.
4Area of stationary object
If a non-standard home plate with forward extension is used to create grooved channels, then extended positioning range is achieved, but the tee is not movable across and through the surface of a standard home plate area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the base forward to achieve positioning coverage, the patent inverts the approach by creating a circular channel that rotates around the central axis. This allows the tube to reach all positions around and through the standard home plate area by rotation rather than by base extension, maintaining compatibility with standard home plate dimensions while achieving complete coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved multi-adjustable batting practice tee featuring a base assembly with an improved tube assembly thereby enhancing tube movement and overall batting tee stability is disclosed. The base assembly is configured to have standard dimensions for a “HOME PLATE” in accordance with the rules of Major League baseball. The base assembly includes a continuous channel positioned across the entire horizontal plane of the base assembly that includes an inner-locking guide rail system for enhanced batting tee stability.