Clamshell Basketball System for Foldable, Compact Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable basketball systems are inconvenient to transport due to their unwieldy nature and bulky components, which also increase shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
A portable basketball system with a clamshell configuration that includes a base with a removable cover and a foldable backboard, allowing all components to be stored efficiently within a container for easy transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable basketball systems are designed to be movable with multiple components, then they can be relocated and used in different locations, but they become unwieldy and inconvenient to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the backboard, goal, support post, and other components inside the hollow base structure. The base acts as a container that holds all disassembled parts, allowing the entire system to be transported in a single compact unit rather than as separate bulky components.
Solution Approach 2:
The basketball system is divided into separable components including the base, backboard, goal, support post, and wheels. This segmentation allows each component to be independently stored within the base and easily reassembled at the destination, maintaining movability while improving transport convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable basketball systems include multiple bulky components, then they can function as a complete basketball system, but shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow base structure serves as a nested container that holds all other components (backboard, goal, support post, wheels, axle). This eliminates the need for separate packaging boxes for each component, reducing total packaging volume and shipping costs while maintaining system completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the base structure with the storage function by making the base hollow and using it to contain all other components. This merging of structural and storage functions reduces the number of separate packaging elements needed, thereby reducing overall packaging volume and shipping costs.
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
The system reduces packaging needs and shipping costs by enabling all components to be contained in a cost-effective size and shape for transport, facilitating user and delivery driver efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a blow-molded plastic structure that includes living hinges which may enable the backboard to be folded
Data Source
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AI summary
One example of a basketball system includes a goal, a backboard to which the goal is attachable, a support structure that is connectible to the backboard, legs that are attachable to the support structure, and a base to which the legs are attachable, and the base is sized and configured to completely enclose the goal, the backboard, the support structure, and the legs. The backboard is configured to fold when not in use.