Clay Bird Thrower Pivoting Joint Wobble Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand throwers for clay targets lack the ability to achieve high velocity and distance while minimizing wobble during release, as they often have integrally formed components that twist or flex, causing instability in the target's flight path.

Innovation Solution

A hand thrower design featuring a pivotal connection between the target holder and handle, with the pivot axis situated a predetermined distance from the handle's end, allowing for a free-moving and catapult-like release mechanism that reduces wobble and enhances throwing distance and speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an integrally formed plastic hand thrower is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the target holder twists or flexes during throwing causing wobble and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The thrower is divided into separate components: a handle and a target holder that pivotally connect. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently and prevents the twisting/flexing problem of integrally formed designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The target holder is made pivotally connected to the handle, allowing dynamic movement during the throwing motion. This pivotal connection enables the target holder to move freely without twisting or flexing, eliminating wobble while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the target holder is pivotally connected to the handle, then wobble is reduced and target release stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thrower is divided into separate components: a handle and a target holder that pivotally connect. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently and prevents the twisting/flexing problem of integrally formed designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The target holder is made pivotally connected to the handle, allowing dynamic movement during the throwing motion. This pivotal connection enables the target holder to move freely without twisting or flexing, eliminating wobble while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the pivot connection is positioned closer to the handle end, then the catapulting effect is maximized for greater distance, but the lever arm for generating momentum is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovespeedVSAvoidlength

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot connection position is optimized at a specific distance from the handle end to balance two competing factors: maximizing the catapulting effect for distance while maintaining sufficient lever arm for momentum generation. This parameter optimization achieves the desired speed-distance performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enables targets to be released with reduced wobble and increased velocity and distance, achieving up to 10% higher speed and distance compared to traditional one-piece throwers while requiring less effort, and minimizing throwing defects.

Implementation Method 1

when the handle is caused to be moved toward a release position, the target holder end pivots about a pivot axis associated with the handle to enable the momentum of the target holder to release the target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMomentum: Conservation of Momentum

Implementation Method 2

the generally elongated portion of the target thrower engages the start-of-throw wall so that when the handle is caused to be moved toward a release position, the target holder end pivots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatapult effect: Catapult Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8887707B2Clay bird thrower

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 MTM MOLDED PRODS

AI summary

A hand held disk thrower consisting of a pivoting extended arm and launching head connected to a gripping handle that allows a wide ratios secondary action. The throwing head and arm section are designed to grip the clay target in a semicircular channeled head that offers some resistance to releasing. The arm is lengthened and arched to create both drag and centrifugal force. The launch head and arm section are attached to the handle by a pivoting joint that allows for free or flopping movement of head arm section. The combination head and launch arm and handle are constructed of a semi-rigid plastic. The thrower is designed to release a spinning disk when swung in an arc by the person grasping the handle.