Mechanical Cornhole Scorekeeper With Ratcheted Team Score Dials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies do not provide a mechanical scorekeeping device specifically designed for the cornhole game, lacking the necessary improvements and features to efficiently track scores for each team.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical cornhole scorekeeper with a housing containing two dials, each with distinct colors and numbers, mounted within the housing to track scores for each team, and a ratchet mechanism to facilitate discrete position adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical scorekeeping device is designed specifically for cornhole game, then the device can efficiently track scores for each team with distinct features, but the device complexity increases compared to generic scorekeepers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific design for cornhole gameVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two distinct dials, each dedicated to tracking one team's score. Each dial is independently rotatable and features its own ratchet mechanism, allowing separate score tracking without interference. This segmentation enables the device to be specifically adapted for cornhole's two-team format while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each dial is given distinct local qualities through different color schemes (first dial with first color scheme, second dial with second color scheme) and positioned at different locations on the housing. This allows users to quickly distinguish between teams and reduces confusion, enhancing the device's suitability for cornhole without adding complex electronic identification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If distinct colors and numbers are used on each dial, then team distinction is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveteam score distinctionVSAvoidcolor and number alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs distinct color schemes on each dial (first color scheme for team one, second color scheme for team two) to provide immediate visual distinction between teams. This color differentiation is applied to the dial faces, numbers, and associated markings, enabling players to quickly identify which dial corresponds to which team without requiring precise alignment or complex coding systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color 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

Enables efficient and accurate scoring for each team in a cornhole game, allowing users to easily distinguish between teams and record scores without electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

a ratchet mechanism to facilitate discrete position adjustments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentUS20260014449A1Mechanical cornhole scorekeeper

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 EKLUND RICHARD

AI summary

A mechanical cornhole scorekeeper has a housing that includes two dials that are operably mounted within the housing. One of the two dials is a first team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around a top surface. A second dial is a second team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around a top surface.