Disc Capture Frame with Hook for Retrieving Frisbees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc retrievers face challenges in effectively retrieving discs from difficult locations such as trees, bushes, tall grass, mud, and water due to issues like wind dislodging, slipping, and inadequate sealing, making it difficult to grasp and pull discs from various environments.
Innovation Solution
A rigid disc capture frame with an open design and a hook portion that allows for engaging and repositioning discs, combined with a handle attachment mechanism to prevent rotation, enabling secure capture and retrieval from challenging locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hook or net is used to retrieve discs, then the disc can be grasped, but the disc may be dislodged by wind, branches, grass, or moving water
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed to be flexible and adaptable in its gripping mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust to disc orientation and maintain secure contact despite external forces. The frame can deform slightly to conform to the disc shape and resist dislodgement.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame acts as an intermediary between the user and the disc, providing a stable intermediate structure that secures the disc through its open design before transfer. The frame's structure distributes forces across multiple contact points, reducing the impact of wind, water, and vegetation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a net is used to retrieve discs, then discs in tall grass or branches can be captured, but discs wedged between rocks or in difficult positions cannot be netted
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with an open structure that can be segmented or separated into different functional zones, allowing it to adapt to various disc positions. The open design enables the frame to access discs in confined spaces between rocks or in vegetation by adjusting its configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame's open design allows it to dynamically adjust its shape and configuration to match the specific retrieval scenario, whether the disc is in tall grass, between rocks, or in water. This dynamic adaptability enables operation in previously inaccessible locations.
3Reliability
If a spring loaded clip is used to grasp discs, then the disc can be captured on the rimmed edge, but force must be applied to open the clip and the disc may be pushed away
Solution Approach 1:
The frame employs a dynamic gripping mechanism that uses elastic deformation of the frame material itself to create and maintain grip on the disc. This eliminates the need for separate spring-loaded components and reduces the force required to engage and disengage the grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame changes its physical parameters (shape, flexibility) during operation to achieve capture. The material properties and structural configuration are optimized to provide strong gripping force during retrieval while requiring minimal activation force from the user.
4Reliability
If a suction cup is used to retrieve discs, then the disc can be grasped, but adequate sealing is difficult in brush, high grass, or mud
Solution Approach 1:
The frame's open design segments the contact points with the disc, distributing the gripping force across multiple areas rather than relying on a single sealed surface. This segmentation allows effective operation in brush, grass, and mud where creating a continuous seal is difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves as an intermediary that transfers force to the disc through multiple contact points rather than requiring a complete seal. This intermediate structure maintains grip reliability even when environmental factors prevent adequate sealing.
5Ease of operation
If a rake-like structure with tines is used, then discs can be engaged, but the tines may slip over the disc in high grass, mud, or resistant environments
Solution Approach 1:
The frame's flexible structure allows it to dynamically adapt to the disc surface and surrounding environment, maintaining reliable contact without slipping. The material and structural design enable the frame to conform to varying conditions in high grass, mud, or other resistant environments while keeping secure grip on the disc.
Data Source
AI summary
A disc retriever comprising a disc capture frame, a handle, and means for attaching the two to one another provides improvements over prior disc retrievers. A disc capture frame for a disc retriever has a disc capture space bounded on top, bottom, and lateral sides with a gap on the top side that is off center and a hook for hooking, flipping, or repositioning a disc or frisbee. A kit for making a disc retriever comprises a disc capture frame, a handle, and means for connecting the two.