Fielder's Dome Mat with Insertable Bump Elements for Agility Training
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current baseball and softball training drills that use obstacles require time-consuming setup and repositioning, disrupting practice efficiency and wasting valuable training time for coaches and players.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, one-piece Fielder's Dome Mat with insertable bump elements that can be easily transported and positioned, eliminating the need for multiple obstacles and allowing for efficient execution of training drills, while providing a range of lateral and height bounces to enhance hand-eye coordination and agility training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional obstacles (PVC pipe, cones, logs) are used for hop drills, then the drill can be set up, but the obstacles require time-consuming transport and setup, and they move out of position during use, wasting valuable practice time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate obstacles into a single integrated mat structure with interconnected raised elements. The mat integrates numerous hop obstacles that are permanently positioned and cannot move during use, eliminating the setup and repositioning time required for traditional separate obstacles while maintaining the drill's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacles are pre-positioned and fixed into the mat structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for setup during practice sessions. The mat arrives ready-to-use with all hop elements in their correct positions, allowing coaches and players to immediately begin drills without time-consuming arrangement.
2Reliability
If multiple separate obstacles are used for hop drills, then the drill can be performed, but the obstacles need to be repositioned when they move out of position, disrupting practice flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate obstacles into a single integrated mat structure with interconnected raised elements. The mat integrates numerous hop obstacles that are permanently positioned and cannot move during use, eliminating the setup and repositioning time required for traditional separate obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the obstacles movable and requiring repositioning, the invention inverts the approach by making the entire obstacle system fixed and stable. The mat structure prevents any movement of the hop elements, so repositioning is never needed.
3Ease of operation
If a single mat with bump elements is used, then setup is quick and convenient, but the mat needs to be large enough to provide sufficient lateral and height bounce range for effective training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the training mat into multiple modular sections that can be connected together. Each section contains an array of bump elements, and sections can be linked to form larger continuous training surfaces, allowing the system to scale from small individual mats to large multi-player configurations as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat sections are designed with standardized connection features that allow them to be configured in various arrangements. The same basic section can be used individually or combined with other sections to create different sized training areas, making the system adaptable to different practice space constraints and player numbers.
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 Fielder's Dome Mat significantly improves practice efficiency, speed, and convenience by allowing for quick setup and use, enhancing hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and agility training with its adjustable bump elements, suitable for various ages and sports.
Implementation Method 1
The bump elements may be any three dimensional shape including symmetric or asymmetric spherical sections, polygonal, or irregular, such as an arrowhead shape
Data Source
AI summary
A sports training mat with a plurality of inserted or insertable bump elements configured to create an unpredictable change in trajectory when a ball contacts one or more bump element. The mat may be carried to a field or indoor practice area and then used to deflect balls that are rolled over it. The bump elements may be any three dimensional shape including symmetric or asymmetric spherical sections, polygonal, or irregular, such as an arrowhead shape. The relatively small three-dimensional “bump elements” provide a surprising lateral and height range of bounce, thereby requiring the athlete to move laterally quickly in response to the bounce. Mat sections have side edge mating features that are configured to connect two or more mat sections to form a single elongated training device. The device eliminates the need to set-up multiple training obstacle elements, and substantially improves the convenience of executing training drills, speed in repetitions, and practice efficiencies for both players and coaches.