Foldable Ball Return Device for Target Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball return systems for target games are cumbersome and tedious for players to retrieve balls, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A foldable ball return device with a main container, top catch panels, and a collapsible ball return channel that directs balls back to the player, allowing for easy setup, use, and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional ball return system is used, then balls can be returned to the player, but the system is cumbersome and tedious requiring manual retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically returns balls to the player without requiring manual retrieval. The ball return channel and catch panels work together to automatically redirect balls after they leave the target area, eliminating the need for players to manually pick up and return balls.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into functional segments: the main container holding the target, the top catch panels for intercepting balls, and the ball return channel for directing balls back to the player. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall system manageable.
2Volume of moving object
If the ball return device is made compact for storage, then portability is improved, but the functional components must be collapsible which adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with collapsible components. The top catch panels can be folded onto the main container, and the ball return channel can be collapsed, allowing the device to change its configuration between operational and storage states.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible components are designed to nest within the main container when not in use. The ball return channel can be retracted into the main container, and the catch panels fold onto the container surface, creating a compact nested configuration for storage.
3Reliability
If the top catch panels are extended upwards and outwards to create a backboard, then ball direction control is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top catch panels are designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing them to extend upwards and outwards when needed to create an effective backboard for ball direction control, and then fold flat onto the main container when not in use to minimize the device footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a ball return device for a target-tyle game, which may comprise a main container configured to support at least one target; top catch panels coupled to a top edge of the main container and configured to extend upwards and outwards with respect to the top edge of the main container and to create a backboard which directs a ball thrown at the backboard into the main container; and a ball return channel configured to convey balls from the main container to a player located remotely from the main container, wherein the top catch panels are configured to fold onto the main container, and wherein the ball return device is configured to pack into a compact unit.