Fumble Induction Method Using Arm Segmentation and Leveraging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ball-carrying sports like American football and rugby, defenders face challenges in consistently causing a fumble, as ball carriers tend to hold the ball firmly, making it difficult to lose control randomly.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a defender making contact with the ball carrier through touch or sudden contact, followed by manipulating specific parts of the ball carrier's arm and hand to dislodge the ball, using various grasping and pushing techniques to leverage the arm and hand, allowing the defender to gain control of the ball.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ball carrier holds the ball firmly, then the ball carrier maintains secure possession, but the defender finds it difficult to cause a fumble

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball carrier's possession stabilityVSAvoiddefender's ability to cause fumble

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The defender divides the ball carrier's arm into multiple segments (upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand) and applies manipulation techniques to each segment independently. By targeting specific segments like the wrist or elbow, the defender can disrupt the ball carrier's grip without requiring full-body contact, making the fumble induction more effective despite the ball carrier's firm holding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The defender uses the ball carrier's own arm as an intermediary lever. By grasping the arm at specific locations and applying force, the defender leverages the arm's movement to indirectly affect the ball's position. This intermediary approach allows the defender to manipulate the ball carrier's grip mechanics, causing the ball to dislodge even when held firmly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the defender uses traditional tackling methods, then the ball carrier is stopped, but the ball remains securely in the ball carrier's possession

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball carrier's forward progressVSAvoidball possession stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying force to the ball carrier's body generally, the defender applies localized manipulation to specific parts of the arm and hand where the ball is gripped. By concentrating the manipulation effect at the wrist, elbow, or hand, the defender can disrupt the local grip mechanics without needing to slow down the ball carrier's overall forward progress, thus maintaining speed while compromising possession stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the defender applies force to the ball carrier's arm, then the ball may be dislodged, but the technique becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball dislodgement success rateVSAvoidmanipulation technique complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The defender applies partial action by targeting only the most critical segment of the arm for manipulation. Rather than manipulating the entire arm from shoulder to hand, the defender focuses on a specific segment (wrist, elbow, or hand) where the ball grip is most vulnerable. This partial approach simplifies the technique while maintaining high effectiveness in dislodging the ball.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20220096910A1Method of Causing a Fumble

Publication Date: 2022.03.31 SPORT EDGE LLC

AI summary

A method is provided of causing a fumble or loss of control of a ball by a ball carrier, particularly in gridiron football or rugby. A defender makes contact with the ball carrier and subsequently applies force to the arm, hand, wrist, elbow, or combinations thereof of the ball carrier sufficient to dislodge the ball.