Gravity Ball Dispensing Apparatus for Athletic Reaction Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronically enhanced games lack physical activity and muscle engagement, failing to provide the intensity and real-life relevance that athletes and older individuals seek, with most games being limited to hand-eye coordination and minimal muscle use.
Innovation Solution
A ball-dispensing apparatus that uses gravity and microchip-controlled solenoids to release balls from a housing at unpredictable intervals, allowing players to interact physically with the balls through various games, including catching, batting, and shooting, offering adjustable skill levels and game variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronically enhanced games are designed to be athletic and engaging, then physical activity and muscle engagement increase, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball housing is divided into multiple chambers, each capable of independently dispensing balls through controlled apertures. This segmentation allows the system to provide varied ball delivery patterns and game scenarios without requiring a completely complex mechanical structure, as each chamber operates relatively independently
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to support multiple game types and physical activities (catching, batting, shooting) using the same basic structure. The ball housing, dispensing mechanism, and target areas can be configured for different games, making the device versatile without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If balls are dispensed at unpredictable intervals to increase game challenge, then player engagement improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball dispensing system utilizes gravity as the primary force to move balls from chambers through apertures to the play area. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical ejection mechanisms or powered delivery systems, achieving unpredictable ball delivery patterns through simple gravitational flow combined with controlled aperture opening/closing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ball ejection systems with a gravity-based dispensing mechanism. Balls are held in chambers and released through apertures by gravity alone, controlled by simple aperture opening/closing actions rather than complex mechanical launchers or propellers
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chambers and apertures are used to increase game variety, then game versatility improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball housing is divided into multiple chambers, each capable of independently dispensing balls through controlled apertures. This segmentation allows the system to provide varied ball delivery patterns and game scenarios without requiring a completely complex mechanical structure, as each chamber operates relatively independently
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ball chambers are nested within the single ball housing structure, with each chamber containing balls that can be dispensed through its own aperture. This nested arrangement allows multiple game functions to be integrated into one compact unit without requiring separate devices for each game type
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 apparatus provides a fun and competitive way to enhance agility and physical engagement at low cost, offering a sport-like experience that can be played by all ages, promoting recreation and competition while utilizing minimal electricity and reliable components.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus also comprises a number of small push/pull solenoids which are reliable, cheap, and requires very little electricity
Implementation Method 2
uses gravity for ejecting the plurality of balls out of the device
Data Source
AI summary
An athletic game, or sport where a player interacts with ricocheting ping pong balls emitting from an apparatus, challenging the player's reaction speed, and dexterity. The apparatus is wall mounted at about eye-level, or higher, said apparatus containing one or more ball retaining, and dispensing apertures that are controlled by a programmed chip. The game is played by a player anticipating a series of balls, that have no predictable sequence, being dropped from any one of several orifices, seeing each ball drop, strike a shelf, then bounce upward, giving the player an attempt to catch, net, hit, or shoot at a time interval controlled series of balls, before any can reach the floor.