Hinged Shin Guard Panels with Footplate Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coaches in youth baseball or softball face risks of injury from stray pitches while warming up, as existing protective measures lack portability, ease of use, and stability during pitch warm-ups, especially when needing to stand and retrieve the ball.
Innovation Solution
A protective device comprising two or more rigid panels with a hinge, a foot plate, and optional features like L-brackets or pivotable tabs that allow the device to be easily set up, stabilized, and transported, providing protection for the lower body while allowing quick repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective device is used to shield the coach from stray pitches, then safety is improved, but portability and ease of repositioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into two separate panels that can be independently handled and positioned. Each panel can be easily carried and deployed, allowing the coach to quickly set up protection while maintaining portability. The segmented design enables the device to provide full protection when assembled while remaining simple to transport and reposition.
2Reliability
If the device is made stable during use, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the coach's own feet as the stabilizing mechanism. By placing feet on the foot plates, the coach actively engages in stabilizing the device during use. This self-service approach allows the device to be easily repositioned when needed (simply remove feet) while providing stable protection during pitch warm-ups when feet are engaged on the foot plates.
3Ease of operation
If the device structure is simplified for easy transport, then portability is improved, but stability during use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot plates serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the panels, create a stable base when the coach places their feet on them during use, and enable easy portability when the coach simply carries the lightweight panels. This multi-functional design achieves both portability and stability without requiring complex additional structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A sporting good device for protecting the lower body from ball strikes while catching warm-up pitches from a seated position. The device comprises one or more generally upright panels and a footplate or other structure designed to accommodate the user's feet. When the user is seated behind the device, and the feet engage the footplate or other structure, the device is at least partially stabilized in the upright position.