Modular Home Plate Foundation Form for Synthetic Turf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for securing home plates on synthetic turf are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often result in inaccurate foundations, requiring custom designs and fabrications.

Innovation Solution

A home plate foundation form comprising an outer frame, an inner frame, and a tray, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure installation of the home plate, with a method involving excavation, placement of the form, uncured cement, and synthetic turf, ensuring accuracy and economy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom-designed wood frames are used to support home plates, then the home plate can be securely mounted, but the installation becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is divided into separate modular components: an outer frame, an inner frame, and a tray assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standardized dimensions, enabling faster assembly on-site without requiring custom fabrication of the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foundation components are pre-assembled into a complete form structure before installation. The inner frame is positioned within the outer frame, and the tray is pre-configured with adjustment mechanisms, so that the entire assembly can be installed as a single unit rather than building it step-by-step during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If custom-designed wood frames are used to support home plates, then the home plate can be securely mounted, but the process becomes labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation form is designed as a universal template that can be used for standard home plate installations. The standardized dimensions and pre-configured adjustment mechanisms allow the same form to be used across different locations without requiring custom fabrication or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray assembly includes self-adjusting mechanisms that allow the home plate position to be fine-tuned without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tools. The form itself provides the structural support and positioning features, eliminating the need for additional custom components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional foundation methods are used, then home plates can be installed, but the foundations are often inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidfoundation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation form is pre-manufactured with precise dimensions and pre-configured adjustment mechanisms. This preliminary preparation ensures that the foundation achieves the required accuracy for proper home plate positioning without requiring complex field measurements or adjustments, as the precision is built into the form itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical process of custom-cutting and assembling wood frames is replaced with a standardized form assembly system. The pre-manufactured form provides built-in alignment features and adjustment mechanisms that ensure accurate home plate positioning without requiring skilled carpentry or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If adjustable trays are added to the foundation form, then the home plate positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidform structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment functionality is isolated into a separate tray assembly that can be independently manufactured and tested. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanism to be optimized for precision without adding complexity to the main foundation form structure, as the tray assembly is a self-contained module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray assembly is nested within the inner frame, creating a compact integrated structure. The adjustment mechanisms are incorporated within the tray itself rather than adding external components, so the overall form structure remains compact and simple while providing precise positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11761153B2Forms and methods for constructing a foundation for supporting a home plate

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 SPORTSFIELD INTELLECTUAL LLC

AI summary

A home plate foundation form for supporting a home plate for playing baseball and softball includes, for example, an outer frame, an inner frame, and a tray. The outer frame incudes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The inner frame is supported in the chamber of the outer frame. The inner frame includes a bottom and a sidewall defining a chamber therein having an upper opening. The tray is supportable in the inner frame for adjustably supporting the home plate.