Hook-and-Latch Gaming Projectile for Accurate Contact Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sports projectiles, such as balls in games like football, basketball, and soccer, lack means to attach to other objects, making it difficult to determine successful avoidance or contact, especially in games where avoiding the projectile is a strategy.
Innovation Solution
The use of a gaming projectile with hook-and-latch material, such as Velcro, that can attach to opponents' apparel and targets, combined with an electronic counting device to detect attachment, ensuring accurate scoring and contact detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional projectiles without attachment means are used, then the game follows traditional sports rules, but it becomes difficult to definitively determine whether a player has successfully avoided contact with the projectile
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is segmented into two functional components: the ball body and the attachment means (Velcro material). This segmentation allows the ball to maintain its traditional role as a projectile while the attached Velcro material provides the attachment function, resolving the contradiction between simple projectile structure and accurate contact detection
Solution Approach 2:
The Velcro material acts as an intermediary between the projectile and the target (player or goal). This intermediary component enables definitive contact detection by providing a mechanism that reliably attaches to the target upon contact, while not fundamentally altering the projectile's basic structure or function
2Ease of operation
If players must grasp and apply pressure to secure the ball, then the game follows conventional sports mechanics, but it lacks means for automatic attachment to goals or apparel
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is equipped with self-service attachment capability through the Velcro material. Upon contact with the target, the projectile automatically attaches without requiring players to grasp and apply pressure, making the securing process effortless while ensuring reliable attachment to goals or apparel
3Measurement precision
If no attachment means are provided on goals or apparel, then the game equipment remains simple, but definitive scoring and contact detection cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment means (Velcro material) is applied locally to specific areas of the goals and apparel rather than uniformly throughout. This localized application provides the necessary attachment functionality for accurate scoring and contact detection while minimizing the increase in equipment complexity
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
Enables definitive scoring and contact detection by allowing projectiles to securely attach to targets and players, enhancing gameplay clarity and fairness.
Implementation Method 1
The projectile may include a nylon material comprising many closely knit hooks that may attachable to a reciprocal nylon material comprising latches
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system and method for engagable projectiles and targets. The game comprises a novel sport called Acroball™ wherein players may attempt to obtain objectives (e.g., score points) by throwing a projectile at other players or targets. The projectiles include a material comprising many closely knit hooks that may be attachable to a reciprocal material comprising latches. Using such a hook and latch combination, the various projectiles may be thrown or maneuvered to attach to opponents of targets according to the objectives of the underlying game.