Interlocking Panel Ga-Ga Pit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ga-ga pits are not portable and require tools for assembly, limiting their use in indoor settings during inclement weather and accessibility for children with mobility limitations.
Innovation Solution
A portable, lightweight, and durable fenced-in ball playing area composed of interlocking panels with upward and downward slots that can be assembled without tools, allowing for easy setup indoors or outdoors and accommodating children with mobility issues through removable panels for access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a permanent Ga-ga pit is constructed outdoors, then it provides a stable playing area, but it cannot be moved indoors when weather prevents outdoor play
Solution Approach 1:
The Ga-ga pit is divided into multiple separate panels that can be individually handled and reconfigured. Each panel is a discrete unit with interlocking features, allowing the structure to be segmented for transport and reassembled in different locations (outdoors or indoors) while maintaining structural integrity when assembled
2Ease of manufacture
If a traditional Ga-ga pit is assembled, then it provides a complete playing area, but it requires tools and complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The pit structure is segmented into pre-fabricated panels with built-in interlocking mechanisms (slots and protrusions) that connect adjacent panels without requiring external fasteners or tools. This segmentation allows quick assembly by simply fitting panels together, eliminating the need for tools and reducing assembly time while still providing a complete playing area
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed with self-aligning and self-locking interlocking features that automatically secure the structure during assembly. The slots and protrusions guide the panels into proper alignment and lock them together without requiring external assistance or complex procedures, enabling rapid tool-free assembly
3Strength
If rigid flat walls are used for the Ga-ga pit, then it provides structural strength, but it creates accessibility difficulties for children with mobility limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous wall structure is segmented into discrete removable panels. This allows specific panels to be easily removed or left unsecured to create accessible entry points for children with mobility limitations, while the remaining panels maintain the structural strength and enclosure of the playing area. The modular nature enables flexible configuration to accommodate different accessibility needs
4Adaptability or versatility
If the Ga-ga pit is designed for a specific number of players, then it optimizes the playing experience, but it cannot accommodate different group sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pit is constructed from standardized, interchangeable panels of uniform dimensions and interlocking features. This segmentation allows the structure to be easily reconfigured by adding or removing panels to create playing areas of different sizes and shapes, accommodating various group sizes without increasing overall system complexity. The modular design enables flexible arrangement while maintaining consistent construction methods
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a portable fenced-in ball playing area that includes a plurality of panels that have an upward slot on one end of the panel and a downward slot at the other end of the panel. The panels are assembled into a polygon shaped pit, such as for a Ga-ga pit, by fitment of upward and downward slots on adjacent panels. No tools are necessary for assembly. The panels can include hand holes for easy carrying. Some panels may have a top indentation or recess to assist children in entering or leaving the fenced-in ball playing area, such as a Ga-ga pit. These panels can be reversed so that the recess is facing downward to form a goal opening for a game using a ball, puck or the like.