Self-contained heating module for lacrosse shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lacrosse players face discomfort and reduced dexterity in cold weather due to the cold temperature of lacrosse shafts, which conduct heat away from their hands, and existing gloves either fail to provide adequate protection or inhibit movement.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained heating module with heating elements, a power source, and user-operable control is integrated into the lacrosse stick shaft to emit heat to hand-holding locations, allowing players to maintain grip and dexterity without gloves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If gloves are worn to protect hands from cold, then hand warmth is improved, but dexterity and movement are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements positioned at different hand-holding locations along the shaft. This allows targeted heating of specific areas where hands naturally grip the shaft, providing warmth without requiring full-hand coverage gloves that would restrict dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements act as an intermediary between the cold environment and the player's hands. Instead of using gloves as a physical barrier, the heating elements actively generate heat at the hand-holding locations, warming the shaft surface directly where contact occurs, thereby eliminating the need for glove-based protection.
2Weight of moving object
If the lacrosse shaft is made of lightweight material, then performance is improved, but heat retention is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed to be self-powered through integration with the lacrosse stick's existing power infrastructure. The heating elements draw power from the same battery source that powers other stick features, allowing the shaft to heat itself without external intervention or additional power sources, thus maintaining lightweight construction while adding thermal management capability.
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 heating module effectively warms the lacrosse stick shaft, reducing discomfort and maintaining dexterity in cold weather, enabling players to use the stick more comfortably and effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating elements configured to emit heat to the at least two hand-holding locations
Implementation Method 2
the cold aluminum or carbon fiber of the lacrosse shaft is uncomfortable and distracting for a player. Additionally, the lacrosse shaft itself often conducts heat away from a player's hands
Data Source
AI summary
A heating apparatus for use with an athletic device having a shaft and a plurality of hand holding locations associated with portions of the shaft. The heating apparatus comprises a removable self-contained module configured to be received within an athletic device shaft and to emit heat to at least two hand-holding locations of the athletic device shaft. The self-contained module comprises a plurality of heating elements configured to emit heat to the at least two hand-holding locations. The self-contained module further comprises a power source connected to supply electrical power to the plurality of heating elements. A user-operable control is coupled to the power source and configured to selectively power on and regulate the heat released from the heating elements.