Recessed Grip Ring Structure for Lawn Bowl Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn bowls made of smooth plastics material face issues with grip, particularly during launch and release, necessitating improved and customizable grip rings.
Innovation Solution
A lawn bowl design featuring a first groove with a resiliently deformable band fitted into a second groove, enhancing grip and aesthetics, with customizable color options, manufactured from materials like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grip rings are formed by grooves cut into the surface of the bowl, then grip pattern is provided, but the grip rings may contact other bowls in play causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring is nested within a recessed area of the bowl surface, creating a hierarchical structure where the grip element is contained within a larger structural feature. This nesting allows the grip ring to provide enhanced friction for hand placement while being physically separated from other bowls during play, eliminating interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip ring is positioned in a different vertical dimension (recessed into the surface) rather than being on the outer surface. This dimensional change allows the grip element to maintain its functional proximity to the hand while physically separating it from the play area where other bowls operate, thus eliminating harmful interference.
2Ease of manufacture
If the grip ring surface is made smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but grip friction is insufficient for launch and release
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring incorporates localized surface modifications (such as knurling, dimpling, or texturing) only in the specific areas where hand contact occurs, while the rest of the bowl surface remains smooth. This localized quality change provides enhanced grip friction exactly where needed without complicating the overall manufacturing process excessively.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip ring may be formed from a different material with higher friction properties than the main bowl body, or from the same material with modified surface properties. This composite approach allows the grip element to provide superior friction while maintaining compatibility with the overall bowl manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If grip rings are made prominent on the surface, then grip is enhanced, but aesthetics and customization options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring is implemented as a localized feature within a recessed area, allowing the majority of the bowl surface to maintain its aesthetic quality. This localization enables customization of the grip area independently from the overall bowl design, preserving aesthetic options while providing functional grip enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip ring can be designed with adjustable characteristics (such as depth, width, surface texture, and material) that can be modified to match different aesthetic preferences while maintaining functional grip properties. This dynamic design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple aesthetic and customization requirements.
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
Provides enhanced grip and friction for consistent handling while avoiding interference with other bowls, offering customization and improved aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable or elastic band which fits into the second groove such the surface of the band is flush with or slightly proud of the surface of the first groove
Implementation Method 2
making contact with the resiliently deformable or elastic band to provide enhanced grip or friction for launch
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a bowl. The bowl is provided with at least one grip ring, which grip ring is in the form of a first groove formed into the surface of the bowl and a second groove formed into the surface of the first groove, and a resiliently deformable or elastic band which fits into the second groove such the surface of the band is flush with or slightly proud of the surface of the first groove.