Lighted Shuffleboard Weight with Transmissive Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shuffleboard game weights lack visibility and aesthetics in low-light environments, which can hinder gameplay and player experience.
Innovation Solution
A lighted shuffleboard weight design featuring a cylindrical base made of opaque material and a cap made of light transmissive material, housing LED lamps and a circuit board that emit visible light upward and outward through the cap, with a switch and power supply for control, enhancing visibility and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional opaque shuffleboard weights are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but visibility and aesthetics in low-light environments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds electronic components (LED lights, battery, circuit board) within the hollow cavity of the shuffleboard weight. The light transmissive cap encloses these components, creating a nested structure where the cap serves as both a structural element and a light guide, resolving the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a compact nested design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies light transmissive material specifically to the cap portion of the weight while keeping the base opaque. This localized application of transparency allows light to pass through the cap for visibility while maintaining the structural integrity and weight of the opaque base, thus improving visibility without requiring the entire weight to be transparent or overly complex
2Illumination intensity
If light transmissive cap with LED lamps is added, then visibility and aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the weight into separable components: an opaque base and a light transmissive cap that can be assembled and disassembled independently. The cap contains the electronic components as a separate module, allowing manufacturers to produce the base and cap separately and assemble them, thereby improving manufacturing ease while maintaining the light-emitting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The battery-powered LED system operates autonomously without requiring external wiring or power sources during gameplay. The self-contained power supply and lighting system simplify manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex external connections, making the product easier to manufacture while providing improved visibility
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 lighted shuffleboard weight improves visibility and aesthetics in lighted or low-light environments, providing an enhanced gameplay experience by illuminating the game pieces.
Implementation Method 1
At least one lamp is in the internal storage cavity and operably connected to the circuit board. The at least one lamp is arranged to emit visible light upward and outward through the cap
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide weights used as game pieces with shuffleboard game tables. The weights include an opaque base and a light transmissive cap. One or more lamps, such as LED lamps, are mounted within the weight to illuminate the game playing piece. A plurality of weights may be used on a shuffle game table.