Magnetic Bowling Pins for Uneven Surface Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional outdoor bowling games face challenges in stability and setup on uneven surfaces due to lack of secure anchoring mechanisms, leading to instability and difficulty in playing on various outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic bowling game kit featuring pins with magnets housed in their bases, allowing them to be securely positioned on a game board with embedded ferrous metal components, enabling upright standing and easy setup on uneven surfaces through magnetic attraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional outdoor bowling pins are used without anchoring mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the stability of the pin on uneven surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical anchoring systems (stakes, weights, or complex base structures) with a magnetic field-based retention system. Magnets embedded in the pin bases interact with ferrous metal components in the playing surface, providing secure anchoring through magnetic attraction without requiring mechanical penetration or complex structural modifications to the pins themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or property of the playing surface by incorporating ferrous metal components into it. This transforms an ordinary surface into a magnetically interactive surface, enabling the magnetic retention mechanism to function. The surface itself becomes an active participant in the anchoring system through the embedded magnetic components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If magnets are embedded in pin bases for secure positioning, then the pin stability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pin structure into separate functional components: the pin body, the base portion, and the embedded magnet. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements. The magnet can be embedded in the base portion separately from the pin body construction, allowing for more tolerant manufacturing processes in each individual component.
3Stability of the object's composition
If magnets are housed in pin bases, then the pin stability on uneven surfaces improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal magnetic anchoring system where the same magnet-and-ferrous-metal-component mechanism serves multiple functions: it anchors pins to the surface, allows for easy setup and teardown, enables play on uneven surfaces, and provides consistent pin positioning throughout the game. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for multiple separate systems or components.
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 magnetic interface provides stability to the pins, allowing for secure setup on surfaces like lawns or beaches, enhancing gameplay experience by maintaining pin stability during play.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet housed in the interior area of the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to retain the magnet in the interior area of the bottom portion
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic interface provides stability to the pins, allowing for secure setup on surfaces like lawns or beaches, enhancing gameplay experience by maintaining pin stability during play.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a magnetic bowling game kit. The magnetic bowling game kit comprises a plurality of pins, a game board, and at least one ball. In accordance with a method of gameplay, the plurality of pins are positioned on the game board at a plurality of predetermined locations. In certain embodiments, each pin in the plurality of pins comprises at least one magnet coupled to, or housed within, a bottom surface of the pin. The game board may comprise a plurality of ferrous metal components embedded in the game board at the plurality of predetermined locations. The plurality of pins may be interfaced with the surface of the game board via the magnetic attractive force between the at least one magnet and the plurality of ferrous metal components.