Mahjong Rack Slot With Nested Pusher for Secure Tile Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game setups lack an integrated solution for conveniently holding and pushing game pieces, such as Mahjong tiles, that allows for easy access and efficient tile manipulation during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A game play rack assembly comprising a rack with a slot for slidably receiving a complementary pusher, where the rack and pusher have predefined profiles, such as a dovetail shape, allowing secure storage and easy retrieval, and optionally made of transparent materials for visibility and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pusher is provided as a separate component from the rack, then the pusher can be easily replaced and adapted, but the pusher may be lost or misplaced during gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher is nested within the rack structure through a receiving compartment that houses the pusher component. This nesting arrangement ensures the pusher remains integrated with the rack during gameplay while still allowing for easy removal and replacement when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the pusher is attached to the rack by a swivel or hinge connection, then the pusher can swing away and toward the rack as needed, but the connection mechanism adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The complex swivel or hinge connection mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler receiving compartment design. The pusher is simply inserted into and removed from the compartment without requiring any rotational joints or complex connection mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational ease.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rack and pusher are made of transparent materials, then visibility and customization are enhanced, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rack and pusher components utilize composite material construction, combining transparent materials for visibility with reinforcing elements or material blends that maintain structural strength. This allows the components to be visually appealing and customizable while remaining durable enough for gameplay requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A game play rack assembly and method therefor provides a pusher and a rack having a slot therein for receiving the pusher, such that the slot retains the pusher therein until the pusher is manually removed from the slot. The predefined profile of the slot has a dovetail shape formed in between a pair of opposing feet configured to support the rack, each foot in the pair of opposing feet resembling a truncated trapezoid. The pusher is composed of a top slat and a bottom slat, and the bottom slat having a predefined profile complementary to the predefined profile of the slot. In some embodiments, the rack is made of a transparent material and the pusher includes a graphical design thereon, such that the graphical design is visible through the rack.