Manual Throwing Arm Mechanism for Sports Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throwing apparatuses for sports training require electricity, impart spin on balls, are expensive, complex, and obstructive, and lack adjustability and portability.
Innovation Solution
A compact, stable throwing mechanism with a foot pedal, bearing assembly, and adjustable spring system that allows for manual operation, reduced friction, and easy adjustment of throwing arm position and force, enabling accurate and versatile ball throwing without electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical power is used to rotate wheels for throwing balls, then throwing performance and consistency are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical motor-driven wheel system with a purely mechanical spring-loaded throwing arm mechanism. The spring provides the throwing force, and the arm pivots on a bearing assembly, eliminating motors, electrical connections, and associated control systems while maintaining reliable ball delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the electrical power system entirely from the throwing apparatus. By eliminating the motor, battery, and electrical components, the device becomes simpler, more portable, and suitable for field use without power sources while retaining its core throwing function.
2Productivity
If rotating wheels are used to propel balls, then repetitive throwing action is achieved, but unwanted spin is imparted on the ball
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating a wheel to propel the ball forward, the invention uses a linearly moving throwing arm that pivots in an arc. The ball is held in a cradle and released by a finger mechanism, allowing the ball to be propelled forward without rotational contact that would impart spin, while still achieving repetitive throwing through the pivoting motion.
3Use of energy by moving object
If manual mechanical devices are used to eliminate electricity requirement, then portability is improved, but physical strength requirement and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The throwing arm is mounted on a bearing assembly that allows smooth pivoting motion, reducing friction and the physical effort needed to operate the device. The dynamic design enables easy cocking and releasing of the arm through a small finger movement on the release handle, rather than requiring large manual forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly uses a spherical or curved contact surface to reduce friction during the pivoting motion of the throwing arm. This curved geometry allows the arm to rotate smoothly with minimal resistance, reducing the physical strength required to operate the device while maintaining portability.
4Device complexity
If fixed throwing mechanism is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adjustability for different ball types and distances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The throwing arm position along the tube can be adjusted to different locations, and the spring tension can be modified, allowing the same simple structural design to adapt to different ball types, throwing distances, and training scenarios without adding complex mechanisms.
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 solution provides a portable, accurate, and easily adjustable throwing apparatus that reduces physical effort and cost, allowing for precise control over ball speed and distance, suitable for various ball types and training scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is adjustably mounted at one end to a leg and to power the system in an adjustable manner and the spring is connected at an opposite end to a throwing arm lever
Implementation Method 2
A bearing assembly is provided for pivotally supporting a throwing arm
Data Source
AI summary
A throwing apparatus and method for throwing objects are provided. More specifically, the throwing apparatus features improved arrangement of bearing assembly and location of movable parts which stabilize and improve the performance and accuracy of a throwing apparatus. A throwing arm lever and throwing arm are offset from one another with the bearing assembly disposed therebetween.