Modular Pitching And Pitchback Machine With Ball-Chute Harness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skills development aids for ball throwing and batting practice are inefficient in setup and operation, requiring significant non-development energy and time, and do not effectively facilitate enthusiastic and effective training.
Innovation Solution
A combination pitching/pitchback machine that can easily switch between pitching and pitchback modes, featuring a mounting assembly, support assembly, and a netting structure with a ball-chute harness, allowing for versatile training scenarios and efficient use of time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combination pitching and pitchback machine is designed to switch between modes, then versatility and practice time utilization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is designed with a universal mounting assembly that can accommodate both pitching and pitchback modes through a single standardized interface. The support assembly serves dual purposes by providing elevation for pitching while also enabling attachment to netting structures for pitchback, eliminating the need for separate dedicated structures for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular components including a separate mounting assembly, support assembly, and optional netting structure attachments. This segmentation allows the machine to be configured for different modes by selectively assembling or disassembling components rather than requiring a completely different structure for each function.
2Ease of operation
If the machine uses a standardized mounting assembly for both modes, then ease of operation and setup time are improved, but the precision of mode-specific configuration may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to different operational modes. The support assembly can be adjusted in position and configuration to provide precise elevation for pitching while also accommodating netting attachments for pitchback, maintaining precision through dynamic adjustment rather than fixed rigid structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball propelling apparatus is interchangeable between pitching mode and a pitch back mode. In the pitching mode, a ball propelling machine with a mounting assembly is supported by a support assembly at a height above a supporting surface. The support assembly connects to the mounting assembly. In the pitch back mode, a netting structure having a framework assembly and a ball-chute harness is provided and the framework assembly is connected to the mounting assembly while the ball-chute harness for connecting to the ball propelling machine. The framework assembly has a base assembly that is positioned to contact the supporting surface while supporting a net anchoring assembly to which netting is secured to capture and funnel thrown balls into the ball-chute harness. The balls that are funneled into the ball propelling machine by the ball-chute harness are pitched back toward the thrower.