Moldable Paddle Edge Guard for Lightweight Wear Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paddle heads suffer wear and damage from contact with playing surfaces during sports, and existing head guards do not adequately protect the outer edge.
Innovation Solution
A paddle head guard system featuring a moldable and hardenable band that hardens to a Shore A hardness of at least 70, applied to the outer edge of the paddle head, providing a durable protective shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective guard is applied to the paddle head, then wear and damage resistance is improved, but the weight of the paddle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thin film guard (thickness ≤2.0 mm) that forms a flexible yet protective shell over the paddle head outer edge. This thin film structure provides wear and damage resistance while minimizing weight addition, directly resolving the contradiction between protection and weight.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a thick protective layer is used, then protection durability is improved, but the thickness and weight of the guard increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the guard thickness parameter to be no greater than 2.0 mm, finding the optimal balance between protection durability and minimal thickness. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient protection while maintaining a thin profile that does not significantly increase weight or alter paddle performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a moldable material is used, then adaptability to different paddle shapes is improved, but the material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes materials that change their physical state from moldable to hardened, allowing the guard to be shaped to fit different paddle head contours during application, then lock into place. This phase change capability provides high adaptability to various paddle shapes while keeping the material system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard material undergoes a phase transition from a soft, moldable state during application to a hardened protective state after installation. This phase transition enables the material to conform to different paddle shapes easily, then provide rigid protection, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and material complexity.
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 system effectively protects the paddle head from wear and damage by forming a durable outer shell that is lightweight and adaptable to various paddle shapes, enhancing durability without significant weight or bulk.
Implementation Method 1
The moldable and hardenable band may be formed from a composition that is hardenable to a hardness value of at least 70 on a Shore A scale in response to being removed from the airtight package
Implementation Method 2
The moldable and hardenable band may be formed from a material that softens to a moldable state in response to applied heat and hardens upon cooling
Implementation Method 3
The paddle head guard may further comprise an adhesive layer supported by the moldable and hardenable band. The adhesive layer may be configured to bond the guard to the outer edge portion of the paddle head
Data Source
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AI summary
A paddle head guard system (22, 222, 422, 522) may include a paddle head guard (22, 222, 422, 522) sized to at least partially cover an outer edge portion (36, 536) of a paddle head (34, 534). The guard (22, 222, 422, 522) may include a moldable and hardenable band configured to be hardened after being wrapped over the outer edge portion (36, 536) of the paddle head (34, 534).