Motorized Ball Tee with Tether Retrieval Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball tee devices lack an efficient mechanism for automatically re-seating a ball after it is hit, requiring manual intervention for retrieval and repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A motorized ball tee device with a tether and driver mechanism that includes a driver roller and actuating wheel, allowing the ball to be automatically retrieved and re-seated on the tee using a tether container and control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to retrieve and reposition the ball, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring manual intervention for retrieval and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic ball retrieval and re-seating without requiring manual intervention. The motorized drive roller and tether container work together to automatically retrieve the ball after it is hit and reposition it on the tee, enabling the system to serve itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated motorized system. The motor-driven roller mechanism substitutes for manual ball retrieval and repositioning actions, automating the process while maintaining mechanical simplicity through the use of a tether and roller system
2Ease of operation
If a motorized retrieval mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional motorized components
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system automatically retrieves and re-seates the ball without user intervention, making the system self-serving and significantly improving ease of operation. The user simply needs to activate the system, which then handles all ball retrieval and repositioning tasks autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized drive roller serves multiple functions: it winds the tether to retrieve the ball, controls the ball's movement, and positions the ball for re-seating. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maximizing ease of operation
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
Enables automatic and efficient re-seating of the ball on the tee, reducing manual effort and improving user convenience by utilizing a motorized system to pull the tether and seat the ball back onto the tee.
Implementation Method 1
the drive roller is rotatable in a first direction by the driver mechanism... the drive roller pulls the tether into the tether container from the tee
Data Source
AI summary
A ball tee with motorized retrieval for re-seating a ball after hitting includes a base having a top surface. A housing is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The housing has a top wall and an interior surface. The top wall has an aperture extending therethrough to the interior surface. A tether container is positioned within the housing. A tee is attached to and extends upwardly from the top wall. A ball is attached to the tether container by a tether. A driver mechanism is mounted on the interior surface. The driver mechanism is coupled to a drive roller such that the drive roller is rotatable by the driver mechanism. An actuating mechanism actuates a wheel toward the drive roller to engage with the tether and the drive roller. The drive roller rotates to retract the tether into the tether container and reseat the ball.