Nail Hammering Game Block with Flanged Support Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nail hammering game pieces are bulky, heavy, and difficult to transport, making them impractical for widespread use due to issues with selecting suitable wood blocks and providing stable support during gameplay.

Innovation Solution

A collection of game pieces consisting of a block and a support tray with a collapsible leg structure, designed for easy transport and assembly, featuring a block with consistent density and hardness, and a support tray with a depressed portion to securely hold the block, preventing accidental strikes and ensuring player safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large tree stump is used for the nail hammering game, then the game provides stable support and authentic gameplay experience, but the game pieces become too heavy and bulky to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of game piecesVSAvoidweight of game pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The game system is divided into separate components: a portable game block and a separate support stand. The block can be easily transported while the stand provides stable support when assembled, resolving the contradiction between portability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support stand acts as an intermediary between the portable block and the ground. The stand transfers the weight and provides stability without requiring the block itself to be heavy, enabling easy transport while maintaining game stability during play.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a large tree stump is used for the nail hammering game, then the game provides stable support, but the game pieces become difficult to transport and set up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of game piecesVSAvoidease of transport and setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support stand transitions from a collapsed portable state to an assembled stable state. This dynamic transformation allows the system to be easy to transport when collapsed and provide stable support when assembled, addressing both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional wood blocks are used, then the game can be played, but selection is complicated by weathering, health conditions of trees, and quality of cuts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of game blocksVSAvoidcomplexity of block selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring carefully selected durable wood blocks from specific trees, the invention uses manufactured blocks that can be produced consistently and replaced if needed. This eliminates the complex selection process while ensuring adequate game performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies particular parameters for the blocks (dimensions, material properties) that can be controlled during manufacturing. This ensures consistent quality without requiring complex natural selection processes, making blocks more readily available and easier to obtain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the support structure is made sturdy to prevent block from falling, then safety is improved, but the support may present a barrier to players approaching the block

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of game setupVSAvoidaccessibility to block for players

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support stand provides localized stability at the base while keeping the upper portion (where the block sits) open and accessible. This local differentiation allows the structure to be sturdy where needed for safety while remaining non-barrier for player access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support stand extends downward into the ground rather than outward toward players. By providing stability in the vertical dimension through ground anchoring rather than horizontal extension, the structure achieves safety without creating barriers in the player approach path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9295906B2Collection of nail hammering game pieces

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 EICHENFELD

AI summary

A collection of game pieces including a block and a support tray. The block includes a top surface, a first width and a thickness. The support tray includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a second width, a depressed portion on the surface and the support tray is adapted to removably receive the block centrally on the top surface. The ratio of the first width and the second width ranges from about 6:7 to about 1:2 such that a flange of the support tray is formed. The block is configured to receive a plurality of nails driven into it using a striking tool and if the striking tool accidentally misses the block while used in driving a nail into the block, the flange is used to arrest the striking motion of the striking tool.