Net Post Ball Housing With Spring Lift for Safer Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balls not in play during a game of padel or tennis are often left on the ground, posing a risk of injury or disrupting play due to their movement or being stepped on, as existing solutions fail to address this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
A net post with an integrated or attached housing that allows for the depositing of game balls, featuring a retractable mechanism for easy access and a spring-activated platform for vertical displacement of balls within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If balls are left on the ground during play, then players can easily access them, but the balls may move or be stepped on causing injury or disrupting play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the housing integrated into the net post) that mediates between the player and the balls. The housing contains the balls during play, preventing them from moving or being stepped on, while still allowing easy access through the opening in the post. This resolves the contradiction by providing both safety and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is nested within the net post structure, creating a compact solution where the ball storage compartment is integrated into the existing post. This nesting allows the balls to be contained safely within the post's hollow interior, eliminating the hazard of balls on the ground while maintaining easy access through the post's opening.
2Reliability
If a housing is added to the net post for ball storage, then ball safety and play continuity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ball storage housing with the net post structure into a single integrated component. The housing is not a separate attachment but is formed as part of the post itself, utilizing the post's hollow interior for ball storage. This merging reduces device complexity compared to adding a separate housing, while still providing the reliability benefits of contained ball storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The net post is given multiple functions: it continues to support and tension the net while simultaneously serving as a ball storage container. The hollow interior of the post, previously unused space, is now utilized for storing balls, making the structure multi-functional and eliminating the need for additional dedicated ball storage equipment.
3Shape
If the housing is integrated within the post, then the solution is more compact and aesthetically pleasing, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two simple stages: first, the net post is manufactured with a hollow interior (standard practice); second, the housing components (lid, bottom, back wall) are attached to form the ball storage compartment. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard techniques, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The post is manufactured with its hollow interior prepared in advance, creating a ready-made cavity for the housing components. This preliminary action of forming the hollow space during post manufacturing eliminates the need for complex integrated molding or carving, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving the integrated design aesthetic.
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
Prevents balls from obstructing play and reduces the risk of injury by keeping them contained, maintaining gameplay continuity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The vertical displacement of the balls is produced by the thrust produced on a displaceable platform by the action of a spring or similar means.
Data Source
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AI summary
Net post for depositing game balls, which has the particularity of having a housing for depositing game balls without them getting in the way or protruding so as not to affect the rules of the game. Said housing may well be integrated into the post itself or fixed on a removable way on the post, in case of been integrated it will have an upper opening provided with facing recesses in which there are retractable tabs and a platform that can be raised vertically by the action of the force of an elastic means placed under the platform; in case of been a housing fixed in a removably way on a post, it will have a basket provided with fastening means either by tapes or by magnetic means.