Portable Pitching Mound Warning Mat for Turf Wear Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable pitching mounds with fiberglass bases wear out quickly due to turf degradation, leading to slipping hazards and operational downtime when players wear spikes, as the turf wears through to the fiberglass base.
Innovation Solution
A portable pitching mound design featuring a fiberglass base with a flush, arcuate cross-section and a warning mat covered in frictional material, such as AstroTurf, where a recycled rubber warning mat is attached to protect the base and indicate when the turf layer needs replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fiberglass base is used for the pitching mound, then the mound provides a stable and durable base structure, but the turf wears through to the base over time, creating slipping hazards and requiring repairs
Solution Approach 1:
A warning mat is introduced as an intermediary layer between the turf and the fiberglass base. This mat serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between player spikes and the fiberglass base, eliminating the slipping hazard while allowing the turf to wear through in a controlled manner to signal when replacement is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning mat is designed with visual indicators (such as color changes or visible patterns) that become apparent when the turf wears through to the mat level. This visual signaling mechanism alerts players and coaches to the wear condition without requiring immediate repair, maintaining safety while indicating the need for turf replacement.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the turf layer is made thin to allow for timely replacement, then the mound remains operable longer, but the turf wears through to the base more quickly, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The warning mat acts as a protective intermediary layer that prevents the harmful effect of spikes contacting the fiberglass base. This allows the turf to be made thinner for easier replacement while the mat continues to provide safety protection throughout the turf's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning mat is installed in advance as a protective measure before the turf wears through to the base. This preliminary action prevents the harmful slipping hazard from occurring in the first place, allowing the turf to be replaced timely without creating safety risks.
3Reliability
If the turf is replaced immediately when worn, then safety is maintained, but the mound becomes inoperable during repair, causing loss of playing time
Solution Approach 1:
The warning mat is installed as a preliminary protective layer that indicates when the turf needs replacement. This allows for planned, timely replacement during off-hours or practice sessions rather than during games, minimizing the loss of playing time while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning mat provides self-indicating wear detection through visual signals (color changes or visible patterns) that automatically alert users to the wear condition. This eliminates the need for continuous monitoring or guessing when replacement is needed, allowing for timely scheduling of repairs with minimal disruption to playing schedules.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable pitching mound having a base with a lower peripheral edge that is flush to the ground and an arcuate cross section to form a shell. A warning mat is attached to at least a portion of the base. Attached to the base and covering the warning mat is a layer of frictional material.