Pneumatic Practice Tee With Inflatable Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic practice tees for sports training do not fully utilize the Bernoulli Effect to stably support balls, leaving room for improvement in providing effective and customizable support for various sports balls and user heights.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic practice tee system comprising a base, housing with an air inlet and outlet, a fan, and an inflatable sleeve with a nozzle, allowing for adjustable sleeve lengths and nozzle configurations to support sports balls of different sizes and weights, enabling stable air jet generation for elevated ball positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing pneumatic practice tees are used, then they can support balls in an elevated position, but they do not fully utilize the Bernoulli Effect and lack stability for various ball types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable sleeve that can be adjusted to different inflation levels, allowing the tee to adapt dynamically to different ball types, sizes, and weights. The sleeve's flexibility and adjustability enable stable support across various sports balls while maintaining reliable elevated positioning through optimized air flow control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length sleeve is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various user heights and ball types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a kit with multiple inflatable sleeves of different longitudinal lengths that can be interchanged based on user height and ball type requirements. This segmentation allows customization without requiring a single complex adjustable mechanism, as users can select the appropriate sleeve length for their specific practice needs.
3Strength
If a rigid support structure is used, then it provides stable support, but it can be damaged by striking instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inflatable sleeve as a flexible support structure that can withstand impact from striking instruments without damage. The flexible nature of the inflated sleeve absorbs impact forces, protecting the underlying rigid structure while maintaining stable ball support through the Bernoulli effect generated by the air flow.
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 supports sports balls above the tee, allowing for customizable and stable practice sessions, accommodating various ball types and user heights, while the inflatable sleeve's flexibility prevents damage from striking instruments.
Implementation Method 1
The fan is retained within the housing and for producing an air current, directed by the housing through the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The invention relates to tees, and more particularly to pneumatic practice tees capable of generating a jet of air effective for supporting a ball. The invention relates to pneumatic practice tees for generating an upwardly directed air jet capable of stably supporting a sports ball above the tee in accordance with the Bernoulli Principle.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic practice tee and method of practicing the striking of a sports ball with a striking instrument using the tee. The tee includes a base, a housing, a fan and an inflatable sleeve. The base supports the practice tee upon a horizontal surface. The housing is supported by the base and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The fan is retained within the housing and for producing an air current, directed by the housing through the outlet. The inflatable sleeve is in fluid communication with the air outlet with the proximal longitudinal end attached to the housing and a nozzle provided in the longitudinal distal end.