Portable Hammer Discus Cage with Hinged Trusses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hammer and discus cages are difficult to install and move, require concrete footings, and obstruct spectator views when not in use, making them impractical for portable and versatile use in track and field events.

Innovation Solution

A portable hammer or discus cage design featuring hinged vertical trusses and base plates that can be easily erected and collapsed, with netting that can be removed for protection, and supported by cables and ballast, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly without heavy machinery and concrete footings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If prior art hammer and discus cages use concrete footings and fixed installation, then the cage structure is stable and secure, but the cage becomes difficult to install, cannot be easily moved, and requires separate cages for each venue

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cage is divided into separate modular components including vertical posts, horizontal rails, and netting sections that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The base plates are separate from the vertical structures, allowing for easy assembly without concrete footings while maintaining structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage transitions from a static fixed installation to a dynamic portable structure. The vertical posts can be rapidly assembled and disassembled, and the entire cage can be collapsed to a compact configuration for transport, enabling the same cage to be moved between different venues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cage is made portable and collapsible, then the cage can be easily moved and stored, but the cage may be less stable and require additional securing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cage structure is segmented into modular components connected by joints that provide both portability and stability. The vertical posts are divided into sections that can be assembled together with locking mechanisms, allowing the cage to be stable when erected but easy to disassemble when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage components are pre-designed with assembly features and connection points that enable rapid assembly without requiring concrete footings. The base plates include pre-positioned attachment points for the vertical posts, allowing for quick and stable setup at any venue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the cage remains in an erected position when not in use, then the cage structure is maintained, but the cage blocks the views of spectators and media personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectator viewingVSAvoidcollapse mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cage incorporates a collapse mechanism that allows the vertical posts and horizontal rails to be rapidly folded or lowered into a compact configuration. This dynamic transformation enables the cage to transition from an erected viewing-blocking state to a collapsed state that does not obstruct spectator or media views when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cage components are designed to nest or fold into a compact arrangement when collapsed. The horizontal rails can be positioned vertically alongside the posts, and the netting can be folded or removed, creating a space-efficient configuration that minimizes obstruction to views.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the netting is permanently attached to the cage structure, then the cage provides continuous protection, but the netting is vulnerable to vandalism, theft, or damage from ultraviolet radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidnetting maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The netting is divided into separate sections that can be independently attached to and removed from the cage frame. This segmentation allows the netting to be easily detached for maintenance, replacement, or storage, protecting it from cumulative damage while maintaining protection when attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The netting is designed to be removable and replaceable rather than permanently fixed. When the netting becomes damaged or degraded from ultraviolet exposure, it can be easily removed and replaced with fresh netting, extending the overall service life of the protective system while maintaining continuous protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10456656B2Hammer/discus cage

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 DEAL LANCE

AI summary

A hammer/discus cage includes first and second base plates, first and second vertical trusses coupled to their respective first and second base plates, and first and second gates hinged to their respective first and second vertical trusses. A hoop net rail extends rearwardly from the first vertical truss to the second vertical truss and netting extends downward from the hoop net rail and attached to the first and second gates.