Portable Miniature Golf Game With Flexible Surface And Modular Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional miniature golf settings require extensive space due to permanently installed and scaled courses, limiting their portability and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A portable tabletop miniature golf game apparatus featuring a flexible rectangular playing surface with removable end and side rails, and a variety of reconfigurable course construction elements with complementary curves, allowing for serial construction of different courses on a single surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional miniature golf courses are permanently installed and scaled for player walking, then the game provides authentic miniature golf experience, but the space requirements become extensive and portability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The golf course is divided into modular components including a flexible playing surface and separate construction elements that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables the course to be broken down into transportable pieces while maintaining the complete gaming experience when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The playing surface is designed as a flexible mat that can be rolled or folded for storage and transport, then dynamically unfolded and configured for play. The side rails can be removably attached to enclose the playing area when needed, providing dynamic adaptation between stored and playing states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If permanently installed courses are used, then the course structure is stable and durable, but the ability to create different course configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The course construction elements are segmented into separate components with complementary curves that can be independently arranged on the flexible playing surface. This allows multiple different course configurations to be created using the same set of modular elements without requiring permanent installations for each design.
Solution Approach 2:
The same flexible playing surface and set of construction elements can serve multiple course configurations and designs. The universal flexibility of the mat and the modular nature of the elements allow a single set of components to create varied courses, eliminating the need for separate permanent installations for different course types.
3Area of stationary object
If a flexible playing surface with removable rails is used, then space efficiency and portability are improved, but the structural stability during play may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side rails are designed with removable attachment mechanisms that allow them to be securely fastened to the end rails during play to enclose and stabilize the playing area, then easily removed when storage is needed. This dynamic attachment system provides structural stability during use while maintaining portability when not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an apparatus includes first and second end rails, a flexible rectangular playing surface, and first and second side rails. A first end edge of the surface is connected to the first end rail, and a second end edge of the surface is connected to the second end rail. The first and second side rails are configured for removable attachment to the first and second end rails. A method includes unrolling a flexible rectangular playing surface and attaching first and second side rails. Further, an apparatus comprises a rectangular playing surface, a rectangular raised perimeter border, and a plurality of golf course construction elements, wherein at least some of the elements comprise complementary curves so that the elements fit with each other.