Quick Release Baseball Base With Interlocking Prongs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Youth baseball leagues require bases that move when a runner slides into them but remain stationary when a runner runs across, presenting a challenge in designing a detachable and removable base that withstands lateral loads without shifting during normal play.
Innovation Solution
A quick release base system featuring a base platform with perpendicular platform prongs and a removable base with matching base prongs, creating a lateral restraining force that allows the base to detach under high-impact lateral forces while remaining secure under low-impact conditions, utilizing deformable materials like rubber for impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a base uses spikes driven into the ground or anchors set in concrete, then the base remains firmly fixed and does not slide during play, but the base cannot be easily removed or repositioned and requires significant installation effort
Solution Approach 1:
The base system is divided into separate components: a base unit and a ground anchor unit that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The connector allows the base to be attached to or detached from the anchor without requiring permanent installation, thus achieving both stability during play and ease of repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic adjustable system. The connector enables the base to be easily attached and detached, allowing the system to adapt between stable operation during play and easy reconfiguration when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If a base uses a single piece molded rubber or vinyl construction, then the base is simple and durable, but it cannot be easily removed from the ground and lacks the required displacement capability for youth leagues
Solution Approach 1:
The base system separates the simple molded base unit from the ground attachment mechanism. The base itself remains a simple, durable single-piece construction, while the removable connector provides the adaptability needed for easy installation and removal according to youth league requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static permanent base into a dynamic removable base. The connector allows the base to be easily attached and detached, providing the versatility required for youth leagues while maintaining the simplicity and durability of the molded base construction.
3Ease of operation
If a base uses magnets to secure the base to the ground, then the base can be easily removed, but the magnet becomes poorly seen due to dirt and dust accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as an intermediary between the base and the ground, providing a mechanical attachment mechanism that does not rely on visible magnets. This intermediary component achieves easy removability while avoiding the visibility problem associated with magnets covered in dirt and dust.
4Reliability
If a base is designed to move when a runner slides into it, then the base meets youth league safety requirements, but the base may substantially move when a runner merely runs across it under combined lateral and vertical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with specific physical parameters (size, shape, material properties) that create a threshold effect. Normal running loads do not exceed this threshold and maintain stability, while sliding impacts exceed the threshold and trigger the intended displacement behavior, thus meeting safety requirements without compromising normal play stability.
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 prevents the base from moving during normal play yet detaches when a runner slides into it, ensuring safety and compliance with youth league requirements by adjusting the force threshold based on player age and play intensity.
Implementation Method 1
The prongs are substantially perpendicular to the top platform surface and extend away from the top platform surface... The prongs interact to create a lateral restraining force between the base platform and the removable base
Implementation Method 2
utilizing deformable materials like rubber for impact absorption
Implementation Method 3
utilizing deformable materials like rubber for impact absorption
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release base system that includes a base platform and a removable base. The base platform includes a bottom platform surface and a top platform surface. The top platform surface is positioned above the bottom platform surface. The top platform surface includes platform prongs. The platform prongs are substantially perpendicular to the top platform surface and extend away from the top platform surface and away from the bottom platform surface. The removable base rests on top of the base platform, and the removable base includes an interior base surface. The interior base surface includes base prongs. The base prongs are substantially perpendicular to the interior base surface and extend away from the interior base, and the platform prongs interact with the base prongs to create a lateral restraining force between the base platform and the removable base.