Raised Flexible Game Field With Head Openings for Active Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing games lack encouragement of player movement, particularly in seated environments, limiting their ability to promote exercise, fun, competition, and social development.

Innovation Solution

A game system featuring a flexible field sheet with head openings, tensile lines for suspension, and a mobile game piece, allowing players to manipulate the piece by deforming the sheet with their hands and heads, promoting movement and interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional board games and card games are used for seated play, then ease of operation is improved, but physical activity and player movement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidphysical activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The game system transitions from traditional two-dimensional board games to a three-dimensional suspended field configuration. The flexible field sheet is suspended in mid-air at head level, creating a vertical dimension that requires players to reach, stretch, and move their bodies to interact with the game space, thereby incorporating physical activity while maintaining game accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspended flexible field sheet is designed to be dynamically deformable by player movement. As players reach through head openings and manipulate the sheet with their bodies, the field dynamically responds to their movements, allowing the game surface itself to adapt to player actions and encourage continuous physical engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a suspended flexible field sheet with head openings is used, then player movement and physical activity are encouraged, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical activityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The game field is constructed as a thin, flexible sheet that can be easily suspended and manipulated. This flexible membrane structure replaces complex rigid frameworks, allowing the field to be deformed by player movement while maintaining structural integrity through material properties rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible field sheet serves as an intermediary between players and the game environment. It mediates physical interaction by translating player body movements into game actions, allowing players to control game pieces and interact with the game space through natural bodily movements rather than complex controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If players manipulate the game piece by deforming the field sheet, then coordination and motor skills are improved, but control precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecoordinationVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of field sheet tension and flexibility to optimize the balance between controllability and physical engagement. By adjusting the material properties and suspension configuration, the field provides sufficient resistance for meaningful physical interaction while remaining responsive enough to allow precise control of game pieces through deliberate player actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Encourages physical activity and social engagement through active player movement, enhancing morale, fitness, coordination, and mental acuity while providing a fun and interactive gaming experience.

Implementation Method 1

multiple tensile lines for suspending the field sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

multiple tensile lines for suspending the field sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

moving the game piece by deformation of the field sheet from below the field sheet by player hands and by players heads above the field sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 4

moving the game piece by deformation of the field sheet from below the field sheet by player hands and by players heads above the field sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250281815A1Head Level Game System of Play Over a Raised Game Field

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 OPTIMIST TRAINING LLC

AI summary

A game system according to at least one embodiment includes: a flexible field sheet having multiple head openings; multiple tensile lines for suspending the field sheet; at least one target for placement on the field sheet; and a game piece for use in conjunction with the target for game play. The target and game piece are soccer themed. A method of playing a game according to at least one embodiment includes: suspending a flexible field sheet having multiple head opening; passing player heads through the head openings from below the field sheet; placing a mobile game piece onto the field sheet; and moving the game piece by deformation of the field sheet from below the field sheet by player hands. A kit may include a container in which the game system can be shipped and stored.