Resilient Mesh Fence Deflection for Player Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports field fences, particularly those used in baseball and softball, pose a risk of injury to players when they collide with rigid structures, and previous solutions have failed to provide adequate protection and continuation of play without disrupting the game.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, resilient mesh fence system suspended by a cable system from steel posts, designed to deflect upon impact and immediately restore to its original position, ensuring player safety and uninterrupted play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid fence structure (plywood/post or chain-link) is used, then the fence provides strong containment and structural stability, but it poses a significant risk of injury to players who collide with it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible mesh material as the fence containment structure. The mesh is suspended between support posts and can deflect under player impact, converting the rigid barrier into a flexible membrane that absorbs impact energy through deformation rather than transmitting it to the player. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining containment functionality while eliminating the rigid surface that causes injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by designing the fence system to transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible system. The mesh fence can move and deflect when impacted by a player, allowing the structure to adapt its response to the impact force. This dynamic behavior enables the fence to provide containment while safely absorbing impact energy, preventing player injury.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible mesh fence is used, then player safety is improved, but the fence lacks the weight and structural integrity to prevent players from toppling over or climbing it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fence into multiple components: flexible mesh panels suspended between sturdy support posts. The support posts provide the necessary structural strength and weight to prevent toppling, while the suspended mesh provides the flexible safety containment. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the posts for structural integrity and the mesh for safe player containment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fence is designed to immediately restore to its original upright condition after impact, then structural stability is maintained, but players can still jump high enough to go over the fence backwards, risking head injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible mesh that can deflect and deform under player impact, including when players jump against it. This flexibility allows the mesh to absorb the impact energy of jumping players without creating a rigid surface that could cause head injuries. The mesh's ability to deform and conform to player movement while maintaining containment resolves the contradiction between structural stability and head injury prevention.
4Length of stationary object
If the fence height is increased to prevent players from going over it, then containment is improved, but the risk of head injury from backward falls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible mesh material that can deform and absorb impact energy. The flexible mesh allows players to jump against it without the risk of head injury that would occur with a rigid structure of the same height. The mesh's flexibility creates a safety cushion that resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective containment height while eliminating the head injury hazard associated with rigid high fences.
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 fence provides a gentle repelling effect, minimizing the risk of injury and allowing players to return to the field safely, maintaining game continuity while withstanding high winds and player impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, resilient mesh fence system suspended by a cable system from steel posts, designed to deflect upon impact and immediately restore to its original position
Implementation Method 2
A flexible, resilient mesh fence system suspended by a cable system from steel posts
Data Source
AI summary
A fence includes a plurality of mesh panels suspended from a plurality of support posts, with posts at each end. The plurality of support posts are offset behind the fence boundary formed by the plurality of mesh panels. A top portion of each of the plurality of support posts is coupled to at least one of the plurality of mesh panels, while a bottom portion of each of the plurality of support posts fixed with respect to the field surface. Upper edges of the mesh panels are suspended from above by a tensioned cable extending upward from the upper edge of the mesh panel, the tensioned cable coupled to at least one of said support posts. The lower edge is tensioned from below by a bottom anchor assembly. The plurality of mesh panels are resiliently deflectable upon impact by an object.