Retractable Athletic Surface Platform Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Athletic facilities with elevated surfaces, such as pitching mounds, lack flexibility for multiple uses due to their single-use design, requiring significant manual labor and resources for conversion, posing safety risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A retractable athletic surface system utilizing a drive motor-powered screw jack mechanism to raise and lower a steel platform within a concrete foundation, allowing for quick and efficient conversion between uses without manual reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual removal and installation of pitching mounds is used, then the field can be converted for other uses, but it requires significant labor (6 persons for 7 hours) and materials, increasing costs and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield conversion capabilityVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pitching mound is designed as a dynamic, movable structure rather than a fixed one. It can be raised when needed for baseball use and lowered or removed when other activities are required, enabling rapid field conversion without manual labor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical removal and installation processes are replaced with a motorized lifting system. The electric motor and winch mechanism automatically raise and lower the pitching mound platform, eliminating the need for manual labor and significantly reducing conversion time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual conversion of athletic facilities is performed, then the surface can be modified for different sports, but the expense of labor and materials is substantial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-sport capabilityVSAvoidconversion cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The athletic field is designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple sports and events. The pitching mound platform can be raised for baseball, lowered for soccer, and the system can support various other activities, making the facility versatile without requiring separate structures for each sport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Expensive manual labor and materials are replaced with an automated motorized system. The electric motor, winch, and control system provide cost-effective automation that eliminates the need for repeated manual construction and demolition of pitching mounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fixed elevated surfaces are used for pitching mounds, then the structure provides stability for baseball use, but it creates tripping hazards and limits field usability for other purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitching mound stabilityVSAvoidtripping hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pitching mound platform transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic movable one. It can be raised to provide stable pitching surface when needed and lowered to eliminate tripping hazards when not in use or when other activities are conducted on the field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If grounds crews manually reinstall fixtures, then the surface can be restored, but the ability to achieve optimal consistency is difficult without reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface restoration capabilityVSAvoidsurface consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Manual reconstruction processes are replaced with automated motorized lifting. The electric motor and winch system precisely control the platform's vertical position, ensuring consistent and accurate restoration of the pitching mound surface without relying on manual skill or reconstruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Reduces labor costs by approximately 80% and enhances safety by enabling rapid surface modifications, allowing facilities to be used for multiple sports and events without tripping hazards, thus increasing utilization and reducing conversion time to under 24 hours.

Implementation Method 1

a drive motor, preferably secured to the platform or support for the platform, to drive the raising and lowering system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

drive motor to drive screw jacks by drive shafts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS9278276B2Retractable athletic surface

Publication Date: 2016.03.08 ESTO RETRACTABLE LLC

AI summary

A retractable athletic surface for use on an athletic field containing an opening within the athletic field into which a foundation is secured. Supporting the retractable athletic surface in the opening is a platform. A drive motor secured to the platform drives one or more systems for raising and lowering the platform within the opening. Upper and lower stops are secured to shaft stop assemblies which are present within slots inside walls of the foundation. These upper and lower stops support the retractable athletic surface in either a raised or lowered position.