Segmented Baseball Catcher Chest Protector with Movable Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chest protectors restrict a catcher's upper body and arm movements, making it difficult to quickly and accurately throw or catch a baseball due to their restrictive nature and the entire protector shifting as a single unit.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece chest protector design with a front section connected to side or rear sections via straps, allowing independent and relative movement between these sections, which includes padding for impact absorption and is made of flexible materials like nylon or memory foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional single-piece chest protector is used, then the catcher receives protection from pitched and tipped balls, but the catcher's upper body and arm movements are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The chest protector is divided into multiple independent sections (front section, side sections, rear section) that can move relative to each other through connectors. This segmentation allows each section to move independently, providing protection while enabling catcher movements without restriction from a single rigid structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a traditional single-piece chest protector is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the entire protector shifts as a single unit making it difficult to throw accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The chest protector is divided into multiple independent sections (front section, side sections, rear section) that can move relative to each other through connectors. This segmentation allows each section to move independently, providing protection while enabling catcher movements without restriction from a single rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chest protector incorporates movable connectors that allow the sections to move relative to each other, transforming the structure from static to dynamic. This enables the protector to adapt to the catcher's movements, particularly when throwing, preventing the entire protector from shifting as a single unit and maintaining throwing accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If a multi-piece chest protector with movable sections is used, then the catcher can move freely to throw or catch balls, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chest protector is divided into multiple independent sections (front section, side sections, rear section) that can move relative to each other through connectors. This segmentation allows each section to move independently, providing protection while enabling catcher movements without restriction from a single rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chest protector sections are connected through straps or other connectors that can be adjusted and secured, merging the sections into a cohesive protective garment while maintaining their individual mobility. This allows the complex multi-piece structure to function as a unified piece of equipment.
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
Enables the catcher to move freely and throw or catch a baseball without restriction, improving accuracy and ease of movement by allowing the chest protector's sections to flex and accommodate the wearer's actions.
Implementation Method 1
have padding sewn into the flexible material for absorbing the impact of a pitched or tipped baseball
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-piece chest protector includes a front section connected to side sections by straps or other connectors that provide independent and relative movement between the front section and the side sections. The front and side sections include padding for absorbing impact. Additional padding, such as shoulder pads, may optionally be removably or permanently attached to the chest protector.