Shuttlecock with Visual Boundary Indicators for Confined Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing games that use shuttlecocks require defined court boundaries, which can be cumbersome to set up and lead to disputes over out-of-bound hits, and do not allow for play in confined spaces without infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A shuttlecock design with a base having stems with receptors for feathers, a cylindrical surface, and a nose with a lip that connects to the base, allowing for controlled flight speed and distance, enabling play without traditional court boundaries through the use of a game net with an opening that can be set up in various configurations for indoor and outdoor play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional shuttlecocks are used with boundary lines, then players can determine when the shuttlecock exceeded the limit of play, but the game requires large area and cumbersome setup with ropes, lines, or cones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary definition function from the court infrastructure and transfers it to the shuttlecock itself. The shuttlecock incorporates visual indicators (colored bands, patterns, or illuminated elements) that display its position or trajectory information, eliminating the need for external boundary lines, ropes, or cones. This allows players to determine if the shuttlecock exceeded play limits by observing the shuttlecock's own indicators rather than referencing external boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual indicators on the shuttlecock as an intermediary between the shuttlecock's motion and the players' perception of boundary compliance. These indicators (such as colored bands, reflective elements, or illuminated components) serve as a mediator that communicates the shuttlecock's position and trajectory to players, replacing the need for physical boundary markers.
2Measurement precision
If boundary lines are deployed, then players can determine out-of-bound hits, but debates often ensue regarding whether the shuttlecock landed within or out of the boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms directly on the shuttlecock that provide real-time or near-real-time information about the shuttlecock's position, trajectory, and landing point. Visual indicators such as colored bands that change position, illuminated elements that track the shuttlecock's path, or position-indicating features provide continuous feedback to players during play. This immediate feedback eliminates ambiguity about whether the shuttlecock landed in or out, as the indicators clearly show the shuttlecock's position relative to the play area boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes or visual transformations on the shuttlecock to indicate boundary compliance. The shuttlecock may feature colored bands, patterns, or illuminated elements that change appearance based on the shuttlecock's position, trajectory, or landing status. For example, different colored zones on the shuttlecock may indicate in-bounds versus out-of-bounds positions, or the shuttlecock may display visual cues at the moment of landing that clearly indicate whether it exceeded the play area limits.
3Area of stationary object
If court size accommodates expected shuttlecock travel, then players can play the game, but the area around the court is subject to intrusion by the shuttlecock and must be clear of breakable objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary indicators on the shuttlecock that show its projected trajectory and landing position before the shuttlecock actually reaches those points. Visual indicators such as extended colored bands, trajectory-marking elements, or predictive visual cues allow players to see where the shuttlecock is headed and will land. This preliminary visualization enables players to clear breakable objects from the projected path in advance, preventing damage before it occurs rather than dealing with intrusions after they happen.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved shuttlecock for playing a game involving hitting the shuttlecock back-and-forth between players includes a base having a number of stems, each stem extending outwardly from a central axis of the improved shuttlecock by a non-zero angle (e.g., from 2 to 30 degrees). Each stem has a receptor. The base has a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the plurality of stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the plurality of stems. A nose has a striking end and a lip that is distal from the striking end. The nose is connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base. Several feathers are included (equal number as the number of stems), each has a quill end. The quill end of each feather is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.