Skating Rink Track System with Elevated Scoring Receptacles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing roller skating sports lack a playing surface that extends beyond the standard rink, making it difficult to control and direct game implements into scoring receptacles effectively, which limits the gameplay experience.

Innovation Solution

A roller skating rink with a closed-loop track system featuring track sections, channel sections, and scoring receptacles, where players can use propelling devices to introduce game implements into play, and a unique scoring mechanism involving a 3×3 grid of receptacles for capturing and scoring points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a standard rink surface is used for roller skating, then the playing area is limited and compact, but the ability to control and direct game implements into scoring receptacles is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaying surface areaVSAvoidcontrol of game implements

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the playing surface vertically by incorporating elevated platforms and multi-level structures. Players can access different elevation levels to gain strategic advantages in directing game implements into scoring receptacles, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the traditionally two-dimensional rink surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rink is divided into multiple distinct zones including player areas, scoring receptacle areas, and transitional channels. This segmentation allows for specialized design in each zone, improving the ability to control and direct game implements while maintaining overall gameplay flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the playing surface is extended with elevated sections and multiple levels, then strategic control and directing of game implements is improved, but the structural complexity of the rink increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrategic control of game implementsVSAvoidrink structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elevated platforms and structural elements serve multiple functions: they provide elevated positioning for strategic play, act as physical barriers to define playing zones, and serve as mounting structures for scoring receptacles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Scoring receptacles are integrated into the elevated structures and platforms, with some receptacles positioned within or upon structural elements. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into unified structures, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11123622B1Extended skating rink and method of play thereon

Publication Date: 2021.09.21 WARD LYCURGUS BARNHILL

AI summary

A roller skating rink for players to play a skating game utilizes one or more game implements. A skating track is made from a plurality of track sections. The roller skating rink includes concave channel sections on one side of the track sections and has a lower end and an upper end that are substantially vertically aligned. One or more propelling devices are each adapted to propel one of the game implements into the roller skating rink. One or more scoring receptacles are situated for receiving one or more of the game implements therein proximate the upper end of the concave peripheral wall. A method of game play is further disclosed.