Sporting Equipment Stick Vending Machine with Securing Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack immediate on-site access to sporting equipment, such as hockey sticks, at smaller ice rinks and other sports facilities, as retail outlets are often unavailable or closed, leaving players without a readily available replacement during games.
Innovation Solution
A vending machine system that secures and dispenses sporting equipment sticks, like hockey sticks, using a controller, securing latches, and a stick guide system, allowing users to select and purchase equipment for immediate retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retail outlet is provided at an ice rink to sell hockey sticks, then players can obtain replacement sticks, but only the largest and busiest ice rinks can afford to have such outlets open
Solution Approach 1:
The retail outlet is segmented into a vending machine component that can be distributed to multiple ice rinks. Instead of one centralized retail outlet, multiple automated vending machines are placed at different locations, allowing smaller rinks to have access without requiring a full retail infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vending machine enables self-service for players who need replacement hockey sticks. Players can independently select and purchase sticks without requiring store staff, eliminating the need for employees while maintaining service availability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a retail outlet is closed or not present at smaller ice rinks, then overhead costs are reduced, but players cannot obtain replacement hockey sticks during games
Solution Approach 1:
The vending machine provides self-service capability, eliminating the need for staffed retail outlets and associated overhead costs while ensuring equipment availability. Players can independently purchase replacement sticks at any time during games.
Solution Approach 2:
Hockey sticks are pre-stocked in the vending machine before games begin. This preliminary preparation ensures immediate availability when players need replacements, eliminating the need for during-game retail operations or staff.
3Ease of operation
If online ordering with mail delivery is used, then players can obtain hockey sticks without visiting retail outlets, but immediate on-site access during games is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
Hockey sticks are pre-positioned in the vending machine at the ice rink before games begin. This eliminates delivery time entirely, as sticks are already on-site and immediately accessible to players who need replacements during games.
Solution Approach 2:
The vending machine serves as an intermediary between online ordering systems and players. It can be restocked remotely or automatically, combining the convenience of automated systems with immediate physical availability at the rink.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for dispensing sporting equipment sticks is provided. Embodiments have a controller generating a release signal in response to completing a purchase of a selected sporting equipment stick that is secured within the sporting equipment stick vending machine; a plurality of securing latches each defining a lockable compartment that receives a portion of a shaft of a sporting equipment stick, and wherein each one of the plurality of securing latches open to release its respective sporting equipment stick in response to the release signal received from the controller; and a stick guide system with a plurality of restraining apertures that are configured to receive a portion of a handle of the sporting equipment stick, wherein a size of reach restraining aperture is sized to receive a proximal end of the sporting equipment stick. The securing latch and corresponding restraining aperture cooperatively secure the sporting equipment stick.