Variable Resistance Swing Shaft With Internal Sliding Mass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swing training devices for stick-based sports like lacrosse, hockey, tennis, cricket, and golf lack user-selectable variable resistance and internal moving mass, which are essential for effective sport-specific swing training.

Innovation Solution

A swing training apparatus with a hollow shaft containing a sliding cartridge and elastic band assembly that provides user-selectable resistance, allowing the moving mass to be located beyond the user's furthest hand, and includes visual and audible indicators for proper swing mechanics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a sliding mass is used on the exterior of a fixed shaft, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot provide internal moving mass located beyond the user's furthest hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidinternal moving mass location

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding cartridge is nested inside the hollow shaft, creating an internal moving mass system. This allows the weight to be positioned beyond the user's furthest hand while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability for internal mass placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding cartridge can move dynamically along the shaft and be positioned at different locations, including beyond the user's furthest hand. This dynamic positioning capability provides adaptability for different hand positions while maintaining a relatively simple fixed shaft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If user selectable variable resistance is implemented, then the training effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidresistance mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic band assembly allows users to change the resistance parameter by selecting different elastic bands with varying stiffness. This provides user-selectable variable resistance for improved training effectiveness while maintaining a relatively simple mechanism where multiple elastic bands can be stored and selected without complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance mechanism is dynamic and adjustable during use. Users can change the resistance level by swapping elastic bands, and the sliding cartridge can move to different positions along the shaft, providing variable resistance without requiring a complex mechanically adjustable resistance system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sliding cartridge is positioned inside the shaft, then the moving mass can be located beyond the user's furthest hand, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoving mass locationVSAvoidshaft structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding cartridge is nested within the hollow shaft, creating an internal moving mass system. This allows the weight to be positioned beyond the user's furthest hand while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability for internal mass placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Force

If elastic band assembly is used to resist movement, then user selectable resistance is provided, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance forceVSAvoidelastic band assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances swing power and mechanics training by providing adjustable resistance and visual/audible feedback, improving performance in stick-based sports.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic band assembly positioned on the sliding cartridge and having one end coupled to the sliding cartridge and another end configured to be removably couplable to the coupling member. When the elastic band assembly is coupled to the coupling member, the elastic band assembly resists movement of the sliding cartridge towards the proximal end of the shaft.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250375648A1Variable Resistance Swing Trainer

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 EXTRA BASE SPORTS LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for training a swing has a hollow shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a coupling member positioned inside the shaft adjacent the distal end of the shaft, and a sliding cartridge positioned inside the shaft and removably coupled to the coupling member, the sliding cartridge being slideable inside the shaft. An elastic band assembly is positioned on the sliding cartridge and has one end coupled to the sliding cartridge and another end configured to be removably couplable to the coupling member. When the elastic band assembly is coupled to the coupling member, the elastic band assembly resists movement of the sliding cartridge towards the proximal end of the shaft.