Tennis Ball Pickup Gate with Metallic Spring Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tennis ball pickup devices are inefficient in preventing tennis balls from slipping back out through the gate opening, leading to a cumbersome process for players and coaches during practices.
Innovation Solution
A tennis ball pickup assembly featuring a pickup gate with a metallic spring ring that expands to allow tennis balls to pass through while resisting reverse flow, utilizing a combination of interconnected metallic coils or leaf springs and a push ring with split sections to maintain a secure grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple gate opening is used to allow tennis balls to pass through, then the device structure is simple, but tennis balls slip back out through the same gate opening
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one using a spring ring that can expand and contract. The spring ring expands when a tennis ball is inserted to allow passage, then contracts to close and prevent balls from slipping back out, providing reliable ball retention while maintaining simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The gate structure changes its physical state by expanding and contracting the spring ring. When a ball is inserted, the spring ring expands to accommodate it; when the ball passes through, the spring ring contracts back to its original size, automatically closing the gate opening to prevent ball escape
2Reliability
If a gate mechanism is added to prevent ball reverse flow, then ball retention is improved, but the actuation cycle duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring ring gate is designed to operate automatically without manual intervention. When a tennis ball is inserted, it naturally pushes the spring ring open; when the ball passes through, the spring ring automatically contracts and closes the gate. This self-service mechanism prevents ball reverse flow while maintaining a quick actuation cycle without requiring additional actuation time
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
The assembly operates over a longer actuation cycle, effectively preventing tennis balls from slipping back out, making it easier and more efficient to collect and dispense tennis balls without manual assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic spring ring has components or parts that can expand and contract to let tennis balls pass therethrough. At the same time, the spring ring resists reverse flow of tennis balls pouring from the interior of the tube out through the same gate.
Data Source
AI summary
A tennis ball pickup assembly having tube with a pickup gate device attached to a first end of the tube and a protective sleeve attached to a second end of the tube. The tube is sized and shaped to accept tennis balls. The body of the pickup gate device has a wall with a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior; and wherein a gate is located in a holding space of the hollow interior. The gate has a spring ring with a plurality of interconnected metallic coils, a metal wire, or a plurality of metallic leaf springs.