Tennis Practice Device with Segmented Suspension Cord
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tennis practice devices fail to simulate the realistic trajectory and variability of a tennis ball in flight, limiting the trainee's ability to practice diverse hitting techniques without effort and stability across weather conditions, and require frequent assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A tennis practice device with a pipe-type metallic frame featuring a vertical and horizontal pole configuration, utilizing distinct front-end and rear-end connection cords for ball suspension, where the front-end cord includes a weight to prevent tangling and facilitate easy operation, and the rear-end cord is lightweight and flexible for optimal ball flight, allowing continuous practice without assembly or disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single connection cord is used to suspend the ball, then the structure is simple, but the ball cannot achieve realistic flight trajectory and variability
Solution Approach 1:
The connection cord system is divided into two distinct segments: a front-end connection cord attached to the horizontal pole and a rear-end connection cord attached to the ball. This segmentation allows each cord to be optimized for its specific function, with the front cord providing structural support and the rear cord enabling realistic ball flight trajectories and variability.
2Ease of operation
If the connection cord is lightweight and flexible, then the ball flight is optimal, but the cord tangles frequently requiring assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
Different local qualities are assigned to different parts of the connection system. The front-end connection cord is made with greater durability and tensile strength for structural support, while the rear-end connection cord is made lightweight and flexible for optimal ball flight. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flight quality and tangling resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is installed high above ground, then realistic tennis stroke practice is enabled, but the device requires frequent assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection cord system is designed to be dynamically adjustable in length and configuration. This allows the device to be installed at optimal heights for realistic tennis stroke practice while the cords can be easily adjusted or replaced without requiring complete disassembly of the structure, reducing setup and maintenance time.
4Strength
If the front-end connection cord has greater durability and tensile force, then structural stability is improved, but the cord becomes heavier and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The front-end connection cord is specifically engineered with higher durability and tensile strength materials to withstand the structural loads and forces generated during intense tennis stroke practice. While this increases weight compared to the rear cord, the front cord remains relatively lightweight as it only needs to support the cord system itself, not the ball directly.
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
Enables realistic tennis stroke practice with varied ball trajectories, enhancing motor skills and technique development, while maintaining stability in adverse weather and reducing the burden of device setup and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the front-end cord includes a weight to prevent tangling and facilitate easy operation
Implementation Method 2
the rear-end cord is lightweight and flexible for optimal ball flight
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure of the present invention relates to an inverse “L” shaped tennis practice stand or device, which is installed on ground and is considerably higher than a person's height or to a wall-mountable tennis practice device, which is installed via bracket installed at a certain point at a house or building structure. In the tennis practice device according to the present invention, when a trainee hits the ball with a racket (racquet), the ball flies along a circumferential orbit/trajectory with weight or stopper, which is at an end of a horizontal pole, as the center point—that is the ball flies in the skyward direction in front (forward region) of the trainee and then returns to the same circumferential orbit/curve due to gravity, and the trainee practices tennis by repeatedly hitting the ball that falls in front of the trainee.