Adjustable Upper-Arm Strap for Single-Hinge Pool Stroke Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing billiards training devices fail to effectively aid players in maintaining a single hinge or pendulum movement of the forearm about the elbow during a pool stroke, leading to inconsistent accuracy and follow-through.

Innovation Solution

A billiards training device featuring a strap mechanism with an adjustable loop and attachment point to secure the upper arm in a fixed position, allowing the forearm to make a single hinge or pendulum movement, using a support cue stick as the attachment point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a training device is designed to maintain the upper arm in a fixed position during the pool stroke, then the accuracy and consistency of the pool stroke is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of pool strokeVSAvoidcomplexity of training device

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The training device is divided into separate functional components: a support structure (cue stick or stand) and a strap mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effectiveness in constraining the upper arm position during the stroke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strap mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the support structure and the player's upper arm. It transfers the constraint force from the fixed support structure to the player's arm, enabling position maintenance without requiring the support structure to directly contact or constrain the arm, thereby simplifying the support structure design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the upper arm is constrained to remain still during the stroke, then the consistency of the stroke movement is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of stroke movementVSAvoidease of performing stroke

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The strap mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting and self-maintaining. Once positioned around the upper arm, it automatically maintains the correct position and orientation throughout the stroke without requiring active adjustment or intervention from the player, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The strap mechanism allows for adjustment of key parameters such as the position of the upper arm constraint point and the orientation of the strap relative to the arm. This adjustability enables optimization of the constraint parameters for different players and stroke styles, maintaining ease of operation while improving consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12453919B2Billiards training device for grooving a pool stroke

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 NATIONAL BILLIARD ACADEMY LLC

AI summary

A billiards training device for grooving a pool stroke includes a strap mechanism. The strap mechanism has a first end and a second end. The strap mechanism includes a loop on the first end and an attachment mechanism on the second end. The loop is configured to be wrapped around an upper arm of a player just above an elbow. The attachment mechanism is configured to be attached to an elevated end of a support structure. Wherein, when the loop is positioned around the upper arm of the player just above the elbow, and the attachment mechanism is attached to the elevated end of the support structure, the billiards training device is configured to aid the player in maintaining the upper arm in a fixed position during the pool stroke.