Vertical Channel Game Apparatus with Funnel for Indoor Outdoor Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backyard games cannot be played indoors due to space restrictions and potential property damage, and indoor games cannot be played outdoors due to sensitive pieces, limiting their versatility and playability across different environments.

Innovation Solution

A game apparatus featuring a base stand with vertically oriented channels and a funnel to direct thrown spherical game-pieces, allowing for a compact and portable game setup that can be played both indoors and outdoors, with players competing to create rows of four game-pieces in various orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional backyard games are set up outside in the yard, then the game can be played with proper space and equipment, but the game cannot be played indoors due to space restrictions and potential property damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayability across different environmentsVSAvoidpotential property damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The game apparatus is divided into separate modular components: a base stand with channels, spherical game-pieces, and a funnel. This segmentation allows the game to be set up in compact configurations suitable for indoor spaces while maintaining the essential gameplay elements, thereby enabling playability in both indoor and outdoor environments without causing property damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The game utilizes vertical channels oriented upward from the base stand, transitioning from traditional horizontal gameplay to a vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows the game to occupy minimal floor space while providing adequate playing area, making it suitable for indoor environments with space restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If indoor games use smaller pieces, then the game can be played indoors, but the game cannot be played outdoors due to the sensitive nature of the pieces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayability across different environmentsVSAvoiddurability of game-pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The game-pieces are designed as durable spherical objects that can withstand outdoor conditions while maintaining a compact size suitable for indoor play. The parameters of the game-pieces (size, material, durability) are optimized to function in both indoor and outdoor environments, eliminating the need to choose between indoor suitability and outdoor durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If a compact game setup is used, then the game can be played indoors, but the game may lack proper space for throwing and gameplay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by game apparatusVSAvoidability to throw game-pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The game apparatus incorporates vertically oriented channels that extend upward from the base stand, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide adequate gameplay space without occupying excessive horizontal area. This allows players to throw game-pieces with proper force and distance while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for indoor locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 an entertaining and efficient game experience that can be played in various settings, promoting social interaction and adaptability while minimizing space and damage concerns.

Implementation Method 1

A funnel is affixed to the base stand that is configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The base stand supports a plurality of vertically oriented channels each configured to hold and display a column of the spherical game-pieces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10493343B2Apparatus for playing a game and method

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 DR SMILES INC

AI summary

An apparatus for playing a game includes a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels configured to hold and display a column of spherical game-pieces, each of the plurality of channels having an upper end and a lower end, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column of spherical game-pieces by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; a funnel affixed to the plurality of channels and configured to receive a thrown spherical game-piece and to direct the thrown spherical game-piece into the upper end of one of the plurality of channels; and a base stand operably connected to the plurality of channels and configured to rest upon a horizontal surface and to retain the plurality of channels at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface.