Volleyball Training Arm with Segmented Elastic Return

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volleyball training equipment either requires users to chase down loose balls, fails to hold the ball in a consistent location, or poses risks of injury due to tangling or inefficient elastic elements.

Innovation Solution

A volleyball training apparatus featuring a rigid hollow arm with a resilient member and adjustable tension, which securely attaches a volleyball to a consistent position, allowing for quick return and safe use, with a padded cup and spacers to prevent injury and tangling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single elastic element is used to attach the ball, then device complexity is reduced, but the ball does not return quickly to starting position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of elastic elementsVSAvoidball return speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The single elastic element is segmented into two separate elastic elements (first elastic element and second elastic element) that independently attach to different sides of the ball. This segmentation allows each element to function optimally for its specific attachment point, enabling faster ball return while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic elements are arranged in different spatial orientations and dimensions relative to the ball and arm assembly. The first elastic element attaches at one location while the second elastic element attaches at a different location, creating a multi-dimensional elastic support system that provides rapid restoration forces from multiple directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If elastic elements are used to hold the ball, then the need to chase balls is eliminated, but the ball location consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to retrieve ballVSAvoidball location consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A rigid arm assembly serves as an intermediary structure between the elastic elements and the ball. The arm provides a stable, fixed attachment point that constrains the ball's movement to a consistent location in space. The elastic elements attach to this rigid intermediary rather than directly to fixed structures, ensuring the ball is held at a reproducible position while still allowing quick return after being struck

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows adjustment of elastic element tension and arm positioning parameters to optimize both ball location consistency and return speed. By changing the stiffness and pre-tension of the elastic elements, as well as the arm's attachment points, the system can be tuned to provide stable ball holding while maintaining rapid recovery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If two elastic elements are used to attach the ball, then ball return speed is improved, but the risk of tangling with user's arm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball return speedVSAvoidtangling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The potential tangling hazard is extracted and isolated from the user's arm by attaching the elastic elements to a rigid arm assembly that is positioned away from the user's striking zone. The elastic elements are contained within or alongside the rigid structure, preventing them from flailing freely and entangling with the user's arm or wrist during the hitting motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid arm assembly and its structural configuration provide beforehand protection against tangling by designing the attachment geometry and spatial arrangement to prevent elastic elements from reaching or contacting the user's arm during normal operation. The structure is designed in advance to accommodate the full range of motion without creating entanglement hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 apparatus eliminates the need to chase balls, provides consistent feedback, and ensures user safety by holding the ball in a stable position, allowing for efficient and safe training with adjustable tension to simulate game conditions effectively.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient member that has a first end and a second end extends at least partially through the hollow arm. The resilient member is operably connected to the arm at the first end of the resilient member.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11554305B2Volleyball hitting training device

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 ALLEN GREG J

AI summary

A volleyball training apparatus has a laterally extending arm supported on a riser. A resilient member such as a spring is operably connected within the arm. The resilient member is connected to a flexible connector, such as a cable, that is connected to a volleyball. A series of spacers retains the volleyball away from the rigid arm. The height of the arm may be adjustable to locate the volleyball at a desired height. After a user strikes the volleyball, the volleyball is displaced from its original static position, but quickly is snapped back into the static position by the resilient member pulling the volleyball toward the arm against the spacers.