Wall-Mounted Shuffleboard Arrangement for Crowded Venues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shuffleboard tables occupy large spaces, making it difficult to accommodate multiple tables in crowded venues like bars and entertainment complexes, and existing scoring systems can obstruct players' views and require additional, potentially hazardous support structures.

Innovation Solution

A shuffleboard arrangement with a single playing area at one end of the table, mounted against a wall, featuring a scoreboard at the same end, and a ledge for drink holders, allowing for compact placement and improved visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a shuffleboard table has playing areas at both ends with traditional scoring systems, then players have comfortable throwing positions, but the table occupies large space and cannot be closely packed with other tables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfortable throwing positionVSAvoidspace occupied by table
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shuffleboard table is designed with asymmetry by having playing areas at only one end rather than both ends. The scoring area is positioned at the opposite end from the playing area, creating an unbalanced layout that reduces the space required while maintaining functional playability. This asymmetric arrangement allows tables to be packed more closely together in venues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Loss of information

If the scoreboard is positioned at the playing area, then players can view scores, but it obstructs players' view of the table and requires additional support structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of scoresVSAvoidobstruction of view and safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scoreboard is extracted from the traditional position at the playing area and relocated to the scoring area at the opposite end of the table. This extraction eliminates the obstruction of players' views and removes the need for additional support structures that could pose safety hazards in bar environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall serves as an intermediary structure to support the scoreboard. By mounting the scoreboard on the wall adjacent to the scoring area rather than on standalone supports, the design eliminates potential tripping hazards and structural instability issues while maintaining score visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple shuffleboard tables are placed in limited venue space, then venue capacity increases, but space for players to move and play comfortably decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of tables per venueVSAvoidavailable space for players
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric design with playing areas at one end and scoring areas at the other allows for more efficient spatial arrangement. Tables can be positioned closer together since the scoring areas are consolidated at one end, reducing the total footprint required per table while maintaining player comfort zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3934770B1Shuffleboard board arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ELECTRIC SHUFFLE IP LTD
  • EP3934770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3934770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3934770B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shuffleboard arrangement is disclosed. The shuffleboard arrangement comprises a wall extending along a first direction and a shuffleboard table. The shuffleboard table extends from the wall orthogonal to the first direction from a first end of the shuffleboard table to a second end of the shuffleboard table opposite to the first end of the shuffleboard table. The first end of the shuffleboard table extends from the wall and comprises a scoring area. The second end of the shuffleboard table comprises a playing area from where players throw pucks along a sliding surface towards the scoring area. The shuffleboard arrangement further includes a scoreboard for displaying scoring, the scoreboard arranged at the first end of the shuffleboard table.