Skookum
September 9th, 2011, 01:47 PM
So I have had this though for sometime now but seeing and watching this video has brought it to a boil.
http://www.arroyodiscsports.com/products/targets/
So the Mach V is an approved basket. My question is can I do anything to it?
Obviously, I can't change any of the specs that it's certification is based on, but if you've ever gone though the standards that define a legal A, B, or X basket from and illegal one they cover some very specific things while purposely leaving the rest vague to encourage innovation and creativity. So if I stay away from the parts of the standard that are specific is there a grey area?
To be specific what if I wanted to add a quicklink or two to the inner chains to reduce blow through. This does not change the fundamental aspects that the got the basket approved in the first place. It has the same dimensions, same gap allowances, and same number of chains, none of the hard criteria have changed.
If you argue that you can't change anything on a basket then wouldn't some of the things we see out there right now possible violate that principal. We attach all manner of things to the top, approved? Stielly has collars locked on to the bottom, approved? Stickers? Tape? (try taping a basketball hoops rim). What if the basket is damaged and I fix it with a little welding or replace a few chains? Have I invalidated the baskets legitimacy?
OK, so IF the answer is "NO TOUCHY". Then what if the manufacture offers aftermarket upgrades/modifications options that have also gone though an approval process. If a great idea comes along (read electric cars) can it ever get anywhere because what little capital we all collectively have is tied up in the current concept (mach 2-5, Chainstar, DisCatcher, clones...) or is there a future out there for someone to sell aftermarket parts to bring your old disc spitting baskets into the sublime utopia of center chain equaling putt made without losing your ability to hold sanctioned events.
Super obviously, if I buy a basket I can do what ever I want. This conversation is really about PDGA sanctioning approval and of course the possibility of PATENT WARS.
http://www.arroyodiscsports.com/products/targets/
So the Mach V is an approved basket. My question is can I do anything to it?
Obviously, I can't change any of the specs that it's certification is based on, but if you've ever gone though the standards that define a legal A, B, or X basket from and illegal one they cover some very specific things while purposely leaving the rest vague to encourage innovation and creativity. So if I stay away from the parts of the standard that are specific is there a grey area?
To be specific what if I wanted to add a quicklink or two to the inner chains to reduce blow through. This does not change the fundamental aspects that the got the basket approved in the first place. It has the same dimensions, same gap allowances, and same number of chains, none of the hard criteria have changed.
If you argue that you can't change anything on a basket then wouldn't some of the things we see out there right now possible violate that principal. We attach all manner of things to the top, approved? Stielly has collars locked on to the bottom, approved? Stickers? Tape? (try taping a basketball hoops rim). What if the basket is damaged and I fix it with a little welding or replace a few chains? Have I invalidated the baskets legitimacy?
OK, so IF the answer is "NO TOUCHY". Then what if the manufacture offers aftermarket upgrades/modifications options that have also gone though an approval process. If a great idea comes along (read electric cars) can it ever get anywhere because what little capital we all collectively have is tied up in the current concept (mach 2-5, Chainstar, DisCatcher, clones...) or is there a future out there for someone to sell aftermarket parts to bring your old disc spitting baskets into the sublime utopia of center chain equaling putt made without losing your ability to hold sanctioned events.
Super obviously, if I buy a basket I can do what ever I want. This conversation is really about PDGA sanctioning approval and of course the possibility of PATENT WARS.