Adjustable Extension Gate for Trolley Load Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trolleys for folding furniture are of fixed size, heavy, complicated to assemble, and require substantial space for storage, lacking stability for partial loads and adaptability to various table sizes and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional trolley with an adjustable extension gate and load stabilizer, allowing easy length adjustment and stabilization of partial loads, featuring a foldable design for compact storage and quick assembly/disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional trolleys are made of fixed size to ensure structural stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability to various table sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to various table sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gate is designed with an elongate member that can slide along the side rail, allowing the gate length to be dynamically adjusted. The rotatable portion can be positioned at different locations along the elongate member and locked in place, enabling the trolley to adapt to different table sizes while maintaining structural stability through the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gate is divided into multiple segments: a base portion, an elongate member with multiple positions, and a rotatable portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each segment to achieve the desired gate length and configuration for different loading requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If conventional trolleys are made heavy to ensure durability and load capacity, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidease of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley utilizes the weight of the loaded tables themselves as counterweight to stabilize the extended gate, rather than adding extra heavy components. The stabilizer bar leverages the load's weight to maintain gate position, achieving load capacity without excessive overall trolley weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional trolleys are made of fixed length to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadjustability of length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gate transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The elongate member can slide to different positions along the side rail, and the rotatable portion can be locked at various locations, allowing the effective gate length to be changed based on loading requirements while maintaining relatively simple construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable gate mechanism serves multiple functions: it can be extended for large tables, retracted for small tables, and configured in different positions to accommodate various table shapes and sizes, making a single trolley design universal for different furniture items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If conventional trolleys have fixed gate position to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegate stabilityVSAvoidadjustability of gate position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gate system allows dynamic positioning of the rotatable portion along the elongate member. Once positioned, the locking mechanism provides stable fixation. This enables the gate to be configured for different table sizes while ensuring stability during transport through the locking system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4058339B1Extension gate for trolley
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ZHUHAI SHICHANG METALS
  • EP4058339B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4058339B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4058339B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A trolley (10) configured for use to carry foldable tables of a variety of sizes, the trolley includes a loading end, a trolley frame (12); and an extension gate (20), the extension gate (20)includes an elongate member (50a) slidingly disposed on the trolley frame(12), and a rotatable portion (52) that is foldable relative to the elongate member (50a) and lockable in an upright position by a lock (56), the rotatable portion (52) may be positioned in an extended position from the loading end of the trolley (10), in a retracted position adjacent the loading end of the trolley (10), and in positions intermediate to the extended position and the retract position, the elongate member (50a) may slide in a first direction to extend to the rotatable portion (52) away from the loading end of the trolley and in a second direction to retract the rotatable portion (52) toward the loading end of the trolley (10).