Attachment clip for activity table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular tables for infants and toddlers lack a secure and modular attachment mechanism for toys and accessories, limiting the ability to easily swap and enhance interactive elements.

Innovation Solution

An attachment clip with a pivoting mechanism and snap-fit design that removably secures accessories to the table, allowing for easy swapping and secure coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented, then the reliability of accessory attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for swapping accessories deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidaccessory swapping ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism incorporates a pivotable member that can rotate between engaged and disengaged positions, and a pressable member that can be actuated to release the snap-fit connection. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to provide strong secure attachment during normal use while enabling easy release when needed, resolving the contradiction between attachment security and swapping ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the accessory and the table surface, providing a controlled interface that combines secure engagement through snap-fit and pivotable locking with easy release through the pressable member. This intermediary mechanism mediates between the need for strong attachment and easy swapping by translating user pressure into controlled engagement and disengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a modular attachment mechanism is implemented, then the adaptability of the activity table is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetable adaptabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed as a universal solution that can attach multiple different accessory types to the activity table through a single standardized interface. The combination of slot reception, snap-fit engagement, and pivotable locking provides multi-functional attachment capability, allowing the table to accommodate various accessories without requiring multiple specialized mechanisms, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism merges multiple attachment functions into a single integrated component: the slot provides guidance and positioning, the snap-fit provides secure engagement, and the pivotable member provides locking. By combining these functions in one mechanism rather than using separate systems, the design achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250275636A1Attachment clip for activity table
Publication Date: 2025.09.04 SKIP HOP INC
  • US20250275636A1 patent drawing
  • US20250275636A1 patent drawing
  • US20250275636A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An attachment for an activity table according to the present disclosure includes a clip having a first attachment mechanism on a first end, a second attachment mechanism on a second end opposite the first end, and at least one hole shaped to receive a fastener; and an accessory having an interactive element and at least one aperture configured to receive the fastener. The first attachment mechanism is configured to insert into a corresponding slot of the activity table, and the second attachment mechanism is configured to snap fit to the activity table.