Portable Bar Counter Mortise Assembly for Tool-Free Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable bar counters are difficult to assemble and disassemble quickly due to the need for screws, bolts, and other tools, making them impractical for temporary installations.

Innovation Solution

A portable bar counter with a system of mortise joints and magnetic or rubberized covers that allows for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, featuring a compact closed configuration and rapid transition to an open configuration for use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional assembly methods (screws, bolts, tools) are used for portable bar counters, then structural stability is improved, but assembly time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, tools) with a magnetic field-based fastening system. Magnets embedded in the counter components create magnetic attraction forces that hold components together during assembly and operation, eliminating the need for conventional mechanical fasteners and tools while significantly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of materials by incorporating magnetic materials into the counter structure. By utilizing magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter, the system achieves both rapid assembly and structural stability through adjustable magnetic attraction forces, transforming the assembly process from mechanical to magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional assembly methods (screws, bolts, tools) are used for portable bar counters, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, tools) with a magnetic field-based fastening system. Magnets embedded in the counter components create magnetic attraction forces that hold components together during assembly and operation, eliminating the need for conventional mechanical fasteners and tools while significantly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic fastening system is self-aligning and self-locking, requiring no external tools or specialized knowledge for assembly. The components automatically attract and secure to each other through magnetic forces, making the assembly process intuitive and eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures or specialized personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If the bar counter is designed for portability and compact storage, then transportability is improved, but structural stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic magnetic field control to adapt the structural characteristics of the bar counter. During transport, the magnetic fields can be adjusted to provide stronger holding forces for compact storage, while during operation, the fields maintain optimal strength for structural stability. This dynamic adjustment allows the same structure to excel in both portability and stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of materials by incorporating magnetic materials into the counter structure. By utilizing magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter, the system achieves both rapid assembly and structural stability through adjustable magnetic attraction forces, transforming the assembly process from mechanical to magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables quick assembly and disassembly in 2 minutes and 1.5 minutes respectively, providing a stable and practical solution for temporary installations without requiring specialized tools.

Implementation Method 1

said magnetic covers being magnetically retained to said front and lateral panels in said closed configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

said lateral panels being hingedly connected to said front panels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3136909B1Portable bar counter
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 TULLI MATTEO
  • EP3136909B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP3136909B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3136909B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Portable bar counter (1), provided on the lower part with wheels, comprising a plurality of components, with rectangular prismatic profile, that can be assembled together, said counter (1) having a first closed configuration, adapted for the transport of said counter (1) and a second open configuration adapted for the use of the counter (1), said counter (1) comprising: a support structure (4); a system (5) of panels (6) that are movable with respect to surface hinges (7'), and connected to said structure (4), due to further surface hinges (7''); a work surface (8); at least one shelf (9); at least two shoulders (11) connected to said surface (8) due to surface hinges (12) that allow spatially orienting said shoulders (11) vertically with respect to the surface (8); at least one stabilizing support (10) to be placed orthogonally along the front edges (15) of the surface (8) of the counter (1), said bar counter (1) being characterized in that the assembly between its components occurs due to mortise joints (16) represented by cavities and projections mating with each other, said mortise joints (16) also being covered by the metal layer (16') showing magnetic properties, or by the layer (16") of rubberized material.