Collapsible Bistro Table Leg Structure for Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible tables with legs longer than the table surface face challenges in storage, packaging, and transportation due to the legs extending awkwardly, requiring additional steps to secure them, which increases time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible table design featuring pivotally connected legs and support bars with removably secured brackets allows the legs to be easily secured to the bottom surface in both use and storage positions, utilizing receiving channels for compact storage and reducing the need for external securing methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the legs are made longer than the table surface width, then the table provides adequate support and stability in use position, but the legs extend awkwardly and are difficult to secure in storage position
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars are designed to be movable between use and storage positions. In use position, the support bars extend to provide structural support for the long legs. In storage position, the support bars are collapsed or folded to allow the legs to be secured against the table surface, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars are positioned and configured to nest or fold within the space created by the long legs when in storage position. This nesting arrangement allows the support structures to be compacted without requiring additional external securing mechanisms, enabling the long legs to be securely stored against the table surface.
2Reliability
If rope or cord is used to wrap around table surfaces to secure legs, then the legs can be secured to the bottom surface, but an extra step is required that adds time to packing and storing
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars are designed to self-secure the legs in both use and storage positions through their own structural configuration. The brackets adjacent to the bottom surface provide automatic engagement points that hold the support bars in place without requiring external ropes, cords, or manual tying operations. The structure serves its own securing function, eliminating the need for separate securing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars serve dual functions: providing structural support in use position and acting as integrated securing mechanisms in storage position. By combining these two functions into a single component system, the invention eliminates the need for separate securing elements like ropes or cords, thereby reducing packing time and operational steps.
3Ease of operation
If the legs are positioned to extend from the bottom surface in storage position, then the table can be easily moved to use position, but the legs take up excessive space and are difficult to store compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars are designed to be movable between extended (use) and collapsed (storage) positions. This dynamic configuration allows the legs to transition smoothly between operational states, maintaining ease of position change while minimizing storage volume when collapsed against the table surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars and legs are arranged to utilize three-dimensional space efficiently. In storage position, the legs are folded or positioned against the bottom surface of the table, transitioning from an extended linear arrangement to a compact three-dimensional configuration that minimizes the volume occupied during storage and transportation.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible table includes a tabletop, a first pair of collapsible legs, and a second pair of collapsible legs. The first pair of legs includes a first support bar for connecting a first leg to a second leg adjacent their top end portions, and the first support bar is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop. The second pair of legs includes a second support bar for connecting a third leg to a fourth leg and a third support bar spaced apart from the second support bar for connecting the third leg to the fourth leg. One or more brackets are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the tabletop and are positioned and configured to removably secure the second support bar to the bottom surface of the tabletop in a use position and removably secure the third support bar to the bottom surface in a storage position.