Boat Lounge Backrest Rail Assembly for Safer Seat Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable seating arrangements in the boating industry are complex, difficult to operate, and pose safety hazards, particularly in motion or when small children are present, as they often require heavy lifting and involve space-consuming mechanisms with hazardous hinges.

Innovation Solution

A lounge assembly with a movable backrest and a simple adjustment mechanism, featuring a sliding and tiltable backrest with an internal rail system and locking mechanism, allowing multiple seating configurations without occupying additional space and minimizing safety hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustment mechanisms with hinges are used to provide multiple seating arrangements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and safety hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple seating arrangementsVSAvoidcomplex mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned at different angles using a simple rail system with detents, eliminating the need for complex hinge mechanisms while achieving multiple seating configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hazardous hinge mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead, a rail system with detents is extracted and implemented to achieve the same functional goal of multiple positioning without the safety risks associated with traditional hinges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If heavy seats are used to provide stable seating, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to heavy lifting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating stabilityVSAvoidadjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is designed to be dynamically adjustable along a rail system with detents, allowing easy movement between positions. The seat structure itself remains stable when positioned, achieving both stability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A rail system with detents acts as an intermediary mechanism between the backrest and the base, providing guided movement and stable positioning without requiring heavy lifting. The detents provide stable positioning while the rail guides easy movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If space-consuming mechanisms are used to achieve adjustable seating, then adaptability is improved, but area occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating configurationsVSAvoidspace occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest slides within a compact rail system that is nested within the seat structure itself. The adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing seat footprint, achieving multiple configurations without occupying additional space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9440560B2Lounge assembly

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 GRADY WHITE BOATS INC

AI summary

A lounge assembly includes a movable backrest to be positioned at multiple locations on its seating surface. The backrest is supported by plate supports extending into the seat below its seating surface to connect to a slidable carriage assembly used to move the backrest. The backrest can be locked into selected positions on the lounge assembly seating surface. The lounge assembly is especially adapted for a boat.