Concealed Cantilever Furniture Support for Full-Depth Drawers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting devices for cantilever furniture, such as base-brackets, protrude from the surface, limiting drawer capacity and aesthetics, and struggle to support heavy loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A supporting device with a hook-ended arm that can be horizontally and vertically regulated to be flush with the surface of the furniture, using mechanisms like pegs or self-threading screws to secure it without protruding, allowing for full drawer capacity and easy aesthetic covering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base-bracket protrudes from the shoulder surface to provide structural support, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the drawer length and capacity are reduced due to interference in the run-end section
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is nested within the furniture structure by fixing it to the rear upper edge where the shoulder, top, and lining meet. The device utilizes the corner space and is partially concealed by the lining, allowing the drawer to extend fully to the front surface without interference from the supporting mechanism.
2Strength
If the base-bracket protrudes from the shoulder surface, then the structural support is provided, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and requires additional covering means
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is extracted from the traditional protruding base-bracket configuration and repositioned to the rear upper edge of the furniture. This extraction removes the visual obstruction from the front view while maintaining structural support functionality through the hook mechanism that engages with the wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The lining, described as a possible thin film or flexible covering, is used to conceal the supporting device. The lining can be positioned to cover the rear upper edge area where the supporting device is fixed, providing aesthetic coverage while allowing the structural function to remain.
3Strength
If the supporting device is designed to support extremely heavy loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is segmented into distinct functional components: the arm with hook for load bearing, the fixing means for attachment, and the regulation mechanisms for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic regulation mechanisms that allow horizontal and vertical adjustment of the arm position. These mechanisms enable the device to adapt to different furniture configurations and load requirements while maintaining a simple fixed-structure appearance from the outside.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supporting device (50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D) for cantilever furniture (M) comprising, in combination: a hook (55, 55A, 55B, 55C, 55D) situated at the free end of an arm (56, 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D) extending externally from said device (50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D), mechanisms (57, 57A, 57B, 57C, 57D; 58, 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D) for the regulation of the positions in depth (horizontal) and height (vertical) of said hook (55, 55A, 55B, 55C, 55D) being associated with said arm (56, 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D). According to the invention, said device comprises assembly means (62, 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D) of said arm (56, 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D) and of said regulation mechanisms (57, 57A, 57B, 57C, 57D; 58, 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D) suitable for being received inside a corresponding seat (cavity) (66, 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D) specifically situated in the shoulder (51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D) of the piece of furniture (M), and fixing means (64, 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D) of the supporting device (50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D) on the surface (67, 67A, 67B, 67C, 67D) of said shoulder (51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D), outside said seat (cavity) (66, 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D).