Integrated Chair Tray Ganging Structure for Simple Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chair ganging devices are complex and costly to produce in high volumes, lacking a simple yet robust mechanism for attaching to chairs, which hinders efficient configuration and spacing in multi-purpose rooms.
Innovation Solution
A molded tray and ganging device with integrally molded ganging rod capture structures and U-shaped ganging rods that can be snap-fitted without additional fasteners, allowing for easy attachment to a chair's seat using only four fasteners, enabling efficient interlocking and stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ganging devices are used to interlock chairs, then chair interlocking and spacing functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tray and ganging device into a single integrally molded structure, eliminating separate components. The ganging rod capture structures are built into the tray itself, merging two previously separate functions into one unified component that reduces complexity while maintaining interlocking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The molded tray serves multiple functions: it acts as both a tray structure and a ganging device. The integrally molded capture structures enable the tray to simultaneously provide food/drink serving capability and chair interlocking capability, reducing the need for separate ganging devices
2Reliability
If traditional ganging devices with multiple fasteners are used, then secure attachment to chair seat is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged into the molded tray structure itself through integrally molded capture structures. The tray is attached to the chair seat using only four fasteners, while the ganging rods are captured by the molded structures without requiring additional fasteners, simplifying the overall attachment process
Solution Approach 2:
The molded capture structures are designed to automatically capture and retain the ganging rods through their geometric configuration. The L-shaped ends of the ganging rods are retained by the capture structures without requiring additional fastening operations, allowing the structure to serve itself in securing the rods
3Ease of manufacture
If simple attachment mechanisms are used for the molded tray, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the robustness and reliability of chair interlocking may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The robust interlocking mechanism is achieved by integrating the ganging rod capture structures directly into the molded tray. This merging eliminates the need for separate, potentially complex fastening mechanisms while maintaining strong interlocking capability through the molded geometric features
Solution Approach 2:
The molded tray appears to be constructed from molded plastic or polymer material that provides both cost-effectiveness and structural robustness. The integrally molded capture structures create strong, reliable interlocking features without requiring additional metal fasteners or complex assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A molded tray and ganging device for attachment to a seat of a chair and a chair containing the molded tray and ganging device. The molded tray and ganging device includes a molded structure having an top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second raised sides attached to the bottom surface. One or more ganging rod capture structures are integrally molded into the molded structure and extend upwardly from the top surface of the molded structure. A U-shaped ganging rod is slidably attached to each of the one or more ganging rod capture structures. Each U-shaped ganging rod has a ganging engagement portion that extends outwardly from one of the raised sides of the molded structure and L-shaped ends distal from the ganging engagement portion.