Child Chair Tray Interlock for Secure, Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child chair trays lack a secure and easy-to-use attachment mechanism that minimizes movement and allows for easy cleaning, while being durable and inexpensive to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A tray attachment system for foldable chairs featuring a cylindrical female connector on the tray and a male connector on the chair leg, with an interlock mechanism that includes a handle and resilient arms for secure locking and easy removal, where the handle is integral with the interlock and moves a minimum distance for unlocking, and the tray design includes a peripheral lip for accessibility and minimal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to minimize tray movement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock mechanism is nested within the handle assembly, with the resilient arm and locking tabs integrated into the handle structure. The handle contains the interlock mechanism, which in turn contains the resilient arm, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides secure attachment without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm automatically engages the locking tabs with the connectors without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms. The resilient nature of the arm provides automatic locking and retention, achieving reliable attachment through self-service functionality rather than complex external mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If an easy-to-use attachment mechanism is used for quick tray removal, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is extracted as a separate, accessible component that can be easily grasped and manipulated by a user. The handle is positioned to extend beyond the tray perimeter, allowing easy access for removal operations while the interlock mechanism remains integrated and secure during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm provides dynamic functionality, automatically adjusting between engaged and disengaged states based on handle movement. When the handle is pulled, the resilient arm dynamically transitions from a locked to an unlocked state, providing easy removal while maintaining security during stable attachment
3Ease of manufacture
If the tray design allows easy cleaning access, then ease of manufacture and maintenance is improved, but structural integrity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented with a peripheral lip that creates distinct zones - the lip itself forms a separate structural element that can be accessed for cleaning while the main tray body maintains its structural integrity. The lip segmentation allows cleaning access without compromising the overall strength of the tray structure
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
The system provides a secure, easy-to-use, and durable attachment that minimizes tray movement and allows for easy cleaning, while being cost-effective to manufacture, ensuring the tray is securely locked to the chair yet easily removable.
Implementation Method 1
a first resilient arm for keeping the interlock engaged between the second and third connectors and for automatically drawing the interlock back to an engaged position between the second and third connectors after the handle has been operated to disengage the interlock from between the second and third connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A tray for attachment to first and second rising legs of a foldable chair for a child. A connection between the tray and one of the first and second legs includes a female connector depending from the underside of a tray and a male connector rising from the leg. An interlock slides between the female and male connectors and is operated by a handle integral with the interlock. Resilient arms integral with the interlock and handle keep the interlock engaged and automatically draw back the interlock after the handle slides the interlock to a disengaged position such that the tray can be removed from the legs.