Portable collapsable shelf and method of use

Solution Overview

Problem

Public surfaces such as baby changing tables and coffee shop tables often lack sufficient flat space for temporary use, and permanent modifications are impractical due to space constraints and cleanliness concerns, as well as the need for additional surface area without necessitating permanent changes.

Innovation Solution

A portable and collapsible shelf that extends from a flat surface or wall, featuring a platform with interconnected support segments, a counter-balance for stability, and a strut for additional support, allowing temporary expansion and easy storage, utilizing materials like plastic, wood, or metal, and optional suction cups or magnetic components for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If permanent modifications are made to public surfaces to add surface area, then additional surface space is provided, but the modification becomes time-consuming and cost-prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmodification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is divided into multiple support segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the shelf to be quickly configured without permanent installation, providing additional surface area while avoiding time-consuming modifications to the public surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf transitions from a static permanent modification to a dynamic temporary structure that can be easily deployed and removed. The adjustable support segments and removable design enable the shelf to adapt to different surfaces and be quickly installed or taken down without permanent changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If permanent modifications are made to public surfaces to add surface area, then additional surface space is provided, but the modification becomes cost-prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmodification cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is divided into multiple support segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the shelf to be quickly configured without permanent installation, providing additional surface area while avoiding time-consuming modifications to the public surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf is designed as a temporary, removable structure rather than a permanent modification. This approach uses simpler, less expensive materials and construction methods compared to permanent installations, making it cost-effective for temporary use on public surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the shelf structure is made more complex to increase stability, then stability is improved, but the ease of portability and storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support segments are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the stable, extended shelf structure to be compacted into a small portable form for easy storage and transport, resolving the contradiction between stability and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf transitions from a static permanent modification to a dynamic temporary structure that can be easily deployed and removed. The adjustable support segments and removable design enable the shelf to adapt to different surfaces and be quickly installed or taken down without permanent changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Provides a temporary, stable, and portable extra surface area that can be easily deployed and stowed, addressing the need for additional space without the costs and permanence of modifications, while ensuring cleanliness and adaptability to various environments.

Implementation Method 1

The counter-balance 14 may have a suction cup, or magnetic component, or other attachment component to attach to the table 18

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

The counter-balance 14 may have a suction cup, or magnetic component, or other attachment component to attach to the table 18

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10278502B2Portable collapsable shelf and method of use

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 FARAHANI SHEILA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a collapsible shelf comprising a platform that may include a plurality of interconnected support segments wherein the interconnected support segments are arranged to be alternately collapsed into a storage configuration and deployed into a use configuration in which said plurality of support segments lie side to side in a common plane, and a first support segment; a counter-balance attached to said first support segment; and a strut that may include a plurality of strut segments wherein the strut segments are interconnected and arranged such that the strut segments can be alternately collapsed into said storage configuration and deployed into said use configuration in which said plurality of strut segments lie side to side, a first strut segment connected to said first support segment, and an end strut segment.