Collapsible Tripod Stand With Fold-Out Cover Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible stand and cover devices for articles face challenges in balancing competing design criteria such as stability, ease of assembly and collapse, and ease of use, as integrating these functionalities often results in suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible stand design featuring a single sheet of stiff material weakened along transverse parallel lines to form hinged panels, allowing for a tripod configuration with forward and rear legs, and a method to convert the stand into a cover by folding and attaching panels to encase an article, utilizing magnetic and Velcro attachments for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the stand is designed to provide stable article support at elevation, then stability is improved, but the complexity of assembly and collapse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is divided into multiple functional panels (floor support panel, exterior support panel, shelf panel, shelf support panel) that can be independently folded and collapsed. Each panel is hinged to allow sequential folding, enabling the stand to collapse into a compact cover while maintaining structural integrity during assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible stand panels are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, with the shelf panel inserting into the exterior support panel, and the shelf support panel folding into the main body. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall size when collapsed while preserving the stability characteristics when assembled.
2Ease of operation
If the stand structure is simplified for easy assembly and collapse, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and support capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stand employs hinged connections that allow dynamic transformation between the expanded stable configuration and the collapsed compact configuration. The hinges provide controlled movement during assembly and collapse operations, enabling easy operation while maintaining structural rigidity when in the stable support position.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand structure changes its geometric parameters (panel angles, distances between legs) to transition between stable and collapsed states. When assembled, the panels form rigid triangular structures for stability; when collapsing, the same panels fold through defined hinge angles to achieve compact storage, balancing ease of operation with structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stand is designed as a single integrated device providing both stand and cover functions, then versatility is improved, but the ability to optimize each function independently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible stand is designed as a universal device that can function both as a stable support stand and as a protective cover. The same panel structure serves dual purposes: when expanded, it provides article support and display; when collapsed, it forms a compact cover for protection, achieving versatility without requiring separate dedicated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic folding mechanism allows the device to adapt its configuration based on the required function. The hinged panels can be positioned to optimize for stand functionality (providing stable elevation) or for cover functionality (providing compact protection), enabling the single integrated device to reliably perform both roles by changing its geometric state.
Data Source
AI summary
Collapsible stand to support and exhibit an article includes a stand portion, two forward legs and a rear leg. The legs engage a lower portion of a main body and splay outwardly in the form of a tripod. The main body provides support against which the article rests in leaning engagement. The legs each include: a floor support panel hingeably connected to the main body to support the bottom of the article; an exterior support panel hingeably connected to the floor support panel and projecting from the floor to the main body to resist the opposing force created by the load of the article on the stand; a shelf panel hingeably connected to the exterior support panel to support the load of the article on the stand; and a shelf support panel hingeably connected to the shelf panel to support the shelf panel against the main body.