Connector assembly for connecting together sections/sectionals of furniture pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connectors for connecting sofa sections or sectionals are difficult to operate, not readily accessible, often require multiple people, and do not ensure a stable, safe, and comfortable integral structure for the finalized sofa configuration.
Innovation Solution
A connecting mechanism comprising male and female connectors with matching cross-sectional configurations, allowing easy assembly of sofa sections or sectionals into desired configurations, such as L-shaped or U-shaped, using base frame members and fasteners for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current connectors are used to connect sofa sections, then the sofa sections can be connected together, but the connectors are difficult to operate and may not be readily accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is divided into separate male and female connector components that can be independently positioned and operated. The male connector is attached to one sofa section while the female connector is attached to the adjacent section, allowing each to be accessed and operated separately rather than requiring simultaneous manipulation of a single complex connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female connectors serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection between sofa sections. These connectors provide accessible interface points that can be easily engaged and disengaged, acting as mediators between the sofa sections and the user's hands for simple operation.
2Productivity
If current connectors are used to connect sofa sections, then the sofa sections can be connected together, but several people are required to manipulate and achieve the requisite connections
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection system into male and female connectors that can be pre-attached to sofa sections, the assembly process becomes simpler and can be performed by a single person. Each connector is designed to be independently manipulated, eliminating the need for multiple people to coordinate complex connector manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female connectors are pre-attached to the sofa sections during manufacturing, so that during assembly the user only needs to align and engage the connectors rather than manipulating complex connector mechanisms. This preliminary attachment simplifies the field assembly process to a single-person operation.
3Reliability
If current connectors are used to connect sofa sections, then the sofa sections can be connected together, but the connectors do not ensure a stable integral structure
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector features a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with curved engagement surfaces that provide stable mechanical interlocking. The L-shape geometry creates multiple contact points between connectors, ensuring structural stability while maintaining simple engagement through straightforward alignment and insertion motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female connectors are designed to mate together in a unified L-shaped configuration that creates a rigid, stable joint between sofa sections. The combining of these two connector components forms an integral structural connection that provides both stability and simplicity, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of base frame members upon which furniture piece sectionals are to be fixedly attached. More particularly, the base frame members comprise a plurality of transversely extending cross-beam members having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration and comprising a male connector. A connecting mechanism, having a cross-sectional configuration which is similar to that of the transversely extending cross-beam members, serves as a female connector as a result of having a slot defined within each opposite end thereof, wherein each one of the slots has a geometrical configuration that matches the geometrical configurations of the male connector transversely extending cross-beam members. Accordingly, when the male connector portion of each one of the transversely extending cross-beam members is inserted into each opposite end of the female connecting mechanism, the two male connector transversely extending cross-beam base frame members will be connected together so that, together with the intervening connecting mechanism, different sectionals of the furniture piece sofa can be connected together in different ways so as to provide the resulting furniture piece sofa with different geometrical configurations.