Extendable Table Chain Structure for Stable Surface Slat Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional extendable tables face issues with middle surface slats loosening due to lack of constraints, leading to instability and uneven surface slat separation when extended or retracted.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a chain structure with sliders and separation limiting plates within slide grooves on extendable beams, restricting surface slat movement to prevent loosening and ensuring uniform separation, along with foot pads to reduce floor wear and reinforced connections between table leg sets and extendable beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If middle surface slats are fixed only to soft linkage strap without additional constraints, then the table surface can be extended and retracted, but the middle surface slats loosen and become unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveextendabilityVSAvoidstability of middle surface slats
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a soft linkage strap as an intermediary component between the middle surface slats and the table frame. This strap allows the slats to move during extension and retraction while maintaining their positional stability, solving the contradiction between extendability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft linkage strap functions as a flexible element that connects the middle surface slats to the table frame. Its flexibility enables the slats to move during extension while its tension maintains their stability, preventing loosening and ensuring reliable operation throughout the table's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If middle surface slats are constrained to prevent loosening, then stability is improved, but the separation uniformity of surface slats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of middle surface slatsVSAvoiduniform separation of surface slats
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The soft linkage strap acts as a mediator that distributes tension forces uniformly across all middle surface slats during extension. This ensures that each slat maintains its proper separation and alignment, achieving both stability and uniform separation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the soft linkage strap to dynamically adjust the tension and positioning of middle surface slats during extension and retraction. This parameter change approach ensures uniform separation is maintained throughout the movement range while preventing slat loosening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3815574B1Extendable table
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 JIAXING MINDO OUTDOOR PROD
  • EP3815574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3815574B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention is an extendable table; the invention relates to furniture and is aimed at solving the problem of the risk of middle surface slats loosening due to the lack of any constraints on the middle surface slats. The key features of the technical solution thereof are: an extendable table, comprising two table leg sets arranged opposite each other, and multiple surface slats disposed between the two table leg sets; the table leg set has an inverted U-shape overall, and comprises two table legs, and a crossbeam disposed between top ends of the two table legs; two extendable beams are provided between the two table leg sets, and an upper end face of the extendable beam is provided with a slide groove, the slide groove being provided with a chain structure; the chain structure comprises multiple sliders slidably mated with the slide groove, and a separation limiting plate disposed between adjacent sliders. The extendable table of the present invention has a more stable structure overall, with each surface slat having a restricted degree of movement, effectively eliminating the risk of loosening thereof; the multiple surface slats are spaced more uniformly after being opened out, effectively improving the appearance.