Foldable Chair Mat With Reversible Cushion for Sit-Stand Desks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional desk chair mats are uncomfortable for prolonged standing and lack sufficient support when used with work desks that adjust between sitting and standing positions, especially on carpeted floors where they tend to move excessively.
Innovation Solution
A chair mat with a substantially rigid base featuring a fold line that allows a resilient cushion to switch between downward and upward positions, providing a smooth surface for sitting and a compressible surface for standing, with optional carpet-engaging protrusions or ribs for stability on different floor types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid plastic base is used for the chair mat, then easy movement of casters is achieved, but comfort for prolonged standing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chair mat incorporates a fold line that allows the mat to dynamically change its configuration between a flat position (for sitting with easy caster movement) and a folded position (for standing with cushion support). This dynamic transformation enables the mat to adapt to different usage scenarios, resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and standing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair mat is divided into two functional portions by a fold line: a first portion that provides a smooth rigid surface for caster movement, and a second portion that can be folded to provide cushion support. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function independently, addressing both the ease of movement requirement and the standing comfort requirement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If carpet-engaging protrusions are added to the base, then stability on carpeted floors is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Carpet-engaging protrusions are added only to specific localized areas of the base (such as corners or edges) rather than covering the entire surface. This localized approach provides sufficient stability on carpeted floors while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining simplicity in the overall design.
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 chair mat ensures comfortable standing and easy movement of desk chairs on various surfaces by maintaining stability and reducing fatigue, while allowing seamless transition between sitting and standing positions without shifting on the floor.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient cushion can be disposed on only a lower surface of the second portion of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A chair mat especially designed for use in both a sitting and standing position can have a substantially rigid base including a fold line separating a first portion of the base from a second portion. A resilient cushion can positioned on only the second portion lower surface of the base. The second portion can be movable about the fold line relative to the first portion between a first position where the cushion is downwardly facing and a second position where the cushion is upwardly facing. When the second portion is in the first position, the substantially rigid base can present a substantially continuously smooth upper surface providing for easy movement of any casters or rollers supporting a desk chair spider. When the second portion is in the second position, the cushion can provide a compressible yet resilient portion that facilitates a comfortable standing working position for prolonged periods of time.