Foldable Hardwood Chair Pad With Recessed Hinges for Shipping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wood chair pads are rigid, making them difficult to move and ship, and are not suitable for mass production due to freight restraints, whereas flexible chair pads are lacking in durability and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A foldable hardwood chair pad constructed from multiple elongated planks, similar to hardwood flooring, with recessed hinges that allow the panels to fold easily for transport and shipping, while maintaining a rigid surface for chair usage, using materials like bamboo and teak with enhanced durability and water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hardwood materials are used to construct chair pads, then durability and functionality are improved, but ease of movement and shipping becomes worse due to rigid construction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chair pad is divided into multiple separate hardwood planks that can be individually handled and moved. Each plank is a discrete component that can be separated from the others, allowing the planks to be moved independently or in smaller groups rather than as one large rigid unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chair pad transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The planks can be arranged in different configurations - spread out for use, stacked for storage, or partially assembled during shipping - allowing the system to adapt its rigidity and form factor based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If hardwood materials are used to construct chair pads, then durability is improved, but shipping constraints and freight restraints worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidshipping constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chair pad is divided into multiple separate hardwood planks that can be individually handled and moved. Each plank is a discrete component that can be separated from the others, allowing the planks to be moved independently or in smaller groups rather than as one large rigid unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The planks can be stacked vertically or arranged in three-dimensional configurations during shipping, utilizing vertical space and reducing the footprint. This dimensional flexibility allows the hardwood components to be shipped in compact arrangements that meet freight constraints while maintaining the durability benefits of hardwood construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If multiple elongated planks are used to form rigid panels, then durability and water resistance are improved, but flexibility and ease of folding becomes worse

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chair pad is divided into multiple separate hardwood planks that can be individually handled and moved. Each plank is a discrete component that can be separated from the others, allowing the planks to be moved independently or in smaller groups rather than as one large rigid unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chair pad transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The planks can be arranged in different configurations - spread out for use, stacked for storage, or partially assembled during shipping - allowing the system to adapt its rigidity and form factor based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8158232B2Foldable chair pad

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 GFH ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A chair pad has foldable panels for movement and shipment. A hard wood chair pad forms from multiple elongated rigid planks, processed like hardwood flooring. The chair pad provides a substantially rigid surface that folds easily for transport and shipping. The rigid planks utilized in the chair pad, similar to hardwood flooring planks, have sufficient thickness such that when they are bonded in an adjacent side by side abutting manner along the longer lengthwise edges similar to some hardwood flooring and further bonded to a backing in an adjacent side by side manner, the planks form a substantially rigid surface. The planks connect adjacently lengthwise along their long side edges.