Foldable Chair Tray With Tapered Leg Channels for Stable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight foldable chairs lack a suitable, easily attachable, detachable, and storable tray solution that can accommodate various leg diameters without requiring hardware and ensures stability when exiting the chair.
Innovation Solution
A utility tray apparatus with tapered channels that interference fit with tubular leg members of different diameters, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and featuring a design that positions the tray below the intersecting leg support to prevent tipping, with optional cantilever members for added stability and a clamping mechanism for versatile attachment to other surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tray is attached to foldable chairs using traditional hardware methods (clamps, screws, brackets), then the tray attachment is secure and stable, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring tools and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional hardware components (screws, clamps, brackets) from the attachment mechanism, extracting only the essential function of securing the tray to the chair leg. The tray body itself is designed with an integrated attachment structure that directly engages with the chair leg through friction and geometry, eliminating the need for separate fastening hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray attachment mechanism is designed to be self-sufficient, using the tray's own structural elements to create the attachment function. The U-shaped channel and friction fit design allow the tray to attach and detach without external tools or additional components, making the system self-service and simplifying the overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tray attachment system is designed to accommodate various chair leg diameters using adjustable mechanisms, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture worsen due to requiring multiple sizes or adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural parameter variation of the chair leg (diameter) to achieve adaptability. The U-shaped channel is designed with specific dimensional parameters (width, depth, angle) that create a friction fit capable of accommodating a range of leg diameters. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves versatility across different chair sizes without requiring adjustable mechanisms or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed as a universal solution that works with multiple chair types and leg diameters. The U-shaped channel geometry and friction fit principle create a single attachment design that can securely hold various leg sizes, making the tray universally compatible across different foldable chair models without requiring size-specific variants.
3Ease of operation
If the tray is positioned higher on the chair for better accessibility, then the ease of operation improves, but the stability deteriorates as the chair may tip when exiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the stability-accessibility conflict by changing the positional dimension of the tray. Instead of placing the tray high on the chair arm or backrest for accessibility, the tray is positioned low on the chair leg, near the ground. This low positioning lowers the center of gravity and prevents tipping, while the tray still provides accessible surface area for placing items within reach of the seated user.
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
Enables easy and secure attachment to various foldable chair sizes, prevents the chair from tipping when exiting, and allows for storage in a bag, providing a stable and versatile tray solution without the need for additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
A first channel is formed in the body portion and opens to the first end of the body portion and extends toward a center of the body portion. The first channel has a width decreasing from the first end of the body portion toward the center of the body portion... suitable for interference fit with the first tubular leg member
Data Source
AI summary
A utility tray apparatus is provided which is attachable to lightweight foldable chairs. The chairs generally consist of tubular frames with fabric seat and backrests. The utility tray apparatus has a body portion and a tray portion. The body portion has two channels formed therein. The channels are suitable for receipt of the tubular leg members of the chair. The channels are tapered such that an interference fit is achieved when the diameter of the tubular leg member matches the width of the respective channel. An attachment member may be provided which fits within the channels of the body portion. The attachment member having a clamp on the bottom thereof suitable for clamping to a square or circular tubular member, such as a rail on a deer stand.