Foldable Massage Table Structure for Compact Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage tables are either not collapsible enough or not easily movable when collapsed, making them inconvenient for transport and storage, especially for mobile massage therapists who need a lightweight yet sturdy solution.
Innovation Solution
A mobile massage table with four distinct platforms connected by hinges that allow for rotation and leg movement between use and transport configurations, folding to one-quarter of its expanded size, and a cart for transportation and storage, featuring adjustable legs and folding braces for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the massage table is made collapsible to reduce size for transport, then the volume and portability are improved, but the structural stability and robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The massage table is divided into four separate platforms that can be independently folded and stacked, allowing the structure to collapse into a compact configuration while maintaining individual platform integrity. Each platform can be folded independently, enabling the table to reduce to one-quarter of its expanded size while preserving structural soundness through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The four platforms are designed to nest within each other when folded, with each platform containing or overlapping the previous one in a nested arrangement. This nesting mechanism allows the table to achieve extreme compactness for transport while the layered nested structure provides mutual support and maintains structural stability during both transport and setup configurations.
2Weight of moving object
If the massage table is made lightweight for easy transport, then the weight is reduced, but the strength and robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The table employs dynamic leg mechanisms that can rotate between extended and retracted positions, allowing the structure to adapt its weight distribution and support characteristics. The legs include folding braces that can be positioned to provide maximum structural strength during massage sessions while allowing compact folding for transport, enabling the table to optimize between lightweight portability and robust structural strength based on operational needs.
3Volume of moving object
If the massage table includes multiple folding components for compactness, then the collapsed size is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple folding functions are merged into integrated hinge assemblies that couple the platforms together. The hinges serve dual purposes: they enable the platforms to fold relative to each other for compact collapse, and they simultaneously provide structural coupling that maintains table stability when expanded. This merging of folding and structural functions into unified hinge components reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed, simplifying the overall device despite the complex folding capability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the legs are made extendable for stability during use, then the stability is improved, but the ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed as dynamic components that can rotate between extended and retracted positions through integrated hinge mechanisms. In the extended position, the legs provide maximum stability and support for the massage table during use. For transport, the same legs can be rotated to fold parallel to the platforms, reducing the overall profile and making the table easy to move and store. The dynamic rotational capability allows the legs to adapt between providing structural stability and enabling compact transport configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile massage table includes four platforms, each having opposed short and long sides. Three hinges are coupled to the platforms such that the platforms are movable between a stacked configuration and a planar/use configuration. Two hinges couple respective long sides of two panels together and one hinge couples respective short sides of two other panels together for movement of the respective panels to the stacked configuration. A leg is pivotally coupled to respective platforms and selectively movable between perpendicular configurations at the use configuration and parallel configurations at the stacked configuration. One or more center legs may also be coupled to the platforms to support the panels at the use configuration, the center legs being selectively movable between perpendicular and parallel configurations. The mobile massage table includes a cart having opposed rails configured to receive the platforms thereon in the stacked configuration, the cart including opposed wheels.