Foldable Table Leg Sockets for Stability and Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables made from lightweight materials face challenges in providing sufficient stability and durability while maintaining portability, as they often struggle to withstand the rigors of use without compromising on strength and sturdiness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a table top with strategically positioned sockets and legs that extend beyond the table's perimeter, featuring a rotational mechanism with resilient tabs for locking in place, providing enhanced stability and balance by angling the legs to prevent tipping and allow for secure storage when folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used for the table, then portability is improved, but stability and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The leg extension portions are configured to extend beyond the perimeter of the table top in radial directions, utilizing the spatial dimension outward from the table top to enhance stability. This dimensional extension of the support structure provides a wider base of support without adding vertical height or compromising portability
2Stability of the object's composition
If legs are extended beyond the table top perimeter, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each leg is segmented into a head portion and an extension portion that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the extension portion to be positioned outward for stability while the head portion remains connected to the table top, enabling the stability enhancement without requiring a completely complex leg structure
3Ease of operation
If legs are made foldable for portability, then ease of transport is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The leg mechanism transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic foldable structure that can change configuration. The leg can be in an extended position for use where it provides full structural strength, or folded against the table top for transport where the strength requirement is reduced but portability is enhanced
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
This configuration enhances mechanical stability, allowing the table to withstand significant weight and pass tipping and overload tests, while maintaining portability by allowing the legs to fold compactly for easy storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The head portion has a resilient tab and in the extended position the resilient tab is disposed within the opening and against the ledge to prevent movement of the head portion within the first socket
Data Source
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2
Figure 1.3
AI summary
A foldable table (100) configured to provide a stable operational position in which the table legs (102) may extend beyond the footprint of the table (100), and a folded,. storage position in which the table legs (102) may be tucked within the footprint of the table. An aspect provides table legs (102) that may slide and pivot within sockets (112) of a table top (104), to enable the legs (102) to lock into the extended position and to also pivot flat against a horizontal undersurface of the table top (104).