Foldable Trolley With Angled Ramps For Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trolleys are heavy, complex to assemble and disassemble, and require substantial space for storage, making them unsuitable for versatile use with various folding table sizes and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional, lightweight, and foldable trolley design featuring a frame with angled ramps, receivers, a handle rack, side rails, and an adjustable u-shaped gate, allowing easy assembly, disassembly, and adjustment to accommodate both round and rectangular folding tables of different sizes without the need for disassembly for storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional trolleys are made to fit certain size and shape tables, then they can securely transport specific table configurations, but multiple different trolleys are required for various table sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various table sizesVSAvoidnumber of different trolleys needed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley is designed with a universal floor structure featuring a planar central portion bounded by angled ramp portions that can accommodate both round and rectangular tables of various sizes. The standardized receivers and handle rack mounts enable a single trolley design to serve multiple table configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized trolleys

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional trolleys are made foldable for storage, then storage space is reduced, but assembly and disassembly become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space requirementVSAvoidassembly and disassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley is divided into separable components including the handle rack, side rails, and floor sections, each with standardized receivers and mounting points. This segmentation allows the components to be easily assembled and disassembled through simple connection mechanisms while enabling compact folded storage configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If conventional trolleys are made of heavy materials for durability, then structural strength is improved, but weight and ease of handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtrolley weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley employs composite construction combining steel components for structural strength (frame, receivers, mounts) with lighter materials where appropriate. This composite approach maintains the necessary structural integrity for durable transport while reducing overall weight compared to conventional all-steel designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3492341B1Multifunctional foldable trolley
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 ZHUHAI SHICHANG METALS
  • EP3492341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A trolley (10) is configured to carry round or rectangular folding tables of a variety of sizes and includes a frame (12) having a floor (14) located adjacent a loading end of the frame. The floor includes a planar central portion bounded on each side by angled ramp portions which terminate at elevated flat portions, and a plurality of receivers located on the frame. The trolley also includes a handle rack (16) locatable at an end of the frame opposite the loading end of the frame and is configured for folding the handle rack to a lowered position adjacent the frame. The trolley also includes a pair of side rails (18) locatable adjacent sides of the frame, the side rails including a pair of rail legs. The side rails are also configured to be folded to a lowered position adjacent the frame.