Folding Leg Assembly Geometry for Stable Portable Cutting Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable tables are unsuitable for providing a stable and robust surface at a convenient height for cutting and preparing food at outdoor or indoor events, and they are not economical or easy to manufacture using renewable materials.

Innovation Solution

A portable cutting table with improved folding leg assemblies featuring support legs with a bevel and compound curve design, allowing for a stable deployment angle and easy storage, along with a table skirt and pull-out elements, made from dense materials like butcher block or composite wood.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If complex pivoting leg assemblies are used to achieve compact storage, then the table becomes lightweight and portable, but the table lacks stability and robustness for cutting surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable weightVSAvoidtable stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The leg assembly is divided into multiple segments (first leg portion, second leg portion, third leg portion) that can fold relative to each other, enabling compact storage while maintaining structural integrity when deployed. Each segment is optimized for its specific function in the deployment sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leg assembly uses dynamic hinge mechanisms that allow the legs to transition from a compact folded state to a deployed stable state. The hinges enable controlled movement and positioning of leg segments to achieve both portability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If multi-fold mechanisms with complex hinge assemblies are used to achieve compact storage, then the table becomes portable, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable weightVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the table is designed with a stable and robust cutting surface at convenient height, then it is suitable for food preparation, but the table becomes heavier and less portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable stabilityVSAvoidtable weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional leg designs are used, then the table is easy to manufacture, but the leg assemblies do not nest properly for compact storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leg segments are designed to nest within each other when folded, with the second leg portion nesting against the first leg portion and the third leg portion nesting against the second, achieving compact storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11446777B2Portable cutting table with improved folding leg assemblies

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 DARLING DENNIS ALAN

AI summary

A portable cutting table including a top having an upper portion and a lower portion and a table skirt secured to the lower portion of the top. The table includes folding leg assemblies, each having a pair of support legs. Each leg has a distal end defining a bevel having a predetermined angle, and a proximal end defining a compound curve including at least a first curve with a first radius of curvature and a second curve with a second radius of curvature. The first curve defines a notch in an outer face of the leg corresponding to the predetermined angle. The second curve has a midpoint and a center of curvature so the proximal end of each leg defines a pivot point located at least halfway between the midpoint and the center of curvature. Each support leg is pivotably connected at the pivot point to the table skirt.