Folding Stepstool With Nested Leg Storage for Compact Prism Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding stepstools retain a bulky, plate-like shape even when folded, making them difficult to carry, especially for users who need to transport them for photography or other applications.
Innovation Solution
A folding stepstool design featuring a top board with recessed spaces and pivotally connected boards that allow legs to be accommodated within the top board, enabling the stool to be folded into a compact, prism-like shape for easier carrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ladder-like supporting legs are folded to overlap with the lower side of the plate-like top board, then the stepstool is downsized compared to its used state, but it retains a plate-like shape as a whole and becomes bulky and difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting legs are nested within the top board structure. Specifically, the first and second legs are accommodated in the recessed first space of the first top board, while the third and fourth legs are accommodated in the recessed second space of the second top board. This nesting arrangement allows the legs to be stored within the top board itself, transforming the overall shape from a bulky plate to a compact prism-like form that is easy to carry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the folding configuration from a two-dimensional plate-like collapse to a three-dimensional compact prism shape. By arranging the legs to fold into recessed spaces within the top board rather than simply overlapping the board surface, the structure achieves a more efficient spatial arrangement that reduces overall volume and creates a carryable form factor.
2Length of moving object
If the supporting legs are made foldable to reduce size, then the stepstool can be compacted, but it becomes bulky and plate-like making it unsuitable for carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are nested within recessed spaces formed in the top board. The first leg and second leg are positioned within the recessed first space, and the third leg and fourth leg are positioned within the recessed second space. This nesting configuration allows the folded stepstool to achieve a compact prism-like shape rather than a bulky plate-like shape, making it suitable for carrying.
3Volume of moving object
If the top board is made to pivot so that back surfaces get closer, then the legs can be accommodated within the top board, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The top board is segmented into a first top board and a second top board that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the back surfaces to move closer together, creating the necessary space for leg accommodation. The hinge connection between the two top boards provides a simple yet effective mechanism for achieving the required movement without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable top board structure creates recessed spaces that nest the supporting legs. The first top board and second top board form recessed first space and recessed second space respectively, into which the legs are accommodated when folded. This nesting approach achieves compact volume reduction through a relatively simple pivoting mechanism.
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
The design allows the stepstool to be folded into a substantially prism shape, significantly reducing its size and making it easier to carry while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge that pivotally connects the first top board and the second top board so that back surfaces of the first top board and the second top board get closer to each other
Implementation Method 2
a first guide rail provided at the first end in the second direction of the back surface of each of the first top board and the second top board, and configured to guide the second leg so that the second leg is slidably movable to the back surface of the first top board
Data Source
AI summary
A folding stepstool which can be folded into a shape which enables the folding stepstool to be carried easily. In a folding stepstool, a front leg and a rear leg can be housed in a recess-shaped first space in the lower surface of a first top board, and a front leg and a rear leg can be housed in a recess-shaped second space in the lower surface of a second top board. Further, when the top plates are closed, the two front legs and the two rear legs can be housed in the internal spaces in the top plates in a closed state.