Folding Table Leg Assembly with Coupling-Slot Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding tables lack simplicity and safety in height adjustment, often featuring complex structures that can lead to accidental folding or collapsing due to unprotected height control mechanisms, posing safety risks, especially for children.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable table leg assembly with a mechanism comprising pivotally connected bars and coupling pieces with positioning slots, allowing for easy height adjustment and featuring a torsion spring to prevent accidental disengagement, ensuring the table can be securely set at various heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control switch mechanism is used to adjust table height, then height adjustability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to accidental pressing or unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrical control switch from the height adjustment mechanism and extracts only the essential mechanical functionality. The height adjustment is achieved through pure mechanical means - a telescopic leg structure with manual release latches, eliminating the safety hazards associated with exposed electrical switches while preserving height adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The table incorporates self-latching mechanisms that automatically secure the leg position at selected heights without requiring continuous control input. The release latches are designed to maintain the adjusted height state passively, only requiring manual intervention when height change is desired, thereby preventing accidental activation while maintaining adjustability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex height adjustment mechanism with multiple parts is used, then height adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leg structure is segmented into telescopic sections that can extend and retract independently. Each leg contains nested tubular segments with intermediate support surfaces, allowing the table height to be adjusted by extending or retracting these segments. This segmentation provides multiple height positions without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic leg structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides height adjustment, structural support, and folding capability. The same tubular segments that enable height variation also form the load-bearing legs and incorporate the folding hinge mechanism, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If manual release latches are used for height adjustment, then safety is improved by preventing accidental folding, but ease of operation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The release latches are designed as simple, lightweight mechanical components that require minimal force to operate. Rather than complex locking mechanisms, the latches use basic lever principles with large handles for easy grasping. The design prioritizes simplicity and ease of operation while maintaining sufficient security to prevent accidental release during normal table use.
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 solution provides a simple, safe, and easy-to-use height-adjustable table that prevents accidental folding, enhancing user safety and convenience by allowing multiple height settings while maintaining stability.
Implementation Method 1
In some exemplary embodiments, the second coupling piece is connected to the second bar of the second support at a second pivotal point. The mechanism further includes a torsion spring disposed at the second pivotal point between the second coupling piece and the second bar of the second support. The torsion spring is connected to the second coupling piece and the second bar of the second support, and configured to prevent accidental disengagement of the first and second coupling pieces.
Data Source
AI summary
A table includes a tabletop and a leg assembly to support the tabletop. The leg assembly comprises first and second supports movably connected to the tabletop. The first support includes a first bar and the second support includes a second bar. The first and second bars are pivotally connected to the first bar. The leg assembly also includes a mechanism for adjusting a height of the leg assembly. The mechanism includes a first coupling piece disposed at the first bar and a second coupling piece pivotally connected to the second bar. One of the first and second coupling pieces includes multiple positioning slots. The other of the first and second coupling pieces is selectively engageable with any one of the positioning slots. Engagement with different positioning slots changes an angle between the first and second bars and consequently changes the height of the leg assembly.