Folding Table Support Frame With Hidden Hinges and Variable Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stowable tables lack flexibility in size adjustment, stability, and ease of use, with exposed hinges and mechanisms posing safety hazards and difficulties in transitioning between stowed and extended positions.
Innovation Solution
A foldable table and support frame assembly with two planar portions connected by a hinging member, allowing for three positions: stowed, partially extended, and fully extended, featuring a support frame that hides hinges and mechanisms to prevent finger pinches and provides a stable, space-efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single piece table surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the table surface area is limited and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is divided into multiple segments that can be folded and adjusted. The first table surface and second table surface are separate components connected through support legs, allowing independent adjustment of each segment to create different table surface areas and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs incorporate telescopic mechanisms with pins and slots that allow dynamic adjustment of leg lengths and angles. This enables the table to transition between different configurations (extended, retracted, folded) and adapt to various space requirements while maintaining structural integrity.
2Area of moving object
If the table is extended to maximize surface area, then workspace is increased, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The table surfaces and support legs are designed to nest within each other when folded. The second table surface can be positioned above or below the first table surface, and the telescopic legs collapse into a compact configuration, minimizing storage space while maximizing workspace when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The table utilizes vertical space through adjustable leg angles and stacked table surfaces. By folding legs at various angles and positioning table surfaces at different heights and orientations, the design maximizes horizontal workspace area while keeping the folded footprint minimal by exploiting the third dimension.
3Device complexity
If hinges and mechanisms are exposed, then the structure is simple, but user safety is compromised due to finger pinch hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The hazardous hinge mechanisms are extracted from the user-accessible area and repositioned on the underside or interior of the table structure. The pins and slots are located within the support leg assemblies away from the table surface edges, eliminating direct exposure to user fingers while maintaining full mechanical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates intermediate protective elements such as rounded table edges, protective covers over hinge areas, and strategically placed support legs that act as barriers between user fingers and moving mechanical parts. These intermediaries prevent direct contact with pinch hazards while allowing the mechanisms to function.
4Device complexity
If a single post support is used, then the structure is simple, but stability and structural integrity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple support legs are combined to form a stable base structure. The first support leg and second support leg work together with cross-bracing elements to create a rigid framework that provides superior stability compared to a single post, while distributing the load across multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs are positioned asymmetrically or at varying lengths to optimize stability for different table configurations. The telescopic legs can be adjusted to different angles and positions, creating an asymmetric base configuration that enhances stability during extension and retraction operations while maintaining balance.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table and support frame assembly is disclosed. The table comprises two planar portions connected by a hinging member. One of the planar portions is coupled to a support frame such that the folded table can be moved into a stowed position within the support frame assembly. The planar portions comprise a proximal portion or inner member and a distal portion or outer member. The proximal portion and distal portion are connected to one another by the hinging member or middle member. The hinging member enables the rotation of the distal portion into a folded relationship upon the proximal portion. When the two planar portions are folded, they provide a smaller table surface in a half-open or partially extended position. When the two planar portions are opened along the hinging member, the planar portions and the hinging member provide a larger contiguous table in the fully extended position.