Folding table and hinge assembly therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding tables with hinge assemblies lack stability and ease of deployment, often requiring complex mechanisms and additional components, which can make them cumbersome and difficult to set up and store.
Innovation Solution
A folding table with a hinge assembly featuring L-shaped and V-shaped hinge members that include a latching mechanism, allowing for self-tightening and secure deployment, and a brace that inhibits leg movement from the deployed to stored position, utilizing a combination of angled and parallel portions for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional folding table hinge assemblies are used, then the table can be folded for storage, but the table lacks stability and requires complex mechanisms for deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: L-shaped hinge members for structural support, V-shaped hinge members for locking engagement, and separate latching mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, providing stability through the L-shaped members while the V-shaped members handle the locking function, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge members are designed to nest within each other when the table is in the folded position. The L-shaped and V-shaped hinge members interlock and compact into a space-efficient configuration, allowing the table to fold neatly for storage while maintaining structural integrity and stability when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If complex hinge mechanisms with multiple components are used, then the table can achieve stable deployment, but the number of parts increases making it cumbersome to set up and store
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped and V-shaped hinge members are combined into a single integrated hinge assembly that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The L-shaped members provide structural support and positioning, while the V-shaped members provide locking engagement, eliminating the need for separate support and locking components, thus reducing the total number of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the hinge members in the deployed position through the interaction of the V-shaped members with the table leg. This self-latching action eliminates the need for manual locking operations, making deployment easier and faster while reducing the number of separate locking components required.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional components are added to improve stability, then the table becomes more stable, but the aesthetic appeal and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly components serve multiple functions: the L-shaped members provide both structural support and positioning guidance, while the V-shaped members simultaneously provide locking engagement and visual indication of the locked position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components, maintaining aesthetic appeal while ensuring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge members are designed with symmetrical L-shapes and V-shapes that create balanced stress distribution and uniform engagement forces during deployment. This equipotential design ensures stable locking without requiring additional balancing components or complex adjustment mechanisms, simplifying installation while maintaining stability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a hinge including a first hinge member that is L-shaped. The hinge includes a second hinge member hingedly coupled to the first hinge member and L-shaped at least in part.There is also provided a folding table with a tabletop. The folding table includes at least one leg. The folding table includes a hinge mechanism coupled to the tabletop and the leg so as to enable the leg to move from a stored position to a deployed position. The folding table includes one or more of: i) a brace configured to support the leg in the deployed position and integrally connected to and formed with the hinge mechanism; and ii) a locking mechanism which when actuated is configured to inhibit movement of the leg from the deployed position to the stored position, with the locking mechanism being integrally connected to and formed with the hinge mechanism.