Folding Table Leg Lock Mechanism to Prevent Accidental Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables often tip or fall due to easily foldable legs when in use, as there is no mechanism to lock the legs in an unfolded position without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design featuring pivoted table legs with a support bar and sliding hook mechanism, where the sliding hook automatically locks into a groove when the leg is unfolded, preventing rotation and ensuring stability, and can be easily folded with external force, while a separate lock mechanism secures two table tops in alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table legs are made foldable for transportation or storage, then the adaptability or versatility is improved, but the stability of the object's composition deteriorates as the legs may accidentally fold when the table is used
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding hook is pre-positioned on the support bar and the lock groove is pre-formed on the table top. When the table leg is unfolded, the sliding hook automatically engages with the lock groove through the guiding groove, locking the leg in place before any harmful tipping can occur. This preliminary locking action prevents the instability problem while maintaining folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding hook acts as an intermediary component between the support bar and the table top. It mediates the locking function by engaging with the lock groove to prevent accidental folding, while still allowing controlled folding when force is applied to the support bar. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between stability and folding capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent accidental folding, then the stability of the object's composition is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing support bar structure. The sliding hook is integrated onto the support bar, and the lock groove is formed on the table top, combining the support and locking functions into a unified structure. This merging approach provides reliable locking without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed to be self-activating. When the table leg is unfolded, the sliding hook automatically engages with the lock groove through the guiding groove, locking the leg in place without requiring manual intervention. This self-service locking mechanism provides high stability while maintaining simple operation.
3Ease of operation
If the sliding hook automatically locks into the groove when the leg is unfolded, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the locking mechanism must be ensured to prevent accidental unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding groove acts as an intermediary structure that guides the sliding hook into the lock groove during unfolding. This guiding mechanism ensures reliable engagement while maintaining ease of operation. The hook can only engage with the groove in the correct position, preventing accidental unlocking while allowing automatic locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding groove is pre-formed to direct the sliding hook into the lock groove position. This preliminary guiding action ensures that the hook engages correctly with the groove during unfolding, providing both ease of operation and reliability of locking. The pre-positioned groove prevents misalignment that could lead to unreliable locking.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a folding table, which comprises table legs and support bars, the table legs are pivoted at the bottom portion of a table top, one end of the support bar is pivoted to the table leg, the other end of the support bar is disposed with a sliding hook, the sliding hook is slidable along the side edge of the table top in the table leg, the side edge of the table top is disposed with a lock groove with an opening; when the table leg is unfolded, the sliding hook is embedded in the lock groove; when the table leg is being folded, the external force is acted on the support bar to make the sliding hook separating from the lock groove and then the table leg is folded.