Folding Table Frame with Nested Foot Slots for Flat Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables occupy a large space in their folded state due to the inability to further fold the legs once the feet abut against the crossbeam, making them inconvenient for transport.
Innovation Solution
A folding table stand with rotatable legs that can switch between in-use and folded states, featuring a crossbeam with accommodating slots to house the legs and feet, reducing the overall space taken up by allowing the legs to be rotated and the feet to be partially accommodated within the slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If table legs are made foldable by rotating them by a certain angle, then space for transport is reduced, but the feet abut against the crossbeam and cannot be folded further, still occupying large vertical space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the feet inside the accommodating slots of the crossbeam when the table legs are folded. The first feet are accommodated in the first accommodating slot, and the second feet are accommodated in the second accommodating slot, allowing the legs to be folded completely flat against the crossbeam rather than just at an angle, thereby minimizing the vertical space occupied during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces accommodating slots in the vertical dimension of the crossbeam to receive the feet when legs are folded. This dimensional addition allows the feet to be stored within the crossbeam structure itself rather than protruding outward, enabling complete flattening of the leg assembly and reducing the overall packed height.
2Ease of operation
If table legs are made foldable, then transport convenience is improved, but the space taken up in folded state remains large due to feet abutting against crossbeam
Solution Approach 1:
The feet are nested within the accommodating slots of the crossbeam when the table legs are folded. This nesting arrangement allows the feet to be completely retracted into the crossbeam structure, eliminating the protrusion that previously prevented further folding and reducing the vertical length of the folded table.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodating slots are pre-designed into the crossbeam structure to receive the feet before final folding occurs. This preliminary preparation of the receiving space ensures that when folding takes place, the feet can be seamlessly accommodated without obstruction, enabling complete flattening and minimal vertical dimension.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table stand includes a crossbeam and at least two table legs. Each table leg of the at least two table legs has a folded state and an in-use state for supporting the crossbeam. The each table leg is rotatable relative to the crossbeam so that the each table leg can switch between the in-use state and the folded state. The lower end of the each table leg is connected to a foot for being supported by the ground. The crossbeam is provided with a first accommodating slot. The foot closest to the crossbeam is at least partially accommodated in the first accommodating slot when the at least two table legs are both in a folded state.