Furniture-Mounted Folding Table With Non-Damaging Spring Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding table assemblies for chairs and couches often require modifications to the furniture and lack a compact, easy-to-use design that can be efficiently attached and detached without damaging the furniture.
Innovation Solution
A folding table assembly with a vertical base and hinged table leaf that can be pivoted from a vertical, compact position to a horizontal position for use, featuring a coupling mechanism such as a spring arm for attachment to the chair or couch without altering it, and a latching mechanism to secure the table leaf in the extended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a folding table assembly is designed to attach to chairs or couches, then it provides temporary surface support functionality, but it requires modification to the furniture which damages or alters the original furniture structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible band member that can wrap around the furniture leg and conform to its shape without requiring modification. The band acts as a flexible interface that adapts to different furniture geometries while distributing clamping forces evenly, preventing damage to the original furniture structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible band member serves as an intermediary element between the table assembly and the furniture leg. Instead of directly attaching to the furniture, the band mediates the connection through friction and clamping forces, allowing easy attachment and removal without damaging the furniture.
2Volume of moving object
If the table assembly is designed with a compact folding mechanism, then it achieves space efficiency when stored, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The table assembly is divided into distinct segments: a base portion, a table surface portion, and a flexible band member. These segments can fold relative to each other along defined axes, allowing the assembly to collapse into a compact form while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the folding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The table assembly incorporates dynamic folding joints that allow smooth transitions between extended and collapsed states. The flexible band member provides continuous adaptation during folding, enabling compact storage without complex locking mechanisms while maintaining stability when deployed.
3Reliability
If the table assembly uses a secure attachment mechanism, then it provides stable support during use, but it becomes difficult to attach and detach without damaging furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible band member provides self-adjusting clamping forces through its elastic properties. When wrapped around the furniture leg, it automatically conforms to the leg's diameter and provides sufficient friction-based holding force without requiring additional fasteners or complex adjustment mechanisms, making attachment and detachment simple while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible band member is pre-formed with appropriate elasticity and dimensional characteristics that enable it to generate sufficient clamping force simply by being wrapped around the furniture leg. This preliminary design ensures that stable attachment is achieved through the inherent properties of the band rather than requiring complex securing mechanisms.
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 allows for a slim, compact folding table that can be easily attached and detached from furniture without damage, providing a versatile and space-efficient solution for temporary use, maintaining the original form of the chair or couch.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment the coupling mechanism is a spring arm that extends outwardly from the base and has an outer end that engages the bottom of the chair
Data Source
AI summary
A table assembly is provided for removably coupling to a chair or couch or other furniture with an opening from the floor, such as a bed or cabinet, to provide a horizontal table surface. The table assembly is removably coupled to the chair or couch by a spring engaging the bottom surface of the chair or couch or other coupling mechanism for removably coupling the table assembly to the chair or couch. The table assembly includes a base for engaging the floor and a table leaf that can be pivoted from a retracted position to an extended horizontal position. A latching mechanism is provided for retaining the table leaf in the upright extended position.