Folding Table Leg Assembly for Upright Storage Without Loose Bolts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables face issues with storage damage and loose mounting bolts, as they are typically stored on their side and require bolt removal for folding, leading to potential loss and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design with a leg assembly featuring pivotally coupled legs that can be easily moved between extended and collapsed configurations, using a stop mechanism to lock the legs in place, allowing for upright storage without side contact and eliminating the need for removable bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the table is stored on its side to minimize space, then storage space is reduced, but the table side contacts the flooring causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the table to be stored upright on its legs rather than on its side, changing the storage orientation from horizontal to vertical. This dimensional change allows the table to be stored in a compact footprint while maintaining the table top and legs in a vertical arrangement, preventing contact damage to the table side.
2Ease of operation
If mounting bolts are removed to fold the legs, then the legs can be folded, but the bolts may be lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-retaining folding mechanism where the legs fold and lock into place through inherent mechanical features such as pivot points, friction fits, or integrated locking elements built into the leg structure. This eliminates the need for separate mounting bolts, allowing the table to be folded and stored without risking loss of fastening components.
3Volume of moving object
If the table is designed with folding legs to minimize space, then storage compactness is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each leg into multiple segments or sections that can pivot relative to one another. These segmented legs fold at predetermined joints to collapse into a compact configuration, reducing the storage footprint while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nesting arrangement where folded leg segments are positioned within or adjacent to one another in a compact hierarchy. The upper portions of folded legs are arranged to nest within the space occupied by lower portions or adjacent legs, minimizing the overall storage volume while maintaining a simple external profile.
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
Enables quick and easy folding/unfolding, stable upright storage, and minimizes damage by maintaining all legs on the ground, preventing bolt loss and ensuring the table remains operational.
Implementation Method 1
Each first leg of the pair of first legs is pivotally coupled to a second leg of the pair of second legs for pivotal movement about a first pivot
Implementation Method 2
The leg assembly also has a stop releasably coupling the upper leg portions and the lower leg portions together in an extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table is disclosed which has a table top and a leg assembly. The leg assembly includes a pair of unitary legs and a pair of collapsible legs. Each unitary leg has a top end and a bottom end. Each collapsible leg includes a lower leg portion and an upper leg portion pivotally coupled at its lower end through a second pivot. The lower leg portion has top end with a locking flange which extends outwardly so as to abut the upper leg portion when the collapsible leg is in a fully extended position. The lower leg portion has a bottom end. The bottom ends of both the unitary legs and the collapsible legs contact the support surface while the folding table is in both its extended and collapsed configurations.