Self-Adjusting Four-Leg Stabilizing Mechanism for Uneven Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support mechanisms for objects with four or more legs, such as tables, fail to adapt to uneven surfaces without requiring operator intervention and often result in instability due to the rigid attachment of legs, which limits their ability to maintain contact with the ground simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizing arrangement with lever parts that allow for horizontal and vertical adjustment of ground engaging means, ensuring continuous loading and stability by positioning pivot axes in a horizontal plane, with actuation portions that distribute load between multiple ground engaging points, allowing the mechanism to conform to uneven surfaces without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If four or more legs of equal length are rigidly attached to support a flat table top, then the structure maintains a simple and robust design, but the feet are restricted to lie in a flat plane and cannot all contact the ground simultaneously on uneven surfaces, causing instability and rocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the legs dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. Each leg is equipped with an adjustment mechanism that allows it to independently change its length or angle, enabling the rigid table structure to adapt to uneven ground surfaces while maintaining stability. This transforms the static, rigid leg structure into a dynamic system that can respond to varying terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the leg structure into adjustable segments. Rather than treating each leg as a single rigid piece, the legs are segmented into multiple components that can be independently adjusted. This allows each leg to be individually adapted to the ground surface while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the table.
2Stability of the object's composition
If three legs are used to prevent rocking on uneven surfaces, then the object achieves stability, but the design becomes undesirable for objects with quadrilateral shape where four legs are generally preferred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict between three-leg stability and four-leg quadrilateral design by making the four-legged structure dynamic. Each leg can independently adjust its position and angle, allowing the table to maintain its desired quadrilateral shape while adapting to uneven surfaces. This dynamic adjustment capability enables four legs to function effectively on irregular terrain without compromising the aesthetic and structural preferences for quadrilateral designs.
3Shape
If existing support mechanisms with multiple links and joints are used to maintain perpendicular leg angles on uneven surfaces, then aesthetics are preserved, but the linkages become complex and either heavy or fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the complex linkage systems by implementing individual adjustment mechanisms on each leg. Rather than using multiple interconnected links and joints to maintain perpendicular angles, each leg independently adjusts its orientation. This dynamic individual adjustment reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining the aesthetic perpendicular leg angles on uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complexity from the linkage system by removing the need for multiple connecting links and joints. Instead of using a complex interconnected mechanism to maintain leg angles, the solution extracts the adjustment capability directly into individual leg mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the same aesthetic and functional goals.
4Adaptability or versatility
If L-shaped or V-shaped members with control link members are used to pivot legs in opposite directions, then contact with uneven floors is maintained, but the mechanism requires significant height limiting its application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the mechanism height by implementing compact dynamic adjustment mechanisms directly at the leg joints. Rather than using tall L-shaped or V-shaped members with extended control linkages, the solution uses space-efficient adjustable joints that provide the same adaptability to uneven surfaces in a more compact vertical profile, making the mechanism suitable for applications with height constraints.
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 provides a self-adjusting mechanism that maintains stability on uneven surfaces, ensuring all ground engaging means remain loaded and in contact with the ground, reducing the risk of rocking and instability, while allowing for compact design and easy assembly/disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
At least three lever parts are connected to the interconnection means by pivots having respective pivot axes extending in a horizontal direction. Each lever part includes an engaging region and a ground engaging means. The mechanism utilizes lever action to convert vertical ground reactions into horizontal movements that allow adaptation to uneven surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stabilising arrangement to support an object (1) (such as a table) above four ground engaging means (5c-8c) (such as feet) includes an interconnection means (4) interconnecting at least three lever parts (e.g. four table legs (5-8) or beam portions (5a-8a) each connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot (9) having a respective pivot axis (5h-8h). Each ground engaging means can be attached to or integral with one of the three lever parts where at least one of the ground engaging means is connected to the first lever part and at least one ground engaging means is connected to the third lever part. The first pivot axis and the third pivot axis are at an angle of up to thirty degrees from parallel to each other and within thirty degrees of perpendicular to the second pivot axis. The second lever part has first and second engaging regions, the first engaging region located on the opposite side of the second pivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view. The first lever part includes a first engaging region to engage with the second engaging region of the second lever part. The third lever part includes a second engaging region to engage with the first engaging region of the second lever part. Rotation of the first lever part drives a rotation of the second lever part which drives rotation of the third lever part in a substantially opposite direction to the first lever part to give a warp displacement of the four ground engaging means. The stabilising arrangement provides support of the object on uneven ground. A support mechanism having at least four legs for supporting an object, and a table that adapts to uneven surfaces, are disclosed.