Furniture Anti-Tip Bracket with Angled Elongated Holes for Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fixing furniture to a base are complex, difficult to align, and not suitable for indoor floors with underfloor heating, as they require precise screw positioning and drilling, which complicates assembly and alignment.

Innovation Solution

A device with a first plate fixed to a base and a second plate fixed to the furniture, both with elongated holes for screws or threaded bolts that can be aligned at an angle, allowing for adjustable positioning and connection via a threaded rod or nut, enabling flexible adjustment and secure attachment without drilling into heated floors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal brackets with elongated holes are used to fix furniture to the floor, then the furniture can be secured against tipping, but the alignment of the two mounting brackets relative to each other becomes difficult and the position of the furniture is precisely predetermined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-tipping stabilityVSAvoidalignment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a rotational dimension by allowing the second mounting bracket to rotate relative to the first bracket around the fastener axis. The elongated hole in the second bracket enables the fastener to move along the hole while the bracket rotates, transforming a 2D alignment problem into a 3D solution where the bracket can orient itself at different angles to match the floor bracket's position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system transitions from a static, fixed-position connection to a dynamic, adjustable connection. The elongated hole allows the fastener position to be adjusted along the hole's length, and the bracket can rotate during assembly to achieve proper alignment, providing flexibility rather than a predetermined fixed position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If precise screw positioning is required for fixing furniture to the base, then the connection strength is improved, but the alignment and assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated hole is pre-designed with a specific orientation and length to accommodate alignment variations. During assembly, the bracket can be temporarily positioned and rotated to achieve alignment before the fastener is fully tightened, eliminating the need for precise pre-positioning and reducing assembly time while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If drilling into the floor is performed to secure furniture, then the furniture is firmly fixed to the base, but it becomes impossible to use on floors with underfloor heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidfloor type compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is designed to work with multiple floor types including those with underfloor heating. The first mounting bracket can be attached to the floor surface without drilling (e.g., using adhesive or mechanical expansion anchors that don't penetrate heating elements), while still providing a secure connection point for the furniture through the bracket system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3888497B1Device for fixing a piece of furniture to a base and method for fixing a furniture body to a base
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 NOBILIA WERKE J STICKLING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3888497B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3888497B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3888497B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A device (1) for fixing a piece of furniture (14) to a base (13) comprises a first plate (2) that can be fixed to the base (13) and has an elongated hole (3) through which a first screw (4) or threaded bolt (18) passes, and a second plate (5) that can be fixed to the furniture (14) and has an elongated hole (6) through which a second screw (7) or threaded bolt (18) passes, wherein the first screw (4) and the second screw (7) or threaded bolt (18) are fixed to one another by means of a connecting element (8, 8', 8", 80), wherein the elongated hole (3) in the first plate (2) can be aligned longitudinally at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole (6) in the second plate (5). This makes the device (1) easy to assemble and align. An effective anti-tip device can be provided by this method for fixing a furniture body to a base.