Interchangeable Furniture Base Hub With Self-Tightening Leg Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture support base systems require retooling or new molds to accommodate different shapes and sizes, limiting flexibility and efficiency in changing or replacing furniture legs without reworking the entire support base.
Innovation Solution
A modular support system comprising a hub with channels and legs with tapered fingers and washers that create a multi-dimensional force for secure attachment, allowing for interchangeable components without retooling, and a key mechanism to enhance stability and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If die cast aluminum is used to manufacture the support base system with welded or attached legs, then structural support and aesthetic appearance are improved, but flexibility to change or replace legs is lost and retooling is required for any modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The support base system is divided into separate modular components: a hub component and interchangeable leg components. Each leg can be independently attached or detached from the hub without affecting the structural integrity of the entire base system. This segmentation allows individual legs to be replaced or modified while maintaining the overall strength and support function of the hub structure.
2Strength
If die cast aluminum is used to manufacture the support base system, then structural support and aesthetic appearance are improved, but manufacturing complexity and retooling requirements increase when modifications are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The hub component is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different leg configurations and designs through standardized attachment mechanisms. The hub maintains consistent structural function while the leg components can be varied to meet different aesthetic or functional requirements, reducing the need for custom tooling for each variation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular interchangeable component system is used, then flexibility to replace legs without retooling is improved, but connection stability and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism incorporates pre-designed engagement features such as tapered fingers that automatically align and guide the leg components into proper positioning during assembly. The washer component is pre-configured to apply multi-dimensional forcing that pre-tensions the connection, ensuring stable engagement before the leg is fully installed and bearing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection stability is enhanced by applying forces in multiple dimensions rather than a single direction. The washer creates multi-dimensional forcing that engages the leg component from various angles simultaneously, distributing loads across multiple planes and creating a more robust connection that maintains reliability while preserving interchangeability.
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 easy replacement and modification of furniture legs without retooling, improving weight distribution and structural integrity while reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity, meeting industry standards for load support.
Implementation Method 1
The finger is shaped to prevent the leg from engaging the channel in an upside-down position. The finger may be tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the top of the finger is different than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the finger. The channel is tapered to correspond with and matingly engage the tapered finger.
Data Source
AI summary
A support system comprises a hub comprising a channel, a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel, and a washer that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel, wherein a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection therebetween when the hub, the leg, and the washer are connected together. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprises inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween, connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel, and exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub.