Furniture Base Panel with Front-Access Joining and Levelling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joining and levelling systems for furniture often feature unsightly and non-functional access holes for tools, and struggle to actuate both pairs of joining and levelling units, especially when the space between the furniture base and the floor is minimal or non-existent.
Innovation Solution
A system with longitudinal pass-through holes in the horizontal panel allows access to and actuation of both pairs of joining and levelling units from the front, with tools passing through the base's thickness, ensuring operation even when the base rests directly on the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If access holes are eliminated from vertical and horizontal panels, then aesthetic appearance and functionality are improved, but access to joining and levelling units becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the access holes from the vertical and horizontal panels to the base panel, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness of the base) to provide access. The holes are positioned on the upper surface of the base panel, allowing tool access without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the vertical and horizontal panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The base panel serves as an intermediary element that provides access to the joining and levelling units. Instead of accessing units directly through vertical or horizontal panels, the base panel acts as a mediator with strategically positioned holes that allow tool insertion and operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If space between base and floor is minimal or non-existent, then furniture stability is improved, but actuation of joining and levelling units becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension (thickness of the base panel) to provide access pathways. By positioning holes on the upper surface of the base and routing tools through the base thickness, the system enables actuation without requiring horizontal clearance between the base and floor.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accessing the units from below the base (which would require space between base and floor), the patent inverts the approach by providing access from above through the base thickness. This allows tool actuation from the upper surface side, eliminating the need for bottom clearance.
3Shape
If tools are incorporated within the thickness of the base, then access hole visibility is reduced, but tool complexity and base complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation tools are nested within the thickness of the base panel, with tool handles or actuation elements positioned within the base structure. This nesting approach allows the tools to be partially concealed within the base, reducing the visual impact of access holes while maintaining functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A joining and levelling system for parts of furniture and furnishing items in general, such as at least an assembly (20) consisting of a vertical panel (21) perpendicular to a floor (P) and a horizontal panel or base (22) with a visible front edge (B), parallel to said floor (P), wherein a first pair of joining units (25A,25P), front and rear respectively, and a second pair of levelling units (41A,41P), front and rear respectively, are applied to said vertical and horizontal panels or base (21,22), said two pairs of joining and levelling units (25A,25P,41A,41P) being operable from the front. According to the invention, a plurality of longitudinal pass-through holes (46,47,48,49) is formed through said horizontal panel or base (22) for access to said two pairs of joining and levelling units (25A,25P,41A,41P); actuation or manoeuvring tools (40) of said two pairs of units (25A,25P,41A,41P), which are incorporated within the thickness (S) of said base (22) which substantially contains its overall height, being able to pass through said holes (46,47,48,49) to which access is obtained on said visible front edge (B) of said horizontal panel or base (22).