Rotating Furniture Clip Latch for Tool-Free Section Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular or sectional furniture lacks secure and easy attachment methods for furniture sections, leading to shifting and gaps during use, and requires tool-based assembly and disassembly for relocation.
Innovation Solution
A furniture clip system featuring a latch member and handle member that allows for easy and secure attachment of furniture sections by rotating the handle to engage or disengage the latch, and is removably attached to the frame member for disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fastener-based connectors are used to attach furniture sections, then the attachment strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring tools for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a furniture clip assembly attached to one frame member and a latch tab member attached to the other frame member. This segmentation allows the clip assembly to provide strong attachment while the removable latch tab enables easy operation without tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch tab member is extracted as a separate removable component that can be easily detached from the frame member. This extraction allows the main clip assembly to remain securely attached providing strength, while the separate latch tab handles the ease of operation for assembly and disassembly.
2Ease of operation
If furniture sections are not attached to one another, then the ease of operation is improved for reconfiguration, but the stability deteriorates causing sections to shift and create gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is designed to be dynamically adjustable - the latch tab member can be easily inserted and removed to allow reconfiguration when needed, while providing stable attachment when sections need to remain fixed in place. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between ease of reconfiguration and stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a permanent attachment system is used, then the stability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates preventing easy disassembly and relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is designed to be self-servicing - the removable latch tab member allows users to easily assemble and disassemble the furniture sections without requiring tools or specialized skills. This self-service capability enables both stable attachment when needed and easy relocation when desired, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture clip system includes a first frame member forming a part of a first furniture section; a second frame member forming a part of a second furniture section; a latch tab member connected to the second frame member; and a furniture clip assembly configured to removably couple the first frame member to the second frame member. The furniture clip assembly includes a latch member rotatably coupled to the first frame member, and configured to removably engage with the latch tab member so as to attach the first frame member to the second frame member; and a handle member operatively coupled to the latch member, the handle member configured to be rotatable between an engaged position where the latch member is locked into engagement with the latch tab member and a disengaged position where the latch member is not locked into engagement with the latch tab member.