Games Table Corner Assembly With Cam Clamping and Stackable Tops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional games tables are difficult to assemble, pose safety hazards due to nails and screws, and lack compact storage and versatility, especially when used by children.
Innovation Solution
A games table design featuring elongated frame members connected by corner assemblies with a tightening mechanism that clamps the frame members together without fasteners, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and conversion between table and tabletop formats, with integrated table legs and a secondary game play panel for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional nails and screws are used to assemble frame members, then structural strength is improved, but assembly complexity and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastening system (nails and screws) with a cam-based locking mechanism. The cam member, when rotated, converts rotational motion into linear clamping force that secures the frame member between compression members, eliminating the need for separate fasteners while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The compression members serve both as structural support elements and as clamping surfaces for the frame members. The cam member integrates the locking and securing functions into a single rotational action, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
2Strength
If traditional nails and screws are used to assemble frame members, then structural strength is improved, but safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces exposed mechanical fasteners (nails and screws) with an enclosed cam-based locking system. The frame member is clamped between compression members, with the cam mechanism hidden within the structure, eliminating exposed sharp points and improving safety for children while maintaining structural strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If legs are permanently attached to the table, then structural stability is improved, but storage compactness and versatility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the table structure into separable components: the leg assembly is detached from the main table body through the corner assemblies. The cam members allow the legs to be securely attached during use but easily removed for storage, enabling the table to be disassembled into compact segments without compromising structural stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the leg attachment system. The cam members can be rotated to transition between locked (stable) and unlocked (removable) states, allowing the structure to adapt between a stable assembled configuration for play and a disassembled compact configuration for storage.
4Device complexity
If a single game play surface is provided, then device simplicity is improved, but functionality and versatility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple game play surfaces (foosball surface and air hockey surface) within a single integrated table structure. The corner assemblies and frame design accommodate different game surfaces, allowing the same physical table to support multiple games, thereby increasing versatility without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
A games table features a unique corner assembly in which upper and lower corner members respectively embrace about upper and lower edges of an elongated perimeter frame member of the table and are clamped together to secure the frame member in place. Matable male and female features on the corner assemblies also enable stacking of two table top units to enable convenient switching of a games table between two modes of game play.