Hinged Ping Pong Table Panels for Configurable Play and Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game tables lack variability and configurability for playing ping pong, limiting adaptability and storage options.

Innovation Solution

A ping pong table design featuring a rectangular center panel with hingedly coupled side panels that can be angled and folded, supported by foldable legs and a storage cart, allowing for adjustable play surfaces and compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional fixed game table is used, then the table structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability and storage options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurability for playing ping pongVSAvoidtable structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The game table is divided into a center panel and two side panels that can be independently positioned. The side panels are hingedly coupled to the center panel, allowing them to be folded against it for compact storage or extended outward at various angles for gameplay, thus providing configurability without requiring a completely complex overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side panels are designed to be movable relative to the center panel through hinge connections. This dynamic configuration allows the table to transition between a compact stored state (side panels folded against the center panel) and an expanded playable state (side panels extended at angles), enabling adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If side panels are made movable for storage, then storage efficiency improves, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage optionsVSAvoidtable structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connections enable the side panels to move between folded and extended positions, facilitating easy storage and setup. The dynamic nature of the hinges allows smooth transitions while maintaining structural integrity during both stored and playable configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the side panels from the center panel with hinge connections, the design allows independent movement of the side panels for storage purposes, while the center panel remains stable. This segmentation enables storage functionality without compromising the overall structural stability of the table

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9919193B2Ping pong table

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 DE SANTIS JARED

AI summary

A ping pong table for playing ping pong on a variably configurable table includes a center panel that is rectangularly shaped. A pair of side panels is hingedly coupled singly to and extends from opposing sides of the center panel. The side panels extend between opposing ends of the center panel. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from a bottom of the center panel. The legs are positioned on the center panel such that the center panel is supportable on a substantially horizontal surface. The side panels are configured to be positioned in angled positions relative to the center panel.