Ironing Board Leg Nesting to Reduce Collapsed Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ironing boards have a design flaw where one leg extends beyond the board in the collapsed state, increasing the overall length and causing issues with space and cost during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a connector system with inclined leg formations and foot formations that allow for a more compact storage orientation, with the leg formations pivotally attached to the board and adjustable for deployment, using tubular members and a polymeric connector for secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ironing board legs are pivotally attached to extend beyond the board end, then the board can be deployed for ironing, but the collapsed length exceeds the board length increasing transportation and storage space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The leg formations are designed to nest within the board structure when collapsed. The legs pivot to lie substantially within the boundaries of the board, with the distal ends of the legs positioned within the board length, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall collapsed length while maintaining full deployment capability when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the leg formations are made adjustable for height, then the ironing board can accommodate different users and surfaces, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The leg formations incorporate sliding pivot mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of leg position and angle relative to the board. The sliding pivot can be positioned at multiple locations along the board, enabling height and angle adjustment while using a relatively simple mechanical design based on existing pivot and slide elements rather than complex locking or telescoping mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
An ironing board (20) comprises an elongate board (21) which locates two leg formations (22, 24) that are pivotally attached to one another to reside either in a first, storage orientation in which the leg formations lie parallel with an underside of the board or in a second, deployed orientation in which the leg formations are inclined relative to the board and relative to one another, at least a first (22) of the two leg formations comprising a distal end region (31) adapted to receive and support a connector which, in use, receives and locates a first foot formation (35) whereby an end of the first foot formation may rest on a support surface when in the deployed orientation.