Kitchen Cart with Pivoting Arm Extensions for Adjustable Workspace

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional carts have fixed top surface sizes and shelf heights, limiting their adaptability for variable storage needs, requiring separate purchases or custom solutions for additional space or tall item storage.

Innovation Solution

A cart design featuring pivot arms that allow the top surface and side members to be extended or retracted, with adjustable shelving and storage elements, enabling customizable workspace and storage configurations without compromising functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cart has a fixed top surface size, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability for variable storage needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability for variable storage needsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The top surface is divided into a fixed base portion and removable extension portions. The extensions can be detached and reattached to provide variable storage capacity while maintaining structural simplicity when extensions are not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cart transitions from a static fixed-size design to a dynamic variable-size design through removable extensions. The extensions can be added or removed based on storage needs, allowing the cart to adapt its top surface area while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional space is needed, the user must purchase another cart or arrive at a custom designed solution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable top surface sizeVSAvoidcustom design requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cart is designed with modular components including removable top extensions that can be easily manufactured and assembled. This eliminates the need for custom-designed solutions as the standardized extensions provide additional space without requiring specialized manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cart has fixed shelf heights, then the structure is stable and simple, but the ability to store tall items is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelving adjustabilityVSAvoidshelving mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving system transitions from fixed heights to adjustable heights using mechanisms such as slots and movable shelves. This allows users to customize shelf positions to accommodate items of varying heights while maintaining structural stability through guided movement paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of moving object

If pivot arms extend outward to support side members, then the workspace is extended, but the storage space under the top member is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkspace areaVSAvoidstorage volume under top member

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot arms are designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions. When extended, they provide additional workspace; when retracted, they maximize storage volume underneath. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between workspace area and storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot arms utilize vertical movement and rotational degrees of freedom to achieve extension without permanently occupying horizontal space. By moving in multiple dimensions, the arms can extend outward for workspace then fold back to preserve storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cart provides a versatile storage solution with adjustable top surfaces and shelving, allowing users to customize workspace and storage without the need for multiple carts or custom designs, enhancing usability and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one set of pivot arms disposed on adjacent ones of the plurality of legs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

the at least one set of pivot arms is movable between a side member support position, extending outward from an outer periphery of the top member, and a storage position, disposed within the outer periphery of the top member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11613287B2Cart with removable table extensions

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 TRINITY INTERNATIONAL IND LLC

AI summary

A cart, such as a kitchen cart, has a bottom shelf supported by leg members. The leg members further support a central shelf or basket at a user-desired position along the legs, and a top support. The top support can retain a top work surface thereto. On at least one side of the cart, arms can pivot outward, adjacent the top work surface, to support one or more work surface extension members. Typically, there may be one work surface extension member on each side of the cart, providing the user with additional workspace and providing the option of removal without interfering with the functionality of the cart.