Knockdown Food Prep Table With Threaded Leg Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal food preparation tables with welded connections are stable but difficult to transport due to their assembled state, and disassembled models using set screws and pass-through ferrules often become unstable over time, failing to comply with sanitation regulations and requiring frequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A knockdown food preparation table design featuring a rectangular table top with receiving sockets and tubular extension legs with threaded plugs that secure together with a threaded rod, providing a stable and compact assembly that complies with sanitation regulations and allows for easy disassembly and reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If welded connections are used to assemble the table, then stability and strength are improved, but ease of transport and device complexity worsen due to inability to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into separate modular components including legs, table top, and support frame that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each leg contains internal threaded plugs that receive bolts to connect to the table top and support frame, allowing the table to be segmented for transport yet reassembled for stable use.
2Ease of operation
If set screws and pass-through ferrules are used for knockdown tables, then ease of transport is improved, but reliability worsens due to loosening over time and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional set screw and pass-through ferrule mechanical connection system is replaced with an internal threaded plug and bolt system. The threaded plugs are formed within the leg material itself, and bolts engage these plugs to create secure, non-loosening connections that maintain reliability while allowing knockdown capability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional knockdown connections are used, then ease of transport is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens due to gaps exceeding 1/32 inch violating sanitation regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded plugs are pre-formed within the leg material during manufacturing, with precise threading and positioning built into the leg structure. This preliminary action ensures that when bolts are inserted during assembly, the connections achieve the required 1/32 inch gap precision without requiring additional adjustment or machining operations.
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 solution enables a stable and compact food preparation table that can be shipped without pallets, remains stable over time, and meets sanitation standards, offering a cost-effective and convenient solution for transportation and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
each said first plug exhibiting an axially-extending, threaded, central bore, and (d) a lower support frame comprising four, tubular, terminal legs that extend from front and back of a top side of said frame to a lower side of said frame, wherein each top end of each terminal leg comprises a second plug fit therein and that exhibits an axially-extending, threaded, central bore to receive a threaded rod
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a knock down table suitable for food preparation that includes extension legs and terminal legs that are interconnected with a threaded connector and threaded receiving plugs in the connecting ends of the extension and terminal legs. One of the receiving plugs in each connection protrudes from the end of its legs and is configured to extend into the connecting leg and abut with the receiving plug in the other leg.