Lazy Susan Column Mounting for Tight Corner Cabinet Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lazy susan fittings for cabinets are complex, expensive, and difficult to mount due to intricate constructions and limited access through small openings in corner cupboards, which complicates the installation process and manufacturing precision.
Innovation Solution
A lazy susan fitting with a supporting column of constant length, featuring a top mount with a deactivatable latch and a bottom mount that allows for easy installation by tilting and aligning the column vertically, enabling it to be mounted through a central opening without requiring precise length adjustments or complex assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the supporting column is passed through the access opening with fastening members and shelves already connected, then the assembly is complete, but the installation becomes complicated and difficult due to limited access opening size
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting column is divided into separate components: a column body and an end piece. The end piece acts as a separate assembly unit that can be attached to the column body and detached when needed. This segmentation allows the column to be assembled in segments through the limited access opening, then the end piece is attached outside the cabinet to complete the assembly, avoiding the need to pass all components through the small opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The end piece is pre-assembled with the supporting column body outside the cabinet before installation. This preliminary assembly allows the main column structure to be installed through the access opening first, then the pre-assembled end piece is attached to complete the installation. This eliminates the need to pass the entire assembled column through the limited opening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic arrangement with inner tube and outer tube is used for length adjustment, then mounting flexibility is improved, but the supporting column becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting column is segmented into a column body and a separate end piece that can be attached or detached. This segmentation provides mounting flexibility because the end piece can be removed to facilitate installation through limited openings, and reattached to complete the assembly. It avoids the complexity of telescopic mechanisms while achieving similar adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The end piece is extracted as a separate, removable component from the supporting column assembly. This extracted component can be detached when installation through the access opening is difficult, allowing the main column to be installed first, then the end piece is attached outside the cabinet. This provides flexibility without requiring complex telescopic structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple part construction with lower and upper length adjusting assemblies is used, then length adjustment capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple complex length adjusting assemblies, the invention segments the column into a body and end piece. The end piece's removable nature provides the necessary adjustment capability for installation purposes, eliminating the need for complex telescopic or adjustable mechanisms while maintaining the required flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The end piece is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily attached and detached. Rather than investing in complex, expensive length adjusting assemblies, this simple removable end piece provides the necessary installation flexibility at minimal cost, sacrificing permanent adjustability for ease of installation.
4Productivity
If the supporting column, bottom fastening member, and shelves are pre-assembled, then installation is complete in one step, but the assembly cannot pass through the limited access opening
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting column is segmented into a column body and end piece. The end piece is designed to be detachable, allowing the column body to be installed through the access opening first, then the end piece is attached outside the cabinet. This segmentation enables installation without requiring the entire assembly to pass through the limited opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process utilizes a different spatial dimension by performing the end piece attachment outside the cabinet rather than trying to pass the complete assembly through the opening. This dimensional approach allows the main column to be installed through the opening while the end piece is attached in the external space, avoiding the constraint of the limited opening size.
Data Source
AI summary
A lazy susan fitting for a cabinet having a top wall and a bottom wall has a supporting column of constant length, a top mount, a bottom mount, and a shelf supported at the supporting column. The top mount and a top end of the supporting column are configured to allow for mounting the supporting column to the top mount fixed to the top wall by moving the supporting column tilted out of the vertical in the top mount from below beyond a final installation position, and for aligning the supporting column in the top mount to the vertical. The bottom mount and the bottom end of the supporting column are configured for mounting the supporting column to the bottom mount fixed to the bottom wall by inserting the supporting column aligned to the vertical into the bottom mount from above.