Mesh Folding Chair Structure for Comfort and Dense Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding chairs often compromise on comfort and storage density due to bulkiness in the folded position, with prior art chairs either being uncomfortable or difficult to stack and store safely, and existing comfortable chairs do not fold or stack effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mesh folding chair design featuring a seat and backrest with flexible and elastic mesh or patterned open texture plastic, supported by all-plastic hoops, allowing for comfortable seating while maintaining high storage density and ease of stacking, with a structural configuration that includes pivoting mechanisms and curvilinear profiles for nesting and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid seats and seat backs are used, then structural strength is improved, but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid metal seats and seat backs with flexible mesh material stretched over a frame. The mesh provides comfort through its flexibility and ability to conform to the user's body, while the underlying frame structure maintains the necessary structural strength. This resolves the contradiction by separating the structural support function (frame) from the comfort function (mesh).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal or plastic frame elements with mesh material. The frame provides rigidity and strength, while the mesh layer provides comfort and flexibility. This composite approach allows both structural strength and comfort to coexist without compromise.
2Ease of operation
If seats fold adjacent to or abut the legs, then foldability is improved, but storage density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curvilinear profiles on the chair components, particularly in the leg and seat frame design. These curved surfaces allow the chair to nest more efficiently when folded, reducing the overall storage volume. The curvature enables tighter packing while maintaining ease of folding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The chair is designed to nest within itself or with other chairs when folded. The curvilinear profiles and articulated joint design allow one chair to be placed inside another, significantly improving storage density while maintaining simple folding operation.
3Productivity
If multiple folding chairs are stacked, then storage efficiency is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetrical design elements in the chair structure, particularly in the leg configurations and connection points. This asymmetry creates complementary interfaces between stacked chairs, allowing them to interlock or nest in a specific orientation that prevents separation and enhances stack stability while maintaining high storage efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If cushions are added to rigid seats, then comfort is improved, but storage density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin, flexible mesh material that provides cushioning and comfort without the bulk of traditional foam cushions. The mesh can be stretched and tensioned to provide a comfortable seating surface while remaining thin enough to maintain high storage density when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the seating material from thick, compressible foam to thin, elastic mesh. This parameter change allows the material to provide comfort through elasticity and conformability while occupying minimal space, thus improving storage density without sacrificing comfort.
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 mesh folding chair provides comfortable seating with reduced weight and increased storage density, ensuring stability and ease of handling, while maintaining structural integrity and affordability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, the other end of the elastic member being connected to the foot... the elastic member being deformable between a deformed state and an original state... the foot rocks between a first position and a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A folding mesh chair includes a seat and a backrest carried between opposite frame sides. The chair has an unfolded seating position in which the seat pivots to extend from the frame sides and bottoms of front and rear legs move apart, and a folded position in which the seat pivots toward the frame sides and the front and rear legs move together. One or both of the seat and the backrest have a continuous sheet of flexible and elastic mesh or patterned open texture plastic held across and substantially covering an opening in an all-plastic hoop fixed between the frame sides.