Mobile Table with Rotatable Top for Compact Storage and Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial strength tables are large, heavy, and immobile, making them unsuitable for spaces with limited mobility and versatility, as they occupy excessive space and are difficult to reposition.
Innovation Solution
A mobile table with a selectively rotatable top that can lock into various positions, allowing for increased or reduced footprint depending on use, featuring swivel casters for mobility and a locking mechanism for secure positioning, along with a stationary storage shelf for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional industrial strength tables are used, then they provide sturdy and stable work surfaces, but they are large, heavy, and immobile, occupying excessive space and being difficult to reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is designed to be rotatable relative to the frame members, allowing it to dynamically change orientation between a horizontal working position and a vertical storage position. This dynamic capability enables the table to transition from a stable work surface to a compact storage configuration, resolving the contradiction between providing a sturdy work surface and enabling mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The table is divided into separable components including the frame members, the rotatable table top, and movement members (casters). This segmentation allows the table top to be independently rotated and positioned, enabling the sturdy frame to remain stationary while the work surface becomes mobile and repositionable, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of movement.
2Strength
If conventional industrial strength tables are used, then they provide stable work surfaces, but they span a large footprint, requiring large spaces for their use
Solution Approach 1:
The table top's rotatable design allows it to dynamically adjust its spatial footprint. When rotated to a vertical position, the table top reduces the horizontal footprint of the table assembly, enabling compact storage in small spaces while maintaining the full-size sturdy work surface when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between providing a stable work surface and minimizing space occupation.
3Area of stationary object
If the table top is made rotatable to reduce footprint, then space efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the table structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple rotatable joint mechanism connects the table top to the frame members, allowing the table top to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic mechanism adds minimal structural complexity while achieving significant space efficiency improvements, as the rotation capability is implemented through a straightforward articulation rather than a complex mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The table top is pre-configured with attachment features that enable easy connection to the frame members at predetermined positions. This preliminary design allows the rotatable mechanism to be integrated into the table structure during manufacturing, reducing the complexity of assembly and installation while maintaining the space-efficient rotational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are mobile tables and table assemblies having a selectively rotating table top relative to the table frame. A mobile table including a selectively rotatable table top that is configured to securely rotate about an axis in an unlocked position and to be secured in a predetermined plane in a locked position; and two spaced apart frame members securely connected to the selectively rotatable table top positioned on a first end of each spaced apart frame member and movement members attached to a second end of each spaced apart frame members that are configured to selectively move the mobile table to and from desired locations.