Modular Deck Chair Armrests With Damage-Free Stable Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deck chair armrests are not easily transferable between different chair designs and can damage valuable furniture when retrofitted, as they often require permanent structural changes and lack secure attachment, especially when not designed to adapt to changing lying positions without compromising comfort.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with removable and adjustable armrests supported by free-standing components and a base plate, which allows secure attachment to the couch without modifying it, ensuring stability and preventing slipping, and can pivot or fold for easy access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If armrests are firmly attached to the frame with holes and screw connections, then the armrests remain stable and secure, but the furniture structure is permanently modified and valuable designer furniture is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearmrest stabilityVSAvoidfurniture damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest system is divided into separate modular components: a base plate that attaches to the furniture frame, and armrest elements that connect to the base plate. This segmentation allows the armrests to be removed and transferred without permanently modifying the furniture, while still providing stable support when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A base plate serves as an intermediary component between the furniture frame and the armrests. The base plate distributes loads across a larger area of the frame and provides attachment points for the armrests without requiring direct screw connections to the furniture, thereby preventing damage while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If armrests are firmly connected to the frame, then the armrests remain in stable position, but they are not easily transferable between different deck chair designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearmrest position stabilityVSAvoidarmrest transferability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate different frame configurations. By providing multiple attachment point options and using adaptable connection mechanisms, the same base plate can be installed on various deck chair designs, making the armrest system transferable while maintaining stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If clip mechanisms are used to attach armrests to the frame, then the armrests are removable and do not damage furniture, but the armrests are not secured against slipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurniture damage preventionVSAvoidarmrest anti-slip security
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate incorporates friction surfaces and geometric interlocking features that prevent slipping before it occurs. The design anticipates potential slippage by built-in protective mechanisms such as increased surface friction and mechanical engagement features that maintain secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If cross members are added to the underside of the lounger to stabilize armrests, then the armrests are fixed securely, but the solution can damage designer furniture and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearmrest fixation stabilityVSAvoidstructural modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding cross members that modify the furniture structure, the armrest system uses a self-contained base plate assembly that provides stability independently. The base plate integrates multiple functions (attachment, load distribution, and armrest connection) into a single modular unit that does not require additional structural modifications to the furniture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3020308B1Support device for a longchair
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 WILHELM WOLFGANG
  • EP3020308B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3020308B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3020308B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

The invention relates to a storage device (100) for a couch (101, 101, 102, 104), comprising a couch (101, 101, 102, 104) which stands on a standing surface, a first armrest (111, 114, 120, 120) which describes a first armrest surface, and a second armrest (121) which describes a second armrest surface, the first armrest (111, 114, 120, 120) being supported on the contact surface by means of a first free-standing support, the second armrest (121) is supported on the contact surface by means of a second free-standing support and the first and the second armrest (121) are connected to one another.