Modular Table Configurations Using Adjustable Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tables and seating arrangements lack flexibility and adaptability to accommodate diverse user needs, such as varying heights and accessibility requirements, limiting their usability for individuals with disabilities and varying preferences for personal space and interaction.
Innovation Solution
A modular table system comprising 'L'-shaped tabletop components, seating surfaces, and adjustable legs and connectors that allow for various configurations, including different heights and seating arrangements, enabling flexible assembly to meet specific user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed tables and seating arrangements are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability to diverse user needs deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The table system is divided into separate modular components including tabletops of various shapes and sizes, individual seats, and legs. These segments can be independently selected and combined to create different table configurations, enabling adaptability to diverse user needs while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal mounting plates with multiple pre-drilled holes that can accommodate different tabletop shapes, sizes, and seat types. This multi-functional mounting system allows the same leg and mounting plate assembly to serve various configurations, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular components with multiple attachment options are used, then configurability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting plates are pre-manufactured with multiple holes drilled and positioned at standard intervals before assembly. This preliminary preparation of attachment points simplifies the actual assembly process, as users only need to select appropriate holes rather than measure and mark during assembly, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining high configurability
3Ease of operation
If adjustable leg positions are implemented, then accessibility for individuals with disabilities is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plates provide discrete adjustment options at predetermined intervals rather than continuous adjustment. This approach achieves sufficient accessibility for different user needs while maintaining manageable manufacturing precision requirements, as holes are positioned at standard intervals that are easier to manufacture than continuous variable positioning
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a set of components configured to be assembled together to produce a variety of different modular tables and the modular tables that are produced. The components and resulting tables may include at least one tabletop component; at least one seating surface; and at least one leg having a first end that can be affixed to an underside of the tabletop, a second end that can be affixed to an underside of the seating surface, and a central portion that is configured to rest on a ground surface. The components are configured so that a leg may be affixed to the tabletop at different locations, e.g. to produce different seating positions. Moreover, at least one of the tabletop components may be an “L”-shaped tabletop, which allows for the design of a large variety of different table and seating configurations.