Modular Wobble Base for Cost-Effective Stool Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of replacing existing desks or stools with wobble stools makes them inaccessible to many settings, particularly public schools with limited funds, where they could benefit special-needs students who require active seating options.

Innovation Solution

A wobble base with a curved floor-contacting surface and alignment posts that can be attached to existing seating platforms using fasteners, allowing for conversion of traditional stools into wobble stools, and enabling dynamic reconfiguration between wobble and traditional floor-contacting members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing desks or stools are replaced with wobble stools, then active seating benefits are achieved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive seating capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the seating system into separate components: a traditional stool and a detachable wobble base. This allows the active seating functionality to be added as a separate module rather than requiring complete replacement of existing furniture, significantly reducing cost while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the traditional stool with a wobble base attachment to create a hybrid seating solution. The wobble base is designed to attach to the existing stool, combining the stability of traditional seating with the movement benefits of wobble stools at a lower overall cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wobble bases are made removable and replaceable, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a dynamic attachment system where the wobble base can be easily attached and detached from the stool. The alignment posts with receptacles create a movable connection that simplifies the reconfiguration process despite the added functionality, allowing users to switch between wobble and traditional flooring modes effortlessly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11213129B2Wobble stool and base

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 KLD IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A wobble base provides a curved floor-contacting surface with one or more alignment posts that align the wobble base to the bottom of a seating platform and one or more holes separate from the alignment posts through which one or more fasteners may be placed to attach the wobble base to the seating platform, thereby providing a wobble stool. The wobble base can be configured to convert an existing stool into a wobble stool by replacing one or more floor-contacting members with the wobble base. In a second embodiment, a seating platform, such as a stool, is provided with both traditional floor-contacting members, such as feet or casters, and with a wobble base that allows the traditional floor-contacting members to be removed and replaced with the wobble base, and allows the wobble base to be removed and replaced with the traditional floor-contacting members.