Molded Plastic Table Top Structure for Lightweight Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional banquet tables are cumbersome due to their large size, weight, and complex assembly requirements, leading to increased storage, transportation, and manufacturing costs, and pose safety risks with sharp edges from additional fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A table design featuring a lightweight, molded plastic top with a simplified frame and legs that pivot for easy storage, allowing for nesting and alignment to reduce space requirements, and using a limited number of fasteners for quick assembly and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If table tops are constructed from light-weight materials such as plastic, then the weight of the table is decreased, but the table top requires large reinforcing members or additional structural parts to strengthen it, which increases the weight again
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the table top and reinforcing members into a single integrated molded plastic component. The reinforcing members are not separate parts but are formed as integral features of the table top itself through the molding process, eliminating the need for additional assembly while providing structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses molded plastic as a composite material that inherently provides both light weight and structural strength. The plastic material is formulated and molded to create a table top with built-in reinforcement, combining the benefits of light weight and strength in a single material system.
2Strength
If additional parts such as braces, brackets, and support members are added to strengthen the table top, then the strength is increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple structural components (table top, braces, brackets, support members) into a single integrated molded plastic piece. This eliminates the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts while maintaining all necessary structural functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded plastic table top is designed to be self-supporting with built-in reinforcing features that provide structural strength without requiring external bracing or additional support components. The structure serves its own reinforcement needs through its integrated design.
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to assemble the table, then the assembly strength is increased, but the manufacturing time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components that would require fastening into a single molded plastic table top. This eliminates the need for multiple fasteners and assembly steps, reducing both manufacturing time and labor costs while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated molded plastic structure is self-assembling in the sense that it requires no fastening operations. The table top is produced as a complete, ready-to-install component that attaches to the frame without requiring additional fasteners or assembly steps.
4Strength
If conventional wooden or metal table tops are used, then the strength and durability are improved, but the weight increases making the table difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses molded plastic as a composite material that provides strength comparable to wood or metal while maintaining light weight. The plastic material is engineered and molded to achieve the necessary structural properties without the density and weight of traditional materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from dense materials like wood or metal to lightweight molded plastic. This parameter change maintains structural strength through intelligent design and material properties while dramatically reducing the weight for easier mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
A table may include a molded plastic table top with an upper surface, a lower surface and a hollow interior portion disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface, lower surface and hollow interior portion of the table top may be integrally formed during the molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece construction. The table may also include a side rail of a frame connected to the lower surface of the table top and a plurality of depressions disposed between the side rail and the upper surface of the table top. The plurality of depressions may be integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top during the molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece construction. The plurality of depressions may be sized and configured to support the portion of the table top disposed above the side rail of the frame.