Stabilizing a table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pedestal tables often experience wobble due to uneven surfaces, which existing leveling feet or glides fail to adequately address, especially in outdoor settings, requiring cumbersome adjustments and limiting table repositioning in busy environments.

Innovation Solution

A moveable wedge device that secures to the table leg, allowing for easy stabilization without displacing the table, featuring a linkage or flexible member for a solid load-bearing surface, enabling quick adjustment and repositioning without removing items from the tabletop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If threaded adjustable leveling feet or glides are used to address table wobble, then table stability is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome to use requiring removal of items from tabletop and turning table on its side for adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable stabilityVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge device is designed to be self-contained within the table leg structure, allowing staff to adjust table stability by simply inserting or removing the wedge without needing to turn the table or remove items from the tabletop. The device serves itself by utilizing the natural wedge geometry to provide stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The table leg is segmented to accommodate a removable wedge component. This segmentation allows the stabilization mechanism to be independently adjusted without affecting the entire table structure, enabling easy insertion and removal of the wedge to adjust stability as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed objects like matchbooks or napkins are placed on the tabletop to stabilize the table, then table stability is improved, but the solution fails to accommodate changes when tables need to be repositioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge device transitions from a static fixed object approach to a dynamic system where the wedge can be easily inserted and removed from the table leg. This dynamic design allows the stabilization mechanism to adapt when tables need to be repositioned, as staff can simply remove the wedge before moving the table and reinsert it at the new location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a moveable wedge device is used to stabilize the table, then ease of operation is improved allowing quick adjustment without removing items from tabletop, but the device adds complexity to the table leg structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization function is extracted from the traditional threaded glide mechanism and implemented as a separate removable wedge component. This extraction simplifies the overall system by replacing a complex threaded adjustment mechanism with a simple geometric wedge that can be easily inserted and removed without adding significant complexity to the table leg structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Stability of the object's composition

If traditional leveling feet are used, then table stability is improved, but productivity is reduced due to the time required for adjustment and repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable stabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge device is pre-positioned within the table leg structure, ready for immediate use. Staff do not need to perform preliminary actions such as turning the table or removing items from the tabletop to access the adjustment mechanism. The wedge can be directly inserted or removed to adjust stability, saving time and improving productivity in busy restaurant environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively stabilizes tables by adjusting the height of a table leg relative to the surface, preventing wobble and allowing for easy repositioning without disrupting the dining or work environment, thus preventing spills and enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

embodiments that utilize a moveable wedge to raise or lower a table leg

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

A moveable wedge device that secures to the table leg, allowing for easy stabilization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

the embodiments may utilize a linkage, or flexible member, that allows the moveable wedge to remain flat on the floor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinkage: Four-Bar Linkage

Data Source

PatentUS12096853B1Stabilizing a table

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 BAHNSON DAVID HASTINGS

AI summary

A table stabilizing device is configured to remedy wobble of a tabletop on a table. These configurations may include a slider that attaches or secures to a table leg of the table. The slider may have wedge W that interposes between the table leg and the floor. An end user can move the slider to change the position of the wedge W relative to the table leg, thus raising or lowering the table leg to stabilize the table. On a pedestal table with multiple legs, this feature will distribute weight across the other table legs.