Nested Collator Hinge Structure for Flat Portable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collators are either bulky or lack structural integrity, making them difficult to transport and store, as they are either non-collapsible or only partly collapsible, and existing collapsible designs do not fully minimize space when collapsed.
Innovation Solution
A fully collapsible collator with vertical supports that nest inside each other, utilizing unique 'X' configuration hinges allowing for a tight collapse, and providing structural integrity for it to be free-standing and portable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid supports with accordion hinges are used, then the collator maintains structural integrity, but it cannot collapse fully and remains bulky (several inches thick)
Solution Approach 1:
The supports are designed with nested openings that allow each support to be inserted into the next larger support when collapsed. The front-most support nests inside the second support, which nests inside the third, and so on, reducing the collapsed thickness to approximately one support thickness (1/4-1/2 inch) while maintaining structural integrity through the nesting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the supports to rotate and collapse flat against each other. The hinge enables the structure to transition between expanded and collapsed states while maintaining rigidity when expanded, solving the contradiction between structural integrity and collapsibility
2Volume of moving object
If thin fabric connections are used instead of rigid parts, then the collator becomes flatter when collapsed, but it loses structural integrity and cannot stand on its own
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection uses a flexible fabric strap with rigid connection points attached to each support. The fabric strap allows the supports to collapse flat while the rigid connection points maintain structural integrity when expanded. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of flexibility for collapse with rigidity for structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: rigid plastic or metal connection points provide structural strength, while flexible fabric straps enable collapse. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between needing rigidity for strength and flexibility for collapse
3Quantity of substance
If multiple dividers are added in the gaps, then the collator can accommodate more papers, but the collapsed thickness increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The supports are designed with nested openings of progressively larger sizes, allowing each support to be inserted into the next larger support when collapsed. This nesting mechanism accommodates multiple paper dividers within the collapsed structure without increasing the overall collapsed thickness beyond one support thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The nested support structure utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging supports in a nested configuration rather than a linear stack. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple dividers to be accommodated while minimizing the collapsed footprint to approximately one support thickness
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a fully collapsible file holder, or collator. It is formed from an assembly of supports. When opened, the supports are separated by about an inch, allowing papers, files, and books to be organized between them. When the collator is not in use, it collapses to the thickness of a fraction of an inch. This is facilitated by the invention's novel design, wherein the supports decrease in size from rear to front. When collapsed, they nest inside one another. The full range of movement is enabled by a novel hinge, formed of two struts in a scissors configuration. The collator folds flat to become so small that it is easily transportable in a satchel or even a notebook. This offers great advantage over the very bulky collators in use today.