Furniture Panel Rail Mounting for Ceiling-Flush Wall Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture mounting systems on vertical planes face challenges such as uneven wall alignment, complex assembly processes, limited flexibility in positioning, and potential for horizontal and vertical displacement, especially in earthquake-prone areas, where precise alignment and machining are required.
Innovation Solution
A supporting system comprising a rail with male and female members that interlock via a snap-in mechanism, allowing horizontal and vertical mounting of furniture panels without the need for precise positioning during assembly, and enabling secure attachment to walls without requiring extensive machining or careful alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mounting systems use horizontal upwardly angled rails with vertical panels, then furniture can be mounted on walls, but the system cannot be mounted flush with the ceiling and requires screw members to prevent horizontal displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mounting approach by using a vertical rail instead of a horizontal rail, and a horizontal mounting member instead of a vertical panel. This inversion allows the furniture to be mounted flush with the ceiling and eliminates the need for screw members to prevent horizontal displacement, as the horizontal mounting member inherently provides this function
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides horizontal support for the furniture, prevents horizontal displacement through its interaction with the rail, and enables ceiling-flush mounting. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall mounting system by eliminating the need for separate screw members
2Reliability
If precise positioning and machining are required during assembly, then stable mounting is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member is designed with pre-formed engagement features that automatically align with corresponding features on the rail during assembly. This preliminary design of the engagement mechanism eliminates the need for precise positioning and machining during assembly, as the components self-align through their geometric design
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking mechanism between the mounting member and rail is designed to automatically secure the furniture without requiring additional fastening operations. The geometric compatibility of the engagement features causes the components to self-align and self-secure during the mounting process, eliminating the need for time-consuming precise positioning
3Reliability
If screw members are used to prevent horizontal displacement, then furniture stability is improved, but the mounting process requires more steps and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the horizontal displacement prevention function from the traditional screw member approach and integrates it directly into the mounting member through its interaction with the vertical rail. This extraction eliminates the need for separate screw members and simplifies the mounting process while maintaining furniture stability
4Strength
If panels are limited to materials of high durability, then structural integrity is maintained, but design flexibility and material choices are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system separates the structural support function (performed by the mounting member and rail) from the panel material requirements. This segmentation allows panels to be made from a wider variety of materials including less durable ones, as the mounting system provides the necessary structural integrity independently of the panel material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a supporting system for furniture, comprising; a rail (100), adapted to be mounted on a substantially vertical plane; and a projecting male member (200), connected to the rail (100), said male member projecting distally of said rail (100). The male member (200) provides a mounting plane transversal to the longitudinal direction of said rail, such that said male member (200) is configured to be enclosed by a mating female member (400). The female member (400) being located at a side piece of a furniture; said male member (200) and female member (400), in use, having two vertical support surfaces and at least one horizontal support surface each, arranged such that relative longitudinal displacement of male member (200) and female member (400) is hindered, and the horizontal support surface of the male member (200) supports the horizontal support surface of the female member (400), such that they allow horizontal mounting of the side piece on the rail (100). A slider, a side piece, and a method of mounting is also provided.