Collapsible Picnic Table With Nested Folding Bench Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible picnic tables have a larger footprint and are more difficult to transport and store compared to collapsible banquet tables, as the seating is not folded beneath the table in the storage position.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible picnic table design featuring pivotally attached table and seat supports that rotate between use and storage positions, allowing the supports to be folded inward, reducing the overall footprint and facilitating easier storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate chairs are used with collapsible tables, then seating is provided, but the overall size and difficulty of transport and storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the table and chairs into a single integrated structure where the seats are attached to the table supports. When the table collapses, the seats fold inward against the tabletop, merging the storage of both components into one compact unit rather than requiring separate storage for tables and chairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The table supports serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the tabletop, hold the attached seats, and act as folding mechanisms that reduce the overall footprint during storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate chair structures.
2Ease of operation
If bench seating is provided with picnic tables, then separate chairs are not required, but the table is much larger and more difficult to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic folding mechanisms that allow the table and seats to transition between an expanded configuration for use and a compact configuration for storage. The supports rotate and fold inward, dynamically changing the volume occupied by the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seats are positioned to fold inward against the tabletop, nesting within the overall structure when collapsed. This nesting arrangement minimizes the external dimensions required for storage, similar to how nested dolls occupy minimal space when collapsed together.
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 design allows the picnic table to be compacted to a size similar to collapsible banquet tables, making it more convenient for storage and transport by folding the seating and table supports inward, thus reducing the overall footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The table attachment portions are pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop and are configured to rotate in a first rotational direction between the use position and storage position
Implementation Method 2
The first seat attachment portions are pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the first seat and are configured to rotate in conjunction with the table attachment portions in the first rotational direction
Implementation Method 3
The table foot portions are spaced apart from the table attachment portions and are operable to contact a ground surface when the first and second table supports are in the use position
Implementation Method 4
Each first seat foot portion is pivotally attached to a corresponding one of the table foot portions, and is configured to rotate by 180 degrees in a second rotational direction that is orthogonal to the first rotational direction
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible picnic table having a tabletop and table supports that extend downward from the bottom surface of the tabletop in a use position and are adjacent the bottom surface of the tabletop in a stored position. Seat supports, pivotally attached to a first seat, rotate simultaneously with and in the same direction as the table supports. In a use position, the seat supports extend downwards from the first seat and are adjacent the bottom surface of the first seat and extend outwards from the table supports in a first stored position. The seat supports are pivotally attached to the table supports and rotate orthogonally to the rotation of the table supports from the first stored position to a second stored position, where the seat supports are adjacent the bottom surface of the first seat and are adjacent the bottom of the tabletop and table supports.