Pivoting Support Foot With Self-Locking Joint for Pull-Out Furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel feet for pull-out elements in furniture, such as sofa beds, face challenges in providing adequate support without obstructing ground clearance, leading to aesthetic and practical issues like instability and reduced comfort due to strong springs or complex multi-part constructions.
Innovation Solution
A swivel base with a support leg and actuating leg connected by a joint allowing rotation and displacement, where the actuating leg's movement pivots the support leg into its non-use position, and a self-locking mechanism ensures stability during use, utilizing a spring for actuation and a sliding/rolling element for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a strong spring is used to hold the support foot in position, then the support foot remains stable, but the comfort is reduced because the spring force must be overcome when pushing in the pull-out element
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot system transitions from a static spring-held position to a dynamic self-locking mechanism. The joint allowing displacement enables the system to automatically lock into position through geometric constraints rather than continuous spring force, and to release smoothly when needed, providing both stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-locking mechanism allows the support foot to maintain its position automatically through its own geometric configuration rather than requiring continuous spring force. The system locks itself into place through the joint geometry, eliminating the need for strong springs and improving comfort.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a multi-part construction with coupler and lifting leg is used, then the support foot is secured against unwanted swiveling, but the construction becomes complicated and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the support function and the locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The joint allowing displacement combines the articulation with the self-locking capability, eliminating the need for separate couplers and lifting legs, thus reducing complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of preventing unwanted swiveling from the complex multi-part construction and implements it through a simplified self-locking joint mechanism. This removes unnecessary components while retaining the stabilizing function.
3Strength
If support feet are present between floor and furniture when pull-out element is pushed in, then support is provided, but ground clearance is reduced causing aesthetic and cleaning issues
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot dynamically changes its position based on the state of the pull-out element. When the pull-out element is pushed in, the support foot pivots to a retracted position that maintains ground clearance. When the pull-out element is extended, the support foot automatically extends to provide support, thus resolving the contradiction between support capability and ground clearance.
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 provides a reliable, inexpensive, and comfortable swivel foot that maintains ground clearance while supporting pull-out elements effectively, ensuring stability and ease of use by allowing the support leg to pivot freely without accidental movement and supporting the element during both extension and retraction.
Implementation Method 1
A spring, which preferably acts on the actuating leg of the support foot, can be used to actuate the pivoting foot, preferably for transferring it from the non-use position to the use position.
Data Source
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AI summary
The foot has a supporting bracket (2) for retaining a load of an extendable element (1), where the foot is tiltable from a non-use position to an operation position. The supporting bracket and an actuation bracket (4) are tiltably hinged to the extendable element. The supporting bracket is connected with the actuation bracket by a twisting and shift permitting joint (12). The movement of joint is blocked, in the operation position of the foot. The joint is movable between the supporting bracket and the actuation bracket by a slotted hole (13) that is formed in the supporting bracket.