Portable Table with Composite Core and Elastomer Edging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable panels and tables are heavy, prone to water damage, labor-intensive to produce, and lack effective edging for shock absorption and sound absorption, making them difficult to transport, store, and assemble efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight portable panel construction using a core with fiber layers impregnated with polyurethane and external skins, featuring a frame with a locking mechanism to prevent lateral movement and a column connection system for stable support, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without the need for molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional panels use oriented strand board or plywood with traditional construction methods, then structural durability is achieved, but the panels become very heavy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite construction consisting of a rigid foam core providing structural support, surrounded by a molded elastomer edging that integrates locking hardware. This composite structure achieves the required structural durability while keeping the overall panel weight lower than traditional solid wood or particle board constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer edging acts as a flexible protective shell around the rigid foam core. This elastomer layer provides both structural integrity and weight efficiency, allowing the panel to maintain durability without the excessive weight of conventional solid material construction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional panels use traditional construction methods with glue and curing, then structural integrity is achieved, but the show surfaces become susceptible to glue failure rendering panels disfigured and unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the glue application step from the construction process. Instead of applying adhesive to bond the edging to the core, the molded elastomer edging is designed to mechanically interlock with the foam core through integrated locking features, completely removing the reliability issue associated with glue failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer edging serves as an intermediary component that mechanically connects to the foam core through integrated locking hardware rather than chemical adhesion. This mechanical connection system replaces the unreliable glue bond with a durable physical interlocking mechanism.
3Strength
If conventional tables use pedestal style support legs with thick connection pieces, then structural support is achieved, but stacking and storage capabilities are severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The folding leg mechanism allows the legs to be nested within the table top structure when not in use. The legs fold flat against the tabletop, enabling multiple tables to be stacked compactly one on top of another, dramatically reducing storage volume while maintaining full structural support capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The table legs transition from a static thick pedestal structure to a dynamic folding mechanism. This dynamic design allows the legs to extend to full length for structural support during use, then collapse flat for compact stacking and storage, adapting the volume requirement based on operational state.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional foldable legs are attached near the perimeter of the tabletop, then mechanical connection is simplified, but the effective seating capacity is reduced by restricting access
Solution Approach 1:
The leg attachment mechanism transitions from a peripheral side attachment to a bottom-surface attachment. By moving the connection point to the underside of the tabletop, the design maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating the seating restriction issue, as the attachment location no longer interferes with chair placement or guest access around the table perimeter.
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 results in panels that are 30% thinner, more durable, and cost-effective, with improved adhesion and stacking capabilities, facilitating efficient transportation, storage, and use in various industries while reducing production costs and assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
A first polyurethane layer is impregnated into the first fiber layer while a second polyurethane layer is impregnated into the second fiber layer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a portable table having numerous favorable characteristics. The table comprises a tabletop, a column connection, and a column. The tabletop includes a core, a thickness, a perimeter section, and a bottom surface. The column connection is positioned within the thickness of the core and within the tabletop, and includes a flange and a cylindrical sleeve having a first fastener. The column includes an insertion end that includes a second fastener shaped to removably engage the first fastener and secure the column to the column connection. The insertion end is shaped to removably fit within the cylindrical sleeve of the column connection.