Pullout Rack Assembly With Elastic Sides for Oversized Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pullout shelves and drawers in cabinets have rigid sidewalls that cannot accommodate items slightly larger than the shelf width and make it difficult to insert items into crowded spaces due to their rigidity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a rack assembly with slidable shelves and elastic side elements that can bend outward to accommodate larger items while preventing them from falling off, using elastic bands between the front and back walls of the shelves to provide lateral support and allow items to extend and make contact with adjacent shelves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid sidewalls are used in pullout shelves and drawers, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate items larger than the shelf width and ease of inserting items into crowded spaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidability to accommodate items of varying sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall is segmented into rigid portions (front and back walls) and flexible portions (elastic elements). The rigid portions maintain structural strength while the flexible portions provide adaptability to accommodate items of varying sizes. This segmentation allows the shelf to simultaneously achieve both strength and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewall transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with elastic elements that can flex outward. This dynamic characteristic allows the shelf to adapt its shape temporarily to accommodate larger items while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid sidewalls are used in pullout shelves and drawers, then structural stability is improved, but ease of inserting items into crowded spaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of inserting items

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the sidewall into rigid and flexible segments, the shelf maintains structural stability through the rigid portions while enabling easy insertion of items through the flexible portions that can temporarily deform to create clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic elements function as flexible components within the sidewall structure, allowing the shelf to flex outward temporarily to accommodate item insertion while maintaining overall structural stability. This flexible element approach directly addresses the ease of operation requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If elastic elements are introduced to accommodate larger items, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate items of varying sizesVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses elastic elements (such as elastic bands or flexible strips) as simple flexible components integrated into the sidewall structure. These elements provide the necessary adaptability without requiring complex mechanisms, mechanisms, or multiple moving parts, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If elastic elements are introduced to allow item insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting itemsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic elements can be manufactured as separate components and then attached to the rigid sidewall portions using simple attachment methods. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while enabling the flexible functionality needed for easy item insertion, avoiding complex integrated manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design allows for easier insertion of items into crowded spaces and prevents them from falling off, accommodating items of varying sizes and improving accessibility within the cabinet.

Implementation Method 1

At least one elastic element extends between the front wall and the back wall above a left side and a right side of the shelf such that the front wall, back wall and at least one elastic element define a contained area capable of holding objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

An elastic band extends around a front of the front plate and a back of the back plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9282821B2Rack assembly

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 MIEDTKE SCOTT ROBERT

AI summary

A rack assembly has a shelf attached to a slidable mount. A front wall and a back wall are mounted to the shelf. At least one elastic element extends between the front wall and the back wall above a left side and a right side of the shelf such that the front wall, back wall and at least one elastic element define a contained area capable of holding objects.