Retractable Restroom Table Structure for Fixture Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restrooms often have limited surface area for organization and storage due to immovable fixtures like toilets and bidets, making it difficult to create additional working and organizational space within the constraints of these small rooms.
Innovation Solution
A retractable table apparatus with a tabletop that can be secured to a structural wall, allowing it to extend over a toilet or bidet for additional surface area when needed and retract for access, featuring adjustable support members and a base portion with slots for mounting and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a retractable table is extended over a toilet to provide additional surface area, then the available organizational space is improved, but the access to the toilet is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The table is designed with retractable functionality, allowing it to transition between extended and retracted positions. When extended, it provides additional surface area for organization; when retracted, it allows access to the toilet. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the space adaptable to different user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The table structure is divided into separate components including the tabletop, support members, and base portion that can be independently positioned. The tabletop can be selectively extended or retracted relative to the base, allowing the system to provide surface area when needed while maintaining access to the toilet when the table is retracted.
2Ease of operation
If support members are made longer to extend the tabletop higher, then the tabletop can clear the toilet for better access, but the stability of the table structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be adjustable in length rather than fixed. This allows the support members to be extended only as much as needed to clear the toilet, rather than being permanently long. The adjustability maintains stability by using the minimum necessary length while still providing access.
Solution Approach 2:
The length parameter of the support members can be changed based on the specific situation. When access to the toilet is needed, the support members can be extended to increase the tabletop height. When additional stability is needed, the support members can be retracted to a shorter length, optimizing the stability parameter.
3Area of stationary object
If the tabletop is made larger to provide more organizational space, then the surface area is improved, but the ability to retract the table for access to fixtures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The table is segmented into a base portion and a removable tabletop component. This segmentation allows the tabletop to be detached from the base, enabling complete retraction of the table for access to fixtures. The tabletop can also be attached when organizational space is needed, providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the tabletop and base portion is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The tabletop can be attached to provide organizational space or detached to allow full access to the toilet or bidet. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between providing surface area and maintaining retractability.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable table apparatus that includes a table portion, the table portion with a flat planar member having a first end and a second end that defines a tabletop; at least one support member secured to the tabletop proximate the second end of the flat planar member; and a base portion having a lateral body with an outwardly oriented surface and a lateral slot defined in the outwardly oriented surface and projecting into the lateral body, the slot dimensioned to receive the second end of the tabletop. The second end of the tabletop is insertable in the slot to place the apparatus in a first condition where a user has access to the tabletop, and wherein when the second end of the tabletop is removed from the slot, the apparatus is placed in a second storage condition.