Rotary Shelf Collar and Pin Geometry for Smooth 360° Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed-post rotary shelves often fail to rotate smoothly 360 degrees due to a second rest-position or 'bump' at 180 degrees, leading to instability and uneven load distribution, which can cause items to topple during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A shelf system with a pin having a head and body of different circumferences, where the pin extends through a post aperture and is secured by wings, and a collar that encircles the post and rests on the pin, allowing for dual contact points and a single rest-position for smooth, level rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed-post rotary shelves rotate on dual contact points to distribute load evenly, then load distribution is improved, but a second rest-position or bump appears at 180 degrees causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using a pin with non-circular cross-section (different circumferences at different positions) to create an asymmetric contact interface. This asymmetric design allows the shelf to rest stably on one side of the post while eliminating the opposing rest-position, enabling smooth 360-degree rotation without bumps while maintaining even load distribution through the asymmetric geometry.
2Ease of operation
If fixed-post rotary shelves use single contact point rotation to eliminate second rest-position, then rotation smoothness is improved, but load distribution becomes uneven leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different contact characteristics at different locations of the pin. The pin has different circumferences at different positions, creating localized contact points that provide both smooth rotation and even load distribution. This local variation in geometry allows the shelf to rotate smoothly while maintaining stable load distribution without requiring a single rest-position.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rotary shelves cannot rotate full 360 degrees due to bump at 180 degrees, then rest-position stability is maintained, but rotation range is limited and items may topple
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric pin design with different circumferences eliminates the 180-degree bump by creating an asymmetric contact interface. This allows the shelf to rotate through a full 360 degrees and beyond without encountering opposing rest-positions, while still maintaining stable operation at the desired rest-position through the asymmetric geometry that provides controlled resistance only in one direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf system is shown and described. A post has an aperture. A pin is configured to extend through that aperture. The pin has a head having a first circumference and a body having a second circumference. A collar is configured to encircle the post and rest on the pin head and body. In operation the collar, and any associated shelf, is able to rotate smoothly and stably around the post.