Rotatable Table Seat Structure for Stable Child Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing table seats for children are not designed to allow the child to change their spatial position relative to the table, limiting their ability to face away from the table top, and are not easily adjustable for stable orientations.

Innovation Solution

A table seat with a foldable frame that securely attaches to the table using tubular arms with movable intermediate portions and a rotating sitting portion, enabling the child to change their orientation and position relative to the table top, with the sitting portion capable of locking into multiple angular positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sitting portion is fixed to the frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but the child cannot change axial position or face away from the table top

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechild orientation flexibilityVSAvoidseat structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sitting portion is made rotatable relative to the frame through a pivot connection, allowing dynamic repositioning. The child can be oriented to face the table top or face away from it, and can be rotated laterally. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling multiple orientations while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward pivot mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seat is divided into independent rotatable components: the sitting portion can rotate independently on the frame, and the lateral frame portions can rotate independently on the table top. This segmentation allows flexible positioning without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lateral frame portions are fixed to the table top, then the attachment is secure, but the child cannot be rotated in lateral direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral rotation capabilityVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral frame portions are designed with rotatable joints that allow lateral rotation while maintaining secure attachment. The pivot connections enable the frame to rotate laterally on the table top, providing lateral rotation capability without compromising attachment reliability through proper joint design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is segmented into rotatable lateral portions that can independently rotate on the table top. This segmentation allows lateral rotation capability while maintaining secure attachment through separate, well-defined connection points with stopping means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sitting portion can rotate freely, then the child can face any direction, but the child cannot be held in stable positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation flexibilityVSAvoidpositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism includes stopping means that provide periodic stable positions during rotation. The first and second stopping means on the lateral frame portions, and the stopping means on the sitting portion, create discrete stable positions at regular intervals, allowing the child to be held stably in specific orientations while maintaining overall flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If simple attachment means are used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but reliable attachment to the table top cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into modular components: lateral frame portions with intermediate portions, stopping means, and friction-based contact points. This segmentation allows simple individual components that are easy to manufacture while achieving reliable attachment through their coordinated interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism uses self-gripping intermediate portions with friction-based contact and stopping means that automatically engage without additional fasteners. The design relies on friction and geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for complex fastening hardware while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1961336B1Table Seat with rotatable sitting Portion
Publication Date: 2010.03.03 ARTSANA SPA
  • EP1961336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1961336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1961336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A table seat (1) comprising a foldable frame (1A) supporting an at least partially foldable container or sitting portion (2) for receiving and supporting a child, said frame (1A) comprising opposing lateral portions (3) enabling the seat (1) to be removably fixed to a top (5) of the table (6), each portion (3) comprising an upper arm (10) and a lower arm (11) which are superposed, the second arm (11) comprising at least one movable intermediate portion (17) arranged to lowerly contact said table top (5) and at least one end portion (16), the child contain er (2) being associated with a support portion (50) fixed to said lateral portions (3). The child container or sitting portion (2) comprises a structure (55) rotatably associated with said support portion (50) and enabling the child to be arranged in different spatial positions relative to the table (6), said structure (55) being rotatable about a central axis (W) perpendicular to a geometrical plane parallel to said table top (5).