Rotating work surface system for a chair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combined chair and table arrangements are cumbersome to transport, restrict user direction, can become unbalanced, and hinder flexible interaction in educational and meeting settings due to their fixed orientation and structural limitations.

Innovation Solution

A rotating work surface system for a chair, featuring a seat base with bosses for securement, a pivoting system for smooth rotation, and a tablet surface system with a vertical support and shelf, allowing the work surface to pivotally engage and rotate freely, providing stability and ancillary storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate table and chair arrangement is used, then user mobility and flexibility are improved, but collaborative interaction and space efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidcollaborative interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a chair and table into a single integrated unit where the table is mounted on the chair structure. This merging allows the furniture to function as both a seating and work surface unit, improving collaborative interaction while maintaining mobility through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a combined chair and table arrangement is used, then collaborative interaction is improved, but user mobility and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative interactionVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a rotating work surface that can pivot 360 degrees on the chair base. This dynamic feature allows the table to rotate independently, enabling users to face different directions for collaboration while maintaining the integrated chair-table structure, thus preserving mobility flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the work surface is fixed in orientation, then structural stability is improved, but user flexibility and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiduser flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The work surface is designed with a rotating mechanism that allows it to pivot while maintaining structural stability when positioned. The surface can be rotated to different orientations for user flexibility, yet remains stable during use, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the seat rotates about a central post, then user orientation flexibility is improved, but structural balance and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser orientation flexibilityVSAvoidstructural balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rotation function into two independent parts: the chair base can rotate independently, and the work surface can rotate independently on the chair base. This segmentation allows orientation flexibility without compromising structural balance, as each component rotates about its own axis rather than a shared central post.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11647839B2Rotating work surface system for a chair

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 ALLSEATING CORPORAITON

AI summary

A rotating work surface system for a chair including a seat base having a top engaging surface, a seat support having top side and a bottom side and a rotating surface positioned in between the seat base and the seat support. The rotating surface includes a top side and a bottom side wherein the rotating surface is adapted to pivotally engage about an axis and a fixed position of the seat base and the seat support.