Self-Storing Expansion Leaves for Radial Table Surface Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radial tables face challenges in expanding their surface area without cumbersome and costly mechanisms that require remote storage of expansion sections, such as rotating features like the Capstan table, which complicate and slow the expansion process.

Innovation Solution

A self-storing expansion mechanism where sections on the table top are pulled outward to expose and unfold stored leaves within the table base, allowing for increased surface area without rotational movement of the table base, using hinges and rails for smooth expansion and contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If expansion leaves are stored remotely from the table, then the table can expand to larger surface area, but the expansion process becomes cumbersome and slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable surface areaVSAvoidexpansion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion leaves are nested within the table base structure itself, with each leaf stored in a dedicated compartment or channel within the base. This allows the leaves to be kept close to their installation position while maintaining compact storage, enabling quick deployment without remote storage or complex rotation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If rotating mechanisms like Capstan are used to expand the table, then the table can increase in diameter, but the cost and size of the table increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable surface areaVSAvoidtable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The table base is segmented into multiple independent sections, each capable of moving radially outward on its own. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex rotating mechanism like the Capstan, replacing it with simpler, distributed linear movement sections that are less costly and more straightforward to implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex rotational mechanical system of the Capstan is replaced with simpler linear sliding mechanisms. Each table section moves radially outward on rails or guides within the base, substituting the need for rotational inertia and complex gear systems with straightforward translational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If sections are pulled outward to expose stored leaves, then expansion is simplified, but the mechanism requires precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpansion mechanismVSAvoidsection positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rails or guides are introduced as intermediary elements between the table sections and the expansion leaves. These rails provide precise directional guidance and positioning, ensuring that sections move outward along the correct trajectory and that leaves are exposed at the proper locations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7464653B2Expansible table

Publication Date: 2008.12.16 THEODORE ALEXANDER INT

AI summary

A table comprises a table base having a table top, horizontally-fixed sections positioned atop the table base, and a plurality of self-storing expansion leaves that have at least a first length and a second length. The expansion leaves have a first length when stored within the table base and a second length when placed between the fixed sections. Double pivoting hinges connect the expansion leaves to the table base.