Slider Mechanism with Elastic Pin Lock for Tool-Free Foldable Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tables are often not foldable and require user assembly, making them inconvenient for transportation and storage due to separate packaging of tabletops and legs, which is time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of sliders with a sleeve, pivoting portion, and controller mechanism that allows for easy folding and unfolding of table legs, eliminating the need for user assembly by using a casing, lever, pin, and elastic member to control the movement of the sleeve along the legs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tables are made foldable, then transportation and storage convenience is improved, but assembly complexity increases requiring user assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism is designed to automatically lock and unlock table legs through sliding motion, eliminating the need for user assembly. The elastic member automatically engages the pin with the first hole when the sleeve slides, providing self-assembling functionality while maintaining foldability for convenient transportation and storage.
2Productivity
If tabletops and legs are packaged separately, then transportation efficiency is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table is segmented into modular components (tabletop and legs) that can be packaged separately for efficient transportation. The slider mechanism with standardized first holes in legs and corresponding pins in the tabletop enable easy reassembly by users without requiring complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If a control mechanism is added to enable easy folding, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism transforms the static leg structure into a dynamic system that can easily transition between folded and unfolded states. The movable sleeve that slides along the first bar, coupled with the elastic member and pin, creates a simple yet effective control mechanism that enables easy folding without excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables tables to be easily folded and unfolded without user assembly, reducing size for storage and transportation while enhancing stability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is engaged with the pillar formed at the first side wall of the sleeve, and has a first end abutting the first side wall of the sleeve and a second end abutting the second portion of the lever. When the first hole formed at the first side wall of the sleeve aligns with a hole of the first bar, the elastic member pushes the pin into the first hole formed at the first side wall of the sleeve and the hole of the first bar, thereby restricting movement of the sleeve with respect to the first bar.
Implementation Method 2
The lever includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second portions. The first end portion is aligned with the first hole formed at the first side wall of the sleeve, the second end portion is aligned with the pillar formed at the first side wall of the sleeve, and the middle portion is pivotally connected with the casing.
Implementation Method 3
The sleeve is configured to slidably couple with a first bar... When the first hole formed at the first side wall of the sleeve aligns with a hole of the first bar, the elastic member pushes the pin into the first hole formed at the first side wall of the sleeve and the hole of the first bar, thereby restricting movement of the sleeve with respect to the first bar.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are sliders, and frames and tables having sliders. A slider includes a sleeve, a pivoting portion and a controller. The sleeve is configured to slidably couple with a first bar, and a first hole and a pillar are formed at a first side wall of the sleeve. The pivoting portion is integrally formed or coupled with a second side wall of the sleeve, and configured to pivotally couple with a second bar. The controller is configured to control movement of the sleeve along the first bar. The controller includes a casing, a lever pivotally connected with the casing, a pin integrally formed or coupled with the lever, and an elastic member selectively pushing the pin into the first hole and a hole of the first bar, thereby restricting movement of the sleeve with respect to the first bar.