Sliding Guide Fastening for Snap-Fit Displaceable Tabletops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table top fastening systems for desks are complex and difficult to mount, making it hard to securely, smoothly, and precisely attach and detach the table top from the frame.
Innovation Solution
A sliding guide element with a base body, guide section, and resilient snap-in legs that 'clip' onto the table frame's support struts, allowing easy attachment and lateral guidance, along with a stop damper to prevent hard impacts, enabling quick and secure sliding of the table top.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional carriage guides are used for displaceable attachment of table tops, then the table top can be moved relative to the table frame, but the structure becomes relatively complicated and mounting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: sliding guide elements with base bodies for attachment to the table top, guide sections for insertion into guide slots, and resilient snap-in legs for securing to the table frame. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-in legs are designed as resilient elements that can dynamically transition between an insertion position (for mounting) and a gripping position (for securing). This dynamic behavior enables simple snap-in mounting without complex fastening mechanisms, while maintaining secure attachment during use.
2Reliability
If the table top is securely fastened to the table frame, then the table top can be reliably supported, but the mounting process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guide elements are pre-assembled with the guide section and snap-in legs integrated into a single base body structure. This preliminary preparation allows the installer to simply attach the pre-assembled unit to the table top and snap it into place, eliminating time-consuming assembly steps while ensuring reliable fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-in legs automatically transition to the gripping position and secure the table top to the frame without requiring additional fastening actions. The resilient nature of the snap-in legs provides self-locking behavior that ensures reliable fastening while minimizing the time and effort required for mounting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is allowed to displace horizontally for accessibility, then cable connections can be made easily, but the table top may become unstable or misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The guide section provides localized guidance constraints within the guide slot, allowing horizontal displacement in the direction of the slot while preventing lateral misalignment. This local quality control ensures the table top remains properly aligned during its intended range of motion while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide element acts as an intermediary between the table top and the table frame, mediating the horizontal displacement motion. The guide section interfaces with the guide slot to enable controlled movement, while the snap-in legs provide stable anchoring, thus allowing adaptability without compromising overall stability.
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
Facilitates simple, quick, and secure attachment of the table top to the frame, eliminating the need for additional devices and ensuring smooth, precise movement while preventing accidental detachment.
Implementation Method 1
resilient snap-in legs which can be moved between a gripping position in which they project laterally beyond the guide section in order to grip under a wall of the support struts, and an insertion position in which they can be guided through the guide slot of the support struts
Implementation Method 2
The sliding guide element has a resiliently yielding stop damper on at least one of its end regions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A sliding-guide element (18) has a main body (21) which can be fastened on the underside of a tabletop (3) and has a guide portion (28) which can be inserted into a guide slot (19) of bearing struts (13) of a table frame (2) and can be displaced within the guide slot (19). Resilient snap-fit limbs (22) are arranged on opposite sides of the main body (21) and, when the guide portion (28) has been inserted into the guide slot (19), said limbs are in a position in which they engage beneath the bearing struts (13).