Sliding Leg Fastening for Stable Wooden Extension Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extension tables made of wood face instability and potential collapse due to material expansion and contraction from humidity and temperature changes, leading to tension and wobbling issues, especially when legs are uneven or separated.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates fastening means with sliding mechanisms, allowing first table legs to adjust relative to the sliding table tops, releasing tension and ensuring stability by synchronizing the position of table legs and stabilizing the table top without tension, using oval bores and screws for precise adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table is made of wood, then the table has aesthetic appeal and natural material properties, but the table extends and contracts due to humidity and temperature changes causing tension and potential collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connection between the table top and legs adjustable rather than fixed. The sliding mechanism allows the connection points to move along the legs, enabling the table structure to dynamically adapt to dimensional changes in the wooden table top caused by humidity and temperature variations, thereby maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the position of the table top relative to the legs to vary. The sliding mechanism enables adjustment of the connection parameters (position along the leg) to compensate for changes in the table top dimensions, transforming a static structure into one that can adjust its parameters to maintain reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the legs are separated to support extended leaves, then the table can be extended, but the legs wobble and become unstable especially on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple legs into a supporting member assembly where they work together. The legs are connected through a common structure that allows them to stabilize each other, preventing individual leg wobble while maintaining the ability to separate and support extended table leaves.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member assembly allows dynamic adjustment of leg positions and orientations. The connection mechanism enables the legs to adapt their configuration based on whether the table is in its original or extended state, providing stability in both configurations and on uneven surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the legs are fixed rigidly to the table top, then the table structure is stable, but tension builds up when the table expands or contracts causing collapse or cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid fixed connections with dynamic sliding connections. This allows the table structure to accommodate dimensional changes in the wooden table top without building up damaging tension, while still maintaining structural stability through the constrained sliding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism acts as an intermediary between the table top and the legs. It mediates the interaction by allowing controlled movement that releases expansion tension while maintaining structural connection, preventing direct transmission of harmful expansion forces to the rigid leg structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If supporting members have two legs close together in the first position, then the legs stabilize each other, but the structure becomes complex when extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the supporting member into distinct functional components: the stabilizing leg pair that remains together, and the sliding connection mechanism that allows separation. This segmentation enables the legs to maintain their stabilizing function while the overall structure adapts to extended configurations.
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
This solution maintains table stability and prevents collapse by allowing for expansion and contraction adjustments, ensuring the table remains secure and level even on uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Since wood extends and contracts due to inter alia humidity and temperature
Implementation Method 2
Since wood extends and contracts due to inter alia humidity and temperature
Implementation Method 3
the two concurrent legs may not be as supporting and stabilising as they would otherwise be when assembled
Data Source
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AI summary
An extension table with multiple legs with two table tops sliding back and forth in relation to each other and a number of leaves and at least four supporting members each comprising at least two table legs –a first table leg and a second table leg –said supporting members supporting the extension table with multiple legs when the sliding table tops are joined in a first position and supporting the extension table when the sliding table tops are pulled apart in a second position. The first table legs in each supporting member are directly or indirectly connected to the sliding table tops by means of fasteners comprising sliding means, and by said fastener, the first table leg and the corresponding sliding table top are arranged to slide relative to each other from a position A to a second position B differing from position A and in the extension direction of the table as well as with fastening means co-operating with the sliding means of the fastener in order to secure the first table leg in the chosen position.