Snap-Fit Table and Chair Leg Coupling for Fast Detachable Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional table and chair legs are noncollapsible, leading to bulky furniture that increases transportation and storage costs, and existing assembly methods using screws are time-consuming and prone to instability over time.

Innovation Solution

A quick-assembling structure featuring connecting rods with female snap fastening formations, a coupling member with snap fasteners, and support legs, allowing for easy insertion and detachment by pivoting snap fasteners for secure and stable assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If legs are made integral with table or chair, then structural stability is improved, but volume increases and transportation cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfurniture volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The leg is divided into multiple segments that can be detached from each other. The leg includes a first leg segment connected to the table/chair body and a second leg segment that can be separated during transportation, reducing overall volume while maintaining structural stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If screws and tapped holes are used for leg assembly, then detachability is improved, but assembly time increases and convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedetachabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The screw-fastening mechanism is replaced with a snap-fit connection system. The leg segments feature complementary geometric shapes that engage through elastic deformation and friction, eliminating the need for screws, tapped holes, and drilling operations, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If screws are used for fastening, then detachable assembly is achieved, but assembly convenience deteriorates and wear occurs at connection points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachable assemblyVSAvoidassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screw-fastening mechanism is replaced with a snap-fit connection system. The leg segments feature complementary geometric shapes that engage through elastic deformation and friction, eliminating the need for screws, tapped holes, and drilling operations, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If legs are made noncollapsible, then structural integrity is improved, but transportation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidtransportation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The leg is divided into multiple segments that can be detached from each other. The leg includes a first leg segment connected to the table/chair body and a second leg segment that can be separated during transportation, reducing overall volume while maintaining structural stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 quick and convenient assembly and disassembly of table or chair legs, reducing volume for transportation and storage, while maintaining stability through secure engagement of snap fasteners, thus lowering operational costs and improving space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a snap fastener is pivotally mounted... a male snap fastening block is provided in inclined manner to be connected and extended upward from the outside of the abutment face, which is engaged with the female snap fastening formation provided on the bottom edge of each connecting rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8382390B2Quick coupling structure of leg for table or chair

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 CHENG PAO HSIEN

AI summary

A quick assembling structure of leg for table or chair, wherein connecting rods are provided with female formations respectively, and a coupling member having assembly cavities being provided into which the connecting rods can be inserted such that the ends of the connecting rods are pressed against the snap fasteners pivotally mounted in the assembly cavities, and that male blocks provided at the outside of the snap fasteners are engaged with the female formations provided on the connecting rods so as to firmly assemble the connecting rods and the coupling member together. When the connecting rods and the coupling member are to be detached, merely upwardly pull the connecting rods off from the coupling member to release the engagement between them so as to achieve quick assembly and disassembly.