Stabilising arrangements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-stabilizing support arrangements for objects, such as tables, often fail to maintain the object's orientation parallel to the average ground plane on uneven surfaces, especially in twin pedestal designs, leading to exaggerated roll or pitch and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A support arrangement featuring a primary frame with two stem portions and a longitudinal member, where four feet are connected to pivoting members that interact to maintain the object's orientation parallel to the average ground plane, allowing automatic adjustment to uneven surfaces without user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single stem or four legs extending from the table top are used, then the structure is simple, but the table top cannot maintain parallel orientation to the average ground plane on uneven surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidtable top orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support arrangement is divided into four independent legs, each with its own pivot mechanism, allowing each leg to independently adjust to the ground surface while collectively maintaining table top stability and parallel orientation to the average ground plane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The legs are made dynamically adjustable through pivot mechanisms that allow each leg to rotate and adapt to uneven ground surfaces, transitioning from a static structure to a dynamic one that can self-stabilize while maintaining proper orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If moveable feet are used to accommodate uneven surfaces, then the feet can conform to the ground, but the table top experiences exaggerated roll or pitch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground surface adaptationVSAvoidtable top roll and pitch control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot mechanisms provide mechanical feedback between the legs, where movement of one leg triggers corresponding adjustments in the other legs through the interaction arrangement, creating a self-correcting system that maintains proper orientation while adapting to ground unevenness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The four legs are merged through an interaction arrangement that couples their movements, so that when one leg adjusts to ground unevenness, the other legs respond in coordination to maintain the table top's parallel orientation to the average ground plane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If a twin pedestal design is used, then the foot-print can be rectangular, but the difference between lateral and longitudinal leg lengths becomes extreme

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot-print geometryVSAvoidleg length variation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot mechanisms enable the legs to dynamically adjust their effective length and angle through rotation, allowing the structure to accommodate rectangular foot-prints and various leg length configurations while maintaining stability and proper orientation on uneven surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively supports objects on four contact points while maintaining orientation parallel to the ground plane, enabling smooth movement over uneven surfaces without user intervention and accommodating twin pedestal designs.

Implementation Method 1

each said foot attached to at least one of at least three pivoting members... when the first foot moves in a first upwards or downwards direction relative to the primary frame the second foot moves in at least a second direction relative to the primary frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS11666142B2Stabilising arrangements

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 NO ROCK CAFE TABLES

AI summary

A support arrangement (1) for an object (2), comprising primary frame (10), at least three pivoting members (21, 22, 25) and first, second, third and fourth feet (31, 32, 33, 34) fixed to the three pivoting members. The primary frame includes longitudinally spaced first and second stem portions (11, 12) fixed to a longitudinal member (13). The first and fourth feet are laterally spaced and positioned towards a first end of the primary frame and the second and third feet being laterally spaced and positioned towards a second end of the primary frame, the second and third feet being longitudinally spaced from the first and fourth feet. At least one interaction arrangement (50) provides interaction between the three pivoting members such that the four feet can move to accommodate or engage an uneven surface while maintaining control of the object in a position parallel to the average ground plane.