Stackable Bench with Hollow-Leg Nesting for Efficient Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor Adirondack-style benches are typically heavy, difficult to stack, and do not efficiently accommodate multiple users, making them challenging to store and transport.

Innovation Solution

A bench system comprising a seat with an opening and a unique configuration of rear legs, including a third leg with a hollow interior, allowing for efficient stacking and storage, and a console door that can be moved between open and closed positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional Adirondack chairs are made of wood with nailed, glued, or bolted pieces, then the chairs have structural strength and durability, but they become heavy and difficult to stack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bench is divided into separate modular components including a seat portion, backrest portion, and leg assemblies that can be independently manufactured and connected. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling easy assembly and stacking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bench components are designed to nest within each other when stacked, with the seat portion fitting over the backrest portion and legs fitting into corresponding cavities. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces storage space and simplifies stacking operations while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If Adirondack chairs are made as single non-foldable units, then they have structural stability, but they are heavy and very difficult to stack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bench incorporates movable connections and adjustable components that allow the structure to transition between stable configured states and compact stacked states. This dynamic design enables the bench to maintain stability during use while facilitating easy stacking and reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If molded plastic chairs are designed to be stacked, then they are lighter and easier to store, but they may compromise structural strength and weather resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of stackingVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bench utilizes composite construction combining molded plastic components with reinforced structural elements and metal fasteners. This composite approach maintains the weather resistance and light weight benefits of plastic while incorporating the structural strength and durability of metal reinforcements at critical load-bearing points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If benches are designed to accommodate multiple users, then they provide greater utility, but they become larger and more difficult to transport and store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user capacityVSAvoidtransport volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12285110B2Bench system and method

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 AGNA LLC

AI summary

A bench system is provided. The bench can include a seat with an opening, a plurality of rear legs and a console door. The plurality of rear legs can include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The third leg can be disposed between the first leg and the second leg and have a hollow interior. The console door can be disposed adjacent to the hollow interior of the third leg and the opening of the seat. The console door can also be movable between an open position and a closed position. The bench system can include a first bench and second bench in a stacked arrangement. A method for stacking benches is also provided.