Stowable seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for unitized table and seating devices that can provide individual seating units that can be varied in number, with the ability to have both permanent and movable seating units to facilitate easy cleaning of the floor surface without obstructing it.

Innovation Solution

A unitized table and seating device with permanent and stowable seating units supported by arms above the floor level, featuring a perimetric wall that conceals utilitarian components and allows for easy cleaning, with the option of a wider base for enhanced stability and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If seating units are placed on the floor, then users can be accommodated, but floor cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating accommodationVSAvoidfloor cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seating units are elevated from the floor plane to a higher dimension by being supported on arms that extend from the table. This vertical displacement allows the floor to be accessed for cleaning while maintaining seating functionality, effectively resolving the contradiction between accommodating users and enabling easy floor cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If individual seating units are provided for each user, then user comfort is improved, but the number of seating units must be varied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidnumber of seating units

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seating units are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the number of seating units to be dynamically adjusted based on usage requirements. Each seating unit can be independently positioned or removed, providing both individual comfort and flexible adaptation to different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If utilitarian components are exposed, then functionality is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The perimetric wall is extracted as a separate aesthetic element that conceals the utilitarian components (arms supporting the seating units) from view. This allows the functional arms to be hidden behind the decorative wall, maintaining both functionality and aesthetic appearance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10753560B2Stowable seating

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 SOLTERBECK WILLIAM D

AI summary

An activities unit combining a table or other horizontal surface with seating units is shown and described. Seating units may include both permanent or fixed individual seating units and also, at least one additional seating unit movable between a stowed position to a deployed position. Both permanent or fixed seating units and also stowable seating units may each be supported on the activities unit by an arm above floor level. This enables ready cleaning of a floor surface on which the unitized table is placed without having to move seating units out of the way. Construction of the unitized table enables utilitarian components and features which may be deemed unsightly to be concealed, for example, by wood paneling both at a table top and also a depending wall. The table top may overhang the depending wall.