Table Leg Locking Mechanism for Fast Stable Modular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table leg systems require complex and precise mechanisms for stable connection to tabletops, often necessitating additional elements and tools, making them time-consuming and difficult for unskilled individuals to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A table leg system featuring a case with perpendicular assembly mechanism, equipped with grooves and screws, and lever-based blocking tangs that fit into curved grooves on the tabletop, allowing for secure attachment without additional tools or elements, enabling quick and stable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex and precise mechanisms are used for stable connection, then connection stability is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the table leg with blocking tangs, the plate with grooves, and the casing that guides assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while the combination provides stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking tangs automatically engage with the grooves when the leg is inserted into the plate, and the casing guides this self-alignment process. No additional tools or elements are needed - the structure itself performs the assembly function.
2Reliability
If additional elements and tools are used for assembly, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking tangs automatically engage with the grooves when the leg is inserted into the plate, and the casing guides this self-alignment process. No additional tools or elements are needed - the structure itself performs the assembly function.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing acts as an intermediary guide that facilitates the engagement between the blocking tangs and grooves. It provides the necessary guidance during assembly without becoming part of the final permanent connection structure.
3Reliability
If precise alignment mechanisms are used, then connection stability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are pre-formed in the plate at the correct positions and orientations, and the blocking tangs are pre-positioned on the legs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for alignment adjustments during assembly - the components simply fit together in their correct positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing acts as an intermediary guide that facilitates the engagement between the blocking tangs and grooves. It provides the necessary guidance during assembly without becoming part of the final permanent connection structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple connectors are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the table leg with blocking tangs, the plate with grooves, and the casing that guides assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while the combination provides stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system combines multiple simple components (blocking tangs, grooves, casing) to create a composite connection structure that achieves stability without requiring any single component to be complex.
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 provides a fast, secure, and aesthetically pleasing assembly of table legs to tabletops, suitable for various arrangements, including single and combined tables, and can be assembled by unskilled persons in any conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a perpendicular, springy lobe 19 which corresponds with the shape of the leg; it is upon this lobe that the leg 17 is fixed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The table leg system meant for being blocked against the tabletop or against a set of tables combined in modules, characteristic in the fact that the upper end of the table leg system is equipped with a case (1) over the assembly mechanism, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg to which the casing (24) with formed hallows (27) is screwed from the side of the tabletop. It is also characteristic in the fact that in the case (1) there are the levers' (3) and (4) rotating axes in relation to the case (1) itself, and the levers (3) and (4) are on both ends terminated with fastening, blocking tangs (5) and (6) perpendicular to the lever (3) and (4X and one of the ends of each of the levers is attached to an oscillating hinged connector (7) which has a pivot handle (8) installed at the other end. Another characteristic feature is that the fastening, blocking tangs (5) and (6) cooperate with the pairs of formed grooves (9) and (10) in the plate (11) fixed to the underside of the tabletop (12) or two combined tabletops.