Telescopic Folding Table Leg Mechanism for One-Person Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding tables often require substantial strength to fold and unfold, frequently necessitating the assistance of more than one person due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design featuring pivotally connected vertical members, telescopic legs, and a slider mechanism that allows for easy deployment and folding, with optional additional support from a third leg for stability in the folded position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional folding table legs are used, then the table structure is simple, but substantial strength is required to fold and unfold the table
Solution Approach 1:
The leg is divided into multiple segments including a first leg portion, second leg portion, third leg portion, and fourth leg portion that can fold relative to each other. This segmentation allows the folding action to be distributed across multiple joints rather than requiring one person to apply substantial force to a single joint, enabling easy one-person operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second leg portion is received within the first leg portion, and the fourth leg portion is received within the third leg portion when folded. This nested configuration reduces the overall size when folded and allows the legs to collapse compactly without requiring excessive force, as each segment guides the folding motion of the others.
2Ease of operation
If traditional folding table legs are used, then the structure is compact, but more than one person is needed for folding
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple leg portions are connected through a series of pivot joints that work together as an integrated mechanism. The first pivot joint connects the first and second leg portions, the second pivot joint connects the third and fourth leg portions, and the third pivot joint connects the second and third leg portions. This merging of multiple connected elements allows one person to operate the entire folding mechanism simultaneously, as the motion propagates through all joints in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg mechanism incorporates multiple movable pivot joints that allow dynamic folding and unfolding motion. The leg portions can rotate relative to each other at the pivot joints, enabling smooth transitions between extended and folded positions. This dynamic design replaces static, rigid connections with flexible, movable joints that facilitate easy one-person operation.
3Volume of stationary object
If the leg is fully extended for stability, then the table is stable, but the storage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
When folded, the second leg portion is received within the first leg portion and the fourth leg portion is received within the third leg portion. This nested configuration minimizes the volume occupied by the folded table, maximizing storage space while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected pivot joints that keep the leg portions aligned and stable in the folded position.
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 single-person operation to easily deploy and fold the table, enhancing user convenience and reducing the effort required for setup and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The first leg upper portion slides relative to the first leg lower portion
Implementation Method 2
A substantially vertical member is pivotally connected to the plank member
Implementation Method 3
The second leg table support upper end is pivotally connected to a forward portion of the plank, and the second leg table support lower end is pivotally connected to the first leg lower portion upper end
Implementation Method 4
The platform connector is pivotally connected to the middle platform and also pivotally connected to the lower platform to form a four bar mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table has a plank member having a plank member forward end and a plank member rearward end. A substantially vertical member is pivotally connected to the plank member. The substantially vertical member has a substantially vertical member upper end and a substantially vertical member lower end. The plank member is pivotally connected to the substantially vertical member upper end. A first leg has a first leg upper portion telescopically connected to the first leg lower portion so that the first leg upper portion slides relative to the first leg lower portion. The first leg upper portion has a first leg upper portion upper end and a first leg upper portion lower end. The first leg upper portion upper end is pivotally connected to the substantially vertical member upper end. The first leg has a first leg stowed position which is telescopically retracted.