Threaded Furniture Riser With Elastic Grip for Stable Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing height adjustment apparatus for furniture are often complex to operate, provide insecure support, and pose a risk of the furniture falling over, particularly when used by the elderly, infirm, or disabled individuals.

Innovation Solution

A height adjustment apparatus featuring interconnecting slots with a radial configuration, a rigid support member with fastening means, a window for viewing height adjustment, and a scale for reading additional height, along with a ground-engagable base and connection members for linking multiple units, ensuring secure and adjustable height adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing height adjustment apparatus are used, then height adjustment function is provided, but the apparatus are complicated to operate and provide insecure support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity of support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a support member with openings for receiving furniture legs, a height adjustment member with threadable engagement, and an engaging arrangement with resilient deformable material. Each segment performs a specific function, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining security through specialized design of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The height adjustment member incorporates a threadable mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear displacement, allowing precise control of the engagement depth. The resilient deformable material changes its physical state from flexible to rigid upon engagement, providing secure support while maintaining ease of insertion and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing height adjustment apparatus are used, then height adjustment is provided, but the apparatus pose a risk of furniture falling over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to furniture typesVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member features openings with specific geometric configurations tailored to different furniture leg types. The engaging arrangement uses locally concentrated resilient deformable material that deforms to match the shape of inserted legs, providing customized secure engagement for each furniture piece while maintaining overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient deformable material exhibits curved or non-linear engagement surfaces that conform to various leg shapes. This curvature allows the engaging arrangement to adapt to different furniture types while maintaining stable contact through distributed pressure points, preventing furniture from falling over.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If a rigid engaging arrangement is used, then secure support is provided, but the apparatus become complicated to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of supportVSAvoidcomplexity of apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient deformable material automatically adjusts and secures the furniture leg upon insertion without requiring additional fastening operations. The material's inherent elasticity provides self-locking engagement, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining secure support and simplifying operation to a simple insert-and-adjust motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 apparatus provides secure, easy-to-operate, and infinitely adjustable height adjustments, ensuring stability and versatility for various furniture types, including those with different flooring and engaging arrangements such as screws or adhesive options.

Implementation Method 1

The engaging arrangement comprises a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or PVC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The height adjustment member (14) comprises a body (36) with a threadable rim (38)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2420160B1Height adjustment apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.05.22 GORDON ELLIS
  • EP2420160B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2420160B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2420160B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A height adjustment unit 10 for raising the height of a chair or bed. The unit 10 comprises a ground engaging support member 12 with an internal thread 18. A height adjustment member 14 is engageable with the thread 18 to be rotatable to a required height. A sheet 56 of a resiliently deformable material extends across the top of the member 14 and has a pattern of openings therethrough to receive and grip the leg of a bed or chair.