Tilting Tabletop Locking Mechanism for Stable Upright Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tiltable tables suffer from instability and complex operation mechanisms, making it difficult to securely maintain the tabletop in horizontal or vertical positions and requiring cumbersome disassembly for storage.
Innovation Solution
A tilting tabletop mechanism that includes a bracket member with lock elements and an actuator, allowing easy pivoting between horizontal and vertical positions while maintaining stability, using hook and loop locks with biasing springs to secure the tabletop in either position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a traditional table is oriented in an upright position to provide a functional surface, then the tabletop provides an area for performing tasks, but it requires a floor space approximately equal to the surface area of the tabletop for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The tabletop is made dynamically reconfigurable between horizontal (functional) and vertical (storage) positions through a pivot mechanism with lock elements, allowing the table to adapt its orientation based on usage needs rather than being fixed in one position
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is divided into separable components including the bracket member with lock elements that can be independently engaged or disengaged from the tabletop, enabling easy reconfiguration between storage and functional states without requiring complete disassembly
2Area of moving object
If the support frame of a traditional table is disassembled to reduce storage space, then storage space is reduced, but the disassembly process is overly time consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket member is designed with movable lock elements that can be quickly engaged or disengaged by simple user actions (pressing, sliding, or rotating), enabling rapid transition between assembled and disassembled states without time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The lock elements are designed to be automatically engaged or disengaged through simple user-initiated actions such as pressing a release mechanism or sliding a lever, eliminating the need for complex manual disassembly procedures and reducing the time required for reconfiguration
3Area of moving object
If known tiltable table mechanisms are used to reduce storage space, then floor space utilization is improved, but the mechanisms lack stability and inadequately secure the tabletop in horizontal position
Solution Approach 1:
The lock elements are designed to dynamically adapt their engagement state based on the tabletop position, being engaged to secure the tabletop in horizontal position for stability during use, and disengaged to allow pivoting to vertical position for compact storage
Solution Approach 2:
The lock elements are positioned and biased to automatically engage with the tabletop before it reaches the horizontal position, preventing instability or accidental movement once the tabletop is placed in the functional horizontal orientation
4Adaptability or versatility
If known tiltable table mechanisms are used to enable position changes, then reconfigurability is achieved, but the mechanisms are complicated to operate requiring multiple levers and releases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated bracket member with multiple lock elements that can be simultaneously engaged or disengaged through one user action, eliminating the need for multiple separate levers and releases found in conventional tiltable tables
Solution Approach 2:
The lock elements are designed to automatically engage or disengage through simple user-initiated actions such as pressing a release mechanism or sliding a lever, eliminating the need for complex manual operations and making the tilting process as easy as operating a standard table
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 mechanism provides secure and stable tabletop positioning, reducing storage space requirements and simplifying the reconfiguration process, allowing for easy transition between use and storage configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of furniture has been developed having a tilting tabletop mechanism, which securely maintains a tabletop in either a generally horizontal or generally vertical position while permitting a user to tilt the tabletop easily. The article of furniture includes a first component, a second component, a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The second component is pivotally coupled to the first component. The first and second members are connectable to a first secured component. The first secured component is one of the first and second components. The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.