Stabilising arrangements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-stabilizing table supports fail to maintain a table top parallel to the average ground plane on uneven surfaces, particularly in twin pedestal designs, and often require complex manufacturing or user input to adjust.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement with a primary frame comprising first and second stem portions, pivoting leg members, and a pivoting balance member, where the interaction between these components allows the feet to adjust to uneven surfaces while maintaining the table top parallel to the ground plane without user input, using a mechanism with protruding features and receiving features to limit rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a twin pedestal base with rigidly fixed feet is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the table top cannot maintain parallel orientation to the average ground plane on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the leg members pivotable rather than rigidly fixed. Each leg member can rotate about a pivot point, allowing the base to dynamically adapt to uneven ground surfaces while maintaining the table top's parallel orientation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and stable orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the base into four separate leg members, each independently pivotable about its own pivot point. This segmentation allows each leg to independently adjust to local ground variations, enabling the overall structure to maintain parallel orientation while keeping the design relatively simple.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple parallelograms are used to maintain vertical orientation, then the table top remains parallel to the ground plane, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex static parallelogram mechanisms, the patent employs simpler dynamic pivot joints that allow leg members to rotate. This dynamic approach achieves the same vertical orientation stability with reduced manufacturing complexity, as pivot joints are easier to manufacture than multiple interconnected parallelograms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from rigid geometric constraints (parallelograms) to rotational degrees of freedom (pivots). This parameter change simplifies the mechanism while maintaining the ability to maintain vertical orientation and parallel table top alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If three-point support is used with moveable feet, then the base can conform to uneven surfaces, but the table top experiences exaggerated roll and pitch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support into four independently pivotable leg members rather than using two fixed and two moveable feet. This segmentation allows all four feet to independently adjust to uneven surfaces, providing four-point contact that prevents exaggerated roll and pitch while maintaining adaptability to ground variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where each leg member has its own unique pivot point positioned to optimize performance. This asymmetric design allows each leg to independently compensate for ground irregularities, preventing the exaggerated roll and pitch that occurs with symmetric three-point support configurations.
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 support arrangement effectively stabilizes the table top on uneven surfaces by adjusting to ground irregularities, maintaining parallel orientation and reducing oscillations, while hiding the stabilizing mechanism from view when supporting objects like table tops.
Implementation Method 1
a first pivoting leg member pivotally connected to the primary frame at a first pivot, a second pivoting leg member pivotally connected to the primary frame at a second pivot and at least a first pivoting balance member pivotally connected to the primary frame at a third pivot
Implementation Method 2
beyond an operational rotation of at least one of the three pivoting members rotation of the three pivoting members is limited by interference between at least one of the pivoting members and the primary frame
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A support arrangement (1) for an object (2), comprising primary frame (10), at least three pivoting members (21, 22, 25) and first, second, third and fourth feet (31, 32, 33, 34) fixed to the three pivoting members. The primary frame includes longitudinally spaced first and second stem portions (11, 12) fixed to a longitudinal member (13). The first and fourth feet are laterally spaced and positioned towards a first end of the primary frame and the second and third feet being laterally spaced and positioned towards a second end of the primary frame, the second and third feet being longitudinally spaced from the first and fourth feet. At least one interaction arrangement (50) provides interaction between the three pivoting members such that the four feet can move to accommodate or engage an uneven surface while maintaining control of the object in a position parallel to the average ground plane.