Collapsible Student Desk and Chair with Arm Rests

The problem

Classroom furniture often suffers from static designs that consume excessive floor space. Fixed tables and chairs make it difficult to clean floors thoroughly, hinder student movement between rows, and create potential safety hazards during emergencies when quick evacuation is required. Additionally, standard desk surfaces are often smooth, causing stationery to slip easily, which distracts students and reduces learning efficiency. Manufacturers need a solution that maintains ergonomic support during use but collapses efficiently for storage or rapid room reconfiguration.

The solution

The patent describes a collapsible table and chair designed specifically for students. It centers around a first fixing rod (2) supported by two first supporters (1). Key components include a protection frame (21), a placing box (3) for storage, and a rotating table plate (5).

The core innovation lies in the interconnected mechanisms:

1. A seat mechanism (6) uses first fixing shafts (61) and clamping rods (63) guided by first springs (64) and first torsion springs (65).
2. An arm support mechanism (7) connects via first rotating shafts (71), hand placing frames (72), and first pull ropes (73) wound with second torsion springs (74).
3. A folding lifting mechanism (8) links the arms and seat through connecting blocks (84) and sliding lifters (83).
4. A placement mechanism (9) at the bottom allows the foot rest to retract using a lower pressing frame (93) and second spring (94).

Who it is for

• School District Procurement Officers: Seeking durable, space-efficient furniture to maximize classroom capacity without sacrificing safety standards.
• Educational Furniture Manufacturers: Looking to differentiate their product line with mechanical folding features that appeal to modern, flexible learning environments.
• University Library Administrators: Managing limited study space who require individual workstations that can be tucked away when not in use.
• After-School Program Directors: Operating in shared community spaces where furniture must be quickly stowed to clear the floor for different activities.

How it works

The main parts

Opening and Closing

1. Deploying: The user pulls the table plate (5) into position. The seat mechanism (6) rotates out from the protection frame (21).
2. Arms Engage: As the seat extends, the first pull ropes (73) on the arm support mechanism (7) tighten, pulling the hand placing frames (72) outward against the tension of the second torsion springs (74).
3. Footrest Down: The lower pressing frame (93) of the placement mechanism (9) slides down, extending the foot placing frame (91) for comfort.
4. Folding Up: To store, the user pushes the seat and arms upward. The torsion springs assist the return motion. The footrest is pressed up, retracting into the base structure. The entire unit collapses close to the first fixing rod (2).

Applications

Primary School Classrooms

Teachers can push desks against walls or stack them slightly to open up floor space for group activities or dance lessons, improving air circulation and ease of cleaning.

University Study Halls

Individual carrels equipped with these units allow students to fold the chair and arms away when leaving, signaling vacancy and keeping aisles clear for librarians and other students moving about.

Temporary Exam Centers

When schools convert gyms or halls into exam venues, these collapsible units can be rapidly deployed and then stored vertically or horizontally in small closets after exams end, saving significant warehouse space.

Home Learning Corners

Parents with limited home office space can use this unit in a child’s bedroom. During homework time, it expands to a full desk; during playtime or when the room is needed for guests, it folds into a slim profile against the wall.

Where it is less suitable

• Heavy Industrial Use: The lightweight folding mechanisms may not withstand rough handling in workshops or factories compared to rigid steel industrial stools.
• Fixed Ergonomic Requirements: Users needing precise, multi-axis adjustments for medical reasons might find the single-axis folding limits too restrictive compared to high-end adjustable office chairs.
• Outdoor Environments: Without specified weatherproofing materials in the patent text, the metal springs and joints could corrode if exposed to rain or humidity regularly.