Composed element, multi-layered board and panel-shaped element for forming this composed element

Abstract

Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove. The panel-shaped elements are formed on the basis of board material in the form of particle board consisting of two or more layers, which in respect to the average fineness of the particles, show a different degree of fineness, namely a basic layer with coarser particles, more particularly chips, and at least one outer layer, or at least a more outward-situated layer, which is of a finer composition than the composition of the basic layer, in other words, with particles, chips, respectively, which on average are finer.

Claims

1. A composed element, comprising at least two panel-shaped elements-formed of a board material and which, in a coupled condition, are connected together at an angle such that the at least two panel-shaped elements in the coupled condition form a corner connection, wherein the panel-shaped elements are connected by coupling parts, which comprise a protrusion on one of the panel-shaped elements and a slot in the other panel-shaped element, wherein the protrusion comprises a first hump and a second hump, wherein the first hump and the second hump are provided at opposite sides of the protrusion when observed in the cross section perpendicular to the two panel-shaped elements when coupled together to form the corner connection; wherein the slot comprises a first undercut and a second undercut, wherein the first undercut and the second undercut are provided at opposite sides of the slot when observed in the cross section perpendicular to the two panel-shaped elements when coupled together to form the corner connection, the first undercut located at a first depth of the slot, and the second undercut located at a second depth of the slot, the first depth located deeper in the slot than the second depth; wherein in the corner connection, the first hump in combination with the first undercut; and the second hump in combination with the second undercut provide a locking preventing the drifting apart of the protrusion and the slot; wherein, in a coupled condition, contact in the corner connection between the protrusion and the slot is only provided on exterior surfaces of the protrusion; wherein the protrusion is configured to be positioned proximate to a rear wall of the slot corresponding to a center portion of the protrusion when in a coupled condition, wherein the first and second humps engage the first and second undercuts, respectively, without tension incurred by the rear wall.

2. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the slot is provided as a profiled part in the respective panel-shaped element.

3. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided as an insertion piece.

4. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is situated at an end face of the respective panel-shaped element.

5. The composed element of claim 4, wherein the slot is situated at a lateral surface of the respective panel-shaped element.

6. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the coupling under an angle provides a miter joint.

7. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the coupling parts and locking elements allow coupling by a displacement of the panel-shaped element comprising the protrusion perpendicular to the panel-shaped element comprising the slot.

8. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the coupling under an angle provides a corner connection having an inner corner and an outer corner, and wherein the protrusion and the slot globally seen and in their coupled condition, are situated closer to the inner corner than to the outer corner.

9. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the panel-shaped element comprising the slot comprises only coupling parts in the form of one or more slots including said slot.

10. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the panel-shaped element comprising the protrusion comprises only coupling parts in the form of one or more protrusions including said protrusion.

11. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the composed element is a furniture part.

12. The composed element of claim 11, wherein the composed element relates to or forms part of: a cupboard, wherein the panel-shaped elements form at least a vertical and a horizontal wall; a piece of bathroom furniture or a kitchen cupboard; or flat-pack furniture.

13. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the composed element is a piece of furniture that comprises at least four of said at least two panel-shaped elements, defining two sides, an upper wall, and a lower wall, said panel-shaped elements being connected two by two so as to form four of said corner connections.

14. A composed element, comprising at least two panel-shaped elements-formed of a board material and which, in a coupled condition, are connected together at an angle such that the at least two panel-shaped elements in the coupled condition form a corner connection, wherein the panel-shaped elements are connected by coupling parts, which comprise a protrusion on one of the panel-shaped elements and a slot in the other panel-shaped element; wherein the protrusion comprises a first hump and a second hump; wherein the first hump and the second hump are provided at opposite sides of the protrusion when observed in the cross section perpendicular to the two panel-shaped elements when coupled together to form the corner connection; wherein the slot comprises a first undercut and a second undercut; wherein the first undercut and the second undercut are provided at opposite sides of the slot when observed in the cross section perpendicular to the two panel-shaped elements when coupled together to form the corner connection, the first undercut located at a first depth of the slot, and the second undercut located at a second depth of the slot, the first depth located deeper in the slot than the second depth; wherein in the corner connection, the first hump in combination with the first undercut; and the second hump in combination with the second undercut provide a locking preventing the drifting apart of the protrusion and the slot; wherein, in a coupled condition, contact in the corner connection between the protrusion and the slot is only provided on exterior surfaces of the protrusion; wherein the protrusion is configured to be positioned proximate to a rear wall of the slot corresponding to a center portion of the protrusion when in a coupled condition, wherein the first and second humps engage the first and second undercuts, respectively, without tension incurred by the rear wall; wherein the slot is provided as a profiled part in the respective panel-shaped element; wherein the protrusion is provided as an insertion piece; wherein the protrusion is situated at an end face of the respective panel-shaped element; wherein the slot is situated at a lateral surface of the respective panel-shaped element; wherein the coupling parts and locking elements allow coupling by a displacement of the panel-shaped element comprising the protrusion perpendicular to the panel-shaped element comprising the slot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, several preferred embodiments are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a composed element according to the invention in dismounted condition;

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3, at a larger scale, represent views according to arrow F2 and F3, respectively, in FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 4 and 5 represent sections according to lines IV-IV and V-V, respectively, in FIG. 2;

(5) FIGS. 6 and 7 represent sections according to lines VI-VI and VII-VII in FIG. 5, respectively;

(6) FIGS. 8 and 9 represent sections according to lines VIII-VIII and IX-IX in FIG. 3;

(7) FIGS. 10 and 11 represent sections according to lines X-X and XI-XI in FIG. 9;

(8) FIGS. 12 and 13 represent sections according to line XII-XII in FIG. 5 and line XIII-XIII in FIG. 8, respectively;

(9) FIG. 14, in cross-section and in mounted condition, represents the composed element of FIG. 1;

(10) FIGS. 15 and 16 represent how the panel-shaped elements of the composed element can be joined;

(11) FIG. 17 represents a view on said composed element, on the finished end face thereof;

(12) FIG. 18 represents a composed element according to the invention, which is made in the form of a table;

(13) FIGS. 19 and 20 represent two variants of panel-shaped parts for realizing a composed element;

(14) FIG. 21 represents a composed element according to the invention with two panel-shaped elements coupled at an angle;

(15) FIG. 22 in cross-section shows another composed element according to the invention;

(16) FIG. 23 at a larger scale represents the portion indicated by F23 in FIG. 22;

(17) FIG. 24 in cross-section represents another composed element according to the invention;

(18) FIG. 25 at a larger scale represents the portion indicated by F25 in FIG. 24;

(19) FIG. 26 represents a front view of the composed element of FIG. 24;

(20) FIG. 27 in cross-section represents another composed element according to the invention;

(21) FIGS. 28 and 29 represent two panel-shaped elements of the composed element of FIG. 27;

(22) FIG. 30 at a larger scale represents the portion indicated by F30 in FIG. 27;

(23) FIGS. 31 and 32 represent two embodiments of a multi-layered board according to the invention; and

(24) FIGS. 33 and 34 in cross section and for two positions represent a corner construction of another composed element according to the invention;

(25) FIGS. 35 to 37, in cross-section and for three conditions, represent a corner construction of still another composed element according to the invention;

(26) FIGS. 38, 39 and 40 represent composed elements applying corner constructions from FIGS. 35 to 37;

(27) FIG. 41 represents a composed element according to the invention, wherein separate connecting pieces are applied at the corners;

(28) FIG. 42, at a larger scale, represents a cross-section according to line XLII-XLII in FIG. 41;

(29) FIG. 43 represents a connecting piece from FIG. 41 as such;

(30) FIG. 44, in an exploded view, represents a number of component parts of a composed element similar to that of FIG. 41, but wherein a back is present, too;

(31) FIGS. 45 and 46 illustrate composed elements in exploded view, with various embodiments of connecting pieces;

(32) FIG. 47 represents a variant of the connecting piece of FIG. 43;

(33) FIG. 48 represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 42;

(34) FIG. 49 schematically represents another composed element according to the invention;

(35) FIG. 50 represents a portion of a composed element according to the invention, in the form of a corner connection, wherein the panel-shaped elements are provided with a reinforcing layer;

(36) FIG. 51 represents a floor panel which, according to the invention, is provided with a reinforcing layer;

(37) FIGS. 52 and 53 schematically represent another two boards, which are realized in accordance with a particular aspect of the invention;

(38) FIG. 54 represents another composed element according to the invention, in the form of a piece of furniture;

(39) FIG. 55 represents a cross-section according to line LV-LV in FIG. 54;

(40) FIG. 56 represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 54;

(41) FIG. 57 represents a cross-section according to line LVII-LVII in FIG. 54;

(42) FIG. 58 schematically and in exploded view represents a back and two side walls of a composed element according to the invention;

(43) FIG. 59 in perspective view represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 58;

(44) FIG. 60 represents a top view from the elements from FIG. 59;

(45) FIGS. 61 to 65 represent various variants of the invention, respectively in a top view similar to that of FIG. 60;

(46) FIG. 66 represents still another corner connection according to the invention;

(47) FIG. 67 represents another composed element according to the invention;

(48) FIG. 68 represents a cross-section according to line LXVIII-LXVIII in FIG. 67;

(49) FIG. 69 represents a cross-section according to line LXIX-LXIX in FIG. 68;

(50) FIG. 70, at a larger scale, represents the part indicated by F70 in FIG. 68;

(51) FIGS. 71 and 72 represent two variants of coupling means, which can be applied according to the invention;

(52) FIGS. 73 to 76 represent some other embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(53) FIGS. 1 to 17 represent a composed element 1, as well as the component parts thereof, which is made at least in accordance with the aforementioned first aspect.

(54) Herein, the composed element 1 comprises two panel-shaped elements 2-3, which each have an edge zone 4-5 in which coupling means 6-7 are present in the form of a profiled part 8-9 respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge zone 4-5 concerned, as well as each comprise at least one end face 10-11 extending transversely in respect to the respective edge zone 4-5, wherein said coupling means 6-7, and more particularly the profiled parts 8-9, allow that the panel-shaped elements 2-3 can be coupled together in an interlocking manner. In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, at least one of the panel-shaped elements, and in this example both panel-shaped elements 2-3, comprises means 12 which hide from view at least a portion of the profiled parts 8-9 at the location of the end face 10, 11, respectively.

(55) The coupling means 6-7 are of such kind that the panel-shaped elements 2-3, as in FIG. 1, can be presented opposite to each other and can be joined laterally into each other, as will be explained in the following.

(56) As represented in the example, the coupling means 6-7 preferably comprise a tongue 13 and a groove 14, as well as locking elements 15-16, which, in a normal mutual usage position of the panel-shaped elements 2-3, counteract the drifting apart of tongue and groove, as can be seen in FIG. 14, which shows the coupled condition.

(57) A particular characteristic of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 17 consists in that the groove 14 is bordered by lips 17-18, one lip 17 of which protrudes outwardly of the actual edge 19 of the panel-shaped element 3 concerned. Further, a recess 20 is provided at the panel-shaped element 2, which recess, in the coupled condition, offers room for the protruding portion of the lip 17 and, as is evident from FIG. 15, allows a free turning movement of this protruding portion.

(58) In the example of the figures, the aforementioned means 12 consist in that at the end faces 10-11 a strip of covering material, 21-22, respectively, is provided, which next to said edge zones shows a contour course 23, 24, respectively, which differs from the contour course 25, 26, respectively, of said profiled parts, which contour courses all are represented in FIG. 17. As represented herein, the contour courses 23 and 24 are rectilinear, as a consequence of which a simple finishing is possible.

(59) Further, the strips of covering material 21-22 have a contour course at the height of said edge zones which extends between the corner edges 27-28 of each respective side edge, such that the covering material does not protrude at its corners, which reduces the risk of being damaged, for example, by breaking off.

(60) In the represented example, the extremities of the strip-shaped covering material 21-22 have a rectangular end contour, more particular, as if the panel-shaped elements fit against each other with straight sides, which thus are formed by said straight contour courses 23 and 24, as well as by the contour lines 29, 30, 31 and 32, which are determined by the corner edges 33, 34, 35 and 36 of the panel-shaped elements, where the large surfaces thereof are ending.

(61) The protruding parts 37-38 of the profiled parts at the respective edge zones are performed up to a distance A from said end face only, or, in other words, are removed up to a distance A.

(62) The strip of covering material may consist of any suitable material. In a practical embodiment, preferably use shall be made of an adhered edge strip, more particularly a laminate strip or an ABS strip (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which are generally known for use as adhered edge strips. A laminate strip offers the advantage that it is easy to make in the same color and/or with the same pattern as the laminate with which possibly the large surfaces of the panel-shaped elements 2-3 are covered. An ABS strip, however, offers the advantage that it is sturdier and will not be damaged as easily.

(63) Such adherable edge strip can be applied in a known manner, which usually is performed by rolling such strip, by the intermediary of glue, against the end face to be covered and cutting it off automatically at the end, for example, with a severing cutter. It is noted that such severing cutter 39 simultaneously also may serve for removing the protruding parts 37-38, as aforementioned, up to a distance A from the end face concerned, as a result of which no separate treatment is required to this aim. This treatment is represented schematically in FIGS. 7 and 11.

(64) It is noted that cutting off by means of such severing cutter 39 possibly can also be realized at a very slight angle, for example, of 2 degrees, such that this severing cutter, at the location where it penetrates deeper into the panel, is directed somewhat away from the panel. By this, it is avoided that the severing cutter 39, as a result of possible tolerance deviations, would cut into the flat side of the panel-shaped element concerned.

(65) Preferably, the panel-shaped elements possess a covering at one or both sides. Such covering may be of any kind and, for example, may be performed in the form of a laminate, for example, of the HPL type or the DPL type. Also, other coverings come into consideration, such as, for example, a foil, a lacquer layer, which as such may or may not be composed of multiple layers. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 17, thin laminate coverings 40-41 are represented.

(66) It is noted that in the case of laminate coverings, in the manufacture of the panel-shaped elements preferably from the beginning one starts from a larger board which already is laminated on one or both sides, from which then the smaller panel-shaped elements 2-3 are realized.

(67) Depending on the design of the coupling means 6-7, the panel-shaped elements 2-3 can be joined together in one or more well-determined ways and possibly also taken apart again. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 17, the coupling means 6-7 allow joining the panel-shaped elements 2 and 3 together as desired, with a turning movement as well as with a translation and snap movement. The turning movement W is represented in FIG. 15, whereas the translation movement T is illustrated in FIG. 16. In this latter, the lip 17 briefly bends out in order to provide for a snap-effect.

(68) Generally, it is noted that the coupling means 2-3 can be performed such, more particularly, have an overlapping design on certain locations, that the panel-shaped elements 2 and 3 are permanently drawn towards each other in the mounted condition, which term also is called “pretension” and as such is known from the sector of floor panels and is described, for example, in the document WO 97/47834.

(69) FIGS. 1 to 17 represent an embodiment wherein the panel-shaped elements 2-3 in connected condition are situated in the same plane. However, it is clear that the invention is not restricted to such embodiments, but is also applicable to embodiments wherein the panel-shaped elements are connected at an angle, as will become clear from the further-described examples.

(70) It is clear that the coupling means 6-7 also can be provided at two or more sides of a panel-shaped element. When, for example, panel-shaped elements are applied having complementary coupling means at two opposite edges, for example, the above-described coupling means 6 and 7, it is clear that successively a plurality of these elements can be coupled to each other. An example of such coupled panel-shaped elements 42 is represented in FIG. 18, wherein these, together with two end elements 43, form a tabletop 44. The end elements 43 exclusively have coupling means at the longitudinal edges with which they border the elements 42. At the end faces the elements 42-43 in accordance with the invention are provided with a strip of covering material 45. Also the outwardly-directed longitudinal edges 46 are provided with such covering material. The represented table offers the advantage that the tabletop is easy to handle and transport in parts. Also, such tabletop can easily be enlarged or shortened by applying more or less elements 42. Hereby, the invention is particularly suitable for composing tables of a large format, such as long party tables or sports tables, for example, for playing ping-pong. Such tables thus also offer the advantage that they are easy to store when not in use. It is clear that suitable support structures 48 and legs 49 are provided.

(71) FIG. 19 represents a variant of the invention, wherein said means 12 consist in that the protruding parts 37-38, wherein solely the panel-shaped element 3 with the protruding part 38 is represented here, are shortened over a distance, whereas the recessed portions 50 associated with the profiled parts are filled up at the height of the end face, in this case, 11, by means of a filling material 51, as a result of which the respective panel-shaped elements, in this case, the represented element 3, each obtain a rectilinear corner contour.

(72) The filling material 51 may consist of a filling compound, which is finished flush with the adjoining sides, or of an insertion piece which is provided in the respective recessed portion 50. When the filling material 51, in respect to its appearance, is attuned to the basic material of the respective panel-shaped elements, then a further covering of the end face 11 possibly may be omitted. However, when herein use is made of a strip-shaped covering material, then the filling material forms a support for this stroke, as then at this location, too, gluing may be provided. The use of such filling material 51 also offers the advantage that this technique may be applied for lacquered furniture, for example, with lacquered MDF/HDF cupboards.

(73) FIG. 20 schematically represents a variant, wherein the recessed portion of the profile is enlarged to a larger recess 52, for example, by means of a milling cutter 53, which is moved over the distance A through the material of the panel-shaped element 3. This technique offers the advantage that the recess can be realized with a rectangular cross-section, which enables performing the insertion piece 51 in a simple manner as a small rectangular block which can be glued into the recess 52. By means of the milling treatment, also the respective protruding parts, in this case, the protruding part 38, can be removed up to the distance A.

(74) It is clear that the same techniques may be applied for the other panel-shaped element 2.

(75) FIG. 21 represents a composed element 1, or at least a portion thereof, which is at least composed of two panel-shaped elements 2 and 3, which are coupled to each other at an angle, wherein the whole forms an example of said second as well as said third aspect of the invention. Herein, the panel-shaped elements 2 and 3 are composed in that they are coupled to each other, in this case, turned into each other, by means of profiled parts 8-9 in the form of a tongue 13 and a groove 14. The tongue 13 is situated at an edge zone 4 at a lateral end face of the panel-shaped element 2. The groove 14 is situated at one of the large surfaces of the panel-shaped element 3, however, in an edge zone 5 thereof, by which thus a zone has to be understood which is situated in the proximity of an edge. In the example, this relates to the zone extending in height over the distance E. In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the panel-shaped elements 2-3 show end faces 10-11 extending perpendicular in respect to the respective edge zones 4-5; said profiled parts allowing that the panel-shaped elements can be coupled to each other in an interlocking manner; the panel-shaped elements 2-3 are provided on the end face with a covering in the form of a strip of covering material 21, 22, respectively; and the profiled parts are performed continuously through the aforementioned strips of covering material 21-22.

(76) In accordance with the third aspect, in the embodiment of FIG. 21 also an additional element 53 is provided, more particularly a front panel, in this case, a door, for example a cupboard door, which, at least in a usage condition G, which in this case is the closed condition of the door, is situated in front of the contours, here generally indicated by reference 54, of the coupling means and substantially covers them and thereby hides them from view.

(77) It is noted that the above-described panel-shaped elements according to the invention can be composed in various manners. According to a first possibility, for such panel-shaped element, a simple board of the same or substantially the same material is applied, for example, a simple MDF board (Medium Density Fiberboard) or HDF board (High Density Fiberboard), or a classical particle board, possibly with finer wood particles at the exterior surfaces. By a simple board is meant that only one essential structural material layer is applied, which does not exclude that other thin layers, such as coverings, may be present. As an alternative, the panel-shaped elements consist of a multi-layered board and then preferably will be realized in accordance with said fourth aspect of the invention.

(78) In FIG. 14, a variant is shown by means of the dashed line 55, wherein the panel-shaped elements 2-3 consist of a board formed of at least two structural material layers, a first material layer 56 and a second material layer 57, respectively.

(79) As discussed in the introduction, the multi-layered board, of which the panel-shaped elements consist, may be composed in various ways, amongst which, amongst others, the following important possibilities:

(80) the first material layer 56 is MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or HDF (High Density Fiberboard);

(81) the second material layer 57 is particle board;

(82) the second material layer 57 is a light-weight wood-based board, for example, particle board, in which synthetic foam material is incorporated;

(83) the first material layer 56 has a smaller thickness than the second material layer 57;

(84) the first material layer 56 has a thickness which is smaller than 0.7 times the thickness of the second material layer 57;

(85) the multi-layered board consists, for at least 90% of its total thickness, of said first material layer 56 and said second material layer 57;

(86) the first material layer 56 and the second material 57 layer consist of separate boards which are adhered to each other, more particularly glued to each other;

(87) the first material layer 56 and second material layer 57 form part of a unitary pressed structure, wherein the first material layer 56 preferably is based on wood fibers and the second material layer 57 on wood particles.

(88) As represented in FIG. 14, the coupling means 6-7, or at least the locking elements 15-16, are situated in the first material layer 56.

(89) FIG. 22 represents a composed element 1 according to the invention, which is composed of four panel-shaped elements 58, 59, 60 and 61, wherein this relates, for example, to a cupboard, more particularly a suspended cupboard, wherein the panel-shaped elements 58-60 form side walls, whereas the panel-shaped elements 59 and 61 form a top wall and bottom wall, respectively. The panel-shaped elements 58 and 60 substantially consist of a board material with only one structural material layer, preferably MDF or HDF. The panel-shaped elements 59 and 61 are composed of a composed board with two material layers 56 and 57, in this case, two board materials glued against each other. In this case, the material layer 56 consists of an MDF or HDF board, whereas the material layer 57 consists of particle board, wherein both material layers are glued against each other. As can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 23, the coupling means 6-7 preferably are performed exclusively in MDF or HDF, whereas the particle board material exclusively serves for creating a larger thickness at a lower cost.

(90) FIGS. 24 and 25 represent a variant, wherein the first material layer 56 of the panel-shaped elements 59 and 61 is situated against the interior sides of the composed element 1, with the advantage that the coupling means formed therein become situated at a pronounced distance X from the extremities 62, thereby considerably reducing the risk of tearing off in the corners when the piece of furniture is subjected to a heavy load.

(91) FIG. 26 represents that the end faces of the composed element 1 represented in FIG. 24 also, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, may be provided with a covering formed by a strip-shaped covering material 63-64-65-66, by which the actual profiled parts of the coupling means 6-7 are hidden from view. An important aspect consists in that one may work with simple rectangular strips, whereas all four corners 67 of each strip in fact are connected to underlying board material and thus are attached thereto. It is clear that the panel-shaped elements 58-59-60-61, apart from the covering formed by the strip-shaped covering material 63-64-65-66, can be provided with a covering on other sides, too.

(92) FIG. 27 represents a variant, wherein the panel-shaped elements 58, 59, 60 and 61 each are composed of two structural material layers 56 and 57, in this case, a first structural material layer 56 of MDF or HDF board and a second structural material layer 57 of particle board. Further, the whole is provided with the necessary laminate coverings 68. On the end faces of the whole, strips of covering material having a simple rectangular shape may be provided, analogous to FIG. 26, wherein it is clear that it is intended to apply the laminate coverings 68 and the strips of covering material during the manufacture of the panel-shaped elements, thus, prior to joining the panel-shaped elements.

(93) It is noted that the construction represented in FIG. 27 allows composing the element 1 by turning the respective panel-shaped elements into each other at the location of three corners of the composed element 1, whereas exclusively the fourth corner has to be effected by means of a snap-connection. As a consequence, one may proceed as follows. First, the panel-shaped element 59 is connected to the panel-shaped element 58 by means of a turning movement W1. Then, the panel-shaped element 60 is coupled to the panel-shaped element 59 by means of a turning movement W2, wherein this element 60 at the same time is forced somewhat further up into the position P represented in dashed line, by which sufficient space is created for then coupling the panel-shaped element 61 to the panel-shaped element 58 by means of a turning movement W3. Finally, the element 1 then can be obtained in the completely assembled form by connecting the panel-shaped element 60 to the panel-shaped element 61 by means of a snap movement S. It is clear that in this manner, the panel-shaped elements easily can be coupled to each other by a user; for example, for composing a cupboard or the like in this manner.

(94) FIGS. 28 and 29 represent that essentially only two designs need to be used for the panel-shaped elements to be applied.

(95) For the coupling means, in this case, too, respectively a tongue 13 and a groove 14, as well as locking elements 15 and 16 are used.

(96) As becomes clear from FIGS. 28 and 29, as well as from the enlarged view in FIG. 30, in this case coupling means are used showing the following features:

(97) said locking elements 15-16 are only present at one side 69 of the tongue 13, whereas the other side 70 thus is free from locking elements;

(98) the locking means consist of at least one locking part 15 at the tongue 13 and at least one cooperating-therewith locking part 16 in the groove 14, wherein the locking element 15 is provided on the tongue 13 at an elastically bendable part 71 of the tongue, which at the same time forms a side 69 of the tongue;
in distal direction, said elastically bendable part 71 of the tongue protrudes farther than the remainder of the tongue;
said elastic part 71 is separated from the remainder of the tongue 13 by means of a slot 72; said locking elements are situated on only one side of the tongue, wherein this is the side 69 of the tongue which is situated closest to the inner side of the corner 73.

(99) It is noted that coupling means with one or more of the above-listed characteristics may also be applied with panel-shaped elements which can be coupled to each other in the same plane, as well as with panel-shaped elements which as such are composed differently from the represented structure composed of two layers.

(100) The embodiment of FIGS. 27 to 30 also illustrates that, when the panel-shaped elements consist of at least two structural material layers, a first material layer and a second material layer, respectively, then this composed element further may show any of the following characteristics:

(101) the tongue has a side 69 which is situated in the first material layer 56, and an opposite side 70 which is situated in the second material layer 57;

(102) the material of the first material layer 56 has a finer structure than the material of the second material layer 57, whereas at least one of said locking elements 15-16 is situated in the first material layer and more particularly is made in one piece therein;
the material layer of the first material layer 56 has a finer structure than the material of the second material layer 47, whereas the locking elements, both at the tongue and at the groove, comprise a locking element 15, 16, respectively, which both are situated in the first material layer of the respective panel-shaped element.

(103) FIGS. 21 to 27 and 30 illustrate that according to the invention the panel-shaped elements adjoin each other in a flush manner at the exterior side of a corner formed thereby, such that the respective outer corner is straight and free from protruding panel portions.

(104) FIG. 30 also illustrates once again that the coupling means, which are provided in a large flat side of a panel-shaped element, due to the specific construction can be realized at a proper distance from the edge. In other words, the groove in FIG. 30 is situated at a considerable distance from the upper edge of the panel-shaped element 57. In connection therewith, it is preferred that the distance Z, which is the distance from the exterior side up to the tongue, is more than ⅓ of the thickness TH of the panel-shaped elements.

(105) As discussed in the introduction, the invention also relates to a multi-layered board as such, with the characteristic that it consists of at least two material layers, a first material layer and a second material layer, respectively, which both are performed as a wood composite and wherein the material of the first material layer shows a finer structure than the material of the second material layer. FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate by means of two examples that various variants are possible.

(106) For example, FIG. 31 represents a construction where the first material layer 56 is formed on the basis of wood fiber material and, for example, consists of MDF board or HDF board, whereas the second layer 57 is formed on the basis of wood particles and more particularly consists of particle board, wherein both boards are glued one onto the other. Further, the multi-layered board may be provided with a laminate covering 74 on one or both sides. Also, other layers may be provided. For example, one may start from two boards which each are provided with melamine on both sides, an MDF or HDF board and a particle board, respectively, which are glued to each other one upon the other.

(107) FIG. 32 schematically represents a variant, wherein the first material layer 56 and the second material layer 57 form part of a unitary pressed structure. Such structure may be realized by forming, in a production process of particle board, not only a mat of particles to be pressed, however, in combination therewith also incorporating a layer of fibers into the mat, preferably at one side of the mat, and then consolidating the whole in a press. The whole may or may not be provided with a laminate covering 74.

(108) FIGS. 33 and 34 represent still another composed element 1 illustrating a particular aspect of the invention. The composed element 1, only a portion of which is represented, herein forms a wall or furniture element and shows the particular characteristic that coupling means 6-7 are applied, which utilize a locking element, in this case 16, which is performed as an insertion piece provided in an edge in one of the panel-shaped elements, in this case, the panel-shaped element 3. More specifically, this insertion piece consists of a strip, which is provided with a movable locking portion 75, which latter can cooperate with a locking element 15 formed at the other panel-shaped element 2.

(109) More specifically, this insertion piece is formed of a strip which, viewed in cross-section, is made of materials, preferably synthetic material, with different material characteristics. This offers the advantage that different characteristics may be imparted to the component parts thereof, depending on their function. More particularly, certain parts may be made suppler than others.

(110) In the example, the strip, apart from the already mentioned locking portion 75, also is composed of an attachment portion 76, and a hinge portion 77 situated in between them. The locking portion 75 and the attachment portion 76 are made of a harder and more rigid synthetic material than the hinge portion 77, at the one hand, for having the locking portion 75 in coupled condition offer a good locking, and providing the attachment portion in a stable manner into a recess 78 provided for this purpose, and, on the other hand, for having the locking portion move in a supple manner by means of the hinge portion 77. It is noted that this hinge portion 77 does not only possess the function of an hinge, however, also functions as an elastic matter pushing the locking portion 75, in rest position, with its free extremity outward, up into the condition of FIG. 33.

(111) In the most preferred embodiment, the insertion piece will be made from a strip formed by means of coextrusion.

(112) The panel-shaped elements 1 and 2 can be coupled simply by, starting from the position in FIG. 33, pressing them into each other with their tongue 13 and groove 14, wherein the locking portion 75 then first is turned to the side in order to then be moved outward again and take place behind the locking element 15, wherein then the locked condition of FIG. 34 is obtained.

(113) It is noted that possibly a recess 79 may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the profile concerned, which recess may be helpful during the possible uncoupling of the panel-shaped elements 2 and 3. Such recess allows pushing, in coupled condition, a small pin into it, which is sufficiently thick for pushing the locking portion 75 elastically inward, which undoes the locking. If the front side of the composed element 1 is provided with a finish, for example, by means of an adhered edge strip, care may be taken that the recess 79 is accessible exclusively along the back side of the composed element 1, for example, the back side of a cupboard, such that during normal use the recess is not visible.

(114) Such coupling with an insertion piece is particularly suitable for being applied in corner connections for furniture, on the one hand, because a stable connection can be realized therewith, and, on the other hand, because during joining, the tongue simply can be pressed into the groove without exerting torsion forces or the like.

(115) It is noted that such composed element 1 may possess still other components than the respective panel-shaped elements alone. Amongst these, there may also be components which reinforce the construction formed by the panel-shaped elements, and more particularly bring it into a rigid condition. In the case of, for example, a four-cornered construction, such as a small cupboard or the like, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 22, 24, 27 and 33-34, to this aim a rectangular back may be provided between the panel-shaped elements. This back simply may consist of a board which is provided between the panel-shaped elements, for example, during the joining thereof, and which takes place in a groove extending completely along the circumference.

(116) It is evident that other components consist, for example, of shelves, intermediate posts, doors and the like, at least in the case of cupboards.

(117) From the board according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, no specific embodiment is represented in the figures, as the construction thereof is sufficiently clear from the embodiments described in the introduction. However, FIG. 32 may be an example thereof, if the material layers 56 and 57 respectively were made of materials as is described in respect to the eleventh aspect.

(118) FIGS. 35 to 37, in cross-section and for three conditions, represent a corner construction of still another composed element according to the invention, which, amongst others, meets the fifth aspect of the invention. The coupling means 6-7 and more particularly the tongue 13 and groove 14 and the locking elements 15 and 16 are made in one piece in the panel-shaped elements 2-3, for example, in the form of profiled parts 8 and 9 formed thereon by means of milling treatments.

(119) The tongue 13 is situated at the outer end of the panel-shaped element 2, whereas the groove 14 is situated in the side wall of the panel-shaped element 3. Such arrangement and configuration offers sturdy coupling means when the panel-shaped elements consist of board material which is formed of a composite pressed to boards.

(120) This embodiment illustrates that the groove 72 can extend deeper than up to the plane where the panel-shaped elements 2-3 adjoin each other, which is beneficial for the elasticity in the tongue.

(121) The panel-shaped elements 2-3 of FIGS. 35-37 preferably consist of MDF or HDF.

(122) FIGS. 38, 39 and 40 represent a number of composed elements, more particularly furniture elements, which apply corner constructions as shown in FIGS. 35 to 37.

(123) FIG. 38 shows an arrangement wherein the horizontal panel-shaped elements 2 are provided between the vertical panel-shaped elements 3, whereas FIG. 39 represents a variant, wherein the horizontal panel-shaped elements 3 are provided on top, at the bottom, respectively, against the vertical panel-shaped elements 2. Depending on the application, the one or the other solution may be chosen. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 38 is suitable for hanging cupboards, where it is desired that the horizontal panel-shaped elements 2 at the side edges are not visible. The embodiment of FIG. 39 in its turn then is more suitable for standing cupboards, wherein the couplings with heavy loads from the top downward only can be pressed tighter into each other and the risk of tearing-off of coupling parts is excluded.

(124) FIG. 40 illustrates that at the same edge zone of a panel-shaped element 3 a plurality of grooves 14 may be present, which allow a coupling in T-connection or crosswise connection of several panel-shaped elements 2-3.

(125) FIGS. 41 to 43 relate to a composed element 1, in this case, a piece of furniture, which is realized in accordance with the twelfth aspect of the invention. This composed element 1 does comprise panel-shaped elements 80, which mutually are at an angle, as well as connecting pieces 81, which respectively cooperate with the two adjacent panel-shaped elements. At least one of the panel-shaped elements 80, and in this case even each of the panel-shaped elements 80, comprises edge zones 4 at which coupling means 6 are present in the form of a profiled part 8 extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, whereas the connecting pieces 81 comprise at least one, and in this case respectively two, profiled parts 9 extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, in such a manner that the profiled parts 8 and 9 allow that the panel-shaped elements 80 and the connecting pieces 81 can be joined laterally into each other in an interlocking manner and in this manner the panel-shaped elements 80 can be coupled to each other by the intermediary of the connecting pieces 81.

(126) The profiled parts 8 and 9 preferably are performed in the form of a tongue 13 and a groove 14. Preferably, a tongue 13 and groove 14 are applied which show one or more of the characteristics which are described in the introduction or in respect to the other embodiments. In particular the use of a split tongue 13, as described by means of FIGS. 35 to 37, is useful. Also, preferably profiled parts are applied which allow at least that the panel-shaped elements 80 can be provided in the connecting pieces by means of snap action, and still better can be realized such that they can be joined into each other by snapping as well as turning.

(127) FIG. 43 clearly shows that the connecting pieces 81 can be made as laths.

(128) Other possible characteristics of such composed element 1 making use of one or more connecting pieces 81, are described in the introduction and are not repeated here.

(129) FIG. 44 illustrates how such composed element can be provided with a back part 82. For this purpose, such back part 82 can be provided in seats 83, more particularly grooves, in the panel-shaped elements 80. Possibly, also seats 84 can be provided in the connecting pieces 81. After assembly, the back part 82 automatically stays at its place. Moreover, in this manner it imparts stability to the whole. It is clear that applying a back part in this manner is also possible with all composed elements of the other aspects of the invention.

(130) Also, connecting pieces can be applied which allow a further connection in the same plane, a T-connection or a crosswise connection, such that a plurality of furniture modules next to and on top of each other can be formed. Embodiments of such connecting pieces are represented in FIGS. 45 and 46 and indicated with 81A, 81B and 81C, respectively.

(131) It is clear that the component parts of a composed element of the twelfth aspect also may be provided at the end faces with means, more particularly coverings, which hide the respective profiled parts from view, such in analogy to the first aspect of the invention. FIG. 47 represents an example of such covering 85 at the outer end of a connecting piece 81.

(132) Analogous to the third aspect of the invention, the cooperating profiled parts of a panel-shaped element 80 and a connecting piece 81 also can be covered by a front panel, for example, by a door in closed condition.

(133) FIG. 48 represents a variant, wherein the connecting piece 81 is rounded at the outer corner.

(134) FIG. 49 schematically represents an embodiment of the thirteenth aspect of the invention. This relates to a composed element, which comprises at least two modules 86 situated next to each other, with side walls, upper walls and bottom walls, which are formed by panel-shaped elements, in this case 80 and 80D, characterized in that the side wall where the modules adjoin each other, is formed by a single common panel-shaped element, here 80D; that there is a first connecting construction 87 between this common panel-shaped element 80D and the upper walls of the modules 86; that there is a second connecting construction between this common panel-shaped element 80D and the bottom walls of the modules 86; and that at the location of at least one of said connecting constructions, one of the panel-shaped elements, via a profiled part formed at this panel-shaped element, is coupled directly or indirectly to the other panel-shaped elements. In consideration of the fact that in the example of FIG. 49, connecting pieces 81B are applied for the connecting constructions 87 and 88, as is known from FIG. 46, it is clear that all panel-shaped elements 80-80D adjoining thereto do possess profiled parts 8 performed therewith in one piece, as described by means of FIG. 42.

(135) FIG. 49 also schematically represents how this can be applied in a piece of kitchen furniture, wherein the necessary legs 89 can be provided under such modules and a countertop 90 can be attached thereto, as well as not represented front parts and other accessories can be attached thereto.

(136) It is noted that the composition of the composed element of FIG. 40 also meets the thirteenth aspect of the invention.

(137) FIGS. 50 and 51 represent panel-shaped elements, which are made of boards 91, whereas FIGS. 52 and 53 represent portions of boards 91, which each are made in accordance with the fourteenth aspect of the invention and for this purpose are provided with a reinforcing layer 92 integrated into the board 91.

(138) In FIG. 50, this relates to panel-shaped elements 2-3 for a piece of furniture or the like, whereas in FIG. 51 a panel-shaped element is represented in the form of a floor panel 93. In both cases, the reinforcing layer 92 is provided over a local thickness, thus, not the total thickness of the board 91, however, at the location of the coupling means, in this case at least such that the locking elements or locking parts 15-16 are situated in this layer 92 and thus are reinforced. Of course, variants are possible, depending where the manufacturer considers reinforcement necessary. In floor panels which are provided with a top layer 94, it also happens that due to continuous strain, tears may occur next to the edges, directly beneath this top layer 94, in particular with laminate. In such case, it may then be desirable to work with a local reinforcing layer 92A, which is situated directly or almost directly under the top layer 94.

(139) FIG. 52 represents a board such as applied in FIG. 50. Possibly, the board 50 can be coated, for example, with laminate coverings 74. FIG. 53 represents a board wherein the reinforcing layer 92 is provided in the center.

(140) Other characteristics of the fourteenth aspect, such as the materials of which the boards and the reinforcing layers may be composed, are described in the introduction and are not repeated here.

(141) FIGS. 50 to 52 also form examples of the fifteenth aspect of the invention, at least when the materials of the board 91 and of the layer 92, which latter then does not necessarily has to be reinforcing, meet the material requirements of this fifteenth aspect described in the introduction.

(142) It is clear that this fifteenth aspect thus shows its advantages in particular with floor panels wherein the layer 92A is situated directly underneath the top layer 94, as also is described in greater detail in the introduction.

(143) FIGS. 54 to 65 represent a number of embodiments of the invention, wherein at least the aforementioned sixteenth aspect is applied.

(144) FIG. 54 shows a composed element 1 in the form of a rack, which is composed of a plurality of panel-shaped elements, in this case, a back part 94, side walls 95-96, a bottom part 97, a top part 98 and shelves 99.

(145) As is represented in the cross-section of FIG. 55, connections 100 are realized between the panel-shaped element functioning as back part 94 and the panel-shaped elements functioning as side walls 95-96, due to which the composed element 1 meets the aforementioned sixteenth aspect of the invention described in the introduction. The side walls 95-96 extend perpendicularly in respect to the back part 94, and both are provided with zones, in this case, edge zones 4-5 with profiled parts 8-9 allowing a connection.

(146) For the profiled parts 8-9, which are applied in the sixteenth aspect, preferably use is made of a tongue and groove, too, at which locking elements are present. In all represented examples of the sixteenth aspect, profiled parts 8-9 are represented, which are similar to those of, for example, FIGS. 35 to 37, wherein use is made of a split tongue, which fits into a groove. It is clear that such embodiment of tongue and groove, or certain characteristics thereof, are also advantageous in combination with connections 100, which are made according to the sixteenth aspect. According to particular embodiments of the sixteenth aspect, such connection 100 thus is equipped with a tongue and groove which shows one or more of the characteristics which were described in respect to preceding tongue and groove connections. These characteristics have been sufficiently described heretofore and thus are not specifically repeated here.

(147) It is noted that it is, however, not excluded to apply other forms of tongue and groove in embodiments according to the sixteenth aspect. Use may also be made of locking elements, which are made as an insertion piece, for example, as represented in FIGS. 33 and 34.

(148) In the embodiment of FIGS. 54 and 55, the back part 94 is provided between the side walls 95 and 96.

(149) FIGS. 56 and 57 represent a variant, wherein the back part 94 extends up to behind the rear edge of the side walls 95 and 96.

(150) The connections 100 preferably are realized such that the side walls 95-96 can be coupled to the back part 94 at least by means of a turning movement, as is indicated in both embodiments by arrows 101. Herein, the connections 100 preferably are configured such that they do not allow or at least counteract a further turning than into the position in which the side walls 95-96 are standing perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the back part 94. By then providing the bottom part 97 and/or the top part 98 and/or the shelves 99 between the side walls 95-96, for example, by means of classical support means 102, which here are represented only schematically, the side walls 95-96 automatically are prevented from turning back inwards.

(151) It is noted that, however, it is not excluded to realize, according to a not-represented variant, also couplings between the side walls 95-96 and one or more of said component parts 97-98-99, also in the form of profiled parts fitting into each other.

(152) In top view and in exploded view, FIG. 58 represents a variant, wherein also an intermediate wall 103 is present, which can be coupled to the back part 94 by means of profiled parts 8 and 9 extending in the height. For clarity's sake, the shelves are not depicted.

(153) FIGS. 59 and 60 represent a further variant, wherein the panel-shaped element, which functions as a back part 94, is composed from a plurality of segments 104, which are coupled to each other by means of a connecting piece 81A. FIG. 61 represents a variant hereof. By dividing the back part 94 into segments, this can be packaged and transported more easily. Moreover, a modular construction with more or less segments is possible.

(154) FIGS. 62 to 65 illustrate further variants with one and more connecting pieces 81B, which moreover provide for a coupling with each time an intermediate wall 103. The advantage of such connecting piece 81B is that the three panel-shaped elements coming together at their edges, thus, two segments 104 and an intermediate wall 103, can be coupled to each other in a smooth manner.

(155) It is noted that according to a particular partial aspect, it may be worked with segments 104, which are all the same for one and the same piece of furniture, which makes it easier for the assembler. The embodiments of FIGS. 62 and 64 form examples hereof.

(156) It is not excluded to also apply separate connecting pieces, for example, such as the earlier described connecting pieces 81, at the corners between the back part 94 and the side walls 95-96, however, for simplicity's sake as well as for esthetic purposes, the embodiments without connecting pieces at the corners are preferred.

(157) It is noted that all embodiments which are depicted in the FIGS. 54 to 65, substantially also might be realized with coupling means which can be joined into each other exclusively by means of a turning movement, and thus not by a snap movement.

(158) It is clear that the invention also relates to panel-shaped elements which are intended for realizing a composed element according to the sixteenth aspect.

(159) Although the sixteenth aspect in the figures exclusively is represented by means of examples in the form of a rack, it is clear that it may also be applicable for other pieces of furniture and the like.

(160) FIG. 66 represents another particular embodiment of a corner connection, which, amongst others, fulfills the fifth aspect of the invention. The particularity of the embodiment of FIG. 66 consists in that the panel-shaped elements 2-3 adjoin each other at least partially with a miter joint, whereas they still are connected to each other by means of profiled parts 8-9. By this, it is meant that the connection shows one or more of the following three characteristics, which here all are applicable:

(161) the corner edges 105 and 106, as well as the corner edges 107 and 108 of the panel-shaped elements 2-3, adjoin each other at the height of the diagonal 109 of the miter; at least a portion 110 of the contact surfaces between the panel-shaped elements 2-3 coincides with said diagonal 109;
the panel-shaped elements 2-3 each are finished with a strip of covering material at their end faces, wherein these strips adjoin each other in a miter joint according to a line 111.

(162) A particularity of the represented embodiment consists in that the plane 112 in which the tongue and groove are situated, is not perpendicular to the diagonal 109, but coincides or approximately coincides with the plane of one of the panel-shaped elements, and, as represented, preferably the plane of the panel-shaped element 2, which is provided with the tongue. This allows that, by exerting a force perpendicularly to the flat side of the panel-shaped element 3, it will automatically be situated in the prolongation of the tongue and groove, and consequently the panel-shaped elements can be joined together in an optimum manner. According to variants, however, it is not excluded to realize the tongue and groove in another direction.

(163) In FIGS. 67 to 69, a particular application of the invention is represented, wherein the composed element 1 is a drawer. The particularity herein is that at least two, and in this case even a plurality, of the component parts, more particularly the upright-standing walls, are performed as panel-shaped elements 2-3, which according to the invention are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling means 6-7 in the form of a tongue 13 and groove 14, wherein the coupling means 6-7 also comprise locking elements 15-16, which in coupled condition prevent moving the tongue and groove out of each other, i.e. at least prevent simply taking them apart.

(164) More particularly, the drawer of the represented example is composed of two panel-shaped elements 2 forming the back wall 113 and the front wall 114, respectively, and two panel-shaped elements 3 forming the two side walls 115 and 116, respectively, of the drawer. Further, the drawer comprises a bottom 117, which, as represented in FIG. 69, preferably simply is provided in a groove 118 in the respective panel-shaped elements 2-3.

(165) In the represented example, the drawer also is provided with a separate front panel 119, which is attached to the front wall 114, for example, by means of screws 120.

(166) It is clear that the coupling means 6-7 in this case consist of profiled parts extending in vertical direction. The general configuration preferably is as depicted in FIG. 68. More particularly, the tongues 13 are located at the distal extremities of the back wall 113 and front wall 114, whereas the grooves 14 are situated at the inwardly directed surfaces of the side walls 115-116. In this manner, the advantage is obtained that, when using the drawer and when pulling it out, the force exerted therein then has a direction which is perpendicular to the coupling direction of the tongue and groove, and the force exerted when pulling out a drawer never results in a force forcing the coupling means out of each other.

(167) For assembling the represented drawer, preferably a procedure is followed as described hereafter.

(168) First, a side wall, for example, 116, is taken and the back wall 113 and the front wall 114 are attached thereto by respectively providing them, by means of a turning movement, with the pertaining tongue 13 in the respective groove 14 of the side wall 116. Subsequently, the bottom 117, from the side where the side wall 115 still has to be provided, can be slid into the grooves 118 of the back wall 113 and the front wall 114, such until the bottom also comes to sit with an edge in the groove 118 of the side wall 116. Then, the side wall 155 is fixed on the still free distal extremities of the back wall 113 and front wall 114 by bringing the respective tongues and grooves into each other by means of a snap effect. This can be performed, for example, by placing the drawer upright, with the side wall 116 at the bottom, and tapping in this position the side wall 115 down onto the then upwardly directed tongues 13 of the back wall 113 and front wall 114.

(169) It is noted that the bottom 117 preferably has such dimensions that, when it is sitting at one edge 121 entirely in the groove 118 of the side wall 116, it will reach, at the opposite edge 122, to beyond the distal extremities of the tongues 13 which are present there. This excess length is indicated in FIG. 68 by the distance F. This results in the effect that, when the side wall 115 is provided on the extremities of the back wall 113 and front wall 114, this side wall 115 first must be positioned with the groove 118 provided therein over the protruding portion of the bottom 117 and only then the snap couplings can be performed, with the advantage that, before the whole is tapped into each other, the bottom 117 is sitting with certainty in the groove 118 of the side wall 115. This thus effects an automatic mutual centering. Without this provision, it might happen that the bottom is not sitting properly in front of the respective groove 118 and the bottom then is damaged, when subsequently the side wall 115 is pressed, tapped, respectively, for fixing it on the distal extremities of the back wall 113 and the front wall 114. It is noted that in FIG. 68 in dashed line exclusively the perimeter of the bottom 117 is represented and, thus, not the grooves 118.

(170) As an alternative for the screws 120, use may also be made of coupling means 123, with which the front panel 119 is fixed on the remainder of the drawer by snapping it on. These coupling means 123 are schematically represented as an alternative in FIG. 68. For these coupling means 123, use may also be made of mating profiled parts, for example, at the distal foremost extremities of the side walls 115 and 116 and in the back wall of the front panel 119.

(171) Finally, FIG. 67 also shows that the edges of the panel-shaped elements, in particular the upper edges, can be taped with straight strips of covering material, such as laminate strips 124 or the like, such that in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the profiled parts of the coupling means 6-7 are hidden from view.

(172) It is noted that a drawer, as described above, also forms an application of the sixteenth aspect of the invention, as the back wall 113 then also forms a back part as required by this sixteenth aspect. However, this does not exclude that the invention also relates to drawers in which no coupling, such as aforementioned, with the back wall is applied, but yet couplings according to the invention are applied at other places in the drawer.

(173) It is clear that the invention also relates to drawers, of which the back wall and the two side walls are interconnected by film hinges at their cooperating extremities, and wherein solely coupling means according to the invention are provided between a front wall and the adjoining side walls.

(174) Also, it is noted that the principle of automatic centering between the bottom of said drawer and one of the side walls can also be applied in other composed elements, more particularly between a back of a piece of furniture and the panel-shaped elements adjoining thereto.

(175) FIG. 70, at a larger scale, represents the portion indicated by F70 in FIG. 68. According to the invention, the coupling represented in this figure preferably fulfills a number of particular features. These features, which hereafter are summarized with reference to FIG. 70, the majority of which already has been mentioned above or has been represented in the figures, each have to be considered a separate aspect of the invention, however, applied in a corner connection. Thus, these aspects of the invention do not have to be mutually combined. However, all random combinations of two or more features are possible. Also, these aspects of the invention are not restricted to the represented application of the drawer, but can be used in any application of a corner connection between panel-shaped elements. Thus, the invention as such also relates to a composed element 1, which comprises at least two panel-shaped elements 2-3, which are connected to each other at an angle, characterized in that the panel-shaped elements 2-3 are connected by means of coupling means 6-7 comprising a tongue 13 and groove 14, which latter are substantially made as profiled parts, preferably in the board material itself, wherein said coupling means 6-7 further also comprise locking elements 15-16, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of tongue and groove, wherein the composed element and more particularly one of the coupling means show one or more of the following features:

(176) the tongue 13 is situated at the distal extremity of a panel-shaped element 2, whereas the groove 14 is situated in the side wall of the other panel-shaped element 3, in other words, in any of the large surfaces thereof;

(177) the tongue 13 is fitting, by means of a snap connection, in the groove 14, such by pressing the respective panel-shaped element 2 with the tongue 2 in its plane towards the groove 14, or vice versa;

(178) the tongue 13 fits into the groove 14 by means of a turning movement;

(179) the tongue 13 and groove 14 are configured such that they can be brought into each other by a turning movement as well as by a snap movement via a translation, and this at the assembler's choice;

(180) the locking element 15 at the tongue 13 is situated at the side of the tongue 13 which is directed towards the inner corner;

(181) the tongue 13 is split;

(182) the tongue 13 is split, and as a consequence shows two portions 125 and 126, and only one of these portions, in this case, the portion 125 which also serves as the elastically bendable part 71, is provided with a locking element 15;

(183) the tongue 13 is split and consequently comprises two portions 125 and 126, and only one of these portions is provided with a locking element 15, wherein the portion 125, which comprises the locking element 15, in distal direction extends farther than the other portion 126;
the tongue 13 is split and the slot 72 extends up to a greater depth than the basic plane where the panel-shaped elements 2-3 adjoin each other;
the tongue 13 is split and there is exclusively a locking element 15 present at that portion of the tongue 13 which is situated at the side of the slot directed towards the inner corner, with the advantage that the extremity of the panel-shaped element comprising the groove is not subjected to loads on weak places;
the tongue 13 can be snapped into the groove 14 by means of a mutual translation movement, wherein the tongue is split and one of the two portions of the split tongue 13 is provided with a locking element, wherein this portion 125 is elastically bendable;
the tongue 13 can be snapped into the groove 14 by means of a mutual translation movement, wherein the tongue 13 is split and one of the two portions of the split tongue is provided with a locking element 15, wherein this portion 125 is elastically bendable towards the slot and wherein the slot has a width B1, which is equal to or larger than the maximum lateral displacement B2 performed by the locking element 15 during the snapping-together;
the tongue 13, split or not split, globally is situated off-center in respect to the panel-shaped element and is situated closer to the side which is situated against the inner corner than to the opposite side;
the distance Z at which the tongue is situated from the side of the panel-shaped element which is located at the inner corner, is larger than ⅓ of the total thickness TH of the respective panel-shaped element 2;
the depth DG of the groove 14 is a value situated between ⅓ and ⅔ of the thickness B3 of the panel-shaped element in which the groove is provided;
the tongue 13, at the side of the respective panel-shaped element which is intended for being located at the inner corner, is provided with a locking element 15, wherein that portion of the locking element 15 which laterally protrudes the farthest is situated at a distance B4 from the aforementioned side of the panel, which distance is less than 2 mm and still better is less than 1 mm;
the thickness of the panel-shaped element 2 at which the tongue 13 is provided, is larger than the thickness of the panel-shaped element 3 in which the groove is situated;
the distal extremity 127 of the panel-shaped element 3 which comprises the groove 14, is lying in the prolongation or approximately in the prolongation of the side of the panel-shaped element 2 comprising the tongue 13 and which is situated at the outer corner; according to a variant, this distal extremity 127 protrudes up to beyond the panel-shaped element 2;
the tongue 13 and/or groove 14 are provided in a panel-shaped element, which is realized of a board material formed by consolidating a mat of particles and/or fibers, provided with a binding agent, by means of pressing, wherein the tongue and groove connection comprises an elastically bendable part, i.e. in the example the portion 125 of the tongue 13 which comprises the locking element 15, and wherein this elastically bendable portion extends in a direction substantially parallel to the board; this has the advantage that the bendable portion is relatively bendable and will not tear off, due to the fact that such board in respect to resistance against tear-off forces shows a considerably higher stability in its plane than, for example, perpendicular to its plane;
the coupling means are applied for realizing a corner connection between vertically extending panel-shaped elements;
in the coupled condition, one or more spaces are present between the periphery of the tongue and the wall of the groove, with the advantage that possible interfering particles can be pushed away in these.

(184) It is noted that the mentioned dimensions, as represented in the figures, preferably are determined by the basic board, which may or may not be composed, thus, without considering the thickness of a possibly present covering which is present on the basic board, such as the aforementioned laminate coverings 40-41, or the covering generally indicated with reference 128 in FIG. 70. According to a variant, these thicknesses indeed may be included into the dimensions. This latter preferably will be done when the coverings are thicker than 2 mm, as this covering then, so to speak, will serve as a structural component.

(185) It is clear that the above listing substantially relates to coupling means 6-7 of the type which allows joining the respective composing panel-shaped elements 2-3 laterally into each other. By “laterally”, as already discussed, it is meant that they can be presented with tongue and groove along each other and then can be interconnected by means of a mutual turning movement or translation and snap movement, or a movement in which turning and shifting are combined. This does not exclude that, in certain applications, apart therefrom they also allow connecting the respective panel-shaped elements in another not-lateral manner. By a not-lateral manner is understood, for example, that the profiled parts are slid into each other in longitudinal direction, analogous to a classic dovetail connection.

(186) Further, it is clear that most of these characteristics also may be applied in embodiments wherein at least one of the coupling means is part of a separate connecting piece, for example, a connecting piece 81, as already described above, which in its turn then is connected to another portion of the composed element, preferably another panel-shaped element.

(187) It is clear that all above-described coupling means preferably are performed such that the panel-shaped elements 2-3 match into each other with a pretension, which provides for that the panel-shaped elements 2-3 in coupled condition are drawn towards each other. In the embodiment of FIG. 70, this may be realized, for example, by providing for that the contours of the locking elements 15 and 16 somewhat overlap each other, such that the elastically bendable part 71 in the final coupled condition remains elastically bent. An elastic part 71 which is made in this manner is represented in FIG. 70 in dashed line as a variant. Herein, the bent-out elastic part is formed such that the force caused by the bending-out generates, via the locking elements 15-16, generates a force component pulling the panel-shaped element 2 with the tongue permanently into the groove of the panel-shaped element 3.

(188) According to another particular aspect of the invention, the tongue and/or groove are at least partially reinforced. In FIG. 50, this is already represented by means of a layered structure. According to a variant, a local reinforcement may be provided, too. FIG. 71 represents an example thereof, with the particularity that the bendable portion 125 of the tongue 13 is impregnated with a reinforcing agent 129, as well as the material portion between the groove 14 and the end face, or thus the extremity 127, of the panel-shaped element 3 in which the groove is provided, as well as the zone of and around the locking element 16. It is clear that such reinforcement may occur at only one of these locations, as well as at possible other locations. All these reinforcements have the purpose of avoiding that the respective portions would tear or split off when the corner connection is subjected to excessive forces. Such reinforcement also can contribute to an increase of the elasticity in the portion 125.

(189) Such reinforcement may be realized, for example, by means of an impregnation with a reinforcing agent, such as polyurethane, before or after the milling of the actual profiles.

(190) It is clear that for economical reasons, the tongue 13 and groove 14 preferably are manufactured in one piece from the board material of the panel-shaped elements 2-3, for example, by means of the necessary milling treatments. However, this does not exclude that certain portions of the tongue and/or groove and/or of the edge zone in which they are situated, are realized of another material. A possibility thereof is represented in FIG. 72, wherein in the respective edge zone an insertion piece 130 is integrated, which consists of another material than the panel-shaped element 2 and of which the tongue 13 is formed. Such insertion piece 130 consists, for example, of synthetic material, such as PVC and the like, whereas the actual board material, for example, is wood-based and consists, for example, of particle board or HDF or MDF. Other possibilities are not excluded. For example, the insertion piece may consist of MDF or HDF, whereas the board material consists of particle board.

(191) Such insertion piece 130 can be formed beforehand and be mounted at the edge of the panel-shaped element, however, it may also be realized, as schematically represented in FIG. 72, by laying on a material mass 131 along the respective edge, for example, by extrusion, and forming, after it has solidified, the respective coupling means, in this case the tongue 13, there from, for example, by means of a milling treatment. Therein, the material mass 131 can be held at the panel-shaped element by an adhesive effect and/or due to the fact that it gets stuck behind the edges of a groove 132.

(192) According to still another important embodiment of the invention, qualitatively differing board materials are applied for the panel-shaped elements, which comprise the groove, on the one hand, and the tongue, on the other hand. The panel-shaped element which comprises the least critical coupling part, which mostly is the groove, then can be made from a board material of lower quality, which makes it possible to employ a less expensive material for this purpose. In practice, this means, for example, that the panel-shaped element with the groove is made, for example, from particle board, whereas the panel-shaped element comprising the tongue is made of MDF or HDF.

(193) Unexpectedly, the inventor also has found that both the tongue and the groove can be made in one piece of particle board, even in the case of a classic particle board. Herein, it might be expected that, when both are manufactured of particle board, a brittle coupling might be created, wherein chips might come loose from the tongue and interfere with good coupling. Contrary thereto, the inventor has found that in corner connections still good results were obtained. Herein, a split tongue is extra advantageous, because both portions then are more movable when loosened portions get between the surfaces of tongue and groove, and/or because the slot forms a space in which loosened particles can be collected without having an interfering function.

(194) In particular with embodiments in particle board, it may be useful to apply a reinforcing agent, for example, such as represented in FIG. 71.

(195) According to another particular characteristic, a composed element according to the invention comprises one or more panels, wherein such panel as such comprises, at two opposite edge zones, a coupling means, as aforementioned, in the form of a tongue, and preferably further comprises no coupling means in the form of a groove. Also, it is preferred that other panels then comprise only coupling means in the form of a groove. By not applying tongue and groove at the same panel-shaped element, the panel-shaped elements can be optimized better and realized more simply. For example, then, as aforementioned, a panel-shaped element exclusively having grooves can be made of particle board, and, due to the absence of tongues at this element, there is no necessity of switching to a more expensive material, such as MDF or HDF.

(196) FIG. 73 represents another particular embodiment of a tongue 13, which is locally reinforced. In this embodiment, two reinforcement possibilities are applied.

(197) The first possibility provides a reinforcement 133 of the tongue surface, in this case at the side which is facing away from the inner corner and is facing away from the locking element. This reinforcement may consist of synthetic material or glue, which is applied on the respective surface and still better is taken up at least partially and preferably entirely in the surface. The application thereof may be performed in any manner, for example, by means of jetting on, spraying on or even by applying this synthetic material or glue on the surface by means of a transfer tape or the like, which comprises this synthetic material or glue, wherein this synthetic material or glue then is transferred onto the surface of the tongue by unrolling the tape against the surface of the tongue. After applying the synthetic material or glue, a press-on treatment may be performed in order to effect that this material penetrates into the surface of the tongue. Also, after applying and solidifying the reinforcement. a machine after-treatment of the surface may be provided, for example, by means of re-profiling by means of a finishing cutter.

(198) The second possibility is a reinforcement 134 in the form of an elastic filler in the slot 72, possibly in a widened portion 135, which to this aim is formed in the slot. In a practical application, such filler may consist of foamed glue, more particularly foamed “hot melt” glue.

(199) It is clear that the reinforcements 133 and 134 are particularly useful for particle board and actually offer solutions for usefully applying particle board, which is less expensive than MDF and HDF, in such composed elements.

(200) In FIG. 74, a portion of a composed element according to the seventeenth aspect of the invention is represented. This composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements 2-3, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein these panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling means comprising a tongue 13 and a groove 14, which substantially are realized as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling means also comprise locking elements 15-16, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of tongue and groove, with the particularity that the panel-shaped elements are formed on the basis of board material in the form of particle board consisting of two or more layers, which layers, in respect to the average fineness of the particles, have a different degree of fineness, amongst which at least one outer layer 136, 137, respectively, and each time at least a basic layer 138, 139, respectively. The basic layer 138, 139, respectively, is realized on the basis of coarser particles, more particularly chips, whereas each respective outer layer 136-137, or at least more outwardly situated layer, has a finer composition than the composition of the basic layer 138-139, in other words, with particles, chips, respectively, which on average are finer. It is clear that hereby, the advantages mentioned in the introduction are obtained. As becomes clear from the further description, in the represented corner connection in particular the outer layers 136 and 137 situated at the sides of the inner corner are of importance. However, it is preferred that particle board is used which is symmetrically constructed and thus also at the other sides comprises outer layers 140 and 141 of a finer composition than the basic layer 138, 139, respectively.

(201) It is noted that herein, such outer layer may be realized as a relatively thin layer and thus in fact functions as a kind of skin. The inventor has found that such outer layer, however small the thickness thereof may be, already contributes considerably to a better coupling.

(202) Further, FIG. 74 shows that the tongue 13 and groove 14 as well as the locking elements 15 and 16 are made in one piece as profiled parts in the board material.

(203) In the represented example, both locking elements 15 and 16 are realized at least partially, and in this case even entirely, in an outer layer 136, 137, respectively.

(204) More particularly, it is indicated that the locking element 15 over its entire height HL consists of the material of the outer layer 136, as well as over its entire length, thus, in the horizontal direction in FIG. 74. More particularly, it is even preferred herein that, as illustrated, by means of the material of the layer 136 a continuous connection remains present between this locking element 15 and the remainder of the layer 136. Thus, the transition 144 between the outer layer 136 and the basic layer 138 extends continuously through the tongue 13 up to the distal end thereof.

(205) The locking element 15 at the tongue 13 is performed in the form of a projection and has a locking surface 142, which in this case thus is situated entirely in the material of the respective outer layer 136, which allows an even finish.

(206) In the represented example, the locking element 16 at the groove 14 is situated entirely in the material of the respective outer layer 137. As indicated, the locking element 16 is situated over its entire length LL in the material of the outer layer 137. Thus, the locking element 16 at the groove 14 also has a locking surface 143, which is situated at least partially, and in this case entirely, in the material of the respective outer layer 137.

(207) According to another embodiment, the locking surface may also be situated outside of the outer layer 137, however, with a portion of this locking surface 143 at least at a distance of less than 2 mm from the transition 145 between the outer layer 137 and the basic layer 139. According to this embodiment, this means that the locking surface 143 is situated at the right hand side at a distance from the transition 145. When this distance remains limited to said 2 mm, the material of the outer layer 137 keeps exerting a useful supporting influence.

(208) Said outer layers form, as it were, a skin. The average thickness of these outer layers or skin, which is indicated by DS, preferably is situated between 1 and 5 mm and still better between 2 and 5 mm.

(209) In FIGS. 74, the transitions 144-145-146-147 are represented as rectilinear, however, in reality such transition is somewhat irregular, and such outer layer gradually merges into the basic layer. By a “transition” in a real product, thus, the average location through the transition zone has to be understood.

(210) It is noted that the outer layer 137 also forms a stable support edge 148 at the entrance of the groove 14.

(211) In the embodiment of FIG. 74, also the following preferred characteristics are applied:

(212) the tongue is split;

(213) the tongue is split and thereby divided into two portions 125-126, wherein only one portion 125 comprises a locking element 15;

(214) the tongue is split and thereby divided into two portions, wherein only one portion 125 comprises a locking element 15 and this portion 125 protrudes farther than the other portion 126;

(215) the tongue is split and the slot 72 extends deeper than the plane on which the tongue is situated;

(216) the corner connection forms an inner and an outer corner and the tongue 13 and groove 14, globally seen, are situated closer to the inner corner than to the outer corner;

(217) the tongue 13 is situated at the front end of the respective panel-shaped element 2, whereas the groove 14 is situated at a lateral surface of the respective panel-shaped element 3;

(218) the coupling means allow a connection by means of a turning movement as well as by means of a snap movement.

(219) According to another preferred characteristic of the seventeenth aspect, the particle board is provided with a coating, more particularly a melamine coating. Herein, it is preferred that such coating, as indicated by reference number 68, is at least present at the surface in which the groove is provided, and that the latter extends up to between the coupled panel-shaped elements, with the exception of the location where the groove is situated. In this manner, the direct edge regions at the entrance of the groove are reinforced.

(220) The difference in fineness among the particles of the basic layer and the outer layer is at least a visually discernible difference. Preferably, it relates to a difference as already applied in many particle boards as such. In a practical embodiment, the basic layer per weight unit will comprise a relatively large amount of chips which are larger than 2.5 mm, whereas such outer layer comprises a relatively large amount of chips having smaller dimensions.

(221) It is noted that both panel-shaped elements 2 and 3 preferably are realized from the same particle board.

(222) According to a deviating embodiment of the seventeenth aspect, only one of both panel-shaped elements is made in accordance therewith, and the other is realized in another manner. Also, panel-shaped elements may be used which are realized according to the seventeenth aspect, however, which indeed are mutually connected by the intermediary of a connecting piece, such as the aforementioned connecting piece 81.

(223) Although preferably a split tongue is used, it is noted that this does not necessarily have to be so. FIG. 75, for example, shows a variant of an embodiment with a non-split tongue 13. It is noted that such non-split embodiment also allows for a connection, for example, in particle board, however, that considerably large forces must be exerted during joining in the case that the connection must be realized by a snap movement, thereby increasing the damage risk. Also, pulling such panel-shaped elements out of each other, thus, without turning, is very difficult and is accompanied by a large damage risk. Snapping together and pulling apart such coupling, in the case of a split embodiment, mostly will be performed without a problem, certainly when the parts are driven into each other or out of each other systematically alongside the edge by means of a hammer and a tapping block. It is clear that the tongue and groove, also in an embodiment with a non-split tongue, still may possess all other mentioned characteristics.

(224) By adapting the shape and dimensions of the split tongue, the designer can determine the amount of force which is necessary for moving the panel-shaped elements by a snap movement into each other and possibly also out of each other. In this manner, it may possibly also be provided for that the required force during snapping together is not excessively large and that snapping into each other simply is possible by manual pressing on, without requiring any tools.

(225) FIG. 76 also represents that it is not excluded to provide the tongue 13 at both sides with a locking element 15, 149, respectively, although this is less recommended in certain embodiments, as then the risk increases that the portion 150 bordering the groove 14 will tear off.

(226) Finally, it is noted that the groove 14, which becomes clear, amongst others, from the examples of the FIGS. 73 to 76, as well as of many embodiments already represented above, increases in depth from the side situated farthest from the inner corner towards the side situated closest to the inner corner. For example, in FIG. 74 the groove 14 is deeper at the location of the portion 125 than at the location of the portion 126. Also, the bottom wall of the groove preferably has the shape of a fluent line and preferably also fluently merges into the sidewalls of the groove, all in order to reduce the risk of tearing in and further tearing off.

(227) In general, a “connection at an angle” must be seen broadly. This may relate to solely a corner connection, as illustrated in FIG. 74, but it may also relate to a T-connection, wherein then, for example, in FIG. 74 the panel-shaped element 3 extends further in height, or to a cross connection. Couplings according to the invention may also be applied, for example, for interconnecting furniture panels in the middle of a piece of furniture, and thus not only at a corner, for example, in order to provide a stable connection with side walls by means of shelves.

(228) It is clear that the embodiments represented in the figures always apply one or more of the aspects mentioned in the introduction, without each time explicitly referring thereto in the description of these figures.

(229) It is also clear that all aforementioned profiled parts can be realized by means of any suitable technique. For the panel-shaped elements, this preferably takes place by means of milling treatments, for example, with milling cutters which are arranged at different angles. This is also possible with the connecting pieces, however, these may also be extruded and possibly additionally finished by means of machining treatments.

(230) Although the invention, in respect to the aforementioned coupling techniques, is intended in particular for being applied when manufacturing furniture panels, it is clear that it can also be employed in other fields of application, such as wall panels, box-shaped elements, such as packaging and storage boxes, and so on.

(231) It is noted that said corner connections are suitable in particular for realizing connections at 90 degrees, however, it is not excluded to apply them also for connections at angles differing from 90 degrees.

(232) It is clear that the invention is not restricted to embodiments with panel-shaped elements, which are provided with a laminate covering, and may also be applied with any other panel-shaped elements, such as, for example, panels covered with veneer, multi-layered panels, panels made as so-called “engineered wood”, panels provided with any covering, and so on.

(233) Another general characteristic consists in that, when a composed element according to the invention comprises four panel-shaped panels all around, which respectively can be joined into each other by means of coupling means according to the invention, wherein thus four connections are realized in the corners, then at least one of the connections allows joining by means of a snap connection. More particularly, it is preferred that at least two of the other connections allow joining by turning. In the most preferred embodiment, at least two connections situated at the same panel-shaped element can be performed at least by turning, whereas the two opposite connections can be realized at least by a translation and snap movement.

(234) According to a particular aspect of the invention, the panel-shaped elements 2-3 of such composed element, in particular in the case of furniture panels, are manufactured of wood fiberboard of the type such as MDF, however, with a low density, which means an average density of less than 600 kg per cubic meter, also called Low Density Fiberboard, and preferably even less than 550 kg per cubic meter. The inventor has found that such floor panels, contrary to an application in floors, indeed may be applied in the furniture branch, while coupling means, such as discussed above, can be realized in an effective manner, while in fact a reduction of weight as well as of material is achieved compared to classic MDF.

(235) The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described as an example and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such composed element, such multi-layered board, as well as such panel-shaped elements be realized in various forms and dimensions, without leaving the scope of the invention.

(236) Finally, it is noted that according to the invention, by a “composed element” an element has to be understood which comprises two or more elements, more particularly panel-shaped elements, which already are composed, as well as comprises elements which are not yet composed, however, which are intended for being composed.