CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT FOR PANELS

Abstract

A connection arrangement for panels includes a first panel having a first main plane, a second panel having a second main plane, the first main plane is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane in a connected state. The second panel includes a groove on a first face adapted to receive a first protruding edge. The groove has a longitudinal recess on a side for receiving a flexible locking element, the protruding edge has a longitudinal insertion recess on one side of the protruding edge for holding the flexible locking element. The groove includes a first groove section and an adjacent groove section connected by an intermediate groove section. The first edge includes a first protruding section and an adjacent protruding section, wherein the first groove section is configured to cooperate with the first protruding section, and the adjacent groove section is configured to cooperate with the adjacent protruding section.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement for panels, comprising a first panel having a first main plane, a second panel having a second main plane, the first main plane is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane in a connected state, wherein the second panel comprises a groove on a first face adapted to cooperate with a first protruding edge which is formed in one piece with the first panel, wherein the first protruding edge comprises a longitudinal insertion recess at a side of the first protruding edge, wherein a flexible locking element is arranged in the longitudinal insertion recess, wherein a side of the groove comprises a longitudinal recess which is configured to cooperate with the flexible locking element in the connected state, wherein the groove comprises, in a longitudinal extent along the first face, at least a first groove section, an intermediate groove section, and an adjacent groove section, wherein the intermediate groove section is longitudinally between the first groove section and the adjacent groove section, wherein a panel thickness of the intermediate groove section is greater than a panel thickness of the first groove section and a panel thickness of the adjacent groove section, wherein the first protruding edge comprises at least a first protruding section and an adjacent protruding section, and wherein the first groove section is configured to cooperate with the first protruding section and the adjacent groove section is configured to cooperate with the adjacent protruding section in the connected state.

2. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate groove section between the first groove section and the adjacent groove section is a groove with a depth that is less than a depth of the first and adjacent groove sections, wherein an intermediate protruding section between the first protruding section and the adjacent protruding section has a height that is less than a height of the first and adjacent protruding sections.

3. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate groove section between the first groove section and the adjacent groove section is a bridging part with essentially the same thickness as a thickness of the remainder of the second panel.

4. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a length of one of the first protruding section and the adjacent protruding section is greater than a length of the other of the first protruding section and the adjacent protruding section.

5. The connection arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a length of one of the first groove section and the adjacent groove section is greater than a length of the other of the first groove section and the adjacent groove section.

6. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a first height of one of the first protruding section and the adjacent protruding section is greater than a height of the other of the first protruding section and an adjacent protruding section.

7. The connection arrangement according to claim 6, wherein a first depth of one of the first groove section and the adjacent groove section is less than a depth of the other of the first groove section and the adjacent groove section.

8. The connection arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first height of one of the protruding sections is greater than the first depth of one of the first groove section and the adjacent groove section.

9. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a length of the first protruding section and the adjacent protruding section, respectively, is less than a length of the corresponding first groove section and the adjacent groove section, respectively.

10. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein outer ends of the protruding sections are beveled.

11. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second panel has an opening on an edge of the panel extending into the longitudinal recess of the groove for allowing an unlocking tool to be inserted thereinto.

12. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one intermediate groove section between two adjacent groove sections in the groove on the second panel has a recess adapted to receive a dowel arranged between two protruding sections on the first edge of the first panel.

13. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the flexible locking element is configured to be compressed towards a bottom surface of the longitudinal insertion recess.

14. The connection arrangement according to claim 13, herein the flexible locking element comprises a polymer material.

15. The connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the a first panel and the second panel comprise wood based materials.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cabinet.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an enlarged portion of a panel shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a plane view of a panel according to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of segment L in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a plane view of an alternative embodiment of a panel of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a plane view of a further alternative embodiment of a panel of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 7 is an illustration of protruding sections and grooves of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of panel showing a groove according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 9A is a sideview of a panel of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 9B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 9B.

[0038] FIG. 10A shows the connection between two panels.

[0039] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a flexible locking element.

[0040] FIGS. 10C and 10D show an embodiment of the flexible locking element arranged in an embodiment of the longitudinal insertion recess.

[0041] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a panel with an unlocking tool.

[0042] FIG. 12 shows a panel with several unlocking tools.

[0043] FIGS. 13A and 13B show an unlocking tool.

[0044] FIGS. 14A to 14C show a cabinet with panels having an additional connecting part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Specific embodiments of the invention now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 1, a non-assembled cabinet is shown. The connection arrangement comprises a first panel 1 having a first main plane A and a second panel 2 having a second main plane B. The first main plane A is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane B in a connected state. The second panel 2 comprises a groove 3 on a first face 4 adapted to receive a first protruding edge 5 which is formed in one piece with the first panel 1. The groove 3 has a longitudinal recess 12, see FIG. 8, on a side of the groove 3 for receiving a flexible locking element 13, see FIG. 5. The protruding edge 5 has a longitudinal insertion recess 14, see FIGS. 3 and 4, on one side of the protruding edge 5 for holding the flexible locking element 13.

[0047] The groove 3 comprises at least a first groove section 6 and an adjacent groove section 7 connected by an intermediate groove section 8. In embodiments, the intermediate groove section 8 may be a bridging part.

[0048] The first protruding edge 5 comprises a first protruding section 9 and an adjacent protruding section 10. The first groove section 6 is configured to cooperate with the first protruding section 9, and the adjacent groove section 7 is configured to cooperate with the adjacent protruding section 10. The outer ends of the protruding sections 9, 10 may be beveled.

[0049] The groove 3 may be formed by mechanical cutting, such as milling, of the second panel 2.

[0050] The first protruding edge 5 may be formed by mechanical cutting, such as milling, of the first panel 1.

[0051] The first panel 1 and/or the second panel 2 may comprise wood based materials, such as a particle board, plywood board, an HDF-board, an MDF-board, and solid wood.

[0052] The flexible locking element 13 may comprise a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic.

[0053] The flexible locking element 13 may be an injection moulded or extruded component which may comprise a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic.

[0054] In FIG. 2, it is shown more clearly that the intermediate groove section 8 between the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 is a groove with a depth d which is less than a depth D of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7, respectively.

[0055] The depth D of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 may be in the range of 8 mm to 12 mm, such as 10 mm.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the first panel 1 and FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of the encircled area L in FIG. 3. The embodiment of the first panel comprises an intermediate protruding section 11 between the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10. The intermediate protruding section 11 has a height h which is less than a height H of the first protruding sections 10 and the adjacent protruding sections 10, respectively.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the first panel 1. A first height HG of the first protruding section 9 is in this embodiment greater than a height HL of the adjacent protruding section 10.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the first panel 1. A length PL of the first protruding section 9 is in this embodiment greater than a length PI of the adjacent protruding section 10.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows embodiments of the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10 arranged above corresponding embodiments of the first groove sections 6 and adjacent groove sections 7 for facilitating understanding of the various lengths etc. The length GL of first groove section 6 is greater than the length GI of the adjacent groove section 7.

[0060] The length PI of the first protruding section 9 may be less than the length GI of the corresponding first groove section 6. The length PL of the first protruding section 9 may be measured at its outermost edge.

[0061] The length PL of the adjacent protruding section 10 may be less than the length of the corresponding adjacent groove section 7. The length PL of the adjacent protruding section 10 may be measured at its outermost edge.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the groove 3. In this embodiment a first depth DL of the first groove section 6 may be less than a depth DG of the adjacent groove section 7. The depth d of the intermediate groove section 8 may be less the first depth DL of the first groove section 6.

[0063] The first depth DL of the first groove section 6 may be measured between the first face 4 of the second panel 2 and a bottom surface 47 of the first groove section 6.

[0064] The first depth DG of the adjacent groove section 7 may be measured between the first face 4 of the second panel 2 and a bottom surface 48 of the adjacent groove section 6.

[0065] The depth d of the intermediate groove section 8 may be measured between the first face 4 of the second panel 2 and a bottom surface 49 of the intermediate groove section 8.

[0066] In other embodiments the first depth DL of the first groove section 6 may be the same as the depth DG of the adjacent groove section 7.

[0067] A panel thickness 43 of the intermediate groove section 8 may be greater than a panel thickness 44 of the first groove section 6 and a panel thickness 45 of the adjacent groove section 7.

[0068] The panel thickness 42 of the second panel 2 may be measured between the first face 4 of the second panel 2 and an opposite face 46 of the second panel 2.

[0069] The panel thickness 43 of the intermediate groove section 8 may be measured between the bottom surface 49 of the intermediate groove section 8 and the opposite face 46 of the second panel 2.

[0070] The panel thickness 44 of the first groove section 6 may be measured between the bottom surface 47 of the first groove section 6 and the opposite face 46 of the second panel 2.

[0071] The panel thickness 45 of the adjacent groove section 7 may be measured between the bottom surface 48 of the adjacent groove section 7 and the opposite face 46 of the second panel 2.

[0072] The intermediate groove section 8 between the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 may be a bridging part with essentially the same thickness as a thickness 42 of the remainder of the second panel 2.

[0073] The first height HG of one of the protruding sections may be greater than the first depth DL of one of the groove sections. For instance, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the height HG of protruding section 10 is greater than the depth DL of first groove section 6 such that the entire protruding section 10 cannot enter fully into the first groove section 6. The depth d of the intermediate groove section 8 could be varied.

[0074] If it is a requirement to have the option to separate the panels without damaging the panels, the depth d of the intermediate groove section should be at least enough to go to same level as the bottom most part of the longitudinal recess 12. This is shown in FIG. 8.

[0075] Thus, an unlocking tool can be inserted in the longitudinal recess 12 through both groove sections, i.e., the first groove section and the second groove section, from one side. For regular panels used in homes, for instance in a kitchen cabinet, the depth d of the intermediate groove section may be in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, such as 6 mm to 7 mm.

[0076] FIGS. 9A and 9B, FIG. 9B being an enlarged portion of FIG. 9A, show the groove 3 in more detail and especially the longitudinal recess 12. In FIG. 10A, two panels are connected and the flexible locking element 13 has flexed outwards from the longitudinal recess 14 of the protruding section 9, 10 into the longitudinal recess 12, see FIG. 10A, of the groove 3 and thereby locking the two panels in an assembled position.

[0077] A thickness 41 of the first panel 1 and/or a thickness 42 of the second panel 2 may be in the range of about 8 mm to 25 mm, such as 15 mm to 20 mm, such as 16 mm to 19 mm. The first panel and the second panel may have the same, or different, thicknesses 41, 42.

[0078] FIG. 10B shows in a 3D-view an embodiment of the flexible locking element 13. The flexible locking element 13 may comprise a bendable portion 34, such as a first bendable portion and a second bendable portion. The flexible tongue 33 may comprise a recess 36 at each of said bendable portions 34. An advantage with this embodiment of the flexible tongue is that a stronger spring force may be obtained which may provide a stronger locking.

[0079] The flexible locking element 13 may comprise an outer edge, with a beveled or rounded shape.

[0080] The flexible locking element 13 may comprise a protruding friction element 107 on the first and/or second bendable portion 34.

[0081] FIG. 10C shows in a cross-cut view an embodiment of the flexible locking element 13 arranged in an embodiment of the longitudinal insertion recess 14.

[0082] FIG. 10D shows in a cross-cut view that an embodiment of the flexible locking element 13 may be compressed in a direction 32 toward a bottom surface 31 of an embodiment of the longitudinal insertion recess 14. The flexible locking element 13 may be compressed to a compressed state in which essentially the whole flexible locking element is within the longitudinal insertion recess 14. The compressed state may facilitate an assembling of the panels.

[0083] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a panel with a groove that has an opening on an edge of the panel extending into the longitudinal recess 12 of the groove 3 for allowing an unlocking tool/release key 15 to be inserted thereinto. When disconnecting two panels from one another, the unlocking tool 15 is inserted and pushed along the longitudinal recess 12 of the groove 3 such that the flexible locking tool 13 is pushed out of the longitudinal recess 12. When fully inserted the two panels are possible to disconnect without damaging them. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a panel with several unlocking tools 15 that are flexible such that they can be bent when unlocking two panels from one another. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the unlocking tool 15 in different bent states. The unlocking tool 15 may be flexible in all directions which makes it possible to insert unlocking tools 15 in different directions and unlock more than one panel at the same time. As can be seen at the tip 16 of the embodiment in FIG. 13A, the unlocking tool 15 may have a triangular cross section. The longitudinal recess 12 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9B may have also a triangular cross section. Thus, when the unlocking tool 15 is fully inserted, the unlocking tool may fill up more or less the entire longitudinal recess 12 such that no part of the flexible locking element 13 is left in the longitudinal recess 12, and the panels can be separated. Other shapes than a triangular shape are possible to have of the longitudinal recess, however, then the cross section of the unlocking tool may be adapted to have compatible shape to be able to push the flexible locking element out of the longitudinal recess.

[0084] FIG. 14B shows an embodiment of the second panel 2 which comprises two intermediate groove sections 8 between two adjacent groove sections 6, 7 in the groove 3. The intermediate groove sections 8 comprise recesses 17.

[0085] FIG. 14C shows an embodiment of the first panel which comprises dowels 18 arranged between adjacent protruding sections 9, 10 on the first edge 5 of the first panel 1. The dowels 18 may be configured to be inserted in the recesses 17. This could be advantageous from a strength point of view since the first panel 1 would be prevented from sliding in the groove 3 of the second panel 2.

[0086] The protruding sections 9, 10 of the first panel 1 may be shorter than the sections 6, 7 of the second panel 2. The dowels 18 and the recess 17 may be configured to in the assembled state counteract a relative movement between the first panel 1 and the second panel 2.

[0087] In the shown embodiment, there are two dowels 18 and two recesses 17. Embodiments may only have one pair of a dowel and a recess or more than two pairs.

[0088] FIG. 14A shows a cabinet which may comprise the second panel 2 in FIG. 14B, the first panel 1 in FIG. 14C. The second panel 2 may be a side panel and the first panel 1 may be a back panel. The cabinet may further comprise a bottom panel 22, a top panel 21 and another opposite side panel 23.

[0089] The dowels 18 and the recesses 17 may increase the strength of the assembled cabinet. The strength may be measured by applying a load 25 on the bottom panel 22 or a load 24 the top panel 21. The strength may be measured according to ANSI/KCMA 5.2 static load.

[0090] Further embodiments are described below: [0091] 1. A connection arrangement for panels, comprising a first panel 1 having a first main plane A, a second panel 2 having a second main plane B, the first main plane A is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane B in a connected state, wherein the second panel 2 comprises a groove 3 on a first face 4 adapted to receive a first protruding edge 5 integrally formed with the first panel 1, the groove 3 having a longitudinal recess 12 on a side of the groove 3 for receiving a flexible locking element 13, wherein the first protruding edge 5 has a longitudinal recess 14 on one side of the first protruding edge 5 for holding the flexible locking element 13, wherein the groove 3 comprises at least a first groove section 6 and an adjacent groove section 7 connected by an intermediate groove section 8, and wherein the first protruding edge 5 comprises at least a first protruding section 9 and an adjacent protruding section 10, wherein the first groove section 6 is configured to cooperate with the first protruding section 9, and the adjacent groove section 7 is configured to cooperate with the adjacent protruding section 10. [0092] 2. The connection arrangement according to embodiment 1, wherein the intermediate groove section 8 between the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 is a groove with a depth d that is less than a depth D of the first and adjacent groove sections 6, 7, wherein an intermediate protruding section 11 between the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10 has a height h that is less than a height H of the first and adjacent protruding sections 9, 10. [0093] 3. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a length PL of one of the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10 is greater than a length PI of the other of the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10. [0094] 4. The connection arrangement according to embodiment 3, wherein a length GL of one of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 is greater than a length GI of the other of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7. [0095] 5. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first height HG of one of the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10 is greater than a height HL of the other of the first protruding section 9 and an adjacent protruding section 10. [0096] 6. The connection arrangement according to embodiment 5, wherein a first depth DL of one of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7 is less than a depth DG of the other of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7. [0097] 7. The connection arrangement according to embodiment 6, wherein the first height HG of one of the protruding sections 9, 10 is greater than the first depth DL of one of the first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7. [0098] 8. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a length PL, PI of the first protruding section 9 and the adjacent protruding section 10, respectively, is less than a length GL, GI of the corresponding first groove section 6 and the adjacent groove section 7, respectively. [0099] 9. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein outer ends of the protruding sections 9, 10 are beveled. [0100] 10. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second panel 2 has an opening on an edge of the panel extending into the longitudinal recess 12 of the groove 3 for allowing an unlocking tool 15 to be inserted thereinto. [0101] 11. The connection arrangement according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one intermediate groove section 8 between two adjacent groove sections 6, 7 in the groove 3 on the second panel 2 has a recess 17 adapted to receive a dowel 18 arranged between two protruding sections 9, 10 on the first edge 5 of the first panel 1.

[0102] The indefinite articles a and an, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean at least one. The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

[0103] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the appended claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.