Cabinet assembling device

Abstract

The cabinet (1) comprises two side panels (2, 3), a top panel (4), a bottom panel (5) and a back panel (6). The cabinet (1) further comprises a rectangular front frame (7), wherein one side (8) of said front frame (7) faces a front edge (9) of each of said two side panels (2, 3), top panel (4) and bottom panel (5). Each front edge (9) comprises an integrally formed elongated protruding section (11). The rectangular front frame (7) comprises elongated grooves (10) each configured for mechanical locking with one of the elongated protruding sections (11), where each elongated groove (10) is provided on one side thereof with a longitudinal recess (12) for receiving a flexible locking element (13), where each protruding section (11) comprises a longitudinal insertion recess (14) for holding a flexible locking element (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a cabinet comprising two side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, and a rectangular front frame. Background Art

[0002] In the past, assembling two or more objects into a single component (such as furniture) required tools such as a drill, screwdriver, hammer, and wrench. Sometimes glue was also needed.

[0003] Starting with click-lock flooring, tool-free assembly has been further developed and many types of household furniture can be assembled without tools or at least with minimal tools.

[0004] WO 2012 / 154113 A1 discloses a set of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel. When the panels are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, the edge of the second panel can be inserted into a groove of the first panel to achieve a mechanical connection between the first and second panels when the second panel is displaced substantially perpendicular to the first panel. The edge includes a separate flexible tongue, and the groove includes a tongue groove, or the edge includes a tongue groove, and the groove includes a separate flexible tongue. The separate flexible tongue can be inserted into the tongue groove to connect the panels to one another in a first direction parallel to the main plane of the first panel. The edge of the second panel is configured to cooperate with the groove of the first panel to connect the panels to one another in a second direction parallel to the main plane of the second panel. The length direction of the separate flexible tongue extends parallel to the edge and / or groove. The groove includes an opening, two sidewalls, and a bottom. The separate flexible tongue is arranged to be inserted into the groove. A separate flexible tongue has an inner portion mounted in the insertion groove and an outer portion extending outside the opening of the insertion groove. During locking, the flexible tongue can be displaced inwardly toward the bottom of the insertion groove and outwardly into the tongue groove. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a cabinet that can be assembled without any tools. This can be achieved by a cabinet according to the accompanying claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cabinet comprising two side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a back panel. The cabinet further comprises a rectangular front frame, wherein one side of the front frame faces the front edges of the two side panels, the top panel and the bottom panel respectively. Each front edge comprises an integrally formed (e.g., formed as a single piece with the corresponding panel) elongated protruding section. The rectangular front frame comprises elongated grooves, wherein each groove is configured for mechanical locking with one of the elongated protruding sections. Each elongated groove comprises a longitudinal recess on one side thereof for receiving a flexible locking element. In addition, each protruding section comprises a longitudinal insertion recess for retaining the flexible locking element.

[0007] The particular arrangement disclosed above can be assembled without the use of tools and can remain sufficiently stable without the use of glue / adhesive. An assembled cabinet is sufficiently stable when it can remain locked in response to reasonable forces that it will be subjected to during use.

[0008] According to one optional aspect of the present disclosure, two of the four panels, whose edges face the rectangular front frame, are connected to the front frame. Preferably, if the cabinet's cross-section is not square, the two longer panel edges are connected to the front frame using a mechanical locking system of the type disclosed herein. In another optional solution, three panel edges are connected to the front frame using a mechanical locking system of the type disclosed herein.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the top and bottom panels can be connected to the two side panels using a mechanical locking system of the type disclosed herein. The two side panels can be connected to the front frame and back panel using a mechanical locking system of the type disclosed herein.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the back panel is also arranged to be mechanically locked with the two side panels, the top panel and the bottom panel.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the edge of the back panel has an elongated protruding section for mechanical locking with the corresponding elongated grooves of the two side panels.

[0012] The side panels, top panel, bottom panel, back panel and rectangular front frame may comprise wood-based materials, such as particle board, plywood, HDF board, MDF board and solid wood.

[0013] The flexible locking element may comprise a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic or a thermoset.

[0014] The flexible locking element may be an injection molded or extruded component, which may comprise a polymeric material, such as a thermoplastic.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the edges of the top and bottom panels have elongated protruding sections for mechanical locking with corresponding elongated grooves of the back panel.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the side panels, the back panel, and the front frame may each have an upper groove for connecting to the top panel, and the side panels, the back panel, and the front frame may each have a lower groove for connecting to the bottom panel. The distance between the upper groove and the lower groove of the side panels, the back panel, and the front frame and their respective edges is greater than half the thickness of the top panel or the bottom panel; the distance is measured from the groove edge closest to the respective edge.

[0017] According to an optional aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal recesses of the upper and lower grooves in the side panels are located on the side of the groove closest to their respective edges. This allows for variations in panel thickness to minimize any potential gaps.

[0018] According to yet another optional aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal recesses of the upper and lower grooves in the back panel are located on a side of the groove closest to its respective edge.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal recesses of the upper and lower grooves in the front frame are located on a side of the groove closest to its respective edge.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the protruding section includes an elongated notch on one side of the panel, with a longitudinal bevel between the notch and the panel side. Furthermore, the groove may include an elongated bevel on one side, which generally corresponds to the longitudinal bevel of the corresponding panel with the protruding section, for example, within 5 degrees. The longitudinal bevel and the elongated bevel may be parallel. This allows for variations in panel thickness without creating gaps. According to a preferred aspect of this solution, the longitudinal recess of the groove and the bevel are located on the same side of the groove.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and other 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, in which:

[0023] Figure 1A is an exploded perspective view of a cabinet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1B In assembled state Figure 1Acabinets.

[0025] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A front frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in two views.

[0026] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A side panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in two views.

[0027] Figure 3C yes Figure 3B A partial enlarged view of .

[0028] Figure 4A and 4B The connection between two panels is shown.

[0029] Figure 5A and 5B An alternative connection arrangement between two panels is shown.

[0030] Figure 6A and 6B One embodiment of a flexible locking element arranged in one embodiment of a longitudinal insertion recess is shown.

[0031] Figure 6C One embodiment of a flexible locking element is shown in 3D.

[0032] Figure 6D An enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a side panel is shown.

[0033] Figure 6E An enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a top or bottom panel is shown.

[0034] Figure 6F An enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a side panel and an enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a top or bottom panel are shown in the connected state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for comprehensiveness and completeness. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0036] refer to Figure 1A, the cabinet 1 comprises two side panels 2, 3, a top panel 4, a bottom panel 5 and a back panel 6. The cabinet 1 further comprises a rectangular front frame 7, wherein one side 8 of the front frame 7 faces the front edges 9 of the two side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 5 respectively. Each front edge 9 comprises an integrally formed elongated protruding section 11. In this embodiment, each front edge 9 comprises a protruding section 11 formed as one piece with the corresponding panel. The rectangular front frame 7 comprises an elongated groove 10, see Figure 2A and Figure 2B , wherein each groove 10 is configured for mechanical locking with one of the elongated protruding sections 11. Each elongated groove 10 includes a longitudinal recess 12 located on one side of each groove 10, see Figure 3A , for receiving the flexible locking element 13. Each protruding section 11 comprises a longitudinal insertion recess 14 for holding the flexible locking element 13, see Figure 3A .

[0037] The protruding section 11 can be formed integrally with one of the two side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4, and the bottom panel 5. The protruding section can be the entire front edge or a portion of the front edge. The longitudinal insertion recess can extend along the entire front edge, or at least effectively along the entire front edge, except where there is an elongated groove for receiving the top or bottom panel. The longitudinal insertion recess can extend along only a portion of the front edge. For example, the longitudinal ends of the longitudinal insertion recess may not extend to the longitudinal ends of the front edge.

[0038] The protruding section 11 may be formed by mechanical cutting (eg, milling).

[0039] The side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4, the bottom panel 5, the back panel 6 and the rectangular front frame 7 may consist of wood-based materials, such as particle board, plywood, HDF board, MDF board and solid wood.

[0040] The flexible locking element 13 may comprise a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic.

[0041] The flexible locking element 13 may be an injection molded or extruded component, which may comprise a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic.

[0042] It can also be seen that the back panel 6 can be arranged for mechanical locking with the two side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 5. The side edges of the back panel 6 have elongated protruding sections 11 for said mechanical locking with corresponding elongated grooves 10 of the two side panels 2, 3.

[0043] The rear edges of the top and bottom panels 4 , 5 may have elongated protruding sections 11 for mechanical locking with corresponding elongated grooves 10 of the back panel 6 .

[0044] In one embodiment, the side panels may include one edge with a protruding section, namely the front edge, and three edges, namely the top edge, the bottom edge, and the back edge, each with an elongated groove. The top and bottom panels may each have four edges, each with a protruding section. The front frame may have four edges, each with an elongated groove. The back panel may include a top edge and a bottom edge, each with an elongated groove, and side edges, each with a protruding section.

[0045] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A The side view of the panels 2, 3 is shown, Figure 3C Shown Figure 3B A partial enlarged view of .

[0046] Go to Figure 4A , the two panels are connected together so that the protruding section 11 of one panel 4, 5 is inserted into the groove 10 of the other panel 2, 3. Figure 4B (It is Figure 4A As shown in the enlarged partial view of the cabinet (see FIG2 ), the longitudinal recess 12 is located closest to the edge of the panels 2, 3. The left sides of the vertically arranged panels 4, 5 are flat, which means that any thickness variations of the horizontally arranged panels 2, 3 will not create a gap between the panels that is visible from the inside of the cabinet.

[0047] In one embodiment, all connections of the protruding sections to the grooves in the cabinet are arranged so that the longitudinal recesses face away from the cabinet interior. This reduces the gaps between the panels visible from the cabinet interior.

[0048] Furthermore, the upper and lower grooves of the side panels 2, 3, the back panel 6, and the front frame 7 can be spaced an edge distance 41 from their respective edges 43. The top panel 4 and / or the bottom panel 5 can have a panel thickness 42. This edge distance can be 0.2 to 5 times the panel thickness 42, such as 0.3 to 4 times the panel thickness 42, such as 0.4 to 3 times the panel thickness 42, such as 0.5 to 2 times the panel thickness 42. This edge distance can be measured from the outer groove surface to the outer edge surface 43.

[0049] The longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower grooves 10 in the side panels 2 and 3 can be located on the side of the grooves 10 closest to their respective edges. Similarly, the longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower grooves 10 in the back panel 6 can also be located on the side of the grooves 10 closest to their respective edges. The principle is as follows Figure 3C shown.

[0050] The longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower grooves 10 in the front frame 7 may be located on a side of the groove 10 closest to its respective edge.

[0051] like Figure 5A and 5B , which illustrates an embodiment in which a protruding section 11 has an elongated notch on one side of the panel, with a longitudinal bevel 15 between the notch and the panel side. Alternatively, the corresponding groove 10 may have an elongated bevel 16 on one side, which generally corresponds to the longitudinal bevel of the panel with the protruding section 11, for example within 5°. It can also be seen that the longitudinal recess 12 of the groove may be located on the same side of the groove as the bevel 16.

[0052] Figure 6A An embodiment of a flexible locking element 13 is shown in a cross-sectional view, which is arranged in an embodiment of a longitudinal insertion recess 14 .

[0053] Figure 6B In a cross-sectional view, it is shown that one embodiment of the flexible locking element 13 can be compressed in a direction 32 toward a bottom surface 31 of one embodiment of the longitudinal insertion recess 14. The flexible locking element 13 can be compressed to a compressed state in which substantially the entire flexible locking element is located within the longitudinal insertion recess 14. The compressed state can facilitate assembly of the panels.

[0054] Figure 6C An embodiment of a flexible locking element 13 is shown in a 3D view. The flexible locking element 13 may include bendable portions 34, such as a first bendable portion and a second bendable portion. The flexible tongue 33 may include a recess 36 at each of the bendable portions 34. This embodiment of the flexible tongue has the advantage that a greater spring force can be achieved, thereby providing a stronger locking effect.

[0055] The flexible locking element 13 may comprise an outer edge having a chamfered or rounded shape.

[0056] The flexible locking element 13 may include protruding friction elements 107 on the first and / or second bendable portion 34 .

[0057] Figure 6D An enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a side panel 2, 3 is shown in cross-section.

[0058] Figure 6E An enlarged end portion of one embodiment of a top panel 4 or a bottom panel 5 is shown in cross-section.

[0059] Figure 6F Shown in cross-section Figure 6D The enlarged end portion of the embodiment of the side panels 2, 3 shown in FIG, which are connected to Figure 6EAn enlarged end portion of an embodiment of a top panel 4 or a bottom panel 5 is shown.

[0060] Further embodiments are described below:

[0061] 1. A cabinet 1, comprising two side panels 2, 3, a top panel 4, a bottom panel 5, a back panel 6 and a rectangular front frame 7, wherein one side 8 of the front frame 7 faces the front edges 9 of the two side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 5, each front edge 9 includes an integrally formed slender protruding section 11, and the rectangular front frame 7 includes slender grooves 10, each slender groove 10 is configured to be mechanically locked with one of the slender protruding sections 11, and wherein each slender groove 10 is provided with a longitudinal recess 12 on one side of each groove 10 for receiving a flexible locking element 13, wherein each of the slender protruding sections 11 includes a longitudinal insertion recess 14 for retaining the flexible locking element 13.

[0062] 2. The cabinet 1 according to embodiment 1, wherein the back panel 6 is arranged to be mechanically locked with the two side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 5.

[0063] 3. The cabinet 1 according to embodiment 2, wherein the side edges of the back panel 6 have elongated protruding sections 11 for mechanical locking with corresponding elongated grooves 10 of the two side panels 2, 3.

[0064] 4. The cabinet 1 according to any one of embodiments 2 and 3, wherein the rear edges of the top panel 4 and the bottom panel 5 have elongated protruding sections 11 for mechanical locking with corresponding elongated grooves 10 of the back panel 6.

[0065] 5. A cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the distance between the upper elongated groove 10 and / or the lower elongated groove 10 of the side panels 2, 3, the back panel 6 and the front frame 7 and their respective edges is greater than half the thickness of the top panel 4 or the bottom panel 5.

[0066] 6. The cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower elongated grooves 10 in the side panels 2, 3 are respectively located on a side of the groove 10 closest to its respective edge.

[0067] 7. The cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower elongated grooves 10 in the back panel 6 are respectively located on a side of the groove 10 closest to its respective edge.

[0068] 8. The cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the longitudinal recesses 12 of the upper and lower elongated grooves 10 in the front frame 7 are respectively located on a side of the groove 10 closest to its respective edge.

[0069] 9. A cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more of the protruding sections 11 include an elongated notch located on one side of the panel, with a longitudinal bevel 15 between the notch and the side of the panel, wherein one or more of the elongated grooves 10 have an elongated bevel 16 on one side thereof corresponding to the longitudinal bevel 15 of the protruding section 11, wherein the longitudinal bevel 15 and the elongated bevel 16 are optionally parallel.

[0070] 10. The cabinet 1 according to embodiment 9, wherein the longitudinal recess 12 of the groove 10 and the elongated inclined surface 16 are located on the same side of the groove.

[0071] 11. The cabinet 1 according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the side panels 2, 3, the top panel 4, the bottom panel 5, the back panel 6 and the rectangular front frame 7 comprise wood-based materials, such as particle board, plywood, HDF board, MDF board and solid wood.

[0072] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than those described above are also possible within the scope of the present invention. In addition to the combinations described, the different features of the present invention can be combined in other combinations. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[0073] The indefinite articles "a" and "an" used in this specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless expressly stated otherwise. The phrase "and / or" used in this specification and claims should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements involved, that is, these elements may be present simultaneously in some cases and separately in other cases.

Claims

1. A cabinet (1), comprising two side panels (2, 3), a top panel (4), a bottom panel (5), a back panel (6) and a rectangular front frame (7), wherein: One side (8) of the front frame (7) faces the front edge (9) of each of the two side panels (2, 3), the top panel (4) and the bottom panel (5), each front edge (9) including an integrally formed elongated protruding section (11), for example, an elongated protruding section (11) formed as a single piece with the corresponding panel, the rectangular front frame (7) including elongated grooves (10), each elongated groove (10) being configured to cooperate with one of the elongated protruding sections (11) to achieve mechanical locking, wherein each elongated groove (10) includes a longitudinal recess (12) located on one side of each groove (10), each elongated protruding section (11) including a flexible locking element (13) arranged in a longitudinal insertion recess (14), the flexible locking element (13) of one of the elongated protruding sections (11) being configured to cooperate with the longitudinal recess (12) of one of the elongated grooves (10) to achieve mechanical locking.

2. The cabinet (1) according to claim 1, wherein The flexible locking element is configured to be pressed toward a bottom surface of the longitudinal insertion recess (14).

3. The cabinet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The longitudinal recesses (12) of the upper elongated groove (10) and the lower elongated groove (10) of the front frame (7) are respectively located on the side of the elongated groove (10) closest to their respective edges.

4. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The edge of the back panel (6) includes an elongated protruding section (11) configured to cooperate with a matching elongated groove (10) of each of the two side panels (2, 3) to achieve mechanical locking.

5. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The back edge of the top panel (4) and the back edge of the bottom panel (5) each include an elongated protruding section (11) configured to cooperate with a matching elongated groove (10) of the back panel (6) to achieve mechanical locking.

6. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The side edges of the top panel (4) and the side edges of the bottom panel (5) each include an elongated protruding section (11) configured to cooperate with matching upper and lower elongated grooves (10) of each of the two side panels (2, 3) to achieve mechanical locking.

7. The cabinet (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The elongated protruding section (11) of one or more edges comprises a flexible locking element (13) arranged in a longitudinal insertion recess (14), wherein the matching elongated groove (10) comprises a longitudinal recess (12), and wherein the flexible locking element (13) is configured to cooperate with the longitudinal recess (12) to achieve mechanical locking.

8. The cabinet (1) according to claim 7, wherein: The longitudinal recesses (12) of the upper and lower elongated grooves (10) of the side panels (2, 3) are respectively located on the side of the upper and lower elongated grooves (10) closest to their respective edges.

9. The cabinet (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The longitudinal recesses (12) of the upper and lower elongated grooves (10) of the back panel (6) are respectively located on the side of the upper and lower elongated grooves (10) closest to their respective edges.

10. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The flexible locking element (13) comprises a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic material.

11. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The upper elongated groove (10) and / or the lower elongated groove (10) of each of the side panels (2, 3), the back panel (6) and the front frame (7) are respectively separated from their respective edges 43 by an edge distance 41, wherein the top panel 4 and / or the bottom panel 5 has a panel thickness 42, wherein the edge distance 41 is in the range of 0.2 to 5 times the panel thickness 42, for example 0.3 to 4 times the panel thickness 42, for example 0.4 to 3 times the panel thickness 42, for example 0.5 to 2 times the panel thickness 42.

12. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The longitudinal recesses (12) of the upper and lower elongated grooves (10) in the back panel (6) are respectively located on the side of the groove (10) closest to their respective edges.

13. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein One or more protruding sections (11) comprise an elongated notch on one side of the panel, with a longitudinal bevel (15) between the notch and the side of the panel, wherein one or more elongated grooves (10) have an elongated bevel (16) on one side of the elongated groove corresponding to the longitudinal bevel (15) of the protruding section (11), wherein the longitudinal bevel (15) and the elongated bevel (16) are optionally parallel.

14. The cabinet (1) according to claim 13, wherein The longitudinal recess (12) of the groove (10) and the elongated inclined surface (16) are located on the same side of the groove.

15. The cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The side panels (2, 3), the top panel (4), the bottom panel (5), the back panel (6) and the rectangular front frame (7) comprise wood-based materials such as particle board, plywood, HDF board, MDF board and solid wood.

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