Wedge-shaped tongue insertion groove

Abstract

A set is disclosed that includes a first panel (1), a second panel (2), and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel (1) to the second panel (2). The first panel (1) includes a first end face (11) and a first panel surface (12), and the second panel (2) includes a second end face (21) and a second panel surface (22). The mechanical locking device includes an insertion groove (3) in the first end face (11), the insertion groove (3) having a first displacement surface (30) and an opposite second displacement surface (31), a bottom surface (32), and a depth direction (D). The insertion groove (3) comprises a flexible tongue (4) and an end tongue with a tongue groove (5), the flexible tongue (4) is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove (5) to lock the first panel (1) to the second panel (2), and the first and second displacement surfaces (30, 31) of the insertion groove (3) converge.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to panels configured to be locked together with a mechanical locking device. The panels may be assembled and locked together to obtain a furniture product such as a bookcase, cupboard, wardrobe, chest, drawer, or furniture part, and may be panels that can be subsequently disassembled. The mechanical locking device may comprise a flexible tongue. [Background technology]

[0002] As evidenced by WO 2015 / 038059, furniture articles with mechanical locking devices are known in the art, comprising a first panel vertically connected to a second panel by a mechanical locking device comprising a flexible tongue in an insertion groove. The above descriptions of various known aspects are applicant's characterizations of such and no admission is made that any of the above descriptions qualify as prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention address the need to provide panels that can be assembled and disassembled with improved stiffness and strength of mechanical locking devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 038059 Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of certain aspects of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above and known art. A particular object is to improve the assembly of panels, such as furniture panels, locked together by a mechanical locking device. The panels may be part of a furniture product such as a furniture part, drawer, cupboard, bookcase, wardrobe, kitchen fixture, or chest. It is a further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention to facilitate the assembly of panels configured to be assembled with locking devices that are easy to use and install and that reduce the risk of damaging the panels during their manufacture. It is a further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention to facilitate assembly of panels that are configured to be assembled without the need for tools. It is a further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention to facilitate the assembly of panels configured to be assembled with locking devices that are easy to use and install and reduce the risk of incorrect installation thereof. A further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention is to facilitate assembly of panels that are configured to be assembled in a more stable and aesthetic manner.

[0005] At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will become apparent from this specification are achieved by a set comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first panel has a first end face and a first panel surface, and the second panel has a second end face and a second panel surface, the mechanical locking device having an insertion groove in the first end face, the insertion groove having a first displacement surface and an opposite second displacement surface, a bottom surface, and a depth direction, the insertion groove having a flexible tongue and an end tongue with a tongue groove, the flexible tongue being configured to cooperate with the tongue groove to lock the first panel to the second panel, and wherein the first displacement surface and the second displacement surface of the insertion groove converge.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the angle between the first displacement surface and the second displacement surface of the insertion groove is greater than about 0° to about 5°, preferably greater than about 0° to about 3°, and more preferably about 1° to about 2°.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the angle between the main surface of the insertion groove and the first displacement surface of the insertion groove is about 0° to about 5°, preferably about 0° to about 3°, and more preferably about 1° to about 2°. The main surface of the insertion groove is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove.

[0008] According to one aspect, the second displacement surface of the insertion groove is substantially parallel to the main surface of the insertion groove.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the angle between the first displacement surface of the insertion groove and the first side surface of the first panel is about 45° to about 90°, preferably about 45° to about 70°, and more preferably about 60° to about 65°.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the angle between the second displacement surface and the second side surface of the first panel is about 90° to about 135°, preferably about 110° to about 125°, and more preferably about 115° to about 120°.

[0011] According to one aspect, the flexible tongue comprises a first locking surface and a second locking surface, the first locking surface configured to cooperate with the tongue groove to lock the first panel to the second panel in a first direction when the flexible tongue is positioned in the insertion groove in a first orientation, and the second locking surface of the flexible tongue configured to cooperate with the tongue groove to lock the first panel to the second panel in the first direction when the flexible tongue is positioned in the insertion groove in a second orientation.

[0012] According to one aspect, the first locking surface and the second locking surface are generally symmetrically disposed on the flexible tongue.

[0013] According to one aspect, the first direction for locking the first panel to the second panel is perpendicular to the surface of the first panel.

[0014] According to one aspect, the bottom surface extends between a first displacement surface and an opposing second displacement surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the core of the first panel and / or the second panel may be a wood-based core, preferably made of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC, plywood, or particle board. The plastic core may also be a thermosetting or thermoplastic plastic core, such as vinyl, PVC, PU, ​​or PET. The plastic core may contain a filler.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first panel and / or the second panel may be made of solid wood.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first panel and / or the second panel may be provided with a decorative layer, such as a foil or veneer, on one or more sides.

[0018] These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the present invention are possible will become apparent and clear from the following description of embodiments and aspects of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first panel. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first panel with a flexible tongue disposed within a tongue groove. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention during assembly. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention during assembly. [Figure 5] 1A-1C illustrate diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a tool used to create an insertion groove. [Figure 6A] 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first panel when a tool is creating an insertion groove. [Figure 6B] 6B shows an enlarged view of the circled area shown in Figure 6A. The tool is placed in an end position and also creates the bottom surface of the insertion groove. [Figure 7A]1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a first panel when the tool has created an insertion groove and the tool has been retracted, i.e., the tool no longer extends down to the bottom surface of the insertion groove. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the circled area shown in FIG. 7A, where it can be seen that as the tool is being retracted, the tool does not simultaneously interact with both the first displacement surface and the opposite second displacement surface. [Figure 8A] 1A-1C illustrate different exemplary embodiments of a first panel and a second panel according to the present invention. [Figure 8B] 1A-1C illustrate different exemplary embodiments of a first panel and a second panel according to the present invention. [Figure 8C] 1A-1C illustrate different exemplary embodiments of a first panel and a second panel according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a set of panels according to the present invention in an assembled state. [Figure 10] 1 shows a 3D view of an exemplary embodiment of a set of panels according to the invention in an assembled state. [Figure 11A] 10A-10C illustrate different views of a flexible tongue according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] 10A-10C illustrate different views of a flexible tongue according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11C] 10A-10C illustrate different views of a flexible tongue according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A-10C illustrate different views of a flexible tongue according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may 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 "Description of the Preferred Embodiments" of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] It should be noted that the words "comprises" and "comprises" do not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed, and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Furthermore, it should be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, and that exemplary aspects may be implemented at least partly by both hardware and software, and that several "means," "units," or "apparatuses" may be represented by the same hardware.

[0022] The different aspects, alternatives, and embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be combined with one or more of the other aspects, alternatives, and embodiments described herein. Two or more aspects can be combined.

[0023] A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3-4 , which includes, for example, a set including a first panel 1, a second panel 2, and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel 1 to the second panel 2. The first panel 1 includes a first end face 11 and a first panel surface 12, and the second panel 2 includes a second end face 21 and a second panel surface 22. The mechanical locking device includes an insertion groove 3 in the first end face 11, the insertion groove 3 having a first displacement surface 30 and an opposite second displacement surface 31, a bottom surface 32, and a depth direction D. The insertion groove 3 includes a flexible tongue 4. The mechanical locking device further includes an end tongue including a tongue groove 5, the flexible tongue 4 being configured to cooperate with the tongue groove 5 to lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2. The first and second displacement surfaces 30, 31 of the insertion groove 3 converge, for example, to provide a wedge-shaped insertion groove. This may improve assembly of the first and second panels 1, 2 because the converging first and second displacement surfaces 30, 31 may prevent the flexible tongue 4 from becoming pinched in the insertion groove 3. This may also improve the stiffness and strength of the mechanical locking device. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the flexible tongue 4 and tongue groove 5 are configured such that, when inserted into the tongue groove 5, the flexible tongue 4 contacts both the first and second displacement surfaces 30, 31 under compressive pressure along only a portion of the longitudinal extent of the insertion groove 3 and only one of the first and second displacement surfaces 30, 31 (or contacts both surfaces 30, 31, but at a lower compressive pressure) along another portion of the longitudinal extent of the insertion groove 3 near the opening of the insertion groove 3.

[0024] The first panel is shown in detail in FIGS.

[0025] The first panel 1 and the second panel 2 are preferably panels for a furniture item and may be part of the frame of the furniture item.

[0026] In the case of furniture articles, the set is preferably configured to lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 so that the first panel surface 12 is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the second panel surface 22 .

[0027] The angle α between the first displacement surface 30 and the second displacement surface 31 of the insertion groove 3 may be greater than about 0° to about 5°, preferably greater than about 0° to about 3°, and more preferably about 1° to about 2°.

[0028] The angle β between the main surface M of the insertion groove 3 and the first displacement surface 30 of the insertion groove 3 may be about 0° to about 5°, or about 0° to about 3°, or about 1° to about 2°, or about 0.1° to about 1°, or about 0.5.

[0029] The angle β between the main surface M of the insertion groove 3 and the first displacement surface 30 of the insertion groove 3 may be greater than about 0.1.

[0030] The second displacement surface 31 of the insertion groove 3 may be substantially parallel to the main surface M of the insertion groove 3. In this embodiment, only the first displacement surface 30 diverges from the main surface M of the insertion groove 3.

[0031] The angle γ between the first displacement surface 30 of the insertion groove 3 and the first side surface 13 of the first panel 1 may be about 45° to about 90°, preferably about 45° to about 70°, and more preferably about 60° to about 65°. The first side surface 13 is the surface of the first panel 1 that is directly adjacent to and below the insertion groove 3.

[0032] The angle δ between the second displacement surface 31 and the second side surface 14 of the first panel 1 may be about 90° to about 135°, preferably about 110° to about 125°, and more preferably about 115° to about 120°. The second side surface 14 is the surface of the first panel 1 that is directly adjacent to and above the insertion groove 3.

[0033] The bottom surface 32 may extend between the first displacement surface 31 and an opposite second displacement surface 32 .

[0034] 3-4 show views of a furniture product according to one embodiment of the present invention during assembly. The second panel 2 may be assembled by displacing the second panel 2 relative to the first panel 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first panel surface 12 shown in FIG. 3. The mechanical locking device may be configured to automatically lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 when the first and second panels 1 and 2 are in the locked position and the flexible tongue extends into the tongue groove 5 of the second panel shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] 8A-8C show different embodiments of the first panel 1 and second panel 2 of the present invention. Panel 1″ in FIG. 8A has two second end faces 21, panel 1′ in FIG. 8B has two first end faces 11, and panel 1 in FIG. 8C has one first end face 11 and one second end face 21.

[0036] Two panels 1" according to FIG. 8A can be used together with two panels 1' according to FIG. 8B, for example, to assemble a box, while four panels 1 according to FIG. 8C can be used to assemble a box. Alternatively, one panel 1" according to FIG. 8A, one panel 1' according to FIG. 8B, and two panels 1 according to FIG. 8D can be used to assemble a furniture product such as a box.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a set of four panels 1 as shown in FIG. 8C in a locked position to form a box 61.

[0038] Figure 10 shows a 3D view of four panels 1 according to the invention in a locked position to form a furniture item 62. The mechanical locking device is not visible when the panels are assembled, giving a very aesthetic result.

[0039] In the different embodiments of the present invention described above, the first panel 1 and the second panel 2 are preferably panels for a furniture product and may be part of the frame of the furniture product.

[0040] In the case of furniture articles, the set is preferably configured to lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 so that the first panel surface 12 is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the second panel surface 22 .

[0041] 11A-11C and 12 show different views of the flexible tongue 4 according to one embodiment. FIG. 11A is a top view, FIG. 11B is a side view, FIG. 11C is a bottom view, and FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the flexible tongue 4 at position C shown in FIG. 11A. The flexible tongue 4 may include a first locking surface 101 and a second locking surface 102. The first locking surface 101 may be configured to cooperate with the tongue groove 5 to lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 in a first direction when the flexible tongue 4 is placed in the insertion groove 3 in a first orientation. The second locking surface 102 of the flexible tongue 4 may be configured to cooperate with the tongue groove 5 to lock the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 in the first direction when the flexible tongue 4 is placed in the insertion groove 3 in a second orientation.

[0042] The first locking surface 101 and the second locking surface 102 may be arranged approximately symmetrically on the flexible tongue 4, as can be seen in FIG.

[0043] The first direction for locking the first panel 1 to the second panel 2 may be perpendicular to the first panel surface 12 .

[0044] The flexible tongue 4 may comprise a flexible material to allow compression and displacement of the flexible tongue 4 within the insertion groove 3 during assembly and disassembly.

[0045] The flexible tongue 4 may comprise an element that is flexible to allow compression and displacement of the flexible tongue 4 within the insertion groove 3 during assembly, and another element that is less flexible to improve locking strength.

[0046] The flexible tongue 4 may be arranged on the bottom surface 32 of the insertion groove 3 .

[0047] The flexible tongue 4 may be located between the tongue groove 5 and the bottom surface 32 of the insertion groove 3 in the locked position.

[0048] The insert groove 3 and tongue groove 5 may be formed by mechanical cutting operations such as milling or sawing. Figure 5 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a tool T that may be used to create the insert groove 3 of the first panel 1.

[0049] Figure 6A shows a side view of one embodiment of the first panel 1 as tool T is creating the insertion groove. Figure 6B shows an enlarged view of the circled area shown in Figure 6A. Tool T is positioned in an end position, thus also creating the final bottom surface 32 of the insertion groove 3.

[0050] 7A shows a side view of one embodiment of the first panel 1 when the tool T has created the insertion groove 3 and is being retracted, i.e., when the tool T no longer extends downward to the bottom surface 32 of the insertion groove 3. FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the circled area shown in FIG. 7A where the tool T no longer interacts with the first displacement surface 30 as the tool T is being retracted. When the tool T is partially within the insertion groove 3 and is being retracted, there may be a distance 63 between the tool T and the first displacement surface 30. This minimizes the risk of the first displacement surface 30 being damaged by the tool T as the tool T is being retracted after the insertion groove 3 is formed.

[0051] Tool T may be configured such that it no longer interacts with second displacement surface 31 when tool T is being retracted due to the distance between tool T and second displacement surface.

[0052] The tool T may be configured to no longer interact with the first displacement surface 31 and the second displacement surface 31 when the tool T is retracted due to the distance 63 between the tool T and the first displacement surface 30.

[0053] A damaged displacement surface may have the effect of causing the flexible tongue 4 to become pinched in the insertion groove 3, for example, during assembly of the first panel 1 and the second panel 2 or when the flexible tongue 4 is inserted into the insertion groove 3.

[0054] Damaged displacement surfaces may also result in loose debris within the locking device which may have the effect of reducing the locking strength or preventing the first panel 1 and second panel 2 from displacing into the locked position.

[0055] The tool T acts in the same direction as the depth direction D. The rotation axis of the tool T may be perpendicular to the main surface M / depth direction D.

[0056] The core of the first panel 1 and / or the second panel 2 may be a wood-based core, preferably made of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC, plywood, or particle board. The plastic core may also be a thermosetting or thermoplastic plastic core, such as vinyl, PVC, PU, ​​or PET. The plastic core may contain fillers.

[0057] The first panel 1 and / or the second panel 2 may also be made of solid wood.

[0058] The first panel 1 and / or the second panel 2 may be provided with a decorative layer such as a foil or veneer on one or more sides.

Claims

1. A set comprising a first panel (1), a second panel (2), and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel (1) to the second panel (2), wherein the first panel (1) comprises a first end face (11) and a first panel surface (12), and the second panel (2) comprises a second end face (21) and a second panel surface (22), the mechanical locking device comprising an insertion groove (3) in the first end face (11), the insertion groove (3) having a first displacement surface (30) and an opposite second displacement surface (31). a displacement surface (31), a bottom surface (32), and a depth direction (D), the mechanical locking device comprising a flexible tongue (4) configured to be disposed in the insertion groove (3), the flexible tongue (4) configured to cooperate with a tongue groove (5) of an end tongue provided on the second panel (2) to lock the first panel (1) to the second panel (2), and the first displacement surface (30) and the second displacement surface (31) of the insertion groove (3) converge.

2. 2. The set according to claim 1, wherein an angle (α) between the first displacement surface and the second displacement surface (30, 31) of the insertion groove (3) is in the range of from about greater than 0° to about 5°, or in the range of from about greater than 0° to about 3°, or in the range of from about 1° to about 2°.

3. 3. The set according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an angle (β) between a main surface (M) of the insertion groove (3) and the first displacement surface (30) of the insertion groove (3) is in the range of about 0° to about 5°, or in the range of about 0° to about 3°, or in the range of about 1° to about 2°, or in the range of 0.1° to about 1°, or in the range of about 0.1°, and the main surface of the insertion groove is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove.

4. 4. The set according to claim 3, wherein the second displacement surface (31) of the insertion groove (3) is substantially parallel to the main surface (M) of the insertion groove (3), and the main surface of the insertion groove is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove.

5. 5. The set according to claim 1, wherein an angle (γ) between the first displacement surface (30) of the insertion groove (3) and a first side surface (13) of the first panel (1) is between about 45° and about 90°, and the first side surface (13) is a surface of the first panel (1) that is directly adjacent to and below the insertion groove (3).

6. 6. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the angle (δ) between the second displacement surface (31) and the second side surface (14) of the first panel (1) is between about 90° and about 135°, and the second side surface (14) is the surface of the first panel (1) that is directly adjacent to and above the insertion groove (3).

7. The flexible tongue (4) comprises a first locking surface (101) and a second locking surface (102); 7. The set according to claim 1, wherein the first locking surface (101) is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove (5) to lock the first panel (1) to the second panel (2) in a first direction when the flexible tongue (4) is placed in the insertion groove (3) in a first orientation, and the second locking surface (102) of the flexible tongue (4) is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove (5) to lock the first panel (1) to the second panel (2) in the first direction when the flexible tongue (4) is placed in the insertion groove (3) in a second orientation.

8. 8. The set according to claim 7, wherein the first locking surface (101) and the second locking surface (102) are arranged substantially symmetrically on the flexible tongue (4).

9. 9. The set according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a first direction for locking the first panel (1) to the second panel (2) is perpendicular to the first panel surface (12).

10. 10. A set according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bottom surface (32) extends between the first displacement surface (30) and the opposite second displacement surface (31).

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