Connector for furniture walls

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector (1) for connecting two furniture walls, comprising a first connector part (2) for introducing into an opening of a first furniture wall and a second connector part (3) for introducing into an opening of a second furniture wall. The first connector part (2) has a housing (4) which extends in a longitudinal direction (x1) and which has an end face (6) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (x1). The second connector part (3) has a housing (5) which extends in a longitudinal direction (x2) and which has an end face (7) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (x2). A locking element (8) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (9) is arranged in the interior of the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) and can be moved back and forth about the axis of rotation (9) between an unlocking position and a locking position. In the locking position, the locking element (8) is operatively connected to the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) in such a manner that the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) is locked in the longitudinal direction (x2) with respect to the housing (4) of the first connector part (2).

Description

[0001] Connectors for furniture walls

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is in the field of connectors for furniture walls, in particular connectors which are not visible from the outside.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Connectors are components used in furniture manufacturing to detachably connect furniture parts, such as side panels, floors, tops, shelves, etc. Compared to permanently screwed or glued cabinet elements, removable constructions offer the advantage of easier transport and often also easier assembly without the need for special expertise.

[0006] WO2008135249A2 was published in 2008 in the name of Lamello and describes a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts. Two components are to be connected to one another by means of a reliably detachable connection, without the risk of damaging the two components during the assembly process. The first connector and the second connector are detachably connected to one another when the components are connected. At least the first connector comprises a housing and at least one holding element that is movable relative to the housing of the first connector and, in a holding position, interacts with the second connector in such a way that relative movement of the first connector and the second connector along a connecting direction is prevented.DE202022104548U1 was published in 2022 in the name of Haefele Berlin and describes a connecting fitting for connecting, in particular, two furniture panels. The fitting comprises a housing and a slider that can be moved longitudinally within the housing. The front end of the slider is designed as an expandable sleeve. This sleeve protrudes beyond the front of the housing in the front end position of the slider and is expanded in the front end position by means of an expanding head. The sleeve, which protrudes beyond the front of the housing in the front end position of the slider, engages in a hole in a second component. The system is designed so that the sleeve anchors itself in a hole in another component by expanding.

[0007] DE202022103053U1 was published in 2022 in the name of Haefele Berlin and describes a fitting part of a connecting fitting for connecting, in particular, two furniture panels. The first fitting part has a housing with a housing front and a slotted guide in the form of two guide slots angled to each other at an acute angle. A push rod, which is movable between a retracted first end position and a retracted second end position, is movably arranged in the first fitting part. The second fitting part has an insertion opening on its front side for the front end of the push rod and, within the insertion opening, an undercut that can be engaged by the inserted front end of the rod. To connect the two fitting parts to each other, the front end of the push rod is brought into engagement with the undercut of the second fitting part. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The range of connectors available on the market is diverse. The most common connector is still the eccentric fitting. This consists of two parts: a flat-cylindrical cage with a curved and slotted ramp inside, also called an eccentric, and a bolt with a thread at one end and a mushroom-shaped extension at the other. The cage is placed in a circular hole near the end of one of the two furniture parts to be connected.

[0009] Another hole leads from the front of the furniture part to the axis of the first hole. The bolt is screwed into a hole in the other furniture part in such a way that when the two furniture parts are joined, the bolt engages the second hole in the first furniture part and extends to the cage. The two furniture parts are connected by rotating the cage using a tool so that the curved ramp engages behind the mushroom-shaped extension of the bolt and retracts upon further rotation. This eccentric fitting has proven itself technically reliable, but is visually unsatisfactory for high-quality furniture.

[0010] Therefore, various alternative connector systems can be found in the prior art. Systems such as the connecting fittings disclosed in DE202022104548U1 for connecting two furniture panels exist, in which an expandable sleeve is arranged in a first connector part. In the operatively connected state, the sleeve of the connector protrudes beyond the front of the housing and is expanded using an expanding head. The sleeve is designed to engage in a bore of a second component in the operatively connected position and to anchor itself in the bore by expanding. Although the system requires only one fitting on one of the two furniture walls, it has various disadvantages. For example, the internal structure with several moving parts, comprising a rotatable control element, a slider, bolts, and the expandable sleeve, is extremely complex and therefore costly to manufacture. Furthermore, the system does not allow for reversible and multiple assembly.Especially with chipboard, which is often used in furniture construction, there is a risk of the hole breaking out due to the expanded sleeve, which makes the hole unusable for further use.

[0011] Fittings such as those disclosed in DE202022103053U1 circumvent the problem of potential damage to the holes in the furniture element by embedding a first connector part in the first furniture component and a second connector part in the second furniture component, which are then connected to one another. However, this system also has a relatively complex mechanical structure, comprising a connecting rod that is movable between a retracted first end position and a retracted second end position and must engage in an undercut for connection. A disadvantage of this solution, however, is the interaction of several moving parts and the requirement that the front end of the rod must engage precisely in the correspondingly shaped undercut. If components are not perfectly aligned, a precise engagement cannot always be guaranteed with this solution.The present invention therefore aims to provide a connector that overcomes the disadvantages of known connectors. In particular, the aim is to achieve a mechanically simple design with as few moving parts as possible while still ensuring secure and reliable locking of the parts to be connected.

[0012] The invention is further based on the object of providing a connector based on the eccentric principle with a significantly improved optical appearance, ie as invisible as possible.

[0013] A connector according to the invention for connecting two furniture walls typically comprises a first connector part for insertion into an opening in a first furniture wall and a second connector part for insertion into an opening in a second furniture wall. In the context of the present invention, a furniture wall is typically understood to be a plate-shaped component in the form of a solid wood, plywood, or chipboard. However, two elements of any shape can also be connected to one another using the connector. The first connector part has a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and having a front end surface running transversely to the longitudinal direction. The second connector part has a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and having a front end surface likewise running transversely to the longitudinal direction.When assembled, the two connector parts are recessed into the respective opening in the respective furniture wall and are therefore not visible to the observer from the outside, as would be the case with conventional furniture fittings. This enables a concealed and therefore visually appealing connection between two furniture walls. When the two connector parts are operatively connected, the two connector parts are aligned and preferably lie on a common axis. In the locked position, the front end face of the housing of the second connector part is usually pressed against the front end face of the housing of the first connector part. The two front end faces of the two housings, which are typically flat and arranged at right angles to the longitudinal direction, enable them to lie flat against one another and thus align the two furniture walls.The connector parts are usually designed to be inserted lengthwise into a respective opening in a furniture wall.

[0014] In order to avoid the laborious milling of a groove, at least one of the housings of the connector parts can have a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction which is formed from two overlapping circles. This allows the required opening for the housing to be created using a commercially available drill in the form of two partially overlapping blind holes. At the same time, a housing with this type of cross-section prevents unwanted twisting of the connector part in the opening, as can occur with a circular housing. The housing of at least one of the connector parts can also have a cross-section formed from more than two overlapping circles. Good results in terms of securing against twisting in the opening within the furniture wall on the one hand and a small structure on the other can be achieved with a cross-section formed by three overlapping circles.Arranged inside the housing of the first connector part is a locking element that can rotate about a rotational axis and can be moved back and forth about the rotational axis between an unlocked position and a locked position. The rotational axis is preferably arranged at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the housing of the first connector part. In the locked position, the locking element is operatively connected to the housing of the second connector part such that the housing of the second connector part is locked longitudinally relative to the housing of the first connector part. The simplicity of the connector according to the invention lies in the fact that the connector can be constructed from just three components: the first connector part, the second connector part, and the locking element.The locking element is preferably continuously adjustable between the two end positions, the unlocked position on the one hand and the locked position on the other. Adjustment is preferably achieved by rotating the locking element around the rotation axis. This allows continuous adjustment of the locking element and thus alignment of furniture walls that are not yet completely correctly aligned with each other.

[0015] In order to lock the first connector part with respect to the second connector part, the locking element can have an arm projecting radially from the axis of rotation. The arm can have a thickened portion at an outer end which, in the locking position, engages with a recess in the housing of the second connector part forming an undercut in the longitudinal direction. This allows the first connector part and the second connector part to be locked against one another. The thickened portion can be designed as a bead or shaped element, for example in the form of a pin. During locking, the shaped element can engage in a recess in the housing of the second connector part, for example in the form of a groove. The arm can also have a plurality of thickened portions. Preferably, the arm has two thickened portions which are arranged opposite one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation.This allows the connector to be locked regardless of its installation position. The connector, with its two thickened portions, can be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, both by turning to the left and right. The two thickened portions can be designed in the form of wedges arranged on a common circular path around the rotation axis. The two front edges are preferably arranged converging toward each other.

[0016] The arm projecting radially from the axis of rotation and the thickened portion can be T-shaped in cross-section. The recess can have a first active surface and the locking element can have a second active surface which interact when the connector parts are locked. The thickened portion can have a wedge-shaped cross-section in a plan view along the axis of rotation. The flank surface of the thickened portion facing the axis of rotation can have a curved profile. The first and / or the second active surface can have a variable radius of curvature. Preferably, the radii of curvature of the first and / or the second active surface are variably curved in opposite directions such that surface pressure is built up between the two active surfaces when locking. This type of friction connection leads to reliable locking even under dynamic loads by preventing accidental release of the lock.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the locking element can have a first expansion element, which, during locking, interacts with the housing of the first connector part such that, in the locked state, the housing is at least partially expanded transversely to the longitudinal direction. This expansion of the housing of the first connector part results in the housing being pressed against the inner wall of an opening in the furniture wall in which the first connector part is arranged. This compression can prevent the connector part from accidentally moving out of the furniture wall.

[0018] The locking element can have a laterally protruding spindle stub, which engages in a recess in the housing of the first connector part that serves as an abutment. The spindle stub and the recess can be designed to deviate from a circular shape at least in one region when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Due to its cross-sectional geometry, the spindle stub serves as a spreading element relative to the housing of the first connector part when moving from the unlocked position to the locked position. The spindle stub can, for example, have an oval, cam-shaped, or polygonal cross-section, at least in some regions. Preferably, the spindle stub and the recess are designed to be congruent with one another in the unlocked position and, when rotated, are positioned such that the housing spreads open in a controlled manner.The housing of the first connector part can have a slot which simplifies the spreading of the housing during locking. The slot makes it possible to influence the desired elastic deformation of the housing in such a way that the housing deforms evenly from the longitudinal direction laterally outwards towards the inner wall of the opening, thereby clamping the housing in the opening. The locking element can have a connection, e.g. a hexagon socket, for a drive means for rotating the locking element from the unlocked position into the locked position. This enables on-site assembly and disassembly using commercially available hand tools. In the case of an arm with two thickened portions which are arranged opposite one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis, the locking element preferably has a connection on both sides. This allows the connector to be locked regardless of the installation position.This means that the connector with two thickened sections can be moved from the unlocked position to a locked position by turning it both to the left and to the right.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, the locking element can have a second spreading element which, during locking, interacts with the housing of the second connector part in such a way that, when locked with the first connector part, the housing is spread open at least in some areas transversely to the longitudinal direction. The locking element can have a disc-shaped arm which, during locking, is brought into flat engagement, at least in some areas, with a functional surface of a recess in the housing of the second connector part. The second spreading element can be formed on a front edge of the arm and / or the thickened portion of the locking element which extends forward in the direction of movement, and the housing of the second connector part can be spread open transversely to the longitudinal direction in the locking position by the second spreading element interacting with the recess in the housing of the second connector part.

[0020] The arm can have a variable cross-section in the direction of movement, which widens between the extending front edge and the trailing rear edge. The housing of the second connector part can also have a slot, which simplifies spreading the housing. Like the slot in the housing of the first connector part, the slot in the housing of the second connector part also makes it possible to influence the desired elastic deformation of the housing in such a way that the housing deforms evenly from the longitudinal direction transversely outwards towards the inner wall of the opening, thereby clamping the housing in the opening. This prevents the respective connector part from migrating out of the opening under load when locked.

[0021] At least one of the connector parts can have a pin protruding beyond the front end face, which, when the two connector parts are operatively connected, engages in a recess arranged in the front end face of the other connector part. This prevents lateral slipping of the connector parts relative to one another with respect to the longitudinal directions in the plane of the front end faces. At the same time, the ability of the connector parts to be plugged together enables the two furniture walls to be positioned relative to one another. At least one of the housings of the connector parts can have barbs directed towards the front end face. These barbs serve to hook into the outer surface of the opening when assembled and prevent the corresponding connector part from accidentally moving out of the opening.The housing surface can have a scaled structure with several surrounding barbs, which are directed opposite to the direction of extraction and, after being struck into the respective surface of the opening, are embossed into the furniture panel and thus prevent the housing from being pulled out of the opening unintentionally.

[0022] Easy assembly and production of the respective connector part is made possible if at least one of the housings of the connector parts consists of two housing halves which are connected to one another via a hinge. This enables easy insertion of the locking element in the case of the first connector part or the creation of an undercut in the case of the second connector part. The locking element can be arranged at least partially between the two housing halves of the first connector part. The housing halves can in this case at least partially have a skeletal structure. This enables material savings on the one hand, and on the other hand, such a structure is preferred from a manufacturing perspective, as it can avoid shrinkage during injection or die casting. A honeycomb structure offers a preferred compromise between mechanical strength and material consumption.

[0023] The two housing halves can be made of plastic, and the hinge can be designed as a film hinge that integrally connects the two housing halves. The film hinge is preferably positioned opposite the front end face. This allows the two housing halves to be manufactured in a single injection molding cycle and assists the assembler by ensuring that the two mating housing halves are already provided together and correctly aligned.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0025] Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated description. They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a first embodiment of the connector from above onto the first and second connector parts in the locking position;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a perspective side view of the connector according to Fig. 1 from above of the first and second connector parts in the unlocked position;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of the connector according to Fig. 1 from above of the first and second connector parts in the unfolded state with the locking element exposed;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective plan view with partial section of the connector according to Figure 1 from above of the first and the second connector part in the operatively connected state in the unlocking position; Fig. 5 is a perspective plan view with partial section of the connector according to

[0030] Figure 1 from above of the first and second connector parts in the operatively connected state in the locking position;

[0031] Fig. 6 is a side view of the connector according to Fig. 1 of the first and second connector parts in the locking position with hidden lines shown;

[0032] Fig. 7 is a second side view of the connector according to Fig. 1, showing the first and second connector parts in the locked position, with hidden lines shown; Fig. 8 is a side view of the locking element of the embodiment of the connector according to Fig. 1;

[0033] Fig. 9 is a second side view of the locking element according to Fig. 8;

[0034] Fig. 10 is a perspective side view of another embodiment of the connector from above, showing the first and second connector parts in the locking position;

[0035] Fig. 11 is a perspective side view of the connector according to Fig. 10 from above, showing the first and second connector parts in the unlocked position; Fig. 12 is a perspective plan view of the connector according to Fig. 10 from above, showing the first and second connector parts in the unfolded state with the locking element exposed;

[0036] Fig. 13 is a perspective top view with partial section of the connector according to Fig. 10 from above of the first and the second connector part in the operatively connected state in a first locking position;

[0037] Fig. 14 is a perspective top view with partial section of the connector according to Figure 10 from above of the first and the second connector part in the operatively connected state in a second locking position.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Figures 1 and 2 as well as 10 and 11 show perspective side views of two exemplary embodiments of the connector 1 for connecting two furniture walls. These each comprise a first connector part 2 for insertion into an opening in a first furniture wall and a second connector part 3 for insertion into an opening in a second furniture wall. The first connector part 2 has a housing 4 extending in a longitudinal direction x1 with a front end surface 6 running transversely to the longitudinal direction x1, and the second connector part 3 also has a housing 5 extending in a longitudinal direction x2 with a front end surface 7 running transversely to the longitudinal direction x2, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 10, when the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 are operatively connected, the two connector parts are aligned such that they lie on a common axis.The illustrated first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 are each intended to be inserted lengthwise into a respective opening in a furniture panel. The illustrated housing 4 of the first connector part 2 and the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 have a cross-section 12 transverse to the longitudinal direction, which is formed by two intersecting circles.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a perspective top view of the connector 1 according to Figure 1. The exploded view shows the unfolded first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 as well as the locking element 8 with an arm 23 projecting radially from the rotation axis 9, which arm has a thickened portion 24 at an outer end which, in the locking position, engages with a recess 26 of the housing 5 of the second connector part 3, said recess forming an undercut 25 in the longitudinal direction. This locks the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 against one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation axis 9 is arranged at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the housing 4 of the first connector part 2.

[0041] The housing 4 of the first connector part 2 and the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 each consist of two housing halves 14, which are connected to one another via hinges 15. The two housing halves 14 shown are made of plastic, and the hinge 15 is designed as a film hinge that integrally connects the two housing halves 14. The hinge 15 is arranged opposite the front end surfaces 6, 7. The locking element 8 has a connection 29 for a drive means for rotating the locking element 8 from the unlocked position into the locked position. In the embodiment shown, the connection 29 is designed in the form of a hexagon socket. In the operatively connected state, the locking element 8 is arranged partially within the two housing halves 14.The first connector part 2 is aligned with the second connector part 3 via a pin 21 protruding beyond the front end face 6 in the operatively connected position of the two connector parts 2, 3. The pin 21 engages in a recess arranged in the front end face 7 of the second connector part 3. The housing halves 14 shown partially have a skeleton structure, which, on the one hand, saves material and, on the other hand, results in a structure that is advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology.

[0042] Figures 4 and 5 show two perspective top views of the connector 1 with partial section in the unlocked position in Figure 4 and in the locked position in Figure 5. The dashed lines indicate the two furniture walls into which the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 are embedded and which, in the operatively connected state shown, thereby meet butt to butt and are locked to one another. Arranged inside the housing 4 of the first connector part 2 is the locking element 8, which can be rotated about the axis of rotation 9. In the locking position, the locking element 8 is operatively connected to the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 in such a way that the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 is locked in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing 4 of the first connector part 2. The housing 4 of the first connector part 2 has a slot 19 which simplifies the spreading of the housing 4 during locking.The locking element 8 further comprises a second spreading element 11 which, when locked, interacts with the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 in such a way that, in the locked state with the first connector part 2, the latter is spread open at least in regions transversely to the longitudinal direction.

[0043] The radii of curvature of the active surface of the arm 23 and the active surface 27 of the recess 26 are variably curved in opposite directions such that, during locking, a surface pressure is built up between the two active surfaces. The locking element 8 has a first expansion element 10, which, during locking, interacts with the housing 4 of the first connector part 2 such that, in the locked state, the housing is spread open at least in some areas transversely to the longitudinal direction. This spreading of the housing 4 of the first connector part 2 results in the housing 2 being pressed against the inner wall of an opening in the furniture wall in which the first connector part is arranged. This pressing prevents the connector part 2 from accidentally moving out of the furniture wall.

[0044] The locking element 8 is continuously adjustable with respect to the rotational axis 9 between the unlocked position in Figure 4 and the locked position in Figure 5. The adjustment is achieved by rotating the locking element 8 about the rotational axis 9, in the embodiment shown by means of an Allen key, which can be inserted into the connection 29 shown. The locking element 8 further comprises a second expansion element 11, which, during locking, interacts with the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 in such a way that, when locked to the first connector part 2, the latter is spread open at least in some areas transversely to the longitudinal direction. The locking element 8 shown here has a disc-shaped arm 23, which, during locking, is brought into flat engagement, at least in some areas, with a functional surface of a recess 26 in the housing of the second connector part 3.

[0045] The arm 23 has a variable cross-section in the direction of movement, which widens between the leading front edge 28 and the trailing rear edge 30. The housing 5 of the second connector part 3 also has a slot 20, which simplifies the spreading of the housing 5. Like the slot 19 of the housing 4 of the first connector part 2, the slot 20 of the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 also makes it possible to influence the desired elastic deformation of the housing 5 in such a way that the housing 5 deforms uniformly from the longitudinal direction transversely outwards towards the inner wall of the opening, thereby clamping the housing 5 in the opening.

[0046] Figures 6 and 7 show two side views of the connector 1. The figures show that the first connector part 2 has a pin 21 protruding beyond the front end face 6, which, in the shown operatively connected position of the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3, engages in a recess 22 arranged in the front end face 7 of the second connector part 3 and thus prevents lateral slipping of the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 with respect to the longitudinal directions in the plane of the front end faces relative to one another. The housing 4 of the first connector part 2 and the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 have a cross-section 12 transverse to the longitudinal direction x, which is formed from two intersecting circles.The housing 4 of the first connector part 2 and the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 each further comprise a plurality of barbs 16 which are directed towards the front end surface.

[0047] Figures 8 and 9 show the locking element 8 in two side views. The locking element 8 shown has an arm 23 projecting radially from the axis of rotation 9 and having a thickened portion 24 which, when viewed in cross-section, is T-shaped. The locking element 8 has a second active surface 28 which interacts with the first active surface of the recess when locking the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3. The first and second active surfaces 28 have a variable and opposing radii of curvature. The thickened portion 24 shown has a wedge-shaped cross-section in plan view along the axis of rotation 9. The flank surface of the thickened portion 24 which points towards the axis of rotation 9 has a curved profile.

[0048] The axle stub 17 of the embodiment shown has an at least partially oval cross-section, wherein the axle stub 17 and the recess are congruent to one another in the unlocked position. The axle stub 17 engages in a recess in the housing 4 of the first connector part 2, which serves as an abutment. The second expansion element 11 is formed on the leading edge 28 of the arm 23, which extends in the direction of movement, and / or the thickened portion 24 of the locking element 8 and, in the locked position, spreads the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 transversely to the longitudinal direction by the second expansion element 11 interacting with the recess in the housing 5 of the second connector part 3.

[0049] Figures 10 to 14 show a second embodiment of the connector 1. In order to avoid the laborious milling of a groove, the housing 4 of the first connector part 4 and the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 have a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction that is formed by three overlapping circles. This allows the required openings for the housings 4, 5 to be made using a commercially available drill in the form of partially overlapping blind holes. The housings 4, 5 shown with a cross-section of three overlapping circles allow the use of a larger-sized locking element 8. This has an arm 23 projecting radially from the axis of rotation 9, which arm has two thickened portions 24, 24' at an outer end in the circumferential direction.

[0050] Figures 12 to 14 show the structure of the locking element 8 with two thickened portions 24, 24'. Figures 13 and 14 show the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3 in the operatively connected state in a first and a second locking position. In the respective locking position, one of the two thickened portions 24, 24' engages in the recess of the housing 5 of the second connector part 3, said recess forming an undercut in the longitudinal direction. This locks the first 2 and the second 3 connector parts against each other. The thickened portions 24, 24' shown are designed as wedge-shaped shaped elements, as in the first embodiment. During locking, the respective shaped element engages in the recess 22 of the housing 5 of the second connector part 3 in the form of a groove. The two thickenings 24, 24' shown are arranged opposite one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation 9.Thus, the connector 1 with two thickened portions 24, 24' can be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by turning it both to the left and to the right. For this purpose, the locking element 8 has a connection 29, 29' on each side. This allows the connector 1 to be locked regardless of the installation position.

[0051] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0052] 1 connector 25 17 axle stub (locking

[0053] 2 First connector part (connection element)

[0054] 3 Second connector part 18 Recess (axis stub

[0055] 4 Housing (first connector part) 19 Slot (housing first

[0056] 5 Housing (second connector part) 20 Slot (housing second

[0057] 6 Front end face (first connector part) 21 Pin (connector part)

[0058] 7 Front end face 22 Recess (connector (second connector part) 35 part)

[0059] 8 Locking element 23 Arm (locking element

[0060] 9 Rotation axis (locking element) 24 Thickening (locking

[0061] 10 First expansion element

[0062] 11 Second expansion element 40 25 Undercut (second

[0063] 12 Cross-section connector part)

[0064] 13 Housing half (first connector part) 26 Recess (second connector part)

[0065] 14 Housing half (second connector part) 27 Effective surface (recess) 45 28 Front edge (arm)

[0066] 15 Film hinge 29 Connection (locking

[0067] 16 barb element)

[0068] 30 trailing edge

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Connector (1) for connecting two furniture walls, comprising a first connector part (2) for insertion into an opening in a first furniture wall and a second connector part (3) for insertion into an opening in a second furniture wall, wherein a. the first connector part (2) has a housing (4) extending in a longitudinal direction (x1) with an end face (6) running transversely to the longitudinal direction (x1), and b. the second connector part (3) has a housing (5) extending in a longitudinal direction (x2) with an end face (7) running transversely to the longitudinal direction (x2), wherein c. a locking element (8) rotatable about an axis of rotation (9) is arranged inside the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) and can be moved back and forth about the axis of rotation (9) between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein d.the locking element (8) is operatively connected in the locking position to the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) such that the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) is locked in the longitudinal direction (x2) relative to the housing (4) of the first connector part (2).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (8) has an arm (23) projecting radially from the axis of rotation (9), which arm has a thickening (24) at an outer end, which in the locking position engages with a recess (26) of the housing (5) of the second connector part (3), said recess forming an undercut (25) in the longitudinal direction (x2), and as a result the first and the second connector part (2, 3) are locked against one another.

3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the arm (23) projecting radially from the axis of rotation (9) and the thickening (24) are T-shaped in cross section.

4. Connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the recess (26) has a first active surface (27) and the locking element (8) has a second active surface (28), which interact when locking the connector parts (2, 3), wherein preferably the first and / or the second active surface (27, 28) have a variable radius of curvature.

5. Connector (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the arm (23) projecting radially from the axis of rotation (9) has at least two thickenings (24, 24') at an outer end, wherein in a first locking position one of the thickenings (24) engages with the recess (26) of the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) forming an undercut (25) in the longitudinal direction (x2) and in a second locking position the other of the thickenings (24') engages with the recess (26) of the housing (5) and in the respective first or second locking position the first (2) and the second (3) connector part are locked against each other.

6. Connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the two thickened portions (24, 24') are arranged opposite one another in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis (9) and preferably the arm (23) projecting radially from the rotation axis (9) and the thickened portions (24, 24') are T-shaped in cross-section.

7. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (8) has a first spreading element (10) which, during locking, interacts with the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) in such a way that, in the locked state, the latter is spread open at least in regions transversely to the longitudinal direction (x).

8. Connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking element (8) has a laterally projecting axle stub (17) which engages in a recess (18) serving as an abutment in the housing (4) of the first connector part (2).

9. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the axle stub (17) and the recess (18) in cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation (9) are delimited at least in one region by a circular are designed differently in such a way that the axle stub (17) serves as a spreading element (10) relative to the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) when moving from the unlocking position into the locking position due to its cross-sectional geometry.

10. Connector according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) has a slot (19) which simplifies the spreading of the housing (4) during locking.

11. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (8) has a second spreading element (11) which, during locking, cooperates with the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) in such a way that, in the state locked with the first connector part (2), the latter is spread open at least in regions transversely to the longitudinal direction.

12. Connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the second spreading element (11) is formed on a front edge (28) of the arm (23) and / or the thickening (24) of the locking element (8) running in the direction of movement, and the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) is spread open in the locking position transversely to the longitudinal direction (x2) by the second spreading element (11) interacting with the recess (26) of the housing (5) of the second connector part (3).

13. Connector according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) has a slot (20) which simplifies the spreading of the housing (5).

14. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the locking position the front end face (7) of the housing (5) of the second connector part (3) is pressed against the front end face (6) of the housing (4) of the first connector part (2).

15. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the connector parts (2, 3) has a pin (21) projecting beyond the front end face (6, 7) which, in the operatively connected position of the two connector parts (2, 3), engages in a recess (22) arranged in the front end face (7, 6) of the other connector part (3, 2).

16. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the housings (4, 5) of the connector parts (2, 3) has a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction (x) which is formed from two intersecting circles.

17. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the housings (4, 5) of the connector parts (2, 3) has barbs (16) which are directed towards the front end surface.

18. A connector according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one of the housings (4, 5) of the connector parts (2, 3) consists of two housing halves (14) connected to one another via a hinge (15).

19. A connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) of the first connector part (2) and / or the housing of the second connector part (3) consists of two housing halves (14), between which the locking element (8) is at least partially arranged.

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