A connecting element with an integrated rod and dowel
An integrated rod and dowel connecting element with a flexible line simplifies production and assembly, reducing costs while ensuring strong and secure fastening.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EGE İSMAIL
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing connecting elements with separate dowel and rod components incur higher production costs and complicate the assembly process due to separate material and production processes.
A connecting element with an integrated rod and dowel made from plastic, connected by a flexible line, allowing for simultaneous production and assembly, ensuring secure fastening through the dowel's expansion and grip on socket walls.
Reduces production costs and simplifies assembly by integrating the dowel and rod, maintaining strength and ease of use while providing secure fastening.
Smart Images

Figure TR2025050391_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] A CONNECTING ELEMENT WITH AN INTEGRATED ROD AND DOWEL
[0003] Technical Field
[0004] The invention relates to a connecting element used in furniture, stands, shelves, showcase frames, particularly in flat and corner connections, enabling parts to be assembled quickly and with strength.
[0005] Prior Art
[0006] Self-dowelled and currently known connecting elements called minifix are known. These elements are particularly used in furniture assembly. They are generally used for joining parts, especially in flat and corner connections.
[0007] Such dowels are designed to facilitate assembly, providing strong and reliable connections for wood or other materials.
[0008] Self-dowelled minifix elements make assembly fast and practical. The product is fixed by screwing during assembly.
[0009] It provides a clean visual appearance, as screws and joints are typically hidden. When used appropriately, it offers a highly durable and robust connection. Some minifix systems also allow alignment adjustment after assembly.
[0010] In places where two or more parts (e.g., a table and tabletop) need to be joined, sockets (holes) are drilled. These holes must be of the correct size and depth. The connection set usually consists of three main components: one is the body, the other consists of a metal rod and a plastic dowel on the rod. The body is usually placed into one of the parts, while the rod and dowel are connected to the other. The body can rotate like a screw in the piece. When the body is turned, the dowel is compressed into the socket due to its teeth, tightly joining the parts.As the body is turned, the rod attached to the dowel is pulled into the body, ensuring a tight union between the two parts.
[0011] In existing systems, the dowel and rod parts are separate. They are obtained and combined separately in terms of both material and production processes.
[0012] This increases production costs and complicates the production process.
[0013] Consequently, it has become necessary to develop an economical, practical, material-saving solution that does not disrupt the aesthetic structure to address the aforementioned problems.
[0014] Brief Description of the Invention
[0015] The present invention aims to present a connecting element that meets the above requirements, eliminates all disadvantages, and adds further benefits, facilitating production and reducing costs by enabling parts used in furniture — especially in flat and corner connections — to be assembled quickly and with strength.
[0016] Brief Description of the Figures
[0017] Figure 1 : A representative view of the connecting element of the invention, with the body and rod integrated.
[0018] Figure 2: Another representative view of the connecting element with the body and rod integrated.
[0019] Figure 3: A representative view of the integrated rod forming the connecting element.
[0020] Figure 4: A representative view showing the integrated dowel and flexible line points on the rod.
[0021] Figure 5: A representative view showing the assembly of the connecting element on two pieces.Figure 6: A representative view showing the position of the integrated dowel in the bottom piece.
[0022] Reference Numbers
[0023] 10. Connecting element
[0024] 11. Body
[0025] 11.1. Claw
[0026] 12. Rod
[0027] 13. Dowel
[0028] 13.1. Flexible line
[0029] Detailed Description of the Invention
[0030] The invention relates to a connecting element (10) used in furniture, particularly in flat and corner connections, facilitating quick and strong assembly of parts while reducing costs and easing production.
[0031] Unlike the existing designs, the connecting element (10) of the invention consists of a rotatable body (11) placed into a socket on one of the parts to be joined, and a rod (12) and dowel (13), especially made from plastic and integrally formed with a thin flexible line (13.1) connecting them.
[0032] The dowel (13) is located on the sides of the rod (12) in the form of two wings and is connected to the rod (12) by a flexible line. The flexible line (13.1) allows the dowel (13) to flex and expand within the socket when the rod (12) is pulled upward by force.
[0033] In this form, the connecting element (10) allows parts used in furniture — especially in flat and corner connections — to be assembled quickly and with strength while reducing production costs.The dowel (13) and rod (12), made from plastic, can be produced on a single production line in one go. By eliminating material differences, production is simplified, and the number of processing steps is reduced, leading to lower material costs.
[0034] The mentioned dowel (13) and rod (12) are connected by a flexible line (13.1). When the body (11) is rotated and the rod (12) is pulled upward, the integrated dowel (13) expands and grips the socket walls with the ridges on it, providing secure fastening.
[0035] The inclusion of the flexible line (13.1) allows the dowel (13) to expand and grip the socket when the rod (12) is pulled upward.
[0036] In the connecting element (10) of the invention, the dowel (13) and rod (12) are physically produced in a single piece while ensuring the same holding effectiveness as existing products.
[0037] A claw (11.1) is formed on the body (11). After the connection, when the rod is pulled into its final position, it prevents it from coming out easily, providing secure retention and increasing strength.
[0038] The body (11) of the connecting element (10), which is placed on one of the parts to be joined, can be made from metal or plastic.
Claims
CLAIMS1. The invention is a connecting element (10) used in furniture, especially in flat and corner connections, facilitating quick and strong assembly of parts while reducing costs and easing production, comprising;- a dowel (13) and rod (12) made of plastic and integrally formed,- a flexible line (13.1) that connects said dowel (13) and rod (12) with each other, and allows the dowel (13) attached to the rod (12) to expand and be fixed into the hole it is positioned into by rotating the body (11) and pulling the rod (12) upward.
2. The connecting element (10) according to claim 1 , comprising a claw (11.1) that prevents the rod (12) from coming out easily after being pulled into its final position, ensuring secure retention.