Patent ID: 9719542
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: A47B,E06B,F16B

Claim:
1. A composed element comprising at least two panel-shaped elements coupled to each other at an angle by means of a locking tongue and groove connection either directly or indirectly by means of an intermediate piece, said connection including, at least on one of the panel-shaped elements, a tongue which cooperates with a longitudinally-extending groove provided on the other panel-shaped element or on the intermediate piece; wherein said tongue extends distally from an edge of the respective panel-shaped element; wherein the tongue defines a split tongue, with a first part and an opposing second part, each longitudinally extending along the edge of the panel-shaped element, and a slit located therebetween; wherein a laterally-protruding locking part is defined at an outer side of at least said first part, and a corresponding recess is defined in at least one inner side wall of the groove for receiving the at least one locking part, wherein said panel-shaped element comprising the tongue has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, respectively defining first and second planes, the first surface being located on the same side of the panel-shaped element as the first part of the split tongue, and the second surface being located on the same side of the panel-shaped element as the second part of the split tongue; wherein the slit is defined between a first side of the slit and a second side of the slit opposite the first side, the first side bordering at least a portion of the first part of the tongue; wherein the slit extends deeper than a base of the tongue; wherein the first side of the slit, at least for a part of the slit reaching deeper than the base of the tongue and seen in a cross-section perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the edge of the panel-shaped element comprising the tongue, has a directional course deviating from the first plane; wherein said directional course of said part of the slit, for a direction inwards of the slit, is such that the first side for said part of the slit approaches the first plane; wherein the tongue and groove define a profile such that they can be joined laterally by means of a displacement towards each other or by means of a turning movement; and wherein at least one of the outer sides of the tongue and/or the inner side walls of the groove comprises an inclined portion such that when the tongue is inserted into the groove by means of said displacement, the first and second parts compress towards each other, and subsequently expand to lock the locking part within the recess.