Patent ID: 9599139
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: A47B,F16B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method for assembling a furniture item that comprises first and second furniture elements, the first furniture element defining a first surface including a groove, the groove being defined between a first side surface and an opposite side surface, the second furniture element including a tongue defining a first tongue surface and an opposite second tongue surface, the method comprising: a) inserting the tongue into the groove so as to establish facial contact between the second tongue surface and the second side surface of the groove, the first side surface of the groove and the first tongue surface thereby defining an engagement compartment; b) providing a furniture locking element, comprising 1) an elastic base portion configured for insertion into the elongated compartment, the elastic base portion comprising a first side wall and a second side wall interconnected by a connection element spacing the first side wall and the second side wall apart so as to form a trough; and 2) a stiff insertion portion configured for insertion into the trough formed by the elastic base portion; c) inserting the elastic base portion of the furniture locking element into the elongated compartment so as to engage the first side surface and the first tongue surface, thereby urging the second tongue surface toward the second side surface; and d) inserting the stiff insertion portion of the furniture locking element into the trough formed in the elastic base portion of the furniture locking element, thereby forcing the first side wall and the second side wall away from each other and locking the second tongue surface against the second side surface, wherein the stiff insertion portion of the furniture locking element comprises an elongated splice portion having a cuboid shape and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated splice portion being configured for filling a substantial portion of a space defined between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the stiff insertion portion further comprises a support portion configured for being positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall and for being supported relative to the elastic base portion, and wherein the elongated splice portion is pivotally connected to the support portion at a pivot axis by a film hinge defined by a web of material such that the pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated splice portion.