Source: http://www.sumobrain.com/patents/wipo/Furniture-joint/WO2016137385A1.html
Timestamp: 2020-05-26 13:34:38
Document Index: 426193203

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 6', 'art 9', 'arts 5', 'art 7', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 5', 'art 8', 'arts 7', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 5', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 6', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 9', 'art 7', 'art 10', 'art 8', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 8', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 8', 'art 7', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'art 10']

FURNITURE JOINT - IKEA SUPPLY AG
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/137385
The invention relates to furniture joint (1) comprising a first furniture part (5) having a first and a second male part (7, 8), and a second furniture part (6) having a first and a second female part (9, 10). The first and the second male parts (7, 8) each are formed by a dowel (11, 15) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end (12, 16). The first female part (9) is formed by a recess (18) having a curved extension between a first end portion (23) and a second end portion (24), said first end portion (23) forming an insertion portion (26). The second female part (10) is formed by a recess (25) having a straight-linear extension between a first end portion (60) and a second end portion (61), said first end portion (60) forming an insertion portion (32). The furniture joint (1) is adapted to be set to a mounting position by moving the first furniture part (5) along the longitudinal directions of said dowels (11, 15) such that the insertion portion (26) of the first female part (9) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (11) and such that the insertion portion (32) of the second female part (10) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (15), and from the mounting position to a locking position by rotating the first furniture part (5) in view of the second furniture part (6) such that the dowel (11) forming the first male part (7) is moved along the curved recess (18) from the first end portion (23) to the second end portion (24), while the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8) is rotated and moved along the straight- linear extension of the recess (25) from the first end portion (60) to the second end portion (61). The first and second furniture parts (5, 6) are in said locking position prevented from being separated in the longitudinal direction of said dowels (11, 15).
KÄLL HÅKAN (SE)
SE2016/050146
F16B12/44; A47B96/06; F16B12/12
WO2010034467A1 2010-04-01
US4258464A 1981-03-31
See also references of EP 3262308A4
1 . A furniture joint (1 ) comprising a first furniture part (5) having a first and a second male part (7, 8), and a second furniture part (6) having a first and a second female part (9, 10), wherein
the first and the second male parts (7, 8) each are formed by a dowel (1 1 , 15) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end (12, 16) facing away from a surface (13) of the first furniture part (5),
the first female part (9) is formed by a recess (18) having a curved extension between a first end portion (23) and a second end portion (24), said first end portion (23) forming an insertion portion (26) and said second end portion forming a locking portion, and
the second female part (10) is formed by a recess (25) having a straight-linear extension between a first end portion (60) and a second end portion (61 ), said first end portion (60) forming an insertion portion (32), said second end portion forming a locking portion, whereby
the furniture joint (1 ) is adapted to be set to a mounting position by moving the first furniture part (5) along the longitudinal directions of said dowels (1 1 , 15) such that the insertion portion (26) of the first female part (9) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7), and such that the insertion portion (32) of the second female part (10) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8), and
from the mounting position to a locking position by rotating the first furniture part (5) relative to the second furniture part (6) such that the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7) is moved along the curved recess (18) forming the first female part (9) from the first end portion (23) to the second end portion (24), while the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8) is rotated and moved along the straight-linear extension of the recess (25) forming the second female part (10) from the first end portion (60) to the second end portion (61 ), whereby the first and second furniture parts (5, 6) in said locking position are prevented from being separated in the longitudinal direction of said dowels (1 1 , 15).
2. A furniture joint according to claim 1 , further comprising an
intermediate indicator portion (80) in which the first or second longitudinal side wall (22a; 22b) of the first female part (9) comprises a restriction (81 ), whereby when the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7) passes the restriction (81 ), the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8) is temporarily forced towards the second end portion (61 ) of the second female part (10) to a greater extent than when the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7) is moved to the second end portion (24) of the first female part (9) from the mounting position to the locking position.
3. A furniture joint according to claim 1 , wherein the dowels (1 1 , 15) forming the first and second male parts (7, 8) each comprises locking means in the form of at least one rim (14, 17) extending radially from the envelope surface of the dowel, and wherein the recesses (18, 25) forming the first and second female parts (9, 10) each comprises at least one corresponding groove (28a, 28b, 34), whereby in said locking position, the at least one rim (14) of the first male part (7) is adapted to engage the at least one
corresponding groove (28a, 28b) of the first female part (9) and the at least one rim (17) of the second male part (8) is adapted to engage the at least one corresponding groove (34) of the second female part (10).
4. A furniture joint according to any of the previous claims, wherein one or both opposite longitudinal side walls (22) extending between the first and second end portions (23, 24) of the recess (18) of the first female part (7) comprises at least one groove (28, 28b).
5. A furniture joint according to claim 4, wherein the opposite longitudinal side walls (22) of the recess (18) forming the first female part (9) have a single-curved extension convexly facing towards the recess (25) forming the second female part (10), or a single-curved extension concavely facing away from the recess (25) forming the second female part (10). 6. A furniture joint according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the groove (28a, 28b) of the recess (18) forming the first female part (9) has a longitudinal extension along at least a part of one or both of the opposite longitudinal side walls (22) and along the envelope surface (27) of the second end portion (24). 7. A furniture joint according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the distance between the opposite longitudinal side walls (22) of the recess (18) forming the first female part (9) is gradually reduced as seen in a direction from the first end portion (23) towards the second end portion (24). 8. A furniture joint according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the distance between the opposite longitudinal side wall portions (22a, 22b) of the recess (18) forming the first female part (9) as seen along said opening (19) is uniform between the first and the second end portions (23, 24), while being locally reduced along the intermediate indicator portion 80.
9. A furniture joint according to any of claims 4-8, wherein the at least one groove (28a, 28b) of the recess (18) forming the first female part (9) has a cross section as seen transverse its longitudinal extension being
complementary with the at least one rim (14) of the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7).
10. A furniture joint according to any of the previous claims, in which at least a part of the envelope surface (33) of the second end portion (61 ) of the recess (25) forming the second female part (10) comprises at least one groove (34) adapted to engage at least one rim (17) of the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8) when the furniture joint (1 ) is in the locking position.
1 1 . A furniture joint according to any of the preceding claims, in which the dowels (1 1 , 15) forming the first and second male parts (7, 8) and/or their respective at least one rims (14, 17) are formed from a material different from the material of the first furniture part (5).
12. A furniture joint according to any of the previous claims, in which the dowel (1 1 ) forming the first male part (7) has a larger cross section as seen transverse its longitudinal direction than the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8).
13. A furniture joint according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first furniture part (5) is a post shaped item, a knob shaped item or a block shaped item.
14. Furniture or a furniture sub-assembly comprising a furniture joint (1 ) according to any of claims 1-12.
The present invention concerns a furniture joint between two furniture parts.
To join furniture parts to each other many different ways have been used throughout the years. Often different types of mechanical fastening means are used. It is also known to give the furniture parts different shapes, such as grooves, for forming joints between the furniture parts. For self assembly furniture it is important that the different furniture parts can be assembled to each other in a safe and relatively simple way. This is especially important when the customer is to assemble the furniture on his/her own. It is therefore always an aspiration to improve the joints between the different furniture parts. The improvements may concern the quality of the joint, i.e. how well the furniture parts are assembled to each other. They may also concern the manufacturing costs, ease of assembly etc.
US2014/0205373A1 discloses one example of a furniture joint wherein a first furniture part comprises two female parts and a second furniture part comprises two male parts. The two furniture parts are joined by a rotating movement. The female parts are constituted by two bent or curved recesses arranged next to each other with their curvatures facing away from each other in a convex manner. A joint of this type is suitable for post shaped items such as table legs or the like where the post shaped item has a quadrangular cross section. In such design the curved recesses will be hidden by the post shaped item. It has however been noted that this will not be the case if the furniture instead is provided with a post shaped item having a cross sectional size and geometry that in the mounted position does not cover the female parts of the furniture joint, i.e. the foot print of the post shaped item will be too small.
Thereby the recesses will be visible after mounting. That will constitute a non- acceptable defect. Summary
One object of the present invention is to be able to arrange joints for assembly of furniture parts to each other. The joints should be practical to use and yet give a secure assembly of the furniture parts. A further object is that the furniture parts may be assembled without the need of any fastening means and without the use of any tools. It should also be possible to separate the furniture parts from each other after assembly, without harming the furniture parts.
These and other objects are solved by a furniture joint comprising a first furniture part having a first and a second male part and a second furniture part having a first and a second female part, wherein the first and the second male parts each are formed by a dowel extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end facing away from a surface of the first furniture part, the first female part is formed by a recess having a curved extension between a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion forming an insertion portion, said second end portion forming a locking portion, and the second female part is formed by a recess having a straight-linear extension between a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion forming an insertion portion, said second end portion forming a locking portion, whereby the furniture joint is adapted to be set to a mounting position by moving the first furniture part along the longitudinal directions of said dowels such that the insertion portion of the first female part receives the free end of the dowel forming the first male part, and such that the insertion portion of the second female part receives the free end of the dowel forming the second male part, and from the mounting position to a locking position by rotating the first furniture part relative to the second furniture part such that the dowel forming the first male part is moved along the curved recess forming the first female part from the first end portion to the second end portion, while the dowel forming the second male part is rotated and moved along the straight-linear extension of the recess forming the second female part from the first end portion to the second end portion, whereby the first and second furniture parts in said locking position are prevented from being separated in the longitudinal direction of said dowels.
By the invention a furniture joint is achieved that provides a smaller foot print of the second furniture part as compared to known furniture joints using a rotating locking movement while still covering the recesses. Also the furniture joint allows a post or block shaped item to be connected in flush with a curved corner portion. Further, the operation principle of the furniture joint is very simple and fully manual. Additionally, the furniture joint is fully separable. By the curved extension of the recess of the first female part, the first furniture part may be rotated in view of the second furniture part from the mounting position to the locking position while the first and second male parts are firmly guided and interlocked by their engagement with the first and second female parts. When the furniture joint is set from the mounting position to the locking position, the first dowel will be in guiding contact with at least one of the longitudinal side walls of the curved recess while the second dowel will be forced to move along the straight-linear extension of the second recess.
The furniture joint may further comprise an intermediate indicator portion in which the first or the second longitudinal side wall of the first female part comprises a restriction, whereby when the dowel forming the first male part passes the restriction, the dowel forming the second male part is temporarily forced towards the second end portion of the second female part to a greater extent than when the dowel forming the first male part is moved to the second end portion of the first female part from the mounting position to the locking position.
Accordingly, this will cause a temporarily tensioning force between the dowels and the female parts when the two furniture parts are rotated along the intermediate indicator portion. This may be experienced by the operator as a momentary increased resistance. As the two furniture parts are further rotated past the intermediate indicator portion, the resistance will be relieved, indicating that the two furniture parts have been correctly mounted. This relieve may in some circumstances even be experienced as an audible effect in the form a "click"-like sound. It is to be understood that more than one restriction may be used. The restriction may be formed as a bulge. It may also be formed by the distance between the opposite longitudinal sidewalls being gradually reduced as seen from the first end portion to the intermediate indicator portion, while again increasing after the intermediate indicator portion in a direction towards the second end portion.
The dowels forming the first and second male parts may each comprise locking means in the form of at least one rim extending radially from the envelope surface of the dowel, and wherein the recesses forming the first and second female parts each comprises at least one corresponding groove, whereby in said locking position, the at least one rim of the first male part is adapted to engage the at least one corresponding groove of the first female part and the at least one rim of the second male part is adapted to engage the at least one corresponding groove of the second female part. The number of rims may vary depending on expected loads on the furniture. Also, the number of rims and their design may be used as an indicator to the operator of how to orient the parts during assembly.
One or both opposite longitudinal side walls extending between the first and second end portions of the recess of the first female part may comprise at least one groove.
The opposite longitudinal side walls of the recess forming the first female part may have a single-curved extension convexly facing towards the recess forming the second female part or a single-curved extension concavely facing away from the recess forming the second female part. By a recess having a single-curved extension convexly facing towards the recess forming the second female part, the two dowels forming the first and second male parts may be temporarily pushed towards each other as the first dowel passes along the intermediate indicator portion. By the concave curvature on the other hand the two dowels may be pressed apart from each other as the first dowel passes along the intermediate indicator portion.
The groove of the recess forming the first female part may have a longitudinal extension along at least a part of one or both of the opposite longitudinal side walls and along the envelope surface of the second end portion. A longer extension of the groove will provide a better and more stable guiding of the dowel during the rotation from the mounting position to the locking position.
The distance between the opposite longitudinal side walls of
the recess forming the first female part may be gradually reduced as seen in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion. A gradual decrease in the distance between the side walls may enhance the guiding of the dowel during the rotation from the mounting position to the locking position and also provide a gradual pushing/pulling of the dowels.
The distance between the opposite longitudinal side wall portions of the recess forming the first female part as seen along said opening may be uniform between the first and the second end portions, while being locally reduced along the intermediate indicator portion. Thereby the intermediate indicator portion forms a restriction.
The at least one groove of the recess forming the first female part may have a cross section as seen transverse its longitudinal extension being complementary with the at least one rim of the dowel forming the first male part.
At least a part of the envelope surface of the second end portion of the recess forming the second female part may comprise at least one groove adapted to engage at least one rim of the dowel forming the second male part when the furniture joint is in the locking position. This contributes to a more stable and rigid furniture joint. The engagement between a groove and a rim in this area contributes to counteraction of a bending action of the first furniture part when subjected to a sideward force. The portion of the envelope surface provided with a groove should preferably at least have an extension falling within a virtual circular sector formed while turning the first furniture part in view of the second furniture part from the mounting position to the locking position.
The dowels forming the first and second male parts and/or their respective at least one rims may be formed from a material different from the material of the first furniture part. By way of example the dowel and/or its rims may be an injection molded component. Also, the dowel and its rims may be provided as two inter-connectable parts.
The dowel forming the first male part may have a larger cross section as seen transverse its longitudinal direction than the dowel forming the second male part. This provides a readily visible indicator to the operator of how to orient the parts during assembly. Further, depending on type of furniture part, the two dowels of the male furniture part may be subjected to different loads during use when subjected to a sideward force, such as a sliding movement along a high friction material such as a rug. This may also be accommodated for by making the dowel forming the first male part longer than the dowel forming the second male part or by providing the dowel forming the first male part with a larger number of rims.
The first furniture part may be a post shaped item, a knob shaped item, or a block shaped item or any other item intended to be rotated into a locking position.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a furniture or a furniture sub-assembly comprising a furniture joint with the features given above.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art reading the detailed description given below describing different embodiments. Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 discloses one embodiment of a table.
Fig. 2 discloses one embodiment of two furniture parts to be joined by a furniture joint according to the present invention.
Figs. 3a and 3b disclose the furniture parts set to the mounting position.
Figs. 4a-4c disclose the furniture parts when set from the mounting position to the locking position.
Figs. 5a-5c disclose a second embodiment of the furniture joint.
Now turning to Figs. 1 and 2 one embodiment of the inventive furniture joint 1 is disclosed as applied to a table 2 comprising a table top 3 and four legs 4. It goes without saying that the furniture joint 1 should not be restricted to tables but is equally applicable to other types of furniture.
Each leg 4 constitutes what is referred to in the present application as a first furniture part 5, while the table top 3 constitutes what is referred to in the application as a second furniture part 6. Each first furniture part 5 comprises a first male part 7 and a second male part 8. Further, the second furniture part 6 comprises pairs of a first and a second female part 9, 10, where the number of pairs corresponds to the number of first furniture parts 5.
The first male part 7 is formed by a dowel 1 1 extending in a
longitudinal direction and having a free end 12 facing away from a surface 13 of the first furniture part 5. The first male part 7 has a circular cross section.
The envelope surface of the dowel 1 1 is provided with a plurality of circumferential rims 14 extending in the radial direction thereof. In the disclosed embodiment four rims 14 are arranged next to each other along the longitudinal direction of the dowel 1 1 . The rims 14 constitute locking means to be discussed below.
The second male part 8 is formed by a dowel 15 extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end 16 facing away from the surface 13 of the first furniture part 5. The second male part 8 has a circular cross section.
The envelope surface of the dowel 15 is provided with a plurality of circumferential rims 17 extending in the radial direction thereof. In the disclosed embodiment three rims 17 are arranged next to each other along the longitudinal direction of the dowel 15. The rims 17 constitute locking means to be discussed below.
The dowels 1 1 , 15 forming the first and second male parts 7, 8 may be integrally formed with the first furniture part 5 or separate objects attached thereto. The attachment may be made by pressing, screwing, bonding, welding or the like. The dowels 1 1 , 15 may be made by the same type of material or by a different type of material than the first furniture part 5. The dowels 1 1 , 15 may for instance be made of a plastic, i.e. a polymer based material, a wood or wood based material or metal or any other suitable material.
Although not necessary, in the disclosed embodiment the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 is longer and has a larger diameter than the dowel 15 forming the second male part 8. Also, the first dowel 1 1 may, as is disclosed, be provided with more rims 14 than the second dowel 15. The skilled person will be aware of that the overall joint strength is determined by the diameter and also the number of rims, and that the position of the joint and the material of the first and second furniture parts will limit the diameter and the length of the dowels. Also, the inherent strength of the material of the first furniture part will, at least to some extent, determine the number of rims. Further, these differences will obviate to the person who will assemble the furniture how to orient the first furniture part in view of the second furniture part.
The first female part 9 is formed as a recess 18 in the second furniture part 6. The recess 18 has an opening 19 arranged in the major surface plane 20 of the second furniture part 6, a bottom wall 21 and opposite longitudinal side wall portions 22a, 22b extending from the edges of the opening 19 to the bottom wall 21 . The recess 18 has a depth with an extension extending essentially orthogonally to the major surface plane 20 of the second furniture part 6. The depth corresponds to or slightly exceeds the length of the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 to be received therein.
The recess 18 has an elongated single-curved extension between a first end portion 23 and a second end portion 24. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the recess 18 has a convex extension with respect to the second recess 25 to be discussed below.
The first end portion 23 forms an insertion portion 26 adapted to receive the free end 12 of the dowel 1 1 as the first furniture part 5 and its dowels 1 1 , 15 is moved along the longitudinal direction of said dowels 1 1 , 15. The first end portion 23 has a circular cross section although other cross sections are possible. The dimension of the cross section exceeds the dimension of the cross section of the dowel 1 1 as seen at the widest portion thereof, i.e. across the rims 14.
The second end portion 24 forms a locking portion adapted to engage the rims 14 of the dowel 1 1 . The locking engagement is in this embodiment made possible by the envelope surface 27 of the second end portion 24 being provided with grooves 28a adapted to accommodate the rims 14 of the dowel 1 1 . The number of grooves 28a corresponds to the number of rims 14.
The grooves 28a of the second end portion 24 have a cross section with a dimension adapted to allow the rims 14 of the dowel 1 1 to be inserted therein by a movement along the longitudinal extension of the recess 18. While positioned in the second end portion 24, the dowel 1 1 with its rims 14 is prevented from being removed from the second end portion 24 by a
movement in a direction coinciding with the longitudinal extension of the dowel 1 1 .
In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the opposite longitudinal side wall portions 22a, 22b of the recess 18 are along their envelope surfaces 29 provided with grooves 28b extending from the first end portion 23 to the second end portion 24. The grooves 28b may extend the full length as seen from the first and second end portion 23, 24 or start at a position closer to the second end portion 24 than the first end portion 23. The grooves 28b merge with the grooves 28a of the second end portion 24.
The grooves 28a, 28b have a cross sectional geometry transverse their longitudinal extensions corresponding to the cross sectional geometry of each rim 14 of the dowel 1 1 .
In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the first longitudinal side wall 22a is provided with an intermediate indicator portion 80. The intermediate indicator portion 80 is formed as a restriction 81 facing towards the second female part 10 to be discussed below. The distance between the opposite longitudinal side wall portions 22a, 22b of the recess 18 as seen along said opening 19 may be uniform between the first and the second end portions 23, 24, while being locally reduced along the intermediate indicator portion 80. The restriction 81 may in fact be seen as a friction element since the first dowel 1 1 should be allowed to be moved along and past the restriction 81 while the second dowel 15 is temporarily pushed into an even closer contact with the second end portion 61 of the second female part 10.
The second furniture part 6 further comprises a second female part 10. The second female part 10 is formed by a recess 25 adapted to receive the free end 16 of the dowel 15 forming the second male part 8. The recess 25 has a straight-linear extension L between a first end portion 60 and a second end portion 61 . The extension L exceeds the cross section of the second male part 8 as measured across its rims 17. By way of example, provided the male part 8 has a circular cross section, the extension L may correspond to the diameter as measured across the rims 17 + the width of a rim 17.
The recess 25 has a depth corresponding to or slightly exceeding the length of the dowel 15. Further it has an envelope surface 33 extending between the first and second end portions 60, 61 .
The first end portion 60 of the recess 25 forms an insertion portion 32 having an opening 30 closest to the major surface plane 20 of the second furniture part 6 and a bottom wall 31 . The insertion portion 32 has a cross sectional dimension allowing insertion of the dowel 15 with its rims 17 into the recess 25 along a direction corresponding to the longitudinal center axis of the dowel 15.
The dowel 15 is movable inside the recess 25 so that it may be freely inserted and retracted from the insertion portion 32 in a direction along the longitudinal centre axis of the dowel 15. Further it is movable and rotatable in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis towards the second end portion 61 to a locked position in which any longitudinal movement is prevented.
To allow said locking, a portion of the envelope surface 33 at the second end portion 61 is provided with grooves 34 adapted to engage with the rims 17 of the dowel 15 when the furniture joint 1 is set to the locking position.
The portion of the envelope surface 33 forming the second end portion 61 provided with grooves 34 should at least have an extension falling within a virtual circle sector formed while turning the first furniture part 5 in view of the second furniture part 6 from the mounting position to the locking position. During such turning the dowel 15 with its rims 17 will turn and move inside the recess 25 to the locked position in which any longitudinal movement is prevented. This will be discussed in detail below while discussing the operation of the furniture joint 1 . Each groove 34 has a cross sectional geometry which allows the rims 17 of the dowel 15 to engage the grooves 34 as the dowel 15 is moved within the recess 25 from the first end portion 60 to the second end portion 61 .
In the following the operation of the furniture joint 1 will be discussed. For ease of understanding the outlines of the first furniture part 5 are shown with dashed lines. As noted, in this embodiment, the recess 18 of the first female part has a convex extension.
Starting with Figs. 3a and 3b, the furniture joint 1 is set to a mounting position by moving the first furniture part 5 along the longitudinal directions of the dowels 1 1 , 15 such that the insertion portion 26 of the first female part 9 receives the free end 12 of the dowel 1 1 of the first male part 7, and such that the insertion portion 32 adjacent the first end portion 60 of the second female part 10 receives the free end (not shown) of the dowel 15 of the second male part 8. In this position, the two dowels 1 1 , 15 are preferably under no tension.
Now turning to Figs. 4a-4c, the furniture joint 1 is set from the mounting position to the locking position by rotating the first furniture part 5 in view of the second furniture part 6 such that the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 is moved along the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 from the first end portion 23 to the second end portion 24. During this movement the dowel 1 1 will be in guiding contact with one or both of the longitudinal side walls 22a, 22b of the recess 25 forming the second female part 10. During this guiding, the dowel 15 forming the second male part 8 is rotated and also forced to be moved along the straight-linear extension of the recess 25 from the first end portion 60 to the second end portion 61 thereof. Thus, the dowel 15 will due to the curvature of the recess 18 be rotated and moved inside the recess 25 and pressed into contact with the second end portion 61 , see arrow F.
As the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 passes along the intermediate indicator portion 80, see Fig. 4b, the operator will experience a momentary increased resistance since the dowel 1 1 by the restriction 81 temporarily will be forced in a direction F towards the dowel 15 forming the second male part 8. As a consequence thereof the dowel 15 will temporarily be forced to an even closer contact with the second end portion 61 of the second female part 10.
As the two furniture parts are further rotated past the intermediate indicator portion 80, see Fig. 4c, the experienced resistance will be relieved, indicating that the two furniture parts have been correctly mounted. This relieve may in some circumstances even be experienced as an audible effect in the form a "click"-like sound.
It is preferred that the intermediate indicator portion 80 is located in a position just before the dowel 1 1 has reached the second end portion 24 of recess 18, i.e. just before reaching the locking position.
During the setting from the mounting position to the locking position, the rims 14 of the dowel 1 1 will engage the grooves 28b extending between the first and second end portions 23, 24 before subsequently engaging the grooves 28a of the second end portion 24. For the convex curvature it is sufficient if the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 is provided with grooves 28a, 28b along the longitudinal side wall 22b closest to the recess 25 forming the second female part 10 and on its second end portion 24. This may by way of example be favourable if the furniture part or a part thereof which is provided with the recesses is provided by injection moulding.
The convex curvature of the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 has shown to be advantageous in that the inherent resistance of the material of the surrounding goods may be used to better distribute and thereby accommodate the temporary forces that occur along the intermediate indicator portion when the furniture joint is set from the mounting position to the locking position.
Now turning to Figs. 5a-5c a second embodiment of the invention is disclosed. The furniture joint 1 differs from the first embodiment in that the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 has a concave single-curved non- circular arc-shaped extension with respect to the recess 25 forming the second female part 10. Also, the recess 25 is provided with grooves 34 on the second end portion 61 which in this embodiment is arranged next to the recess 18 forming the first female part 9. Further, the intermediate indicator portion is arranged on the second longitudinal side wall 22b.
Now turning to Figs. 5a-5c, the furniture joint 1 is set from the mounting position to the locking position by rotating the first furniture part 5 in view of the second furniture part 6 such that the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 is moved along the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 from the first end portion 23 to the second end portion 24. During this movement the dowel 1 1 , will be in guiding contact with one or both of the longitudinal side walls 22a, 22b of the recess 25 forming the second female part 10. During this guiding, the dowel 15 forming the second male part 8 is rotated and also forced to be moved along the straight-linear extension of the recess 25 from the first end portion 60 to the second end portion 61 thereof. Thus, the dowel 15 will due to the curvature of the recess 18 be rotated and moved inside the recess 25 and pressed into contact with the second end portion 61 , see arrow F.
As the dowel 1 1 forming the first male part 7 passes along the intermediate indicator portion 80, see Fig. 5b, the operator will experience a momentary increased resistance since the dowel 1 1 by the restriction 81 temporarily will be forced in the direction F away from the dowel 15 forming the second male part. As a consequence thereof the dowel 15 will temporarily be forced to an even closer contact with the second end portion 61 of the second female part 10.
As the two furniture parts are further rotated past the intermediate indicator portion 80, see Fig. 5c, the experienced resistance will be relieved, indicating that the two furniture parts have been correctly mounted. This relieve may in some circumstances even be experienced as an audible effect in the form a "click"-like sound.
It is preferred that the intermediate indicator portion is located in a position just before the dowel 1 1 has reached the second end portion 24 of recess 18, i.e. just before the locking position.
For the concave curvature disclosed in the embodiment of Figs. 5a-5c, it is sufficient if the recess 18 forming the first female part 9 is provided with grooves 28a, 28b along the longitudinal side wall 22a furthest away from the recess 25 forming the second female part 10 and on its second end portion 24. This may by way of example be favourable if the furniture part or a part thereof which is provided with the recesses is provided by injection moulding.
It is appreciated that the embodiments of the invention as disclosed above may be altered in different ways within the scope of the appended claims.
The effect of a temporary resistance just before the dowel forming the first male part has reached its end position adjacent the end portion of the recess forming the first female part may be provided also if the curved recess has a circular arc-shaped extension without any intermediate indicator portion with a restriction. The temporary resistance may by way of example be provided by one or several bulges in the grooves or on the rims of the dowel.
The furniture parts may be parts of different types of furniture, such as tables, chairs, cupboars etc. The furniture joint is applicable to any parts adapted to be mounted to each other by a rotating movement. The furniture parts may be made of any material, such as wood, fibre or chip boards, plastic and metal. Co-operating furniture parts may be made of different materials.
The geometry of the recesses may be formed by machining in one or several steps by e.g. drilling and milling. The geometry of the recesses may also be formed by a moulded insert representing said geometry, which insert is arranged to be attached to a recess formed in the furniture part.
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