Abstract:
A method of assembling first and second furniture elements, the first furniture element including a groove defined between first and second opposed side surfaces, the second furniture element including a tongue defining first and second opposed tongue surfaces, wherein the method includes (a) inserting the tongue into the groove so as to establish contact between the second tongue surface and the second side surface, the first side surface and the first tongue surface thereby defining an elongated compartment; (b) providing a furniture locking element having (i) an elastic base portion having first and second side walls forming a trough; and (ii) a stiff insertion portion configured for insertion into the trough; (c) inserting the base portion into the elongated compartment, forcing the second tongue surface toward the second side surface; and (d) inserting the insertion portion into the trough, forcing the first and second side walls away from each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a national phase filing, under 35 U.S.C. §371(c), of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/059684, filed on May 24, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to the assembling of furniture, in particular to the assembling of planar furniture elements oriented at right angles to one another, such as the side walls, the front wall, and the back wall of a drawer. 
     When a piece of furniture is composed of mechanically joined furniture elements, the furniture elements are often structurally weaker at the joints, at which they may break when the piece of furniture is subjected to loads. This is particularly the case when the furniture elements are manufactured of softer materials, such as particle board, and joined by traditional joints, such as but joints, lap joints, and traditional tongue and groove joints. This problem is particularly pronounced provided the piece of furniture is shipped in non-assembled state, i.e. as individual or separate components such as plate or wall components to be assembled by the consumer. Further, when disassembling a piece of furniture the structure of the individual furniture elements may be damaged, e.g. when removing plugs or nails. This may reduce the structural strength of the piece of furniture as a whole after being assembled again. It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the structural strength of a piece of furniture that is composed of several furniture elements. If tools are used to assemble a piece of furniture from several furniture elements, this may cause damage to the structure of the furniture elements. For example, the thread of a screw may cause damage if driven too far into the structure of a furniture element. This typically occurs if an electrical screwdriver is used at the wrong torque setting. It is therefore an additional object of the present invention to enable an assembling that does not require tools. 
     From U.S. Pat. No. 1,468,786, a drawer is known, which is composed of a front member, two side members, a rear end member and a bottom, which are all joint together in conventional dove tail joints. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above objects and advantages are according to a first aspect of the present invention achieved by a furniture assembly comprising: a first furniture element defining a first surface and a first groove in the first surface, the first groove defining a first side surface and an opposite second side surface; a second furniture element comprising a first tongue for being received in the first groove, the first tongue defining a first tongue surface and an opposite second tongue surface, the second tongue surface being adapted for facial cooperation with the second side surface of the first groove, the first side surface and the first tongue surface defining a first elongated compartment in said facial cooperation between the second tongue surface and the second side surface; and a first elongated furniture locking element for insertion into the first elongated compartment for engaging the first side surface and the first tongue surface and for forcing the second tongue surface toward the second side surface. 
     The first groove is here understood to be running parallel to the first surface for defining an elongated space. The specified groove allows for the first elongated furniture locking element to engage a significant area of the first furniture element, which reduces the risk of structural damage to the first furniture element. This allows for the first furniture element to be manufactured from softer furniture materials, such as particle board or chip board. The first tongue may extend along a substantial length of the first groove when inserted into said first groove. This means that the first elongated furniture locking element may engage a significant area of the second furniture element, which allows for the second furniture element to be manufactured from softer furniture materials, such as particle board or chip board. 
     The second tongue surface may define a first extension and the second side surface may define a cooperating first undercut for preventing a movement of the second furniture element relative to the first furniture element in a direction normal to the first surface of the first furniture element. The second tongue surface and the second side surface may define a first half-dovetail connection extending in the lengthwise direction of the first groove. 
     The furniture assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise: a third furniture element defining a second surface and a second groove in the second surface, the second groove defining a third side surface and an opposite fourth side surface. The second furniture element may further comprise a second tongue for being received in the second groove, the second tongue defining a third tongue surface and an opposite fourth tongue surface, the fourth tongue surface being adapted for facial cooperation with the fourth side surface of the second groove, the third side surface and the third tongue surface defining a second elongated compartment in said facial cooperation between the fourth tongue surface and the fourth side surface. The furniture assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise: a second elongated furniture locking element for insertion into the second elongated compartment for engaging the third side surface and the third tongue surface and for forcing the fourth tongue surface toward the fourth side surface. 
     The second groove is here understood to be running parallel to the second surface for defining an elongated space. The specified groove allows for the second elongated furniture locking element to engage a significant area of the third furniture element, which reduces the risk of structural damage to the third furniture element. This allows for the third furniture element to be manufactured from softer furniture materials, such as particle board or chip board. The second tongue may extend along a substantial length of the second groove when inserted into said second groove. This means that the second elongated furniture locking element may engage a significant area of the second furniture element, which allows for the second furniture element to be manufactured from softer furniture materials, such as particle board or chip board. 
     The first tongue surface of the first tongue and the third tongue surface of the second tongue may face opposite directions. Additionally or alternatively, the second tongue surface of the first tongue and the fourth tongue surface of the second tongue may face opposite directions. This allows for the second furniture element to be tilted relative to the first furniture element such that the elongated furniture element is pressed against the first side surface of the first groove. The third furniture element may then be positioned such that when tilted back the fourth tongue surface engages the fourth side surface. This allows for a further furniture element to be engaged by the second furniture element when it is tilted back. The elastic material of the elongated base portion may act to force the second furniture element to tilt back when tilted relative to the first furniture element. This has the effect that the contacting of the fourth tongue surface and the fourth side surface may be caused by forces defined by the structure of the furniture assembly alone, which may make the assembly easier. 
     The second tongue surface may define a second extension and the second side surface may define a cooperating second undercut for preventing a movement of the second furniture element relative to the first furniture element in a direction normal to the first surface of the first furniture element. The second tongue surface and the second side surface may define a first half-dovetail connection extending in the lengthwise direction of the first groove. 
     The above objects and advantages are according to a second aspect of the present invention achieved by a method for assembling a furniture, the furniture comprising a first furniture element defining a first surface and a first groove in the first surface, the first groove defining a first side surface and an opposite second side surface, a second furniture element comprising a first tongue defining a first tongue surface and an opposite second tongue surface, and a first elongated furniture locking element, the method comprising: (a) inserting the first tongue in the first groove, (b) positioning the second tongue surface in contact with the second side surface of the first groove for establishing a facial cooperation between the second tongue surface and the second side surface, the first side surface and the first tongue surface defining a first elongated compartment; and (c) inserting the first elongated furniture locking element in the first elongated compartment for engaging the first side surface and the first tongue surface and for forcing the second tongue surface toward the second side surface. 
     The furniture may further comprise a third furniture element defining a second surface and a second groove in the second surface, the second groove defining a third side surface and an opposite fourth side surface, and the second furniture element further comprising a second tongue defining a third tongue surface and an opposite fourth tongue surface, and a second elongated furniture locking element, and the method may further comprise: (d) inserting the second tongue in the second groove, (e) positioning the fourth tongue surface in contact with the fourth side surface of the second groove for establishing a facial cooperation between the fourth tongue surface and the fourth side surface, the third side surface and the third tongue surface defining a second elongated compartment; and (f) inserting the second elongated furniture locking element in the second elongated compartment for engaging the third side surface and the third tongue surface and for forcing the fourth tongue surface toward the fourth side surface. 
     The first tongue surface of the first tongue and the third tongue surface of the second tongue may face opposite directions. Additionally or alternatively, the second tongue surface of the first tongue and the fourth tongue surface of the second tongue may face opposite directions. 
     The above objects and advantages are according to a first aspect of the present invention achieved by an elongated furniture locking element comprising: an elongated base portion of an elastic material for insertion into an elongated compartment, the elongated base portion comprising a first side wall and a second side wall running lengthwise and parallel to one another and interconnected by a connection element spacing them apart, and an elongated insertion element for being inserted between and transversal to the first side wall and the second side wall for forcing the first side wall and the second side wall away from each other. 
     The elastic material has the effect that the first side wall and the second side wall are resilient, which means that they will retain their original shape after being deformed. This has the advantage that the locking element can be reused several times. An example of an elongated compartment into which the elongated base portion may be inserted is the space defined between two planar walls facing each other. The connection element may be of the same material as the first side wall and the second side wall. Forcing is here understood to correspond to the acting of one or more forces This means that if the first side wall and the second side wall are prevented from moving outwards, e.g. by being tightly fitted inside the elongated compartment, the first side wall and the second side wall will deform instead of moving outwards. 
     The elongated base portion may define an insertion side for being inserted into the elongated compartment and the outer surface of the first side wall. The outer surface of the second side may taper towards the insertion side. Insertion side is here understood to mean the side of the base portion intended to directly face the elongated compartment when inserted therein. If the insertion side is regarded as the bottom side of the elongated base portion, then the tapering towards the insertion side means that the base portion is narrower at its bottom side than at the top side of the elongated base portion. 
     The first side wall may comprise a first plurality of parallel ridges on its outer surface running transversal to and distributed lengthwise along the first side wall. The first plurality of parallel ridges allows the first side wall of the elastic material to deform also in tight fit inside an elongated compartment, thus giving a secure locking without damaging the walls of the elongated compartment. The running of the first plurality of parallel ridges transversal to the first side wall means that the ridges extend in the same direction as the direction in which the elongated base portion is intended to be inserted into the elongated compartment, which makes the insertion easier. The lengthwise distribution has the effect that the first side wall may deform over a substantial portion of its length, thus allowing a more secure locking. 
     The first side wall may comprise a second plurality of parallel ridges on its inner surface running transversal to and distributed lengthwise along the first side wall. Each ridge of the second plurality of parallel ridges may have a height that increases towards the insertion side. The second side wall may comprise a third plurality of parallel ridges on its inner surface running transversal to and distributed lengthwise along the first side wall. Each ridge of the third plurality of parallel ridges may have a height that increases towards the insertion side. 
     The second and third pluralities of parallel ridges allow the first side wall of the elastic material to deform also in tight fit inside an elongated compartment, thus giving a secure locking without damaging the walls of the elongated compartment or the structure of the first side wall and the second side wall. The running of the second and third pluralities of parallel ridges transversal to the first side wall means that the ridges extend in same direction as the the direction in which the elongated insertion element is intended to be inserted into the elongated base portion, which makes the insertion of the elongated insertion element easier. The lengthwise distributions have the effect that the first side wall and the second side wall may deform over a substantial portion of its length, thus allowing a more secure locking. The increasing of the height of each ridge towards the insertion side allows for the elongated base portion to deform more at its insertion side, which generally gives a more secure locking. 
     The connection element may comprise: an elongated bottom portion of the elastic material and running lengthwise along and interconnecting the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     The bottom portion may be shorter than the first side wall and the second side wall for defining a through-going aperture at the insertion side. The connection element may define a first end and an opposite second end. The connection element may comprise: a first end portion of the elastic material positioned at the first end and interconnecting the first side portion and the second side portion; and the connection element may further comprise: a second end portion of the elastic material positioned at the second end and interconnecting the first side portion and the second side portion. 
     The first end portion and the second end portion may define a first flat surface portion and a second flat surface portion, respectively. The first flat surface portion and the second flat surface portion may be flush with the outer surface of the second side wall. The outer surface of the second side wall may be planar. The flush relationship allows for a tight fitting in an elongated compartment partly defined by a planar surface of a tongue inserted in a groove. The first end portion and the second end portion may define a first curved surface portion and a second curved surface portion, respectively. The first curved surface portion and the second curved surface portion may face the same side of the elongated base portion as the first side wall. The first curved surface portion and the second curved surface portion flush relationship allows for a tight fitting in an elongated compartment partly defined by a groove formed by milling or countersink drilling. 
     The elastic material may be rubber, e.g. an elastomer that can undergo elastic deformation under stress or compression and return to its previous size and form without permanent deformation. 
     The elongated insertion element may be composed of an inelastic material. The inelastic material may be plastic. 
     The elongated insertion element may comprise an elongated splice portion having a cuboid shape for filling a substantial portion of the space between the first side wall and the second side wall. This allows for a tight fitting of the furniture locking element inside an elongated compartment defining parallel side surfaces. The elongated insertion element may comprise a grip for manually gripping and pulling the insertion element from the elongated base portion when the elongated insertion element is inserted between the first side wall and the second side wall. The grip may comprise an elongated grip portion oriented parallel to and positioned at one end of the elongated splice portion, the elongated grip portion may be thinner than the elongated insertion element. The grip may comprise a hook, ridge, or indenture for being engaged by a fingernail. These features allow for the elongated furniture locking element to be easily removed when fitted. 
     The insertion element may comprise a support portion for being positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall and for being supported relative to the elongated base portion, and the elongated splice portion being pivotally connected to the support portion. This allows for the whole of the insertion element to be easily and correctly inserted between the first side wall and the second side wall. The support portion may comprise a flange for engaging a portion of the outer surface of the elongated bottom portion. This allows for a secure support of the insertion element, since the flange may be sandwiched between the bottom portion and the bottom of an elongated compartment. 
     The first side wall, the second side wall, and the elongated insertion element may define a planar surface of the elongated furniture locking element when the elongated insertion portion is inserted between the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     The first elongated furniture locking element in the first aspect of the present invention may be an elongated furniture locking element according to the third aspect of the present invention. The second elongated furniture locking element in the first aspect of the present invention may be an elongated furniture locking element according to the third aspect of the present invention. 
     The furniture in the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any of the features of the elongated furniture locking element according to the third aspect of the present invention. The furniture according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise any of the features of the furniture assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention. 
     The furniture assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention may be adapted to be used in the method according to the second aspect of the present invention. The elongated furniture locking element according to the third aspect of the present invention may be adapted to be used in the furniture assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or in the method according to the second aspect of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is now to be further described with reference to the drawings in which 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective and schematic view of a first step of joining a side wall to a rear wall for assembling a drawer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, 
         FIG. 1B  is a sectional view along the line A-A in  FIG. 1A , 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 1A  illustrating the side wall joined to the rear wall and a further step of mounting a locking element in the rear wall, 
         FIG. 2B  is a sectional view similar to the view of  FIG. 1B  along the line A-A in  FIG. 2A , 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the views of  FIGS. 1A and 2A  illustrating a further step of sealing the locking element in its intentional position in the rear wall, 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional view similar to the views of  FIGS. 1B and 2B  along the line A-A in  FIG. 3A , 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective and schematic view illustrating the further assembling of a further side wall to the rear wall of the drawer in steps similar to the steps shown in  FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A , 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view along the line B-B in  FIG. 4A , 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 4A  illustrating a further step of sliding a bottom plate along grooves machined in the inner sides of the side walls also shown in  FIG. 4A , 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 5  illustrating the proper position of the bottom plate wall received in the grooves of the side walls and also in a groove of the rear wall, 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view along the line C-C in  FIG. 6A  illustrating the position of the bottom plate wall relative to the left-hand side wall of the drawer also shown in  FIG. 6A , 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 6A  illustrating a step of joining a front wall to the left-hand and right-hand side walls also shown in  FIG. 6A  by pushing the side walls aside for allowing swallow joints of the side walls to be received within cooperating grooves of the front wall, 
         FIG. 7B  is a sectional view along the line C-C of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the positioning of the left-hand side wall relative to the front wall for joining the side wall to the front wall, 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a step similar to the step shown in  FIG. 2A  of positioning a locking element similar to the locking element shown in  FIG. 2A  at the outside of the left-hand side wall of the drawer for fixating the left-hand side wall relative to the front wall of the final drawer, 
         FIG. 8B  is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of  FIG. 8A , 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 8A  illustrating the final drawer, 
         FIG. 9B  are sectional views along the line C-C, D-D, B-B and A-A of the final drawer shown in  FIG. 9A  illustrating the locking of the side walls to the rear wall and the front wall, 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective and schematic view illustrating the locking element also shown in  FIGS. 2A and 8A  and composed of an open trough-shaped part made from a fairly soft rubber material and a bendable fairly stiff expander part, 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective and schematic view similar to the view of  FIG. 10A  illustrating the locking element after assembling the two parts of the locking element also shown in  FIG. 10A , and further illustrating a sectional view along the line E-E illustrating schematically the expansion of the open trough-shaped part when forcing the fairly stiff expander part into the open though of the open trough-shaped part, 
         FIG. 10C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of  FIG. 10B , 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective and schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the locking element constituted by a wedged-shaped wooden component. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, a technique of assembling a piece of furniture, more precisely a drawer, is described involving the assembling of two side walls, a rear wall, a front wall and a bottom plate wall by using particularly configured dovetails and a locking element characteristic of the present invention. The technique is as such, as said above, described in relation to the assembling of a drawer, however, it is contemplated that a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how to equivalently use the technique when assembling differently configured pieces of furniture such as tables, closets, sofas, beds, chairs etc. or for instance kitchen furniture. 
     In  FIG. 1A , the reference numeral  10  designates the rear wall of the drawer to be assembled as described above, which rear wall defines an inwardly facing side  12  in which a transversal groove  14  is provided and also two transverse side grooves  16  and  18 . 
     In  FIG. 1A , one of the above-mentioned side walls is further shown designated the reference numeral  20 . The side wall  20  defines an inwardly facing side  22  in which a transversal groove  24  is provided which groove resembles the groove  14  of the rear wall  12  and serves the same purpose as the groove  14  as will be evident from the below description. The side wall  20  further has two tongues  26  and  28  extending from opposite ends of the side wall  20  and differing from one another in the orientation of the dovetail configuration of the two tongues. The tongue  26  has its side coextending with the inwardly facing side  22  of the side wall  20  whereas the tongue  28  has its corresponding one side coextending with the side of the side wall  20  opposite to the side wall  22  shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     In  FIG. 1B , a sectional view along the line A-A in  FIG. 1A  is shown illustrating the configuration of the groove  18  and also the configuration of the tongue  26 . As is evident from  FIG. 1B , the tongue  26  has as already said above its one side coextending with the inwardly facing side  22  of the side wall  20  and has its opposite dovetail side  30  configured so as to allow the dovetail configured side to match with a similarly configured dovetail inner side of the groove  18 . As is evident from  FIG. 1B , the width of the groove  18 , however, is far larger than the width of the tongue  26  allowing the tongue  26  to be easily received within the groove  28  and then shifted to the right in order to bring the dovetail configured side  30  of the tongue  26  into facial contact with the similarly configured dovetail side of the groove  18 . 
     In  FIG. 2A , a further step of assembling the side wall  20  and the rear wall  10  is shown in which step, the tongue  26  of the side wall  20  is received within the groove  18  of the rear wall  10 . Similarly in  FIG. 2B , a sectional view along the line A-A of  FIG. 2A  is shown illustrating the close positioning of the dovetail side of the tongue  26  relative to the identical configured side of the groove  18  leaving open a small compartment  32  between the planar side of the tongue  26  coextensive with the inwardly facing side  22  of the side wall  20  and the adjacent side of the groove  18 . In the compartment  32 , a locking element  34  is introduced as indicated by an arrow I in  FIG. 2A  which locking element is composed of two parts, a fairly soft rubber part constituting a trough-shaped part  36  and a fairly stiff part  38 , which locking element  34  is to be described in greater detail below with a reference to  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C . 
     In  FIG. 3A , a further step of assembling the side wall  20  and the rear wall  10  is shown, in which step the stiff part  38  of the locking element  34  is turned down into the trough of the trough-shaped part  36  as indicated by an arrow II and in doing so expanding the rubber material of the trough-shaped part  36  and thereby locking the side wall  20  relative to the rear wall  10 . In  FIG. 3B , a sectional view similar to the views  1 B and  2 B illustrates the fixation of the locking element  34  in the compartment  32  fixating the side wall  20  relative to the rear wall  10 . 
     In  FIG. 4A , a further side wall  20 ′ constituting a mirror image component relative to the side wall  20  is mounted and fixated to the rear wall  10  in a process involving steps similar to the steps described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A  in relation to the mounting and fixating of the side wall  20  relative to the rear wall  10 . The mirror image side wall  20 ′ is fixated relative to the rear wall  10  in the same manner as the fixating of the side wall  20  relative to the rear wall  10 , i.e. by means of a further locking element  34 ′ similar to the locking element  34  as shown in  FIG. 4B  as the fixating of the locking element is accomplished by turning the stiff part  38 ′ of the locking element  34 ′ in the opposite direction as compared to the orientation shown by the arrow indicated by II in  FIG. 3A . 
     Throughout the present specification, components and elements identical to previously described elements are designated the same reference numerals as described previously whereas components or elements serving the same purpose as a previously described component or element, respectively, however differing in geometry from the previously described element is designated the same integer, however, added a marking for identifying the geometrical difference. Due to the functional correspondence between the previously described component or element and the component or element, respectively, having a different geometrical configuration, no specific description is given except for the difference between the previously described component or element and the geometrically differing component or element. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a bottom plate wall  50  is to be mounted in the assembly of the rear wall  10  and the two oppositely positioned side walls  20  and  20 ′ as the bottom plate wall  50  is moved downwardly, indicated by an arrow III, as the edges of the bottom plate wall  50  is received within the oppositely positioned and parallel grooves  24  and  24 ′ of the side walls  20  and  20 ′, respectively. 
     In  FIG. 6A , the final position of the bottom plate wall  50  received within the side walls  20  and  20 ′ and the rear wall is shown, as the lowermost edge of the bottom plate wall shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A  is received within the groove  40  of the rear wall  10 . 
     In  FIG. 6B , the position of the bottom plate wall  50  relative to the mirror image side wall  20 ′ is shown in a sectional view along the line C-C in  FIG. 6A  illustrating the positioning of the upper leftmost corner of the bottom plate wall  50  relative to the dovetail inner side of the tongue  28 ′ of the mirror image side wall  20 ′. 
     In  FIG. 7A , the front wall  40  is to be assembled to the bottom plate wall  50  and the side walls  20  and  20 ′. The front wall  40  is, as is evident from  FIGS. 8A and 9A , somewhat broader than the rear wall  10  and is like the rear wall  10  provided with a groove for receiving the uppermost edge part of the bottom plate wall  50  and is further provided with two grooves one of which is shown in  FIG. 7B  which illustrates a sectional view of the upper left-hand part of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the front wall  40  and the mirror image side wall  20 ′. Like the rear wall  10 , the grooves of the front wall  40  provided in the inwardly facing side  42  of the front wall are somewhat broader than the tongue to be introduced into the groove allowing the dovetail tongue, i.e. the tongue  28 ′ shown in  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , to be received within the groove designated the reference numeral  46 , however, as is evident from  FIG. 7B , and as described above, the tongue  28 ′ has its one side coextending with the outer side of the mirror image side wall  20 ′ and has its dovetail side facing inwardly, for allowing the tongue  28 ′ to be introduced into the cooperating groove  46  of the inwardly facing side  42  of the front wall  40 , the mirror image side wall  20 ′ and similarly the side wall  20 , as the front wall  40  is moved downwardly as indicated by arrows IV, and swung outwardly or tilted outwardly as indicated by arrows V and is illustrated in  FIG. 7B , in which the dovetail end of the tongue  28 ′ is slightly shifted a distance designated ‘a’ from the upper leftmost corner of the bottom plate wall  50  thereby allowing the tongue  28 ′ to be introduced into and received within the groove  46 . 
     In  FIG. 8A , the tongues  28  and  28 ′ of the side wall  20  and the mirror image side wall  20 ′, respectively, are received and positioned in their intentional position having the dovetail side of the tongues facing the dovetail side of the respective grooves as is illustrated in  FIG. 8B  which is a sectional view along the line C-C of  FIG. 8A . Similar to the locking of the rearmost ends of the side walls  20  and  20 ′ as described above with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the front most ends of the side walls  20  and  20 ′ are locked in position by means of two additional locking elements, one of which is shown in  FIG. 8A  and designated the reference numeral  34 ″ as the locking element  34 ″ like the above-described locking elements  34  and  34 ′ is introduced in a two-step operation as indicated by the arrows I and II. It is, however, to be understood as is illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , that the rearmost and front most ends of the side walls  20  and  20 ′ differ from one another in order to allow the dovetail fixation to be established between the front most ends of the side walls  20  and  20 ′ and the front wall  40  as the bottom plate wall  50  is received at the inwardly facing sides of the side walls  20  and  20 ′, i.e. in the grooves  24  and  24 ′, respectively, shown in  FIG. 5 . The mirror image configuration of the tongues  26  and  28  of the side wall  20  and similarly the tongues  26 ′ and  28 ′ of the mirror image side wall  20 ′ is mandatory for allowing the simple assembling of the drawer by receiving the bottom plate wall  50  within the assembly of the two side walls  20  and  20 ′ and the rear wall  10  prior to fixating the front wall  40  to the fixation tongues of the front wall  40 . 
     An alternative embodiment of the above fixation system in which the fixation tongues  26  and  28  are shifted relative to one another and at the same time modifying the dovetail shaped grooves of the rear wall and the front wall is obviously within the scope of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 9A , the assembled drawer is shown and in  FIG. 9B , sectional views along the lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D of  FIG. 9A  are shown illustrating the mirror image configuration of the tongues  26 ,  28  and  26 ′,  28 ′ of the side walls  20 ,  20 , repsectively. 
     In  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C , the locking element  34  composed of the fairly soft rubber part  36  and the stiff part  38  is shown in greater detail. As is evident from  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the end parts of the trough-shaped part  36  are rounded for configuring the outer contour of the trough-shaped part  36  to the configuration of the grooves  16 ,  18  and  46 ,  48  of the rear wall  10  and the front wall  40 , respectively, which grooves are, as will be readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, produced on an NCC milling machine or similar apparatus. 
     The outer surface of the trough-shaped part  36  to be contacted with the inner side of the groove of the rear wall  10  or the front wall  40  are further corrugated for improving the fixation of the locking element within the cooperating groove but also allowing a slight deformation of the locking element as the side walls  20  and  20 ′ are shifted or swung outwardly as is illustrated in  FIG. 7A  as indicated by the arrows V. 
     The trough-shaped part  36  is preferably cast from neoprene rubber whereas the stiff part  38  is cast from nylon or similar fairly stiff and rigid material. As is evident from  FIG. 10A , the stiff part  38  is provided with a cut  54  providing a thin web within the material of the stiff part  38  which web provides a film hinge  54  around which the stiff part  38  is bent as is indicated in  FIG. 10B  by the arrow II. The stiff part  38  is further at its end to be received within the trough-shaped part  36  provided with an end plate for fixating the stiff part  36  in its intentional position prior to bending the freely protruding part of the stiff part into the trough-shaped part  36  causing a sideways expansion of the trough-shaped part. In  FIG. 100 , a vertical sectional view of the trough-shaped part  36  is shown. 
     In  FIG. 11 , an alternative embodiment of the locking element is shown constituted by a wooden block  58  to be hammered into the compartment defined within one of the grooves  16 ,  18 ,  46 ,  48 , preferably in an alternative variant of the above-described assembling technique in which the side walls  20  and  20 ′ are glued to the rear wall  10  and the front wall  40  and at the same time gluing the wooden block  58  into a permanent fixation relative to the rear wall  10  or the front wall  40 . 
     The above-described preferred usage of the locking element  34  apart from a simple assembling of the drawer or similar piece of furniture, also involves the highly advantageous possibility of disassembling the drawer by first removing the locking elements  34 ″ and  34 ′″ shown in  FIG. 9B  and afterwards removing the front wall  40  and then removing the bottom plate wall  50  and finally disconnecting the side walls  20  and  20 ′ from the rear wall  10  by removing the locking elements  34  and  34 ′ whereupon the rear wall, the front wall, the side walls and the bottom wall together with the four locking elements  34 ,  34 ′,  34 ″ and  34 ′″ may be put into a planer configuration allowing a shipment of the disassembled drawer for instance by moving from one location to another. Consequently, apart from allowing the drawer to be sent from the manufacturer to the customer, the use of the disassembling technique described above provides the further advantage of allowing the customer to disassemble the drawer at a later stage for shelving the drawer or for moving the drawer from one location to another in the extremely space saving configuration. 
     Although the present invention has been described above with reference to a specific and today advantageous embodiment constituting a drawer involving a non-permanent or permanent assembling of the drawer, the present invention is obviously not limited to the technique of assembling and possibly disassembling drawers but is also applicable in connection with different pieces of furniture such as closets, tables, chairs, sofas, beds, kitchen furniture etc. such obvious embodiments or modifications are to be considered encompassed by the protective scope as defined in the appending claims.