Patent Description:
Furniture components, such as e.g. handles, to be fixed to e.g. a cabinet or a drawer for the opening thereof, are known in the art. The furniture components earlier described are fixed to the furniture by e.g. screws or glue. This has the drawback that the screws will be visible, at least when opening the cabinet or drawer, or that a handle that is glued to the cabinet or drawer might fall off.

The above description of various known aspects is the applicant's characterization of such, and is not an admission that any of the above description is considered as prior art.

The document <CIT> or the document <CIT> discloses a set comprising a component, a panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the component to the panel.

It is an object of at least certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and known art; particularly, to achieve a set that could easily be assembled while also giving a stable and aesthetic result.

A further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention is to facilitate assembling of sets of a component and panel configured to be assembled with a locking device that is easy to manufacture and to use.

A further object of at least certain aspects of the present invention is to facilitate assembling of a component and panel configured to be assembled with a locking device that is easy to use and install and which reduces the risk of incorrect installation thereof.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by a set comprising a component, a panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the component to the panel according to claim <NUM>.

According to an aspect the extruded component has a fixed cross-section along an extrusion direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the second edge surface.

According to an aspect the locking groove comprises a first side wall and an opposite second side wall and a bottom surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall.

According to an aspect the tongue groove is positioned at the first side wall and/or the second side wall.

According to an aspect the component is made of a metal, such as an aluminium material, or a plastic, such as a thermoplastic material.

According to an aspect the locking element comprises a neck, wherein said neck is positioned between the insertion groove and the first edge surface.

According to the invention, the component comprises at least one locking part protruding from the first edge surface, wherein the locking part is configured to cooperate with a first side wall of the locking groove for locking of the component to the panel in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

According to the invention, the component comprises another locking part, protruding from the first edge surface, configured to cooperate with a second side wall of the locking groove for locking of the component to the panel in a direction which is opposite to the second direction.

According to an aspect the neck is positioned between the locking part and said another locking part.

According to an aspect the insertion groove is essentially parallel with the first edge surface, wherein the flexible tongue is displaceable in the insertion groove.

According to an aspect the locking element comprises at least one protruding part at a bottom surface of the locking element, wherein the protruding part is configured to cooperate with a bottom surface of the locking groove to counteract a displacement of the component relative the panel in an extrusion direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the second edge surface.

According to an aspect the first edge surface is configured to cooperate with the second edge surface for a locking of the component to the panel in a direction which is opposite to the first direction.

According to an aspect a bottom surface of the locking groove has a radial/curved shape.

According to an aspect the panel is a front panel of a furniture, for a cabinet or a drawer.

According to an aspect the component is a furniture component, such as e.g. a handle.

According to an aspect an opening of the insertion groove is in the opposite direction of the opening direction of the furniture.

According to an aspect the component comprises a gripping part which protrudes from the first edge surface and the second edge surface comprises an elevation configured to cooperate with the gripping part.

According to an aspect the at least one protruding part extends a distance of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> from the bottom surface of the locking element.

According to an aspect the tongue groove is positioned at a distance of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>, from the second edge surface.

According to an aspect the insertion groove is positioned at a distance of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>, from the first edge surface.

According to an aspect the edges of an opening of the locking groove are chamfered.

According to an aspect the locking element has a length within the interval of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, even more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

According to an aspect the locking groove has a depth of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, even more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

According to an aspect the length of the locking element is the same as, or essentially the same as, the depth of the locking groove.

According to an aspect, when the component comprises a locking part and another locking part, a distance between the locking parts is about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

According to an aspect the locking groove has a width of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

According to an aspect the neck has a width of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

According to an aspect the distance between said locking parts, and/or the distance between the locking part and the neck of the locking element, is smaller than or essentially the same as the width of the locking groove.

According to an aspect the core of the panel may be a wood-based core, preferably made of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC, plywood or particleboard. The core may also be a plastic core comprising thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic e.g. vinyl, PVC, PU or PET. The plastic core may comprise fillers.

According to an aspect the panel may also be of solid wood.

According to an aspect the panel may be provided with a decorative layer, such as a foil or a veneer, on one or more surfaces.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the invention are capable of, will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments and aspects of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which.

It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example aspects may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

The different aspects, alternatives and embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be combined with one or more of the other aspects, alternatives and embodiments described herein. Two or more aspects can be combined.

An embodiment of the invention is shown e.g. in <FIG> including a set comprising a component <NUM>, a panel <NUM> and a mechanical locking device for locking the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM>. The component <NUM> comprises a first edge surface <NUM> and the panel <NUM> comprises a second edge surface <NUM>. The mechanical locking device comprises a locking groove <NUM> at the second edge surface <NUM>. The locking groove <NUM> comprises at least one tongue groove <NUM>. The mechanical locking device further comprises at least one locking element <NUM> at the first edge surface <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> comprises at least one insertion groove <NUM> and a flexible tongue <NUM> positioned in the insertion groove <NUM>. The flexible tongue <NUM> is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove <NUM> for locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> in a first direction D1, which is perpendicular to the second edge surface <NUM>. The component <NUM> is an extruded component.

The extruded component <NUM> may have a fixed cross-section along an extrusion direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and parallel to the second edge surface <NUM>.

The locking groove <NUM> may comprise a first side wall <NUM> and an opposite second side wall <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM> extending between the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM>.

The tongue groove <NUM> may be positioned at the first side wall <NUM> and/or the second side wall <NUM>.

The component <NUM> may be made of a metal, such as an aluminium material, or a plastic, such as a thermoplastic material.

If the component <NUM> was made from e.g. a wooden material it may easily break. Extruding the component <NUM> from a metal or a plastic material may result in a component <NUM> that is strong, and which is produced in a fast, convenient and cost efficient way.

The tongue groove <NUM> may be positioned at a distance of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>, from the second edge surface <NUM>.

The panel <NUM> may have a thickness T in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The insertion groove <NUM> in the locking element <NUM> may be positioned at a distance of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>, from the first edge surface <NUM>.

The locking groove <NUM> may have a width W1 of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

The locking groove <NUM> may have a depth Y of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, even more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The edges of the opening of the locking groove <NUM> may be chamfered. This facilitates the assembly and locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM>, and reduces cracking of the edges of the locking groove <NUM>.

The component <NUM> may further comprise at least one locking part <NUM>. The locking part <NUM> may protrude from the first edge surface <NUM>. The locking part <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with a first side wall <NUM> of the locking groove <NUM> for locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> in a second direction D2. The second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1. An embodiment where the component <NUM> comprises one locking part <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

For the embodiment comprising one locking part <NUM>, the distance X between the locking element <NUM> and the locking part <NUM> is preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

The component <NUM> may comprise another locking part <NUM>', which may protrude from the first edge surface <NUM>. The locking part <NUM>' may be configured to cooperate with a second side wall <NUM> of the locking groove <NUM> for locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> in a direction which is opposite to the second direction D2. Different embodiments comprising two locking parts <NUM>,<NUM>' are shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The locking element <NUM> and/or the neck <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with the second side wall <NUM> of the locking groove <NUM> for locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> in a direction which is opposite to the second direction D2.

An enlargement of the locking element <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The locking element <NUM> may comprise a neck <NUM>, where said neck <NUM> may be positioned between the insertion groove <NUM> and the first edge surface <NUM>. The neck <NUM> may have a width W2 of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

The locking element <NUM> may have a length L1 within the interval of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, even more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The length L1 of the locking element <NUM> may be the same as, or essentially the same as, the depth Y of the locking groove <NUM>.

A flexible tongue <NUM> may be positioned in the insertion groove <NUM>. <FIG> show an embodiment of the invention before the flexible tongue <NUM> has been inserted in the insertion groove <NUM>. The insertion groove <NUM> may be essentially parallel with the first edge surface <NUM> and the flexible tongue <NUM> may be displaceable therein.

The neck <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> may, in one embodiment, be positioned between the locking part <NUM> and said another locking part <NUM>'.

The distance Z between the locking part <NUM> and said another locking part <NUM>' may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>.

According to an aspect, the width W2 of the neck <NUM>, the distance X between the locking element <NUM> and the locking part <NUM>, and/or the distance Z between the locking part <NUM> and said another locking part <NUM>', is smaller than, or essentially the same as, the width W1 of the locking groove <NUM>.

The locking element <NUM> may comprise at least one protruding part <NUM> at a bottom surface <NUM> of the locking element <NUM>. The protruding part <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with a bottom surface <NUM> of the locking groove <NUM> to counteract a displacement of the component <NUM> relative the panel <NUM> in an extrusion direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and parallel to the second edge surface <NUM>. The at least one protruding part <NUM> may extend a distance of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM>, from the bottom surface <NUM> of the locking element <NUM>.

The first edge surface <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with the second edge surface <NUM> for a locking of the component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> in a direction which is opposite to the first direction D1.

The bottom surface <NUM> of the locking groove <NUM> may have a radial/curved shaped. This reduces the risk that the locking groove <NUM> cracks.

The panel <NUM> may e.g. be a front panel of a furniture, such as for a cabinet or a drawer. The component <NUM> may e.g. be a furniture component, such as e.g. a handle.

An opening of the insertion groove <NUM> may be in the opposite direction of the opening direction D3 of the furniture. This gives a better locking than if the opening of the insertion groove <NUM> was in the same direction as the opening direction D3.

The component <NUM> may comprise a gripping part <NUM> which protrudes from the first edge surface <NUM>. This facilitates the opening of the cabinet or drawer, since the fingers of a person opening the cabinet or drawer easily can get a good grip around the gripping part <NUM>.

The second edge surface <NUM> may comprise an elevation <NUM> as seen in <FIG> and 8A-8B. The elevation <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with the gripping part <NUM>, to further improve the stability of the mechanical locking device. The elevation <NUM> preferably has a width W3 of about <NUM>. A thin elevation <NUM> may result in that the elevation <NUM> will break and fall of from the panel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows views of the component <NUM> and panel <NUM> in a non-locked and a locked position seen from the front of a drawer or cabinet. The embodiment of the locking groove <NUM> comprises a length L2 which is shorter than a width W4 of the panel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of an embodiment of the component <NUM>. The embodiment of the component <NUM> may comprise a locking element <NUM> which has a length L3 which is shorter than a width W4 of the panel <NUM>.

A first and a second outer part <NUM>, <NUM> of the embodiment of the component <NUM> may be flat at the first edge surface <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> and/or the locking part <NUM> may be removed at the first and/or the second outer part <NUM>, <NUM> by e.g. mechanical cutting, such as milling or sawing.

<FIG> shows a view of an assembled drawer. The drawer comprises a component <NUM> and a panel <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention.

<FIG> shows a side view of an assembled drawer. The drawer comprises a component <NUM> and a panel <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention, and the drawer is opened in the direction D3.

The locking of component <NUM> to the panel <NUM> may be further strengthened by applying an adhesive in the locking groove <NUM>, on the first edge surface <NUM>, on the second edge surface <NUM>, on the elevation <NUM> and/or on the side of the gripping part <NUM> configured to cooperate with the elevation <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A set comprising a component (<NUM>), a panel (<NUM>) and a mechanical locking device for locking the component (<NUM>) to the panel (<NUM>), wherein the component (<NUM>) comprises a first edge surface (<NUM>) and the panel (<NUM>) comprises a second edge surface (<NUM>), wherein
the mechanical locking device comprises a locking groove (<NUM>) at the second edge surface (<NUM>), the locking groove (<NUM>) comprising at least one tongue groove (<NUM>),
that the mechanical locking device comprises at least one locking element (<NUM>) at the first edge surface (<NUM>), the locking element (<NUM>) comprising at least one insertion groove (<NUM>) and a flexible tongue (<NUM>) positioned in the insertion groove (<NUM>),
that the flexible tongue (<NUM>) is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove (<NUM>) for locking of the component (<NUM>) to the panel (<NUM>) in a first direction (D1), which is perpendicular to the second edge surface (<NUM>),
that the component (<NUM>) is an extruded component with a fixed cross-section along an extrusion direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and parallel to the second edge surface (<NUM>),
that the locking groove (<NUM>) comprises a first side wall (<NUM>) and an opposite second side wall (<NUM>) and a bottom surface (<NUM>) extending between the first side wall (<NUM>) and the second side wall (<NUM>),
that the tongue groove (<NUM>) is positioned at the first side wall (<NUM>) and/or at the second side wall (<NUM>), characterized in
that the component (<NUM>) further comprises at least one locking part (<NUM>) protruding from the first edge surface (<NUM>), wherein the locking part (<NUM>) is configured to cooperate with the first side wall (<NUM>) of the locking groove (<NUM>) for locking of the component (<NUM>) to the panel (<NUM>) in a second direction (D2), which is perpendicular to the first direction (D1),
that the component (<NUM>) comprises another locking part (<NUM>'), protruding from the first edge surface (<NUM>), configured to cooperate with the second side wall (<NUM>) of the locking groove (<NUM>) for locking of the component (<NUM>) to the panel (<NUM>) in a direction which is opposite to the second direction (D2).