阅读说明：本技术 连接器支架和包括适于形成锁定装置的部件的连接器支架的系统 (Connector holder and system of connector holders comprising components adapted to form a locking device ) 是由 斯特凡·布伦德尔 丹尼尔·舍恩 约翰·诺思费尔 于 2018-05-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种系统,该系统包括第一家具部件(200)和锁定装置,该锁定装置包括连接器支架(1)和锁定元件(4)。第一家具部件(200)包括凹部(201),凹部(201)具有长圆形形状且包括插入部分(203)和锁定部分(204),其中,锁定部分(204)沿着内壁包括凹槽(207)。连接器支架(1)包括基部部分(2)和至少一个突出部(3),基部部分(2)具有适于沿着第一家具部件(200)延伸的延伸部,所述至少一个突出部(3)具有横向于基部部分(2)的延伸部延伸的纵向延伸部并且包括横向于突出部(3)的纵向延伸部延伸的边沿(7)。突出部(3)构造成被插入到凹部(201)的插入部分(203)中并且构造成能够通过沿横向于突出部(3)的纵向延伸部的方向将力施加至连接器支架(1)而从插入部分(203)移动至锁定部分(204),由此,边沿(7)接合凹槽(207)。作为挠性舌状部(4)的锁定元件(4)与连接器支架(1)成一体并且构造成被插入到插入部分(203)中,从而防止突出部(3)被从锁定部分(204)移动至插入部分(203)并且因此防止释放突出部(3)与凹槽(207)的接合。锁定元件(4)构造成形成安全锁定部,该安全锁定部适于作用于突出部(3)的封围表面的面向凹部(201)的插入部分(203)的一部分。此外,公开了连接器支架和这种连接器支架的用途。(A system is provided comprising a first furniture part (200) and a locking device comprising a connector bracket (1) and a locking element (4). The first furniture part (200) comprises a recess (201), the recess (201) having an oblong shape and comprising an insertion portion (203) and a locking portion (204), wherein the locking portion (204) comprises a groove (207) along an inner wall. The connector bracket (1) comprises a base portion (2) and at least one protrusion (3), the base portion (2) having an extension adapted to extend along the first furniture part (200), the at least one protrusion (3) having a longitudinal extension extending transversely to the extension of the base portion (2) and comprising a rim (7) extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3). The protrusion (3) is configured to be inserted into an insertion portion (203) of the recess (201) and to be movable from the insertion portion (203) to the locking portion (204) by applying a force to the connector holder (1) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3), whereby the rim (7) engages the groove (207). A locking element (4) as a flexible tongue (4) is integral with the connector holder (1) and configured to be inserted into the insertion portion (203), thereby preventing the protrusion (3) from being moved from the locking portion (204) to the insertion portion (203) and thus preventing the release of the engagement of the protrusion (3) with the groove (207). The locking element (4) is configured to form a safety lock adapted to act on a portion of the insertion portion (203) of the enclosing surface of the protrusion (3) facing the recess (201). Furthermore, a connector holder and a use of such a connector holder are disclosed.)

1. A system comprising a first furniture part (200) and a locking device comprising a connector bracket (1) and a locking element (4), wherein,

the first furniture part (200) comprises a recess (201), the recess (201) having an oblong shape and comprising an insertion portion (203) and a locking portion (204), wherein the locking portion (204) comprises a groove (207) along an inner wall,

the connector holder (1) includes: a base portion (2), said base portion (2) having an extension adapted to extend along said first furniture part (200); and at least one protrusion (3), said at least one protrusion (3) having a longitudinal extension extending transversely to said extension of said base portion (2), and said at least one protrusion (3) comprising a rim (7) extending transversely to said longitudinal extension of said protrusion (3),

wherein the protrusion (3) is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201), and the protrusion (3) is configured to be movable from the insertion portion (203) to the locking portion (204) by applying a force to the connector holder (1) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3), whereby the rim (7) engages the groove (207) in the inner wall of the locking portion (204) so as to hinder relative movement between the first furniture part (200) and the connector holder (1) along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3),

wherein the locking element (4) is integral with the connector holder (1) and the locking element (4) is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201) such that the protrusion (3) is prevented from being moved from the locking portion (204) to the insertion portion (203) and thus from releasing the engagement of the protrusion (3) with the groove (207), and

wherein the locking element (4) is a flexible tongue (4a), the flexible tongue (4a) being configured to form a safety locking portion when the locking element (4) has been inserted into the insertion portion (203), the safety locking portion being adapted to act on a portion of the insertion portion (203) of the enclosing surface of the protrusion (3) facing the recess (201).

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second furniture component (300), wherein the second furniture component (300) comprises a thin-walled portion (301) having at least one through hole (306), and wherein the protrusion (3) is configured to be inserted into and extend through the respective through hole (306) before being inserted into the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking element (4) comprises a shoulder (11), the shoulder (11) being configured to abut a surface of the second furniture part (300) facing the first furniture part (200) when the locking element (4) has been inserted into the insertion portion (203).

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector holder (1) further comprises an actuator (15), the actuator (15) facilitating the transfer of a force to the connector holder (1) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3) when moving the connector holder (1) to the locked position.

5. A connector bracket (1), the connector bracket (1) being adapted to form part of a locking device configured to interconnect the connector bracket (1) and at least a first furniture part (200) in a locking manner, the first furniture part (200) comprising a recess (203), the recess (203) having an oblong shape and comprising an insertion portion (203) and a locking portion (204), wherein the locking portion (204) comprises a groove (207) along an inner wall, the connector bracket (1) comprising:

a base portion (2), said base portion (2) having an extension adapted to extend along said first furniture part (200); and at least one protrusion (3), said at least one protrusion (3) having a longitudinal extension extending transversely to said extension of said base portion (2), and said at least one protrusion (3) comprising a rim (7) extending transversely to said longitudinal extension of said protrusion (3),

wherein the protrusion (3) is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201), and the protrusion (3) is configured to be movable from the insertion portion (203) to the locking portion (204) by moving the connector holder (1) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3), whereby the rim (7) engages the groove (207) in the inner wall of the locking portion (204) thereby hindering relative movement between the first furniture component (200) and the connector holder (1) along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3); and

a locking element (4), the locking element (4) being integral with the connector holder (1), and the locking element (4) comprising a flexible tongue (4a), the flexible tongue (4a) being adapted to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the flexible tongue (4a) in the locked position is arranged to extend into the insertion portion (202) of the recess (201) of the first furniture part (200), and wherein the flexible tongue (4a) is configured to form a safety lock when the locking element (4) has been inserted into the insertion portion (203), the safety lock being adapted to act on a part of the enclosing surface of the protrusion (3) facing the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201).

6. Connector holder according to claim 5, wherein the base part (2) comprises at least two protrusions (3), the at least two protrusions (3) being arranged at a distance from each other along the extension of the base part (2).

7. A connector holder according to claim 5, wherein the at least one protrusion (3) is adapted to be inserted into and extend through a respective through hole (306) of a thin-walled portion (301) of a second furniture part (300) before being inserted into the insertion portion (203) of the recess (201) of the first furniture part (200).

8. Connector bracket according to claim 7, wherein the flexible tongue (4a) comprises a shoulder (11), the shoulder (11) being configured to abut a surface of the second furniture part (300) facing the first furniture part (200) when the flexible tongue (4a) has been moved to the locked position of the flexible tongue (4 a).

9. Connector holder according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the connector holder (1) further comprises an actuator (15), the actuator (15) being configured to facilitate the transmission of a force to the connector holder (1) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion (3).

10. Use of a connector bracket according to any one of claims 5 to 9 to connect a first furniture part (200) and a second furniture part (300) to each other in a locking manner.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a system comprising a first furniture part and a locking device comprising a connector bracket and a locking element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector holder and to the use of such a connector holder.

Background

It is well known in the art to provide furniture or furniture parts to end consumers in flat packs and with the assembly performed by the end consumer himself. Although the connecting members and brackets can be standardized to a large extent in terms of the required tools, the connecting members and brackets still present problems for the end consumer, since most brackets require small and easily lost connecting means, such as screws. Therefore, there is a need for a bracket solution that can reduce the number of connection devices.

It is also well known that mixing different types of materials provides certain properties to furniture or furniture components. A typical example is the following drawer: in this drawer, the front wall is provided by solid wood or fibreboard and the respective side walls are made of stamped sheet metal. Another example is the following wardrobe: the wardrobe generally provides the end consumer with a wide choice of different accessories, most of which involve a portion of the sheet metal. By using sheet metal for certain parts, certain functions and properties, such as guides and reinforcements, can be easily combined. The sheet metal material also allows for easy formation of a bonded tongue or flange that may be useful for facilitating assembly. However, the combination of different materials requires other connecting means than suitable for mounting one wood based object to another, such as a pin. Furthermore, sheet metal typically requires additional brackets and mechanical attachment means, such as washers, screws and nuts, to allow for a durable installation. This not only increases the overall cost and complexity of the product, but it also tends to stress the end consumer who should perform the assembly.

Therefore, the following stent solutions are needed: the bracket solution allows for easy connection of the first and second furniture components, and in particular for easy connection of the first and second furniture components if at least a portion of one of the first and second furniture components comprises a thin walled connecting portion.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide the following connector holder: the connector bracket allows for easy installation, removal, and reinstallation of the connector bracket to the first furniture component.

Another object is to provide the following connector holder: the connector bracket may be used to interconnect a first furniture component and a second furniture component where at least a portion of the second furniture component includes a thin walled connecting portion.

A further object is to provide a connector holder that can be operated manually without any tools.

These and other objects are solved by a first furniture part and a locking device comprising a connector holder and a locking element, wherein the first furniture part comprises a recess having an oblong shape and comprising an insertion portion and a locking portion, wherein the locking portion comprises a groove along an inner wall, the connector holder comprises a base portion having an extension adapted to extend along the first furniture part and at least one protrusion having a longitudinal extension extending transversely to the extension of the base portion and comprising a rim extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion of the recess and the protrusion is configured to be movable from the insertion portion to the locking portion by applying a force to the connector holder in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, thereby, the rim engages a groove located in an inner wall of the locking portion, thereby hindering relative movement between the first furniture component and the connector holder along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, and wherein the locking element is integral with the connector holder and the locking element is configured to be inserted into an insertion portion of the recess, thereby preventing the protrusion from being moved from the locking portion to the insertion portion and thereby preventing release of the engagement of the protrusion with the groove, and wherein the locking element is a flexible tongue configured to form a safety locking portion adapted to act on a portion of the enclosing surface of the protrusion facing the insertion portion of the recess when the locking element has been inserted into the insertion portion.

By the present invention, the following connector holder is provided: the connector holder is fully manually operable and provides a strong and durable connection of the connector holder to the first furniture part. This applies both in the case of a first mounting of the connector holder to the first furniture part and in the case of a re-assembly. The connector bracket may be used regardless of the type of material of the first furniture component. The connector holder is intuitively operated by a two-way linear movement, which is manually provided without any tools or connecting means. This applies both to locking and unlocking. Providing a simple unlocking is advantageous as it allows for easy re-furnishing/retrofitting of e.g. the following drawers or for easy replacement or relocation of equipment in a wardrobe: in this drawer, the front can be easily replaced. In case the connector holder comprises more than one protrusion, the connector holder is prevented from rotating relative to the first furniture part. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that one protrusion may be sufficient and the locking element may prevent the connector holder from rotating. The locking element provides a safety function against unintentional displacement of the connector holder from its locking position.

The flexible tongue will seek to prevent the protrusion from moving from the locking portion to the insertion portion due to its flexibility and thus prevent the release protrusion from engaging the groove.

The system may further include a second furniture component, wherein the second furniture component includes a thin-walled portion having at least one through-hole, and wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted into and extend through the respective through-hole prior to being inserted into the insertion portion of the recess. Thus, the connector bracket provides an easy locking device between two furniture parts, one of which comprises a thin-walled portion. The thin-walled portion of the second furniture component may be an integral part of the second furniture component, such as a flange of a stamped sheet metal furniture component. The thin-walled portion may also be a bracket attached to a furniture component, which itself may be made of a material different from that of the thin-walled portion. Depending on the orientation of the thin-walled element, the system can be used to connect two furniture parts to each other at an angle relative to each other. The same connecting bracket can be used regardless of the extension of the thin-walled portion.

The locking element may comprise the following shoulders: the shoulder is configured to abut a surface of the second furniture component facing the first furniture component when the locking element has been inserted into the insertion portion. The operator may receive an audible confirmation of a "click" when the shoulder is moved beyond the thin-walled portion.

The connector bracket may further comprise an actuator facilitating transmission of a force to the connector bracket in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion when moving the connector bracket to the locked position. The actuator may for example be arranged as the following lug: the operator may apply a force to the lug with his/her thumb. The flexible tongue may for example be arranged at one end of the connector holder and the actuator at the opposite end of the connector holder. The actuator may be arranged at a free end of the connector holder.

According to another aspect, a connector bracket is disclosed, the connector bracket being adapted to form part of a locking device configured to interconnect the connector bracket and at least a first furniture component in a locking manner. The first furniture component comprises a recess having an oblong shape and comprising an insertion portion and a locking portion, wherein the locking portion comprises a groove along an inner wall, the connector bracket comprising: a base portion having an extension adapted to extend along a first furniture component; and at least one protrusion having a longitudinal extension extending transversely to the extension of the base portion and comprising a rim extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion of the recess and the protrusion is configured to be movable from the insertion portion to the locking portion by moving the connector bracket in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, whereby the rim engages a groove located in an inner wall of the locking portion, thereby hindering relative movement between the first furniture component and the connector bracket along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion; and a locking element which is integral with the connector holder and which comprises a flexible tongue adapted to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the flexible tongue in the locked position is arranged to extend into an insertion portion of the recess of the first furniture part, and wherein the flexible tongue is configured to form a safety locking portion when the locking element has been inserted into the insertion portion, the safety locking portion being adapted to act on a portion of the enclosing surface of the protrusion facing the insertion portion of the recess.

The advantages provided by the connector holder itself have been discussed more fully above in relation to systems using such connector holders. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the above section.

The base portion may comprise two protrusions arranged at a distance from each other along the extension of the base portion. When the connector holder is mounted to the first furniture part, the connector holder is prevented from rotating relative to the first furniture part by the base portion comprising the two protrusions. Alternatively, the base portion may comprise three or more projections. Such three or more protrusions may be arranged along a line or in an array.

The at least one protrusion is adapted to be inserted into and through a corresponding through-hole of the thin-walled portion of the second furniture component before being inserted into the insertion portion of the recess of the first furniture component.

The flexible tongue may comprise a shoulder configured to abut a surface of the second furniture part facing the first furniture part when the flexible tongue has been moved to its locked position.

The connector bracket may further comprise an actuator configured to facilitate the transfer of force to the connector bracket in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a connector bracket having the features given above for connecting a first furniture part and a second furniture part to each other in a locking manner. Non-limiting examples of furniture components include drawers, joists, bases, sockets, and accessories used in, for example, wardrobes. The connector bracket may be arranged to engage at least one through hole located in the thin-walled portion of the second furniture component.

The advantages provided by the connector holder itself have been discussed fully above in relation to both systems using such connector holders and in relation to connector holders only. The same advantages apply to the use of such a connector holder as well. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the above section.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description, which sets forth various embodiments.

Drawings

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 discloses a connector holder.

Fig. 2A to 2F disclose the interaction between the connector holder, the first furniture part and the thin-walled portion of the second furniture part.

Fig. 3 discloses the connector holder in a situation used to interconnect the side walls and the front of a drawer.

Detailed Description

Turning now to fig. 1 and 2A, one embodiment of a connector holder 1 is disclosed. The connector bracket 1 is adapted to form part of a system 100 comprising a first furniture component 200. System 100 may also include an optional second furniture component 300, where second furniture component 300 includes a thin-walled portion 301. In the following description, the system will be exemplified for use in the following drawers: in this drawer, the first furniture part 200 constitutes a front panel, while the second furniture part 300 and its thin-walled portion 301 constitute side walls. The connector bracket 1 is used to connect a first furniture part 200 and a second furniture part 300 to each other.

The disclosed connector holder 1 comprises a base portion 2, two protrusions 3, and a flexible tongue 4 a. The connector holder 1 may be formed in a single body by injection molding of a plastic material. It is to be understood that the connector holder 1 may be provided with only one protrusion 3.

In the disclosed embodiment, the base portion 2 is formed as a longitudinally extending body having two opposing surfaces forming a front surface 5 and a rear surface 6. The front surface 5 is configured to face away from the first furniture part 200 when the connector bracket 1 is mounted to the first furniture part 200. Furthermore, the rear surface 6 is arranged to abut a main surface of the first furniture part 200 and extend in parallel with the main surface of the first furniture part 200 when the connector holder 1 is mounted to the first furniture part 200. The rear surface 6 is substantially flat.

The projection 3 is arranged on the rear surface 6 of the base portion 2. The projection 3 forms a male locking means. The projection 3 has a longitudinal extension extending transversely to the extension of the base portion 2. The projection 3 is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding recess 201 in the first furniture part 200. If the second furniture part 300 is present, the protrusion 3 is arranged to be inserted into a corresponding through hole 306 of the thin-walled portion 301 of the second furniture part 300 and to extend through this corresponding through hole 306 of the thin-walled portion 301 of the second furniture part 300 before being inserted into the recess 201.

Each projection 3 comprises at least one rim 7 extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the projection 3. In the embodiment disclosed, each tab 3 comprises two edges 7 arranged one after the other along the longitudinal extension of the tab 3. It will be appreciated that the number of edges 7 may be at least one with a hold function. The rim 7 constitutes a locking means which will be discussed below.

The projection 3 is disclosed as being provided with a chamfer 8, which chamfer 8 provides the projection 3 with a non-rotating cross section. Thus, the rim 7 is provided only along a portion of the enclosing surface of the protrusion 3. The portion of the enclosing surface provided with the rim 7 is arranged on a portion of the enclosing surface facing away from the flexible tongue 4a to be described below. Although the projections 3 are disclosed as having a cross-section with a chamfer, it will be understood that other cross-sections, such as circular cross-sections, are also possible.

On a first end of the base part 2a locking element 4 is provided which is formed as a flexible tongue 4 a. The flexible tongue 4a is adapted to be movable between a release position and a locking position, which will be discussed in detail below. When set to the locking position, the flexible tongue 4a is arranged to extend through one of the through holes 306 in the thin-walled portion 301 of the second furniture part 200 and into the recess 201 of the first furniture part 200. In order to allow such movability of the flexible tongue 4a, the transition between the base portion 2 and the flexible tongue 4a is provided with a waist portion 9 having a locally reduced thickness. The waist portion 9 forms a hinge 9 a.

The flexible tongue 4a comprises a bent neck portion 10, which bent neck portion 10 is arranged to protrude towards the rear surface 6 of the base portion 2. The bent neck portion 10 is provided with a shoulder 11. The flexible tongue 4a is provided at its free end with a tongue actuator 12. The tongue actuator 12 may be provided with a grip enhancing portion 13. When an operator applies a force to the tongue actuator 12, the flexible tongue 4a will bend along the hinge 9a, whereby the flexible tongue 4a will pivot towards the rear surface 6 of the base part 2.

A gap 14 is arranged between the shoulder 11 and the tongue actuator 12. The gap 14 has a width corresponding to the material thickness of the thin-walled portion 301 of the second furniture part 300.

The connector holder 1 further comprises an actuator 15. The actuator 15 is provided as a lug 16 projecting from the front surface 5 of the base part 2. The actuator 15 is disclosed as being arranged at a second end of the connector holder 1, i.e. at the opposite end to the flexible tongue 4 a. However, it should be understood that other positions are possible with the retention function. The actuator 15 may be provided with a grip enhancing portion 16 to facilitate the handling of the connector holder 1. The purpose of the actuator 15 is to help transfer forces to the connector holder 1 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion 3 when moving the connector holder 1 to the locked position as will be discussed below.

Turning now to fig. 3, an exploded view of a system 100 using a connector holder 1 of the above-described type is disclosed. The system 100 is illustrated as a drawer. However, it is to be understood that the connector holder 1 with holding function may also be used for other types of furniture or furniture parts.

The system 100 includes: two connector holders 1; a first furniture part 200, which first furniture part 200 is intended to form a front wall 202 in the illustrated drawer; and a second furniture component 300, the second furniture component 300 forming part of one of two opposing side walls 302. The drawer also includes a rear wall 303 and a bottom wall 304.

The two opposing sidewalls 302 may be formed of any suitable material, such as fiberboard, solid wood, a plastic material, or a thin-walled material such as sheet metal. Each side wall 302 comprises a thin-walled portion 301 forming a flange 305, which flange 305 extends substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the respective side wall 302. The flange 305 may be formed as an integral part of the side wall 302 and thus the thin-walled portion 301 may be formed as an integral part of the side wall 302, or the flange 305 may be mounted to the side wall 302 by means of, for example, screwing, bolting, riveting or adhesive bonding and thus the thin-walled portion 301 may be mounted to the side wall 302 by means of, for example, screwing, bolting, riveting or adhesive bonding. The flange 305 has an extension which is substantially parallel to a main plane of the first furniture part 200 to be mounted to the extension. It will be appreciated that other extensions are possible depending on the type of furniture.

First furniture component 200 may be formed from any suitable material, such as fiberboard, solid wood, or a plastic material. The thickness of the first furniture part 200 should be large enough to allow the formation of a recess 201 to allow locking engagement with the protrusion 3 of the connector holder 1. The thickness is preferably at least 7mm and more preferably at least 10 mm.

Turning now to fig. 2A to 2F, the interaction between the connector holder 1 and the first and second furniture parts 200, 300 will be discussed.

Starting from fig. 2A to 2B, a second furniture part 300, illustrated as part of a side wall 302 of a drawer, comprises a thin-walled portion 301 in the form of a flange 305. The thin-walled portion 301 extends perpendicular to the main extension plane of the side wall 302. Further, the thin-walled portion 301 extends toward the inside of the drawer. It is to be understood that the thin-walled portion 301 may extend in the opposite direction with the function maintained.

The thin-walled portion 301 includes two through holes 306. Each through hole 306 includes an insertion portion 307 and a locking portion 308. The insertion portion 307 and the locking portion 308 are combined to form one common oblong through hole 306. The cross section of the insertion portion 307 allows for linear insertion of the protrusion 3 of the connector holder 1. The cross section of the locking portion 308 preferably corresponds to or slightly exceeds the cross section of the protrusion 3 of the connector holder 1 measured in the bottom of the valley between the two rims 7.

The first furniture part 200, illustrated as a front panel of a drawer 202, has a main extension parallel to the extension of the thin-walled portion 301. For ease of understanding, only a cross-section of the first furniture component 200 is disclosed.

The first furniture component 200 comprises a recess 201 arranged in a surface thereof facing the thin-walled portion 301. The depth of the recess 201 is less than the thickness of the first furniture part. The recess 201 has an oblong shape and comprises, along its longitudinal extension, an insertion portion 203 and a locking portion 204. The insertion portion 203 and the locking portion 204 combine to form an oblong recess 201.

The diameter of the insertion portion 203 exceeds the diameter of the protrusion 3 of the connector holder 1. The inner wall 205 of the insertion portion 203 is preferably substantially smooth. The inner wall 206 of the locking portion 204 is provided with a groove 207 at least along the wall portion opposite to the insertion portion 203. The number of grooves 207 corresponds to the number of rims 7 of the respective projections 3 of the connector holder 1. The depth of the groove 207 corresponds to the diameter of the rim 7 of the projection 3.

The recess 201 is preferably milled into the surface of the first furniture part 200. The groove 207 may be formed during milling.

When mounting the connector holder 1 to the second furniture part 300, the connector holder 1 is moved towards the thin-walled portion 301 by a linear movement perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the thin-walled portion 301, see fig. 2A. During this longitudinal movement, the protruding portion 3 is inserted into the through hole 306 of the thin-walled portion 301. Furthermore, the free end of the respective projection 3 is received in an insertion portion 203 of the respective recess 201 of the first furniture part 200, see fig. 2B.

Referring to fig. 2C, when fully inserted, the connector holder 1 is pushed in a linear manner by applying a force to the connector holder 1 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the protrusion 3. This pushing is facilitated by the operator applying pressure on the actuator 15 with his thumb. The tolerance between the protrusion 3 and the recess 201 may be designed and dimensioned to require a force of about 400N to 100N and more preferably 50N to 70N.

During this pushing, the protrusion 3 will move from the insertion portion 203 of the respective groove 201 towards the locking portion 204 of the respective recess 201. Thus, the rim 7 engages a groove 207 in the inner wall of the locking portion 204, thereby hindering relative movement between the first furniture part 200 and the connector holder 1 along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion 3.

Turning now to fig. 2D and 2E. When the connector holder 1 has been moved to its locking position, the locking element 4 formed by the flexible tongue 4A is pushed towards the first furniture part 200. This is done by the operator applying pressure to the tongue actuator 12. During this pushing, the flexible tongue 4a will pivot about the hinge 9 a. Thus, referring to fig. 2E, the flexible tongue 4a moves through the through hole 306 in the thin-walled portion 301 and into the insertion portion 203 of the recess 201. Thus, the bent neck portion 10 of the flexible tongue 4a is received in the insertion portion 203 of the recess 201. Due to the flexibility of the flexible tongue 4a, during the same operation, the shoulder 11 will move beyond the thin-walled portion 301, thus abutting the surface of the second furniture part 300 facing the first furniture part 200. The operator will receive an audible confirmation by a "click" when the shoulder 11 moves beyond the thin wall portion 301. The flexible tongue 4a will be held in the recess 201 by the shoulder 11 engaging the thin-walled portion 301. When set to this position, a portion of the thin-walled portion 301 will be lockingly received in the gap 14 formed between the shoulder 11 and the tongue actuator 12. This is best seen in fig. 2F.

When set to the locked position, the bent neck portion 10 will act as the following biasing means: the biasing means urges the connector holder 1 and the projection 3 of the connector holder 1 towards the locking portion of the first furniture part 200 and thus maintains the locking position. Thus, the flexible tongue 4a will prevent the protrusion 3 from moving from the locking portion 204 to the insertion portion 203 and thus prevent the release protrusion 3 from engaging the groove 207. Thus, locking element 4 is configured to form a safety lock suitable for acting on a portion of the envelope surface of projection 3 facing insertion portion 203 of recess 201.

As shown in fig. 2F, the actuator 15 preferably faces the lower edge portion 310 of the side wall 301 of the drawer when the connector holder 1 has been set to the locked position. Therefore, the actuator does not interfere with the interior of the drawer.

To release the locking engagement between the connector bracket 1 and the first and second furniture parts 200, 300, the operator applies a bending force to the tongue actuator 12. Thus, the locking engagement between the shoulder 11 and the thin-walled element 301 will be released. The flexible tongue 4a will then be allowed to be removed from the recess 201 and the connector holder 1 will be displaced relative to the thin-walled element 301 and the first furniture part 200, thereby releasing the engagement between the rim 7 and the groove 207. Thus, the furniture can be removed or the first furniture part 200 can be replaced. The same connector holder 1 can be reused.

The invention has been described as being suitable for drawers. It is to be understood that the same principle applies equally to other types of furniture, and also to just one furniture part. In the case of only one furniture part, the second furniture part is dispensed with. Non-limiting examples of furniture components are joists, bases, sockets and accessories used in, for example, wardrobes.

The connector holder 1 has been defined to have at least one protrusion 3. The provision of two or more protrusions 3 is advantageous in that rotation of the connector holder 1 relative to the first furniture part 200 is thereby prevented. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same locking principle applies when only one protrusion 3 is used. The locking element 4 may be used to prevent rotation.

In an embodiment not disclosed, the recess 201 may be arranged in the following insert: the insert is configured to countersink into a surface of the first furniture component. Such an insert may be an injection molded body.

The locking element 4 has been disclosed as being integral with the connector holder 1. However, it should be understood that the locking element 4 may form the following separate unit, such as a plug: after the connector holder 1 has been set to the locking position of the connector holder 1, the separate unit is pressed into the insertion portion 203 of the recess 201.

The base portion 2 has been described as a substantially flat body. It is to be understood that the front surface of the base part 2 may be provided with non-disclosed features, such as hooks or brackets, in order to allow the connector holder 1 to be used also as an accessory in e.g. a wardrobe.