阅读说明：本技术 具有机械锁定装置的镶板组件 (Panel assembly with mechanical locking device ) 是由 J·斯文松 P·德雷洛夫 于 2019-08-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种组件,包括第一镶板(10)、第二镶板(20)和用于将第一镶板(10)锁定到第二镶板(20)的机械锁定装置,其中第一镶板(10)包括第一边缘表面(11),第二镶板(20)包括第二镶板表面(22),在第一镶板和第二镶板(10,20)的锁定位置,第一边缘表面(11)面向第二镶板表面(22),机械锁定装置包括在第一边缘表面(11)处的至少一个杆状元件(31)和在第二镶板表面(22)处的至少一个插入凹槽(32),杆状元件(31)被构造成插入到插入凹槽(32)中,杆状元件(31)从第一边缘表面(11)以第一角度(α1)延伸,插入凹槽(32)从第二镶板表面(22)以第二角度(α2)延伸到第二镶板表面(22)中,该机械锁定装置还包括在第一镶板(10)的第一镶板表面(13)上的第一镶板沟槽(12)和/或在第二镶板(20)的第二镶板表面(22)上的第二镶板沟槽(23),构造成插入第一镶板沟槽和第二镶板沟槽(12,23)中并与之协作的背部镶板(40),其中第一角度(α1)在约30°至约60°的范围内、或在约40°至约50°的范围内,或为约45°,以及至少一个锁定机构(50),其构造成与背部镶板(40)以及与第一镶板沟槽和/或第二镶板沟槽(12,23)协作,用于将第一镶板(10)锁定到第二镶板(20)。(Assembly comprising a first panel (10), a second panel (20) and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel (10) to the second panel (20), wherein the first panel (10) comprises a first edge surface (11) and the second panel (20) comprises a second panel surface (22), the first edge surface (11) facing the second panel surface (22) in a locked position of the first and second panels (10, 20), the mechanical locking device comprising at least one rod-shaped element (31) at the first edge surface (11) and at least one insertion groove (32) at the second panel surface (22), the rod-shaped element (31) being configured to be inserted into the insertion groove (32), the rod-shaped element (31) extending from the first edge surface (11) at a first angle (α 1), the insertion groove (32) extending from the second panel surface (22) into the second panel surface (22) at a second angle (α 2), the mechanical locking device further comprises a first panel groove (12) on a first panel surface (13) of the first panel (10) and/or a second panel groove (23) on a second panel surface (22) of the second panel (20), a back panel (40) configured to be inserted into and cooperate with the first and second panel grooves (12, 23), wherein the first angle (α 1) is in the range of about 30 ° to about 60 °, or in the range of about 40 ° to about 50 °, or about 45 °, and at least one locking mechanism (50) configured to cooperate with the back panel (40) and with the first and/or second panel grooves (12, 23) for locking the first panel (10) to the second panel (20).)

1. An assembly comprising a first panel (10), a second panel (20) and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel (10) to the second panel (20), wherein:

the first panel (10) comprises a first edge surface (11),

the second panel (20) comprises a second panel surface (22),

in the locked position of the first and second panels (10, 20), the first edge surface (11) faces or is parallel to the second panel surface (22),

the mechanical locking means comprises at least one rod-like element (31) at the first edge surface (11) and at least one insertion groove (32) at the second panel surface (22),

the rod-like member (31) is configured to be inserted into the insertion groove (32),

the rod-like element (31) extends from the first edge surface (11) at a first angle (alpha 1),

the insertion groove (32) extends from the second panel surface (22) into the second panel surface (22) at a second angle (alpha 2),

the mechanical locking device further comprises at least one of a first panel groove (12) on a first panel surface (13) of the first panel (10) and a second panel groove (23) on a second panel surface (22) of the second panel (20),

a back panel (40) configured to be inserted into and cooperate with at least one of the first panel groove (12) and the second panel groove (23),

wherein the first angle (α 1) is in the range of about 30 ° to about 60 °, or in the range of about 40 ° to about 50 °, or about 45 °, and

at least one locking mechanism (50) configured to cooperate with the back panel (40) and with at least one of the first panel groove (12) and the second panel groove (23) for locking the first panel (10) to the second panel (20).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the width (W1, W2) of at least one of the first and second panel grooves (12, 23) and the thickness (T) of the back panel (40) minus each other is larger than or substantially equal to the extension (E) of the rod-like element (31) along the first edge surface (11).

3. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod-like element (31) is arranged in a rod-like element groove (36) in the first edge surface (11).

4. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (W1) of the first panel groove (12) is substantially the same as the width (W2) of the second panel groove (23).

5. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first panel (10) comprises a second edge surface (14) and the second panel (20) comprises a third edge surface (24), the first panel groove (12) being substantially parallel to the second edge surface (14) and the second panel groove (23) being substantially parallel to the third edge surface (24).

6. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first panel groove (12) extends along substantially the entire second edge surface (14) and the second panel groove (23) extends along substantially the entire third edge surface (24).

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second panel grooves (12, 23) is bottomed.

8. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (50) is configured to cooperate also with the back panel (40) for locking the back panel (40) to the first panel (10) and/or the second panel (20).

9. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (50) is flexible.

10. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (50) comprises a resilient member.

11. The assembly of any of claims 1-9, wherein the locking mechanism (50) comprises a wedge-shaped element.

12. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extension (H) of the back panel from the first edge (11) of the first panel (10) is smaller than the extension of the rod-shaped element (31) from the first edge surface (11) of the first panel (10) when one first panel, one second panel and one back panel have been assembled.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to panels that can be arranged perpendicular to each other and locked together with mechanical locking means. The panels may be assembled and locked together to obtain a furniture product, such as a bookshelf, a cupboard, a wardrobe cabinet, a box, a drawer or a furniture part.

Background

As shown in WO2015/038059, a furniture item provided with a mechanical locking device is known in the art. The furniture product comprises a first panel and a second panel which are vertically connected by a mechanical locking device comprising a flexible tongue inserted into a groove.

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

Embodiments of the present invention address the need to provide panels that are easy to assemble.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide improvements to the above-described and known techniques; in particular to facilitate the assembly of the panels, which are configured to be assembled without the use of any tools.

Another object of at least some aspects of the present invention is to facilitate the assembly of panels configured to be assembled with locking devices that are easy to manufacture and use, which reduces the risk of incorrect installation thereof.

It is another object of at least some aspects of the present invention to facilitate assembly of panels configured to be assembled in a more stable and aesthetically pleasing manner.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages, which will be apparent from the specification, have been achieved by an assembly comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first panel comprises a first edge surface and the second panel comprises a second panel surface, the first edge surface facing and/or being parallel to the second panel surface in a locked position of the first panel and the second panel, the mechanical locking device comprising at least one rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and at least one insertion groove at the second panel surface, the rod-shaped element being configured to be inserted into the insertion groove, the rod-shaped element extending at a first angle from the first edge surface, the insertion groove extending at a second angle from the second panel surface into the second panel surface, the mechanical locking device further comprising a first panel groove on the first panel surface of the first panel, and/or a second panel groove on a second panel surface of the second panel, the back panel configured to be inserted into and cooperate with the first and second panel grooves, wherein the first angle is in a range of about 30 ° to about 60 °, or in a range of about 40 ° to about 50 °, or about 45 °; and at least one locking mechanism configured to cooperate with the first panel groove and/or the second panel groove for locking the first panel to the second panel.

The locking mechanism 50 can be configured to cooperate with the back panel 40 for locking the back panel 40 to the first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20.

According to one aspect, the difference between the width of the first panel groove and/or the second panel groove minus the thickness of the back panel is larger than or substantially equal to the extension of the rod-shaped element along the first edge surface.

According to one aspect, the rod-like elements are arranged in rod-like element grooves in the first edge surface.

According to one aspect, the width of the first panel channel is substantially the same as the width of the second panel channel.

According to one aspect, the first and second panel grooves are displaced with respect to each other by about 0.1 to about 0.6 millimeters, or by about 0.2 to about 0.3 millimeters, when the first and second panels are in an assembled state, but before the locking device locks the first panel to the second panel and the first and second panels enter a final locked position.

According to one aspect, the first panel comprises a second edge surface and the second panel comprises a third edge surface, the first panel groove being substantially parallel to the second edge surface and the second panel groove being substantially parallel to the third edge surface.

According to one aspect, the first panel channel extends along substantially the entire second edge surface and the second panel channel extends along substantially the entire third edge surface.

According to one aspect, the first and/or second channels are bottomed.

According to one aspect, the locking mechanism is flexible.

According to one aspect, the locking mechanism comprises a resilient member.

According to one aspect, the locking mechanism comprises a wedge element.

According to one aspect, when a first panel, a second panel and a back panel have been assembled, the back panel has a smaller extension from the first edge of the first panel than the extension of the rod-shaped element from the first edge surface.

According to one aspect, the core of the first and/or second panel may be a wood core, preferably made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), High Density Fiberboard (HDF), Oriented Strand Board (OSB), Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), plywood or particle/chip board. The core may also be a plastic core comprising a thermoset or thermoplastic, such as vinyl/polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyurethane (PU) or polyester/polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The plastic core may include a filler.

The first panel and/or the second panel may also be of solid wood.

The first panel and/or the second panel may be provided with a decorative layer, such as a foil/sheet or a veneer, on one or more surfaces.

At least some of the above and other objects and advantages, which will be apparent from the description, have been achieved by a locking device for furniture items according to the above.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1A illustrates a top three-dimensional view of the assembly in an unassembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 1B shows a side view of an embodiment of a rod-shaped element.

Fig. 2 shows a top three-dimensional view of the assembly in an unassembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a top three-dimensional view of the assembly in an unassembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 4A shows a three-dimensional side view of the assembly in an assembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 4B shows a side view of the assembly in a partially assembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 5A-5C show enlarged views of a portion of the assembly in an assembled state, wherein a portion of the first and second panels are enlarged along with the locking mechanism.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged three-dimensional view of a portion of the assembly in an assembled state.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the assembly in an assembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly in an assembled state, according to an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged side view of the assembly in an assembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a side view of the assembly in an assembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged side view of a portion of the assembly shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12A shows an enlarged side view of a portion of the assembly shown in fig. 10.

Figure 12B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a first panel.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the components in an unassembled state in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly shown in fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a view of an assembly comprising two first panels, two second panels and one back panel in an unassembled state of an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 16-18 show enlarged views of a locking device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 19A-19D show enlarged views of a portion of the assembly process.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modifications may be made to these aspects without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and not limited to the particular aspects described above. Thus, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, e.g., the definition of a dimension such as a width or amplitude or height or length or diameter depends on how the illustrative aspects are shown, so that if the illustrations are different, the width or diameter shown in one illustration is the length or thickness in another illustration.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should also be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exemplary aspects may be implemented at least partly in hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

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

Embodiments of the present invention are shown in fig. 1-18. Figures 1-18 comprise a set of components comprising a first panel 10, a second panel 20 and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel 10 to the second panel 20. The first panel 10 comprises a first edge surface 11 and a first panel surface 13. The second panel 20 comprises a second panel surface 22. In the locked position of the first and second panels 10, 20, the first edge surface 11 faces or is parallel to the second panel surface 22. The mechanical locking means comprise at least one element 31 at the first edge surface 11 and at least one insertion groove 32 at the second panel surface 22. The element 31 may be rod-shaped. The rod-like member 31 is configured to be inserted into the insertion groove 32. The rod-like element 31 extends from the first edge surface 11 at a first angle α 1 and the insertion groove 32 extends from the second panel surface 22 into the second panel surface 22 at a second angle α 2. When there is more than one rod-shaped element 31, each rod-shaped element 31 may be arranged parallel to the respective other rod-shaped element 31. When there is more than one insertion groove 32, each insertion groove 32 may be arranged in parallel to the respective other insertion grooves 32. The mechanical locking device further comprises a first panel groove 12 on the first panel surface 13 of the first panel 10 and/or a second panel groove 23 on the second panel surface 22 of the second panel 20, a back panel 40 configured to be inserted into and cooperate with the first and second panel grooves 12, 23, wherein the first angle α 1 is in the range of about 30 ° to about 60 °, or in the range of about 40 ° to about 50 °, or about 45 °. The mechanical locking arrangement further comprises at least one locking mechanism 50, which locking mechanism 50 is configured to cooperate with at least the first and second panel grooves 12, 23 for locking the first panel 10 to the second panel 20.

The locking mechanism 50 can be configured to cooperate with the back panel 40 for locking the back panel 40 to the first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20.

The second panel 20 may include a fourth edge surface 25, and the insertion groove 32 may be positioned adjacent to the fourth edge surface 25. The assembly may be configured to lock the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 with the first panel surface 13 parallel or substantially parallel to the fourth edge surface 25.

The first and second panels 10 and 20 may be panels for a furniture product, and may be a part of a frame of the furniture product.

The assembly may be configured to lock the first panel 10 to the second panel 20, wherein the first panel 10 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second panel surface 22.

Fig. 1A-3, 13-15 disclose embodiments of the assembly in an unassembled state. Fig. 4A-12B disclose an embodiment of the assembly in an assembled state. The assembly may be assembled by displacing the first panel 10 relative to the second panel 20 in an assembly direction 111, 112, 114 substantially parallel to the first panel surface 13.

The assembly directions 111, 112, 114 may be substantially parallel to the first angle α 1 and/or the second angle α 2. The insertion groove 32 may be a bore hole. The bore may be a bore having a bottom end.

The insertion groove 32 may have a diameter D2.

The insertion groove 32 may include a chamfer or fillet 60 configured to guide the rod-like elements during assembly, as shown in fig. 13 and 14.

The rod-like elements 31 may be arranged in rod-like element recesses 36 on the first edge surface 11 on the first panel 10 or on the second panel surface 22 on the second panel 20.

The rod-like element 31 may have a diameter D1. The diameter D2 of the insertion groove 32 may be larger than the diameter D1 of the rod-shaped element 31. For optimal assembly, the diameter D2 of the insertion groove 32 may be about 0.3 to about 0.8 millimeters greater than the diameter D1 of the rod-like element 31.

When the first panel 10, the second panel 20, and the back panel 40 have been assembled, the locking mechanism 50 can be assembled to the panel assembly and inserted into the first panel channel 12 and/or the second panel channel 23, thereby locking the first panel 10 to the second panel 20.

The locking mechanism 50 can lock the back panel 40 to the first panel channel 12 and/or the second panel channel, thereby preventing the first panel 10 from moving relative to the second panel 20 in a direction opposite the assembly direction.

In one aspect, a locking mechanism 50 cooperates with the back panel 40 for locking the back panel 40 to the first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20.

The first panel groove 12 on the first panel surface 13 may have a width W1.

The second panel groove 23 on the second panel surface 22 may have a width W2.

The width W1 of the first panel channel 12 may be substantially the same as the width W2 of the second panel channel 23.

Fig. 4B shows that the back panel 40 can be assembled to the first and second panels 10, 20 by moving the back panel 40 relative to the first and second panels 10, 20 in an assembly direction 113 substantially perpendicular to the second panel surface 22 of the second panel 20. The thickness T of the back panel 40 may be substantially the same as the width W1 of the first channel 12 and/or the width W2 of the second channel 23.

There may be a gap between the back panel 40 and the first and/or second channels 12, 23 that may facilitate displacement of the edge of the back panel 40 in the first and/or second channels 12, 23. The gap may be in the range of about 0 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters, or in the range of about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.2 millimeters.

In one aspect, the difference by the thickness T of the back panel 40, i.e., AW, of the width W1 of the first groove 12 and/or the W2 of the second groove 23 is equal to or greater than the extended length H of the back panel 40 relative to the first 10 or second 20 panels after the first 10, second 20 and back panels 40 are assembled, i.e., AW ≧ H, see FIGS. 10-14.

In one aspect, H is less than the extension D of the rod-like element 31 from the first edge surface 11.

The rod-like element 31 may have an extension E along the first edge surface 11.

In one aspect, if a group comprising two first panels 10 and two second panels 20 is to be assembled, at least one of the panels 10, 20 may have a first panel channel 12 of width W1 and/or a second panel channel 23 of width W2 that allows the extended portion H of the back panel 40 to be displaced within the first and/or second panel channels 12, 23, as shown in fig. 10 and 12A. The displacement may be equal to or greater than aw. In one aspect, all panels have the same first panel channel 12 width W1 and second panel channel 23 width W2 to facilitate production of the panels.

The length of the back panel 40 can be designed to avoid an extension H of the back panel 40. The edge of the back panel 40 may be substantially flush with the first edge 11 surface of the first panel 10.

Fig. 12B shows a side view of an embodiment of the first panel 10 with the first panel groove 12. The first panel groove 12 may have a width W1 and a height H1.

According to one aspect, the first and second panel grooves 12, 23 may be displaced relative to each other by about 0.1 to about 0.6 millimeters, or about 0.2 to about 0.3 millimeters when the first and second panels 10, 20 are in an assembled state, but before the locking mechanism 50 locks the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 and the first and second panels 10, 20 enter a final locked position.

The first panel 10 may include a second edge surface 14 and the second panel 20 may include a third edge surface 24. The first panel channel 12 may be substantially parallel to the second edge surface 14 and the second panel channel 23 may be substantially parallel to the third edge surface 24. The first panel channel 12 may further extend along substantially the entire second edge surface 14 and the second panel channel 23 may extend along substantially the entire third edge surface 24.

The first and/or second channels 12, 23 may be bottomed.

The first and/or second panel groove 12, 23 can be formed by mechanical cutting, for example milling or sawing.

A first panel groove 12 may be formed in the first panel surface 13 and in the core of the first panel 10. A second panel groove 23 may be formed in the second panel surface 22 and in the core of the second panel 20.

In one aspect, the locking mechanism 50 can be at least one wedge inserted into the first and/or second panel channels 12, 23 to lock the first and/or second panels 10, 20 and/or the back panel 40 in place, as shown in fig. 5-6 and 10-11.

Fig. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment of a locking mechanism 50 that includes a first tapered edge 61 and a second tapered edge 62. The first wedge edge 61 can be inserted into the first panel groove 12 and the second wedge edge 62 can be inserted into the second panel groove 23 to lock the first panel 10, the second panel 20, and the back panel 40 into a locked position.

Fig. 6 and 11 show an embodiment of a locking mechanism 50 comprising a first wedge portion 51 and a second wedge portion 52.

The locking mechanism 50 may be made of, for example, a wood-based material, a metal, a polymer material, or the like.

In one aspect, the locking mechanism 50 may be rectangular, square, or triangular.

The locking mechanism 50 may be made of, for example, a wood-based material, a metal, a polymer material, or the like.

In one aspect, as shown in fig. 7-9 and 16-18, locking mechanism 50 may include a lever arm 54 and an over-center locking head 53 at a first end of the lever arm. The locking mechanism 50 may include a locking portion 56 at a second, opposite end of the lever arm 54. If the eccentric head 53 is inserted into the first panel groove 12, the locking portion 56 may be inserted into the second panel groove 23, and vice versa.

The lever arm 54 may be resilient to enable bending during insertion of the locking portion 56 into the first or second panel groove 12, 23. The bending of the lever arm 54 may create a locking force between the locking portion and the first or second panel groove 12, 23.

The outer portion 53 of the over center locking head 53 may be thicker than a portion of the over center locking head 53 adjacent the first end of the shaft.

The outer portion 53 of the over center locking head 53 may include a frictional coupling structure 59, the frictional coupling structure 59 configured to cooperate with the first or second panel channel 12, 23.

The locking mechanism 50 may comprise a polymeric material (e.g., a thermoplastic material) or a metallic material.

Fig. 9 shows an aspect of the invention, wherein the first panel 10 and the second panel 20 are assembled, wherein the rod-shaped element 31 extends at a first angle α 1 of 47 °. For optimal assembly, the diameter D2 of the insertion groove 32 may be about 0.3 to about 0.8 millimeters greater than the diameter D1 of the rod-like element 31.

The first edge surface 11 may comprise two or more of said rod-like elements 31 and the second panel surface 22 may comprise two or more of said insertion grooves 32, or vice versa, which may be arranged in a line, wherein each rod-like element 31 is configured to be inserted into one insertion groove 32.

The cross section of the insertion groove 32 in a plane parallel to the second panel surface 22 may have a shape matching the cross section of the rod-shaped element 31 in a plane parallel to the first edge surface 11. One advantage of this may be that an improved locking of the first panel 10 to the second panel 20 is achieved and that the assembly of the panel assembly is easy to accomplish.

The rod-shaped element 31 and the insertion groove 32 are disclosed in more detail in fig. 1B, 9, 11 and 14, which show a cross section cut along the rod-shaped element 31 and the insertion groove 32. The rod-like elements 31 extend from the first edge surface 11 at a first angle α 1 and the insertion grooves 32 extend from the second panel surface 22 into the second panel surface at a second angle α 2, as shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 1B shows an embodiment of the rod-like element 31, which rod-like element 31 may be elongated in shape and comprise a length direction 86, a width direction 85 and a centre line 81 extending in the length direction.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 is configured to be inserted into a rod-like element groove 36 on the first edge surface 11.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 is configured to be inserted into a rod-like element groove 36 on the second panel surface 22.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 may be configured to be frictionally attached in the rod-like element groove 36.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 may be configured to be glued in the rod-like element groove 36.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 and the rod-like element groove 36 and the insertion groove 32 may have a substantially circular shape, but other shapes, such as triangular, rectangular, square, etc., are also possible.

According to one aspect, when α 1 ≠ α 2, the extension portion D of the rod-like element 31 may become oriented where the maximum locking force is to be generated by the locking mechanism 50.

According to one aspect shown in fig. 13, the first edge surface 11 may have at least one rod-like element 31, while the opposite edge surface may have at least one insertion groove 32.

According to another aspect, the first edge surface 11 may have a combination of at least one rod-like element 31 and at least one insertion groove 32. The respective second panel surface 22 may have a respective combination of at least one insertion groove 32 and at least one rod element 31.

According to one aspect shown in fig. 14, the position of the at least one rod-like element 31 may be located at a first distance 83 from the second edge surface 14. The first distance may be measured from the second edge surface 14 to the centre line 81 of the rod-like element 31. The corresponding insertion groove 32 may be located a second distance 84 from the third edge surface 24. The second distance may be measured from the third edge surface 24 to a centerline 82 of the insertion groove 32. The first distance may be different from the second distance, which may increase the locking force.

The difference between the first distance and the second distance may be in a range of about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters.

According to one aspect, the rod-like elements 31 are made of one or more of a wood-based material, a polymer material, which may include a reinforcing material, such as glass fibers or metal.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 may have a waxed surface to facilitate assembly.

According to one aspect, the rod-like element 31 may be configured to cooperate with the bottom surface of the insertion groove 32 in the locked position.

The side walls of the insertion groove 32 may comprise the material of the core of the first panel 10 or the second panel 20, depending on in which panel the insertion groove 32 is made and in which panel the rod-shaped element 31 is attached. According to one aspect, they may also be reinforced with, for example, metal or glass fibers.

According to one aspect, the first and/or second grooves 12, 23 may be impregnated/reinforced with a liquid.

According to one aspect, the first panel 10 and the second panel 20 may be assembled by moving the first panel 10 relative to the second panel 20 in a direction substantially parallel to the first panel surface 13.

According to one aspect, the first panel 10 comprises two or more of said first edge surfaces 11 according to the above. In other words, one or more rod-like elements 31 may be located at two or more edges of the first panel 10, as disclosed in fig. 2-3 and 10.

According to one aspect, the first panel 10 may comprise two or more of said first edge surfaces 11 according to the preamble. In other words, one or more of said rod-like elements 31 may be located at two or more edges of the first panel 10, as disclosed in fig. 2-4, 9, 11, 12 and 16.

According to one aspect, the second panel 20 may comprise two or more of said fourth edge surfaces 25 according to the above. In other words, one or more of the insertion grooves 32 may be located adjacent to two or more edges of the second panel 10, as shown in fig. 1A, 2-3, 13 and 15.

According to one aspect as shown in fig. 15, two first panels 10, two second panels 20 and one back panel 40 may be assembled.

The first panel 10 of the left embodiment may be assembled to the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment by moving the first panel 10 of the left embodiment relative to the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment in the assembly direction 111. The first panel 10 of the right hand embodiment may be assembled to the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment by moving the first panel 10 of the right hand embodiment relative to the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment in the assembly direction 112. By moving the embodiment of the back panel 40 in the assembly direction 113, the embodiment of the back panel 40 can be fitted to the first panel 10 of the left and right embodiments and the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment, the assembly direction 113 being substantially perpendicular to the second panel surface 22 of the second panel 20 of the bottom embodiment. By moving the second panel 20 of the top embodiment in the assembly direction 114, the second panel 20 of the top embodiment can be assembled to the first panel 10 of the left and right embodiments and to the embodiment of the back panel 40.

The length 93 of the back panel 40 insertable into the panel groove 12 of the first panel 10 in the locked position may be substantially equal to or greater than the length 94 of the first panel 10 at the second edge surface 14 of the first panel. The length 93 of the back panel 40 may be equal to the sum of the length 94 of the first panel 10 plus about half the height H1 of the panel channel 12 to about twice the height H1 of the panel channel 12 or equal to the sum of the length 94 of the first panel 10 plus the height H1 of the panel channel 12. Fig. 15 shows a length 93 of the back panel 40 that extends between the upper edge 87 of the back panel and the lower edge 88 of the back panel.

Fig. 19A-19D show enlarged views of a portion of the assembly process. Fig. 19A shows the embodiment in a first position, wherein the back panel 40 is inserted into the panel groove 12 of the first panel 10. The upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 is below the first edge surface 11 of the first panel. Fig. 19C shows that in this first position, the lower edge 88 of the back panel can contact the lower surface 89 of the panel channel 23 of the lower second panel 20. 19B shows the embodiment in the second position wherein the upper second panel 20 has been displaced 114 and assembled to the first panel 10 and the back panel 40 has been displaced to a position wherein the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 is located within the panel channel 23 of the upper second panel 20. Fig. 19D shows that in this second position, the lower edge 88 of the back panel may be at a distance 91 from the lower surface 89 of the panel channel 23 of the lower second panel 20. The lower edge 88 of the back panel 40 can be located a distance 91 from the second panel surface 22 of the second panel. The distance may be in the range of about 1/3 to about 2/3 of the height H2 of the panel channel 23 of the second panel, or about half of the height H2 of the panel channel 23 of the second panel.

The height H2 of the panel groove 23 of the lower second panel may be greater than the height H2 of the panel groove 23 of the upper second panel. The assembly can be turned so that gravity causes the back panel to shift to achieve a position where the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 is located within the panel channel 23 of the second upper panel 20.

The back panel can be displaced by gravity or by hand and the position of the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 within the panel channel 23 of the upper second panel 20 can be maintained by placing the positioning element 92 between the back panel and the panel channel 12 of the first panel and/or between the back panel and the panel channel 23 of the second panel.

Embodiments of the first panel channel 12 can have a width W1, the width W1 being substantially the same as the thickness T of the back panel 40. A portion of the first panel channel 12 can be wider, which can allow embodiments of the locking mechanism 50 to be positioned between the back panel and the first panel channel 12 to maintain the position of the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 within the panel channel 23 of the upper second panel 20.

Embodiments of the second panel channel 24 can have a width W2, the width W2 being substantially the same as the thickness T of the back panel 40. A portion of the second panel channel 23 can be wider, which can allow embodiments of the locking mechanism 50 to be positioned between the back panel 40 and the second panel channel 23 to maintain the position of the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 within the panel channel 23 of the upper second panel 20.

The back panel may be displaceable and the position of the upper edge 87 of the back panel 40 within the panel groove 23 of the upper second panel 20 may be maintained by the embodiments of the locking device 4 disclosed in WO2019125292 or WO 2019125291.

The core of the first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20 may be a wood based core, preferably made of medium density fiberboard, high density fiberboard, oriented strand board, wood-plastic composite, plywood or particle/chip board. The core may also be a plastic core comprising a thermoset or thermoplastic, such as vinyl/polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyurethane (PU) or polyester/polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The plastic core may include a filler.

The first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20 may also be of solid wood.

The first panel 10 and/or the second panel 20 may be provided with a decorative layer, such as a foil/sheet or a veneer, on one or more surfaces.

According to one aspect, the panel assembly is a resilient panel. The resilient panel may comprise a core comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be foamed.

The thermoplastic material may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), Polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof. The core may be formed of several layers.

The above aspect may comprise a decorative layer, for example a decorative foil comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the decorative layer may be or comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), Polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate or combinations thereof. The decorative foil may be printed by, for example, direct printing, rotogravure printing or digital printing. According to one aspect, the decorative layer comprises melamine, a high pressure laminate or a veneer.

The above aspect may include an abrasion resistant layer, such as a film or foil. The wear layer may comprise a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), Polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof.

The above aspects may include a wood based core, such as High Density Fiberboard (HDF), Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), plywood, particle board/chip board, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), or particleboard.

The various aspects, embodiments and alternatives described above may be combined with one or more of the other described aspects, embodiments and alternatives.