Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
  • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
  • F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
  • F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
  • F16B5/0614—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in angled relationship
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B47/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
  • A47B47/0025—Horizontal connecting members adapted to receive and retain the edges of several panel elements
  • A47B47/0033—Corners
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
  • F16B12/00—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior
  • F16B12/10—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like
  • F16B12/12—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics
  • F16B12/26—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics using snap-action elements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
  • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
  • F16B5/0004—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship
  • F16B5/0008—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edge

Definitions

• the present application describes a fitting system, applicable in the assembly of panels.
• the present technology comprises a single part that enables easy assembly and disassembly of panels without the need for additional semi-permanent fastening means, conferring good resistance to the structure of the panels.
• the present application refers to a fitting system for assembling panels characterized by comprising: - base connector (1) with two perpendicular sides that comprises :
• top connector (8) with two perpendicular sides that comprises :
• the system comprises at least one horizontal panel (14) comprising cuts on the vertices which are geometrically complementary to the inner bulge (10) and to the outer bulge (11) .
• the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) present a vertical groove (4) on each perpendicular side.
• the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) present a hinge (3) on each perpendicular side.
• the hinge (3) is of the butterfly hinge or bistable hinge type.
• the base connector (1) is placed on the upper vertices of the vertical panels (13) .
• the top connector (8) is placed on the lower vertices of the vertical panels (13) .
• the intermediary connector (15) is placed into cuts present on the vertical panels between the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) .
• the clips (2) (9) are of the snap-fit type.
• the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) are made of thermoplastic material.
• the second bulge (7) of the base connector (1) fits into the opening (12) of the top connector ( 8 ) .
• the present application describes a fitting system with application in the assembly of panels.
• the fitting system now proposed is composed of three types of connectors, which allow the assembly of panels.
• the connectors are made of a material that confers sufficient flexibility to the connectors for them to fit into the panels .
• the connectors of the system presently described are of three different types: a base connector, an intermediary connector and a top connector.
• the fitting system to be used in the practical assembly of panels relies on a plurality of these three types of connectors, depending on the breadth and modularity of the panel at hand. Accordingly, said connectors are assembled on the respective base, intermediate and top joints between every two vertical panels, or each two vertical panels and one horizontal, this assembly being made with the assistance of cuts in the panel structure itself, made to measure according to the respective bulges and clips of each connector .
• the fitting system presently described besides providing an advantage in terms of facility and diminishment of time spent assembling the panels, also provides the technical advantage of conferring greater resistance to the structures assembled with these connectors than that conferred by the connectors on the market today.
• the resistance conferred by the system of connectors described herein is related to the cuts present on the panels which enable the panels to be locked in all directions.
• the clips existing in the connectors also enable them to complete the locking system, and it is the interaction between the cuts present in the panels and the geometry of the connector which provide for a strong bond between all the panels. It is thus possible to construct a three-dimensional structure of varied lengths and heights, or even a modular structure that presents greater resistance.
• the system developed provides for the assembly of showcases, urns, boxes, decorative objects and furniture, but not limited to these examples.
• the present application describes a fast and simple form of assembling multiple panels, making them fit to be modular by introducing as many panels as necessary, by interconnection thereof by virtue of the combination of connectors now presented.
• Figure 1A illustrates a front view of a base connector (1) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 2 - clip; 5 - groove; 6 - bulge; 7 - second bulge.
• Figure IB illustrates a rear view of a base connector (1) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 4 - vertical groove.
• Figure 2 illustrates a base connector (1) connected to two vertical panels (13), wherein the reference numbers represent: 5 - groove.
• Figure 3A illustrates a front view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 10 - inner bulge; 11 - outer bulge .
• Figure 3B illustrates a rear view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, rotation of 180° of the illustration of Figure 3A, wherein the reference numbers represent: 12 - opening.
• Figure 3C illustrates a front view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, rotation of 180° of the illustration of Figure 3A, wherein the reference numbers represent: 12 - opening.
• Figure 4A illustrates a horizontal panel (14) fitted into a top connector (8) .
• Figure 5 illustrates the vertical fitting of a top connector (8) to a base connector (1), wherein the reference numbers represent: 7 - second bulge; 12 - opening; 13 - vertical panel; 14 - horizontal panel.
• Figure 6A illustrates a front view of an intermediary connector (15) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 16 - bulge.
• Figure 6B illustrates a rear view of an intermediary connector (15) belonging to the fitting system.
• Figure 6C illustrates the assembly of two vertical panels (13) perpendicular to the intermediary connector (15) .
• Figure 7A illustrates an embodiment of the top connector (8) in open arrangement, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 17 - hinge.
• Figure 7B illustrates a top connector (8) in closed arrangement, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 3 - hinge.
• Figure 8 illustrates a modular structure of vertical panels (13) assembled with the assistance of the top connectors (8), base connectors (1) and intermediary connectors (15), with a magnified view of the cuts in the panels (A) (B) .
• Figure 9 illustrates a modular structure of vertical panels (13) and horizontal panel (14) assembled with the assistance of the top connectors (8), base connectors (1) and intermediary connectors (15) .
• the present application refers to a fitting system applicable in the assembly of panels.
• the fitting system presently described comprises three types of connectors: top connector and base connector, and an intermediary connector.
• the base connector (1) has an essentially cubic shape comprising two vertical sides perpendicular to each other.
• the base connector (1) presents a vertical groove (4) in each of the vertical sides.
• each vertical side comprises a clip (2) of the snap-fit type. These clips (2) fit into the complementary cuts present in the vertical panels (13) so as to fasten two vertical perpendicular panels (13) .
• the panels associated to this technology comprise cuts geometrically complementary to the clips that provide for safe fitting of the clips, as can be seen in A and B in Figure 8. To fit the clips in the vertical panel (13), it is suffice to apply a slight force which makes the clips (2) flex, move and fit into the cuts of the vertical panels (13) .
• the base connector (1) in the front view thereof as in Figure 1A, further comprises two grooves (5) disposed at the bottom of the base connector (1), wherein each groove (5) is adjacent to one of the vertical sides.
• the grooves (5) are complementary to cuts present in the edges, and near the vertices of the vertical panels (13), as can be seen in Figure 2.
• the two grooves (5) and the two clips (2) of the base connector (1) fit into the complementary cuts existing on each vertical panel (13) and perpendicular to each other, and consequently lock the entire structure, as can be seen in Figure 2. Therefore, each base connector (1) enables, through its shape, the fitting of two vertical panels (13) perpendicularly disposed.
• the base connectors (1) at its base, comprise a bulge (6) between the vertical sides. This bulge
• (7) is essential to promote the junction between a base connector (1) and a top connector (8), disposed on top of each other.
• top connectors (8) are used to build a vertical modular structure of panels with another level, or to introduce a horizontal panel into the structure.
• the top connectors (8) serve two purposes, the construction of a structure of panels at height, and the placement of a horizontal panel (14) whenever necessary .
• the top connector (8) has a topology that is essentially similar to the base connector (1) .
• This top connector (8) equally comprises two vertical sides perpendicular to each other.
• each vertical side comprises a clip (9) of the snap-fit type. These clips fit into the complementary cuts present on the vertical panels (13) so as to fasten two perpendicular panels .
• the top connector (8) comprises two bulges between the vertical sides: an inner bulge (10) and an outer bulge (11) . These bulges provide for the fitting of a horizontal panel (14), and the outer bulge (11) fits into the corresponding geometric cut present in the vertex of a horizontal panel (14) .
• the inner bulge (10) serves to reinforce further the coupling between the two vertical panels (13) and the horizontal panel (14) .
• the top connector (8) fits into the free space resulting from the coupling between three panels. Therefore, through their shape, each top connector (8) provides for the fitting of two vertical panels (13) perpendicularly disposed, in addition to a horizontal panel (14) .
• the top connector (8) further comprises an opening (12) at its base, as can be seen in Figure 3C.
• This opening (12) has a geometrically complementary arrangement to the second bulge (7) of the base connector (1), and enables the vertical fitting between a base connector (1) and a top connector (8), as can be seen in Figure 5. It is thus possible to construct a vertical modular structure of panels, in accordance with Figures 8 and 9.
• the base connectors (1) and the top connectors (8) present an open arrangement when disassembled, or a closed arrangement when assembled in panels, as can be seen in Figures 7A and 7B respectively.
• These arrangements are provided by hinges (3) existing in each of the vertical sides of the connectors which provide for a fold of the portion of the vertical side that comprises the clips (2) (9) .
• the presence of the hinge (3) facilitates injection mold production, the extraction of the connector, both top or base, of the mold and the disassembly of the connector from the panels. This embodiment results from the production process of the connectors by injection molding.
• the base connectors (1) and the type connectors (8) are produced without hinges (3) and as such present only a closed arrangement.
• the connectors (1) (8) with clips (2) (9) may have hinges (3), and latter may be of various types such as butterfly hinge or bistable hinge.
• hinges (3) may be of various types such as butterfly hinge or bistable hinge.
• the existence of hinges promotes the horizontal position of the clips which will facilitate the injection molding process in the zone of the clips.
• the hinges (3) promote traction to maintain the clips (2) (9) safe to the panels until they are released when the connector is pulled out.
• the hinges (3) are optional to improve injection molding production, but the hinges may be added to the connectors by way of other processes such as 3D printing, maintaining the original design.
• the present fitting system further comprises an intermediary connector (15), as can be seen in Figures 6A and 6B, which may optionally be used in the assembly of panels.
• This connector is used when the width of the panels is high and appears to need reinforcement.
• the vertical panels (13) must have cuts that enable the fitting of this intermediary connector (15), as seen in B in Figure 8.
• the intermediary connector (15) comprises two vertical sides perpendicular, and between them there is a bulge (16) .
• This bulge (16) has a complementary geometrical arrangement to the cuts present in the vertical panels (13) perpendicular, as can be seen in Figure 6C.
• the intermediary connectors (16) are disposed at the joint between two perpendicular vertical panels (13), and in an intermediary position between base connectors (1) and top connectors (8), so as to exert pressure between two perpendicular vertical panels (13) and thus reinforce the structure.
• This fitting system enables the construction of a structure comprising four vertical panels (13), wherein each panel comprises top connectors (8) on the upper vertices, and additionally comprises base connectors (1) on the lower vertices, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.
• the system further enables the complementation of the structure with the assembly of at least one horizontal panel (14) by way of four base connectors (1) existing on the same horizontal level.
• the structure of panels described previously may further be reinforced by the fitting of intermediary connectors (15) between two perpendicular panels, as shown in Figure 9.
• the system presently described enables the assembly of a modular structure, wherein a level of the structure comprises four vertical panels (13), and comprises at least an upper level, disposed vertically above the prior level, comprising four vertical panels (13) .
• the connectors of the present application are produced from material that confers flexibility, because during the fitting the clips (2) (9) of the connectors have to flex to enable fitting into the cuts of the vertical panels (13) .
• the materials to be used in the connectors are plastic materials, particularly thermoplastics.
• the material is selected from polypropylene or polyethylene. These materials have the flexibility and resilience necessary to enable countless assembly and disassembly operations of the connectors without affecting the technical functionality of the same.
• the connectors can be produced by injection molding processes .
• the vertical panels (13) to be used jointly with the connectors described herein present structural elements as cuts near the vertices, and these cuts are complementary to the clips (2) (9) of the connectors.
• the vertical panels (13) may also comprise cuts geometrically complementary to the bulge (16) of the intermediary connector (15) . These cuts are positioned between the vertices that will receive the top connector (8) and the base connector (1) .
• the base connector (1) is placed on upper vertices of the vertical panels (13), while the top connector (8) is placed on lower vertices of the vertical panels (13) .
• the vertices of the horizontal panels (7) comprise structural elements geometrically complementary to these bulges (13) and (14) of the base connector (8), as cuts .
• the panels may be produced from various materials, its only compulsory characteristic being its rigidity.
• the thickness of the material may vary, yet the measurements of the connectors may also vary to correspond to the thickness of the panels.
• the materials for producing the panels are selected from ligno-cellulosic materials such as cork or wood, acrylics, glass, steel, aluminum.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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• 2019
  • 2019-11-13 EP EP19827806.1A patent/EP3880976A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-11-13 WO PCT/IB2019/059746 patent/WO2020100058A1/en not_active Ceased

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