Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a joint comprising a first panel and a second panel, each having at least one profiled edge area with alternating pins and sockets, and the profiles of the edge areas are mutually complementary.

In a second aspect, the disclosure relates to a furniture construction comprising a joint of this type.

In a third aspect, the disclosure relates to a box construction comprising at least two panels, which are joined at a corner area by interlacing of profiled edge areas with alternating pins and sockets.

In a fourth aspect the disclosure relates to a method of providing a joint between a first panel and a second panel comprising providing at least one edge area of the first panel with a profile of alternating pins and sockets and providing at least one edge area of the second panel with a profile of alternating pins and sockets which are complementary to the profile of the first panel, so that the profiled edges of the first and second panels are joinable.

Background

US2006/0162277 A1 discloses a corner joint for at least two panels. The joint is of a type which is usually designated as a box joint, wherein pins and sockets are arranged alternatingly at the end areas of the panels that are to be joined. When the pins and sockets on the respective panels are brought together, a pin on one panel will fit into a socket on the other panel.

In order to fix the joint in its intended position and keep it from falling apart, glue has traditionally been used on the sides of the pins and sockets, but in the disclosure of US2006/0162277 A1 a hole is drilled through the pins and sockets, and a dowel peg is arranged therethrough. A set of finishing nails are driven sideways through the pins and into the dowel peg. The advantage of the disclosure is mentioned as increasing the gluing surface, thereby strengthening the joint. A disadvantage is that the application of glue may be cumbersome, and the result may be less than perfect, if an unexperienced person performs the gluing operation. Also, there is a risk that the nails that are driven into the joint will be skewed or crooked, which may result in an unattractive appearance, if the joined panels are thin.

Summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all of the above-mentioned problems. To this end, each respective edge area of the joint is provided with a first groove and a second groove respectively at the base of the pins between the outer edge of the pins and the bottom of the sockets, and a joining element co-operating with the first and second grooves, which together form a channel.

Hereby is provided a strong joint for panels, with a minimal use of material, and avoiding conventional fastening elements such as nails or screws. The grooves may have an open longitudinal side in some embodiments. The manufacture of the joint is simplified.

In some embodiments the grooves are formed of a set of aligned groove segments, respectively.

Hereby the grooves may provide parts of the channel, and when all the parts from both panels are aligned on joining the pins and sockets to form the joint, a coherent channel is formed.

In some embodiments the grooves are arranged on one single side of the respective panel.

Hereby the manufacture of the panels is facilitated, and the resulting joint will have an attractive appearance.

In some embodiments the pins and sockets of the first panel interact with the pins and sockets of the second panel at an angle, and the first groove is arranged to face the second panel and the second groove is arranged to face the first panel, thereby forming a corner area with a substantially smooth outside. Hereby a joint which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to include in furniture constructions and the like may be obtained. It is also easy to keep clean as there are no crevices wherein dust may gather.

In one embodiment at least one of the grooves has a cross-section width which is wider than the width of an open side of the groove, preferably each of the two grooves of the joint has a cross-section width which is wider than the width of an open side of the respective groove, and preferably an open side of the groove of the first panel is covered by a bottom wall of the socket of the second panel, still more preferably an open side of the groove of the second panel is covered by a bottom wall of the socket of the first panel.

Hereby a joining element may be accommodated in the channel, without the risk of falling out sideways. In a further embodiment each of the first and second grooves has a cross-section which is wider than the width of an open side of the respective groove. This further improves the accommodation of the joining element.

In one embodiment at least one of the edge areas is provided with a longitudinal strip of material, which is attached at least along the outer edge of the panel, increasing the thickness of the edge area.

Hereby the joint is strengthened further, and the provision of additional material may allow the forming of a channel although the thickness of the material in the rest of the panel may not be sufficient for forming a suitable channel directly therein.

In a further embodiment, the channel extends at least partly between the longitudinal strip and the panel onto which the strip is attached.

Utilizing the strip for covering a machined groove may allow the provision of a channel which is not necessarily undercut.

In a further embodiment, the groove is at least partly provided in the longitudinal strip of material.

Hereby an efficient manufacturing process may be obtained wherein the strips are milled and provided with grooves separately before they are joined to the panels. In an even further embodiment at least one joining element is a rod arranged in the channel.

Hereby the profiled edge areas are secured to one another.

In another embodiment the first and second panels comprise an identical material.

Hereby constructions of a single material may be obtained, wherein the joints are solid and strong, and a pleasant visual appearance is created.

In another embodiment the first and second panels comprise mutually different materials.

The joint is useful for joining pieces of different material to create an integral construction, such as a box or a piece of furniture.

In a further embodiment at least one of the panels comprises wood.

Wood is a suitable material for the disclosed joint, due to its properties, where milling may be performed with good results.

In a still further embodiment, the panel preferably has a thickness of 2-10 mm, more preferably 3-8 mm.

The disclosed joint may be performed in thin materials, thereby allowing the use of panels that are thinner than usual in the prior art. The thickness may be measured on the panel only, before the strip is attached.

In an even further embodiment, the panel preferably has a thickness of 3-5 mm.

If a strip is comprised in the construction of the joint, the thickness of the panels may be particularly low.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, a furniture construction comprises a joint as described above. In one embodiment, the furniture construction is a drawer, a shelf or a storage box, preferably the furniture construction being adapted to be transported in a flat- packed arrangement and to be assembled by an end-user.

When such a furniture construction can be sold and transported in a flat-pack packaging, and the end-customer, such as a private person, can easily mount the furniture construction at their home, the transport volumes and costs may be reduced.

The furniture construction may have a generally square or rectangular shape, in which one or more joints form one or more corners of such square or rectangle. In such case the angle between panels is typically 90°. In addition, the furniture construction could have other shapes, such as triangular, rhomboid, pentagon, hexagon, etc. in which case the angle between panels would be different from 90°, and also different from 180°.

The first and/or the second grooves may have open sides opening into the interior of the furniture construction. This provides for a smooth exterior of the furniture construction.

These and many other objects may be attained by the disclosed construction, in particular where a bottom and/or a lid is included in the construction. A number of furniture constructions including panels, in particular arranged at an angle, may be performed advantageously.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, a box construction comprises at least a first and a second panel, which are joined at a corner area by interlacing of profiled edge areas with alternating pins and sockets, wherein a rod is arranged in a longitudinal channel, which extends through the profiled edge areas of the at least two panels comprising open grooves therein at one single side of the respective panels between the outer edge of the pins and the bottom of the sockets, and preferably the box comprises at least one further panel, even more preferably two further panels.

Hereby the box construction may be completed without the use of glue in a simple, yet durable manner. In some embodiments the grooves are formed of a set of aligned groove segments, respectively.

Hereby the grooves may provide parts of the channel, and when all the parts from both panels are aligned on joining the pins and sockets to form the joint, a coherent channel is formed, and the box may be quickly and easily assembled without the use of glue.

In some embodiments the grooves are arranged on one single side of the respective panel.

Hereby the manufacture of the box may be facilitated, and the resulting, assembled box may be attractive with a smooth exterior.

In some embodiments the pins and sockets of the first panel and the pins and sockets of the second panel are shaped to form a corner area with a substantially smooth outside.

Hereby a joint which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to include in a box may be obtained. It is also easy to keep clean as there are no crevices wherein dust may gather. In one embodiment the panels are joined by joints described above at each connection between said at least three panels.

Hereby the whole construction may benefit from the described joints.

In some embodiments the first and/or the second grooves may have open sides opening into the interior of the box construction. For example, both the first and the second grooves may have such open sides facing into the interior of the box construction, preferably the open side of the groove of the first panel is covered by a bottom wall of the socket of the second panel.

This provides for a smooth exterior of the box construction.

In one embodiment at least one longitudinal strip of material is arranged at the corner area, attached along the outer edge of at least one panel, thereby increasing the thickness of the edge area, and preferably said strip at least partially covers a groove. Hereby the disclosed box is reinforced in the areas where there is a need for a strong construction, while other areas of the box may be kept lighter, thereby affecting the visual appearance of the box as well as the consumed material.

In one embodiment of the box construction, a respective longitudinal strip of material at least partially covers a respective first and a second groove in a respective one of the profiled edge areas.

Hereby the disclosed box is further reinforced, and a thinner material may be used for the panels, while still allowing a groove to be formed therein. As for the joint itself, the profiled, or crenelated, edge areas are secured to one another, and the box may form an entity, which keeps its shape. A construction with a groove, but not necessarily additional material at the corner area is disclosed.

In further embodiments the joined panels are planar.

Hereby most box constructions for furniture and the like may be obtained.

In other embodiments at least two panels are manufactured from wood-based material, preferably solid wood.

Hereby many desirable box constructions for furniture and the like may be obtained in an attractive, durable material, which is reasonably easy to process.

In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a first open groove and a second open groove, for the receipt of a fixing rod, are formed, such as by being milled, in the respective edge areas of the respective first and second panels, preferably at the pins, on one single side thereof, between the outer edge of the pins and the bottom of the sockets

Hereby is attained a method for joining panels, said method allowing a manufacture which is easily adaptable for large-scale industrial use. The final assembly of the panels is easily performed, e.g. by the end-customer, such as in a private persons ^' home.

In some embodiments the grooves are milled as a set of aligned groove segments, respectively. Hereby two sets of grooves on two sets of pins may be brought together by introducing the pins on one panel into the sockets on the second panel, whereby the groove segments may form one single channel. A rod may then be introduced into the channel to keep the groove segments aligned, and hence keep the panels in their relative positions.

In some embodiments the grooves are arranged on one single side of the respective panel.

Hereby the milling of the grooves may be performed in a quick and rational manner. The resulting joint may be attractive and easy to assemble.

In one embodiment a strip of material is attached to at least one edge area of at least one of the panels along the outer edge thereof, increasing the thickness of the edge area.

Hereby is obtained a reinforcement of the panels, and any subsequent manufacturing steps may be facilitated since the edge areas may be given a stability needed for an unproblematic manufacture.

In one embodiment the method comprises that a strip of material is attached to at least one edge area of at least one of the panels, before the edge areas are provided with the profiles of alternating pins and sockets.

Hereby is provided a method for joining panels in a way that results in a strong joint, with a minimal use of material, and avoiding conventional fastening elements such as nails or screws, and the manufacture is facilitated.

In a still further embodiment, a groove is milled in at least one of the strip and the edge area, before the strip is attached to the edge area.

Hereby another possibility of facilitating the manufacturing is disclosed.

In another embodiment the strip of material is arranged to, at least partly, cover the open groove.

Hereby may be obtained that the groove is closed laterally, for the later insertion of a rod from the end of the groove. In another embodiment a groove is formed by being milled in at least one edge area, preferably before the edge areas are provided with the profiles of alternating pins and sockets.

Hereby a basis for a strengthened joint, created by the method, is provided.

In further embodiments the positions of the first and second groove are selected such that the extent of the grooves coincide and form a channel for receipt of the fixing rod, when the first and second panels are joined, preferably at least one of the grooves has an opening width which is smaller than the cross-section of the rod which may be inserted into a channel formed by said grooves.

Hereby the grooves of the two panels may cooperate for providing an even stronger joint.

In still further embodiments, the first and second panels are joined at an angle, and the angle is preferably 90 degrees.

Hereby the most common types of joints may be obtained, although parts of the disclosed method may be employed for joining panels in a single plane as well.

In further embodiments the method comprises forming a rod which is insertable into the common channel formed by the first and second grooves.

Hereby may be obtained a useful means for fixing the panels in the joint in their relative positions. The rod may be long enough to extend through all of the channel, but one or more shorter rods may be used, preferably two rods that are inserted from both ends of the channel, and that each rod is long enough to extend past at least one pin from the respective panels.

In still further embodiments the method comprises that at least one of the grooves is an undercut groove, preferably the undercut groove is formed by milling.

Hereby the rod may be further secured in the channel, in addition to the locking that may be accomplished by the fact that the panels are arranged at an angle.

In still further embodiments, the panels are planar. Although it may be imagined that the method is useful for the joining of curved surfaces, its primary use is likely to be for joining flat surfaces, such as for boxes or other parts of furniture.

In some embodiments the panels are manufactured from mutually identical materials.

Hereby products comprising several parts of a single material may be created.

In other embodiments the panels are manufactured from mutually different materials.

Hereby constructions comprising two or more different materials may be joined by the disclosed method.

In many embodiments the panels are manufactured from wood.

Wood is a material that may be efficiently milled to the disclosed shapes, and a material which is attractive to the end consumer regarding its appearance and structure.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the device are all combinable with the method as defined in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

Fig. 1a is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a box including a joint according to the disclosure; Fig. 1b is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the box according to Fig. 1a, in a position for use as a shelf etc.;

Fig. 1c is an enlargement of an area A in Fig. 1a; Fig. 1d is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1c, with a rod partially mounted;

Fig. 1e is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1 d, where the rod is fully mounted;

Fig. 2a is a view in perspective of a panel comprised in the box according to Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2b is an enlargement of an area B in Fig. 2a; Fig. 2c is a partial side view in detail of the edge area of Fig. 2b including a joining element;

Fig. 3a is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1a of another embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 3b is an enlargement of an area C in Fig. 3a; Fig. 3c is a partial side view of the end area of a panel comprised in the box of Fig 3a;

Fig. 3d is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 3c of another embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 3e is a view corresponding to that of Figs. 3c and 3d of another embodiment of the disclosure

Fig. 4a is a side view of the edge area of a panel, during a first step of the milling of the panel;

Fig. 4b is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 4a, during a second step of the milling; and Fig. 4c is a view corresponding to that of Figs. 4a and 4b, after the milling of Figs. 4a-b has been performed.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

Detailed description of the exemplarv embodiments

The disclosed embodiments will now be discussed in detail, with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1a shows a box 1 in perspective. The box 1 has four corners with a joint 2 in each corner. The joints 2 are of the general type which is commonly known as a box joint or a comb joint, including a number of interlaced pins and sockets. Each of the sides of the box 1 comprises a panel 3, which may include one or more of various materials. In many embodiments the panels 3 are made of a single material, often a solid wood material. Plywood is another suitable material. If the box 1 is intended for storage purposes, it may have a bottom 4, and in some cases a lid (not shown). If the box 1 is a construction included in a furniture construction, such as a bookcase, a shelf, a chest of drawers, etc, the bottom 4 is optional. If needed, the box 1 may be reinforced with hardware components, such as brackets or struts.

The panels 3 comprise lateral end areas, which have a crenelated appearance, with a number of pins 5 and sockets 6 formed at the panel edges 3a,

3b, as is best shown in Fig. 1 c. The edges 3a, 3b that form one single joint 2 have a complementary shape, so that they may fit together. This means that when the panels 3 are placed in an upright position next to one another, each pin 5 may fit into a socket 6 of a corresponding size at the same level and form an integral joint 2.

The appearance of the edges 3a, 3b on one single panel 3 may vary. In the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1a all the panels 3 are identical, which for example means that the upper left corner of each panel 3, as seen from the outside of the box 1 , is provided with a pin 5, whereas the upper right corner of the same panel 3 is provided with a socket 6. Placing two such panels 3 next to one another will enable them to be connected easily, with the pins 5 of one panel 3 fitting into the sockets 6 of the other panel 3. Manufacturing all the panels 3 in the box identical has the advantage of ease of manufacture and stocking. Also, the risk of mixing up panels 3 at the assembly of the box 1 will be eliminated, and the quality of the resulting box will be optimal in this respect.

There will, however, be other embodiments that may be useful. One such embodiment, which is not disclosed in the drawings, comprises that the panels 3 are mirror symmetric in pairs. In such a case, the pins 5 on both lateral edges 3a, 3b of one panel 3 are at the same levels, and the sockets 6 on both edges 3a, 3b are at their respective same levels as well. An embodiment with mirrored edges may be particularly useful for rectangular boxes, where the short sides may have one mirrored appearance, and the long sides may have a different mirrored appearance. The short sides fit naturally in their correct positions between two parallel long sides, and there may be no doubt as to which panels 3 are to be connected at the joints 2.

Returning to the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1a, it should be noted that there are channels 7 milled in the areas of the joints 2 i. e. at the corners of the box 1. Only the open, outer ends of the channels 7 are visible in Fig. 1a. A rod is inserted into the each of the channels 7, but not discernable in Fig. 1 a. Such a rod 11 is clearly visible as partly inserted in one of the channels 7 in the box 1 of Fig. 1b and Fig. 1 d, and as fully inserted in Fig. 1e.

Fig 1c is an enlargement of the upper area of one of the corners of the box 1 in Fig. 1a. In this figure it is clearly visible that the channel 7 comprising an open side 8 and an undercut groove 8b, which extends approximately vertically through the pins 5 of a first panel approximately at the base of the pins 5. The position of the groove 8b may in principle be varied in different embodiments. The position may vary between the base of the pins 5 to the outer edge 13 thereof, provided that the groove 8b is aligned and preferably parallel with the outer edge 13 of the pins 5. The outer edge 13 of the pins 5 is also the outer edge of the panel 3.

The open side 8 of the groove 8b is arranged to face the bottom wall 9 of a corresponding socket 6, which closes the groove 8b, so that a channel 7 is obtained. Since the groove 8b is undercut, a rod 11 inserted therein will be fixed further laterally, provided that its dimension, such as a diameter, is larger than the width of the open side 8 of the groove 8b. The cross section of the rod 11 may be circular, but may also have another shape, e. g. square or hexagonal.

Further, the open sides 8 of the grooves 8b are arranged to face the interior of the box 1 , and hence the exterior of the box 1 may be smooth and visually appealing. Further contributing to the smooth appearance is that the shape and the height/width/thickness of the pins 5 and sockets 6 match, so that there are no protruding portions of the pins 5 nor any notches at the sockets 6, at least not at the outside of the box 1. In accordance with one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 1c, the open side 8 of the groove 8b of one panel may be covered by the bottom wall 9 of the socket 6 of the other panel. Flence, the bottom walls 9 of the respective panels may cover the open sides 8 of the respective grooves 8b so that no open side 8 is visible inside the box 1. Thereby, also the interior of the box 1 may be smooth and visually appealing.

Fig. 1d discloses an enlargement of the corner area of the box 1 , when a rod 11 has been partly inserted into the channel 7. In the corresponding view of Fig. 1 e, the rod 11 has been fully inserted into the channel 7, extending through and connecting all the respective pins 5 of the two adjacent panels 3.

In order to more clearly realize the construction and possible use of the channel 7 obtained by the groove 8b, reference is made to Fig. 2a. In this drawing a single panel 3 of the box 1 is shown. The side of the panel 3 facing the viewer is the side that is directed towards the inside of the box 1 in its assembled state, i. e. as seen in Fig. 1a. By providing the groove 8b on that side of the panel 3, intended to face inwards, the outside of the box 1 may be smooth.

At the base of each of the pins 5, on the inside of the panel 3, a groove 8b has been milled. As stated previously, the groove 8b is milled at the base of the pins 5 and it has an undercut cross section, which is more clearly visible in Figs. 2b and 2c. In embodiments that are not disclosed in the figures, the groove 8b may be milled at other positions on the pins 5, from their base to their outer edge 13. In fact, although each groove 8b appears as a set of grooves in the edge areas of the panel 3, the milling thereof may preferably take place in a single operation. In some embodiments, the milling of each groove 8b is performed before the pins 5 and sockets 6 are cut. The position of the groove 8b is decided in relation to the outer edge 13, which will be the outer edge 13 of the pins 5, when the pins 5 and sockets 6 have been cut from the panel 3. Hereby a perfect alignment of the groove segments may be attained. The positions of each groove 8b is chosen such that the groove segments of two panels to be connected may be aligned when the pins 5 and sockets 6 are brought into alignment with a smooth exterior as described above.

When the panel 3 is connected to an identical or complementary panel 3 at right angles, to form a joint 2, the pins 5 of the first panel 3 may fit into the corresponding sockets 6 of the second panel 3. A complementary panel may e. g. be a panel 3 which has two mirror-symmetrical edge areas, as mentioned above, as long as the pins 5 of one panel 3 fits into the sockets 6 of the second panel to form an intended structure. A complementary panel 3 may alternatively, or additionally, be a panel 3 of a different size, so that the pins 5 of one panel 3 fits into only a part of the sockets 6 on the other panel and vice versa. A panel 3 of a different size may also be a panel 3 wherein the edge areas with pins 5 and sockets 6 are of the same length as the other panel, but the distance between the edge areas on the two panels are different. With the latter type of panels, rectangular box constructions 1 may be formed.

The open grooves 8b may be closed by the bottom walls 9 of the sockets 6 on the identical or complementary panel 3, when the panels are connected. The positions of the grooves 8b have been selected such that the grooves of each pin 5 may be aligned between the first and second panels 3, 3 to form a continuous, closed channel 7, extending throughout the joint 2. In Fig. 2c the rod 11 is shown arranged in the groove 8b, and it is clear that the diameter D of the rod 11 is of similar dimension, or maybe slightly smaller, than the cross-section width W of the groove 8b and the diameter D is larger than the width L of the open side 8 of the groove 8b. Hence the rod 11 will be secured in its lateral position, and when two adjacent panels 3 are joined, the rod 11 will be secured in its position already during the insertion thereof into the groove 8b. The closing of the open sides 8 of the grooves 8b by the bottom walls 9 of the sockets 6 is, for this reason, not necessary in all embodiments of the disclosure, for keeping the rod 11 in place. The manufacturing steps including the milling are preferably performed in a manufacturing plant, so that the prepared panels 3 may be packaged in packages which are as non-bulky as possible, preferably flat packages. The remaining mounting steps of the box 1 are in many embodiments intended to be performed by the end user, for example a private person or the staff at the premises of an office, or at least at the premises of the end user.

In the mounting steps needed to form a box-like structure from the panels 3, the pins 5 and sockets 6 of two panels 3 that are to be connected are brought together. The pins 5 on one panel 3 fit into the sockets 6 of the other panel 3. When the respective bottom walls 9 of the sockets 6 cover the grooves 8b at the base of the pins 6 at the mounting of the box 1 , a part of a channel 7 is formed. The parts of the channel 7 are aligned and together form a continuous channel 7.

When a rod 11 is inserted, as shown in figures 1d and 1 e, into the channel 7 formed by the grooves 8b when they are in register, the pins 5 of the first and second panels 3 may be locked in their mutual positions, i. e. the joint 2 may be fixed. It is particularly preferable if the rod 11 extends throughout the whole channel 7 extending from one end to another end of the panel 3. A sufficient locking of the joint 2 may be obtained if at least two adjacent pins 5, i. e. one pin 5 from each of the first and the second panels 3, are mutually fixed by a short rod. In an alternative embodiment, two shorter rods are inserted into the channel 7, one from each end thereof.

Any fixing rod 11 may keep the joint 2 from being torn apart in a direction transversal to the extension of the rod 11. The shape and position of the pins 5 in the assembled state of the joint 2 may keep the joint 2 intact by blocking any vertical motion. Any rotation of the panels 3 relative to one another, when the rod 11 is inserted, is blocked by the angular shape of the pins 5 and the sockets 6. Hence the inserted rod 11 provides an easily obtainable and durable fixation of the joint 2 without the need for glue. Also there is no need for specialized tools. In most cases a common hammer may be sufficient.

In addition, the rod 11 may provide the box 1 with a visually pleasing approach, since the rod 11 is arranged inside the joint 2. The rod 11 is not accessible, nor visible, neither from the outside nor from the inside of the joint 2, when the box 1 is in its mounted position. Only the outer ends of the rod 11 may be discerned. A further advantage is that the locking of the joint 2 may be reversible, as long as the rod 11 may be removed from the channel 7. A nail, another rod, or the like may be used with a hammer, for lightly tapping the rod out of the channel 7.

After the rod 11 has been inserted into the joint 2, and the panels 3 of the box 1 have thereby been fixed mutually, the bottom 4 may optionally be arranged on the box 1 , as well as a lid.

In Fig. 3a, another embodiment of a box 1 is shown. Herein each edge area of each of the side panels 3 is provided with an additional, strengthening strip 10 of a suitable material, in order to obtain a joint 2, which is stronger than a joint provided in a thin side panel 3. The additional strip 10 is aligned with the outer edge 13 of the panel 3, preferably before the pins 5 and sockets 6 are cut. Hence, the side panels 3 may be manufactured in a thinner material than was possible according to the prior art, while the joints 2 in the corners of the box 1 are manufactured in a thicker material than that of the thinner side panel 3, by the addition of the strips 10. The thickness of the panels 3, without the added strips 10, may be 2-10 mm, more preferably 3-8 mm, even more preferably 3-5 mm.

Fig. 3b shows an enlargement of area C in Fig. 3a. The strips 10, that are provided on each edge area of each panel 3, are clearly visible at the end area and in the sockets 6, which have been manufactured deeper, at least in relation to the thickness of the panels 3, than in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a, in order to accommodate the thickness of the panel 3 with the attached strip 10, which combined panel 3 and strip 10 is thicker than the sole panel 3. With deeper sockets 6, the pins 5 will consequently be higher, at least relative to the thickness of the panels 3, although their height may be the same, in absolute measurements, as in the embodiment of Figs.1a-e. In the disclosed embodiment of Figs. 3a-e, the strip 10 has approximately the same thickness as the panel 3 itself, thereby providing an edge area which is twice as thick as the panel 3 itself. Many other embodiments, where the mutual relationship between the thicknesses of the panels 3 and the added strips 10 are varied, may be envisaged. The groove 8b, which is formed in the respective panel 3, is closed by the strip 10, which is placed next to it. This closure of the groove 8b is in contrast to the closure by the bottom walls 9 of the sockets 6 on the other panel in the joint 2, as in the embodiment described in connection with Fig. 1a. Similarly to what is stated above, in connection with Fig. 2c, closing the groove 8b with a strip 10 of material may not be necessary in all embodiments to keep an inserted rod 11 in place. The rod 11 may be kept in place in the groove 8b anyway, for example if the groove 8b is undercut.

The channel 7 formed by the groove 8b is shown in a plan view of the edge area in Fig. 3c. As described above the groove 8b is formed, for example by milling the groove 8b, in the edge area of the panel 3, which is then covered by the strip 10 to form the channel 7. In the embodiment of Fig. 3c the groove 8b is completely covered by the strip 10, but a partial covering, in which the strip 10 only covers a part of the groove 8b, is also possible. An alternative way of forming the channel 7 is disclosed in Fig. 3d. Instead of milling the groove 8b in the edge area of the panel 3, the strip 10 is provided with the longitudinal groove 8b, for example by milling the longitudinal groove 8b in the strip 10. The open groove 8b of the strip 10 is closed by the panel 3 to form a channel 7. In some embodiments of the box 1 the embodiment of Fig. 3d may be advantageous, since the panels 3 may be of a size that is too large to be easily handled in available milling machines. The width of the strip 10 is more limited and may be treated more easily with any milling equipment.

Another advantage with the embodiment of Fig. 3d is that the same type of strip 10 is applicable on various sizes of panels 3. Flence the strips 10 with grooves 8b may be milled separately in large quantities and may be cut into appropriate lengths for mounting on a wide variety of side panels 3 for boxes 1 of many sizes.

A further embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 3e. In this embodiment a part of the groove 8b has been milled in the strip 10 and a part of the groove 8b has been milled in a corresponding part of the panel 3. This embodiment provides for combining a panel 3 which is thinner than the panel of the embodiment of Fig. 3c, with a strip 10 that is thinner than the strip 10 of the embodiment of Fig. 3d. In all of the embodiments of Figs. 3c-3e, the groove 8b is milled as an open groove in at least one of the panel 3 and the strip 10 and then covered by the other one of the panel 3 or the strip 10, which may have an open groove 8b as well, as in Fig. 3e.

It may be noted that the panels 3 may be of mutually different thickness. In such a case, not all of the panels may need a reinforcing strip 10 at the edge areas.

In some cases, a groove 8b may be milled directly in a first, thicker panel, while a second panel may be provided with a groove 8b and a strip 10 as shown in Figs. 3c- 3e. The first and second panels may nevertheless be joined, provided that their respective thicknesses are accommodated in the respective pins 5 and sockets 6 on the panels 3.

In order to manufacture the joints 2 according to the embodiment of Figs la- 20, the following steps may be performed, mostly in an arbitrary order. Preferably the edge areas at both lateral ends of each panel 3 are provided with a first open groove 8b and a second open groove 8b respectively, for the receipt of a fixing rod 11 , by milling in the respective edge areas 3a, 3b. Such milling may be performed by using two sawblades 12a-b being slightly offset relative to the normal to the panel 3, in two different directions, to obtain during milling an undercut open groove 8b. The latter is shown in Figs.4a and 4b, in which Fig. 4a illustrates the milling with a saw blade 12a having one inclination relative to the normal of the panel 3, and Fig. 4b illustrates the milling with a sawblade 12b having the opposite inclination relative to the normal of the panel 3. As can be seen the two sawblades 12a, 12b may be rounded at different sides to obtain a rounded groove 8b. The resulting undercut groove 8b is shown in Fig. 4c. In Fig. 2c, which was discussed above, the rod 11 has been inserted from the end of the groove 8b, and is secured in the undercut open groove 8b, since it may not pass sideways through the longitudinal opening 8 in the groove 8b.

The position of each groove 8b is located at a position where the grooves 8b on the two joined panels 3 will coincide to form a continuous groove, when the two panels 3 are connected. In the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1a-2c, the preferred position of the groove 8b is at the intended base of the pins 5, as defined by the bottom edge 14 of the intended sockets 6. Flowever, many other positions of the groove 8b in the area between the bottom edge 14 of the intended sockets 6 and the outer edge 13 of the panel 3, said outer edge 13 also form ing the outer edge 13 of the finished pins 5. Each edge area 3a, 3b is provided with pins 5 and sockets 6, with suitable dimensions to allow for the thickness of the edge area 3a, 3b of the corresponding panel 3 in the joint 2.

As an alternative, the groove 8b, which is to be covered by a strip 10, need not be undercut, since the strip 10 will keep the rod 11 in its intended place in the groove 8b.

As a further manufacturing alternative, the groove 8b may be milled undercut as disclosed in Figs. 4a and 4b, with the difference that it is milled in the strip 10. By the same token, a groove, which is not undercut, may be milled in the strip 10 before the strip is mounted on the panel 3.

A strip 10 of material is attached, e. g. by gluing, to the respective edge area of the panels 3, covering the groove 8b, and/or including in the strip 10 itself the groove 8b, so that a channel 7 is formed. Then each edge area 3a, 3b is provided with pins 5 and sockets 6, with sufficient dimensions to allow for the increased thickness of the edge area 3a, 3b of the corresponding panel 3 in the joint 2. Hence, in an embodiment of attaching a strip 10 to the panel 3 a groove 8b is milled in the panel 3 and/or in the strip 10 before attaching the strip 10 to the panel 3.

The manufacturing steps described so far are preferably performed in a manufacturing plant, and the remaining mounting steps of the box 1 are in many embodiments intended to be performed by the end user, or at least at the premises of the end user, as described above for the joint 2 without reinforcing strips 10.

In the remaining mounting steps, the pins 5 and sockets 6 of two panels 3 that are to be connected are brought together. The pins 5 on one panel 3, including the reinforcing strips 10, fit into the sockets 6 of the other panel 3. The parts of the channel 7 on each pin 5 of the respective panels 3 are aligned and together form a continuous channel 7.

When a rod 11 is inserted into the channel 7 formed by the channel parts when they are in register, the pins 5 of the first and second panels 3 may be locked in their mutual positions, i. e. the joint 2 may be fixed. As stated above in relation to Figs. 1a-2c, the fixing may be reversible, and the length of the fixing rod 11 may be varied. The fixing rod may also be divided in two.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.