It relates particularly to a connecting system for connecting together two panels.

According to the invention there is provided a connecting system for connecting together two panels, comprising an elongate first jointing member having a longitudinal axis, that is adapted to be secured to one of the panels, the first jointing member comprising, when viewed in cross-sectional end view, a U-shaped joint formation ; and an elongate second jointing member having a longitudinal axis, that is adapted to be secured to the other panel, the second jointing member comprising, when viewed in cross-sectional end view, a complementary U-shaped jointing formation, the jointing formation of each jointing member providing a slot in which a portion of the other jointing formation is slidably receivable in an inter- nesting arrangement for connecting the jointing formations to one another with at least one of the jointing formations having a restraining formation which prevents the jointing formations from being separated by being displaced in a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes of the jointing members.

Each of the jointing formations of the jointing members, may define an inwardly turned lip which overlaps with the lip of the other jointing formation when the jointing members are arranged in said inter-nesting arrangement, for securely locating the jointing formations with respect to one another.

Each of the jointing formations of the jointing members, may have a restraining formation.

The jointing formation of each jointing member, when viewed in cross-sectional end view, may comprise a first joint element, a second joint element that extends substantially perpendicularly thereto, a third joint element that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the second joint element in the same direction as the first joint element, thereby defining a U-shape, and the inwardly turned lip which extends substantially perpendicularly from the third joint element in a direction toward the first joint element.

The restraining formation of each joint member, when viewed in cross-sectional end view, may be in the form of a restraining element that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the first joint element of the jointing formation of one jointing member and that is spaced from the lip thereof so as to define a gap between the restraining element and the lip, in which the second joint element of the other jointing member is locatable when the jointing members are arranged in said inter-nesting arrangement.

The invention extends to a panel having a first jointing member of the connecting system as described hereinabove, secured thereto.

The invention also extends to a panel having a second jointing member of the connecting system as described hereinabove, secured thereto.

The invention extends further to a jointing member that is equivalent to the first jointing member of the connecting system described hereinabove.

The invention extends yet further to a jointing member that is equivalent to the second jointing member of the connecting system described hereinabove.

Further features of a connecting system for connecting together two panels, jointing members and panels incorporating the jointing members, in accordance with the invention, are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings : Figure 1 shows a schematic end view of a first jointing member and a second jointing member of a connecting system, in accordance with the invention, in an inter-nesting arrangement for connecting the jointing members to one another ; Figure 2 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a panel, in accordance with the invention, incorporating the first jointing member of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of another panel, in accordance with the invention, incorporating the second jointing member of Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 shows an exploded schematic three-dimensional view illustrating the manner in which a cabinet is constructed from panels in accordance with the invention.

With reference to the drawings, a connecting system in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The connecting system 10 permits a number of wooden panels to be connected together, via side edges thereof and at rights angles to one another so as to form a cupboard. The connecting system comprises an elongate extruded aluminium first jointing member 12 and an elongate extruded aluminium second jointing member 14. The jointing member 12 defines a jointing formation 13, while the jointing member 14 defines a jointing formation 15.

The jointing formation 13 of the first jointing member 12 is an integrally formed unit and when viewed in cross-sectional end view, comprises a first joint element 16, a second joint element 18 that extends perpendicularly with respect to the element 16, a third joint element 20 that extends perpendicularly with respect to the element 18, an inwardly turned lip 22 that extends perpendicularly inwardly from the joint element 20, and a restraining formation in the form of a restraining element 24.

The jointing formation 15 of the second jointing member 14 is an integrally formed unit and when viewed in cross-sectional end view, comprises a first joint element 26, a second joint element 28 that extends perpendicularly with respect to the element 26, a third joint element 30 that extends perpendicularly with respect to the element 28 in the same direction as the element 26, an inwardly turned lip 32 that extends perpendicularly inwardly from the element 30 in a direction toward the element 26, and a restraining formation in the form of a restraining element 34.

The first, second and third joint elements of the jointing formation of each jointing member thus define a U-shape. When viewed in cross-sectional end- view, the restraining element 24 of the first jointing member 12 extends perpendicularly with respect to the first joint element 16 and is spaced from the lip 22 of the second jointing member 14 so as to define a gap between the restraining element 24 and the lip 22, in which the second joint element 28 of the second jointing member 14 is locatable. Similarly, the restraining element 34 of the second jointing member 14 extends perpendicularly with respect to the first joint element 26 and is spaced from the tip 32 so as to define a gap between the restraining element 34 and the lip 32 in which the second joint element 18 of the first jointing member is locatable. As such, the jointing formation of each jointing member has a generally G-shaped configuration providing a slot in which the jointing formation of the other jointing member is slidably receivable in an inter-nesting and inter-hooking arrangement for connecting the jointing formations to one another to form a joint.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the restraining elements 24 and 34 of the first and second jointing members, respectively, enhance the secure location of the jointing formations with respect to one another by preventing the jointing formations from being separated by being displaced in a direction transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes of the jointing members.

The jointing member 12 is secured to a wooden panel 40. As such, the first jointing member 12 defines an integrally formed securing element 42 that is received in a slot in the panel 40, provided for this purpose. Furthermore, a step is formed in the wooden panel along an edge thereof that is to be connected to another panel. As such, when the jointing member 12 is secured to the panel, the first joint element 16 and the restraining element 24 are located along walls of the panel 40 defining the step. In order to secure the first jointing member to the panel 40, an adhesive is applied to mating surfaces of the panel and the first jointing member. Similarly, the second jointing member 14 is secured to a wooden panel 46. The jointing member 14 inclues an integrally formed securing element 48 that is recevable in a slot formed in the panel 46. The second jointing member inclues a side rail element 50 against which an edge 52 of the wooden panel 40 slidably abuts when the first and second jointing members are connected to one another. It will be appreciated that the connecting system permits the panels 40 and 46 to be connected to one another at right angles with respect to one another, in an arrangement wherein the jointing formations are hidden from view, thereby forming an aesthetically pleasing joint between the panels.

The invention extends to the jointing members 12 and 14. The invention also extends to panels incorporating the jointing members.

Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates the manner in which a knock-down cupboard can be formed from a number of panels 52 incorporating first and second jointing members along mating edges thereof. As such, the cupboard comprises a back

panel 52.1, a top panel 52. 2, a pair of side panels 52.3, a bottom panel 52. 4 and two door panels 52. 5 (one of which is shown), the door panels being hingedly connected to the side panels 52. 3 via hinges 54. It will be appreciated that the lengths of the jointing members will depend on the lengths of the side edges of the panels to be connected thereby. In Figure 4 of the drawings, the edges of the panels that are to be joined by the jointing members 12 and 14 are shown by arrow indicators A. As such, the mating edge of one panel has the jointing formation 13 extending therefrom while the mating edge of another panel to be connected thereto, has the jointing formation 15 extending therefrom. It can be seen that the cupboard can be rapidly constructed with the panels 52 simply by sliding the jointing members along the edges of the panels with respect to one another, thereby rendering the cupboard easy to assembly and disassemble. It will be appreciated that a variety of different cabinets and other knock-down furniture items can be constructed by using the connecting system in accordance with the invention. The panels can be easily transported and stowed and then assembled at the their end destination.