ALDEN KURT (SE)
| US1923881A | 1933-08-22 | |||
| US4140065A | 1979-02-20 |
| 1. | Method for uniting two boardshaped elements (for example, 4a, 2b) at an angle to one another, the boardshaped elements (4b, 2b) having coordinating slots (for example, 4b2, 2b 1 ; 4b3,2b2) incorporated into them, the width of which in each element corresponds to the thickness of the other element, these then being inserted into each other's slots in order to unite the elements, characterised in that at least one of the slots (for example 2bl ; 4b3) is designed to narrow slightly from its mouth so that a selflocking effect is achieved. |
| 2. | Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the slot (for example 2b2) in one boardshaped elements (for example 2b) is designed with two short ends and with a constant width, i. e. it is so to speak closed, and that the slot (for example 4b3) in the other boardshaped element (for example 4bl) is formed into a projection (4b4) projecting from the edge (4bol) of the element (4b) and can be inserted into the slot (2b2) in said first element (2b). |
| 3. | Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the angle is a right angle. |
| 4. | Device for uniting two boardshaped elements (for example, 4b, 2b) at an angle to one another, the boardshaped elements being designed with coordinating slots (for example, 4b2, 2b1 ; 4b3,2b2), the width of which in each element corresponds to the thickness of the other element, these being designed for insertion into each other's slots in order to unite the elements, characterised in that at least one of the slots (for example 2bl ; 4b3) is of wedgeshaped design narrowing towards its bottom in order thereby to obtain a selflocking effect when uniting them. |
| 5. | Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the slot (2b2) in one board shaped elements (for example 2b) has two short sides and a constant width, i. e. it is so to speak closed, and that the other boardshaped element (for example 4b) has a projection (4b4) projecting from its edge (4bl), which can be inserted into the slot (2b2) in said first element (2b), and that the slot (4b3) in the second board shaped element (4b) is formed in the connection of the projection (4b4) to the edge (4bl). |
| 6. | Device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the angle between the boardshaped elements is a right angle. |
The invention also relates to a device according to the pre-characterising clause of claim 4.
In many sectors and enterprises there is a need to procure or replace fittings and furniture at reasonable cost. Examples of this include not only shop fittings and nursery furniture but also adult furniture and school desks. The so-called developing countries represent one sector particularly eager to use the products produced according to the invention.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for meeting the needs described above. This is achieved by the method according to the invention having the features specified in the characterising part of claim 1.
The characteristic features of the device according to the invention are set forth in the characterising part of claim 4.
In addition to the needs met by this invention, it also affords further advantages, particularly if the material in the board-shaped elements consists of chipboard, MDF or corrugated board. Chipboard and MDF board can be burnt whilst corrugated board has the further advantage that after use it is recyclable through conventional returned paper handling. This gives a low-cost and very lightweight product, the low cost allowing the product to be replaced after a relatively short service life, whilst the replaced product represents very little harm to the environment. The product can be assembled and dismantled in a very short time, which is important, for example, when fitting out shops.
The invention, which may have one or more of the characteristics specified in the subordinate claims, will be explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawing attached, in which Fig. I a-1 g show various stages in the assembly of a display stall. Fig. 2a-2c show various stages in an assembly in which an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention is used. In Fig. 1 g, 1 generally denotes a display stall in the form of a stylised person 2 holding a box for goods. The stylised person suitably depicts a known person in some way associated with the goods. The box 3 is supported by a stand 4. The person 2 has an upper part 2a and a lower part 2b. The box 3 has a bottom 3a and four sides 3b-3e and the stand 4 has two identical parts 4a, 4b and a cross-piece 4c.
As stated, the material in the parts of the display stall 1 is preferably chipboard or MDF or corrugated board and surfaces of the parts are preferably provided with suitable decoration. For joining them together, constituent parts of the stall are provided with slots, as will be explained with reference to Fig. I a-If. Parts 4a, 4b of the stand adjoining one side 4al and 4bl and intended to adjoin two slots 4a2,4a3 and 4b2,4b3 in the base part 2b have been designed to co-ordinate with corresponding slots 2b 1 and 2b2 on the base part 2b. The slots 2al, 2bl in this case proceed from the upper edge of the base part 2b, i. e. they are so to speak open, whereas the slots 2a2,2b2 do not adjoin any edge, i. e. they are so to speak closed. The slots 4a3,4b3 adjoin projections 4a4,4b4 on the stand parts 4a, 4b, which in the assembly process are intended to be inserted through the slots 2a2 and 2b2 respectively, following which the slots 4a2 and 4a3 are inserted into the slots 2al and 2a2 whilst 4b2 and 4b3 are inserted into 2bl and 2b2 respectively.
It should be noted that the stall parts 4a, 4b form an angle with one another, so that they diverge outwards from the base part 2b. There is therefore absolutely no need for the board-shaped elements in the union according to the invention to form right angles with one another.
Fig. lb shows the stand parts 4a, 4b united with the base part 2b and in order to increase the stability the stand parts 4a, 4b are united by means of a cross-piece 4c, use being made of co-ordinating slots 4a4, 4c 1 and 4b4,4c2 as explained with reference to Fig. I a.
For assembling the box 3, which is shown assembled in Fig. ld, the bottom 3a is assembled using a combination of"closed"slots S in the sides 3b-3e of the box 3 and projections 3al on edges of the bottom 3a. It should be particularly noted, however, how the interlock between the sides 3d/3e and 3b/3c is achieved by means of projections 3dl, 3d2, 3el, 3e2 from the edge of each box side and insertable in corresponding"closed" slots 3cl, 3b2, 3c2, 3bl in the box sides 3b and 3c. The projections 3dl, 3d2, 3el, 3e2 have"closed"slots S, in which wedges K (see Fig. ld) can be inserted in order to hold the box 3 securely together.
The stand 4 is designed to carry the box 3 inclined at an angle and in order to prevent it slipping off the stand the bottom edge of the side 3d engages with a corresponding slotted groove 5 on the stand.
In order to obtain the finished display stall shown in Fig. lg, the slots 2al, 2a2 in the upper part 2a are brought into engagement with slots 6a, 6b in the stand 4.
According to the invention at least one of two co-ordinating slots in the display stall explained above gently narrows so as to achieve the desired self-locking effect.. This self-locking is increasingly enhanced the more the parts thus united as subjected to a slight relative movement, since this movement results in an ever increasing wedging effect.
An alternative embodiment of the uniting method and device according to the invention will be explained with reference to Fig. 2a-2c.
6,7 denote two boards, of which the board 6, with one edge 6, is intended to bear against and be united with the board 7. This has a"closed"slot 7a and the board 6 has a projection 6b projecting from the edge 6a, in which there is a slot 6c. The projection 6b is designed to be inserted through the slot 7a and the boards 6,7 are fixed together by means of a locking element 8 provided with a slot 8a through the co-ordination between the slots 6c and 8a. At least one of these slots narrows gently, so that small relative movement between the boards 6,7 produce a progressively increasing interlock between them.
It will be appreciated that the invention affords scope for manufacturing highly diverse products from the aforementioned board materials without any fasteners composed of other material and that it is the business of the person skilled in the art to design and fashion these.