TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an adjustable coupling device for the releasable cou pling of first and second structural parts.

The adjustable coupling device of the present invention is particularly suitable to be used in combination with the assembling of furniture of building boards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the technical field of furniture assembly, including building board assembly and furniture part assembly, it is known to connect two individual boards of e.g. wood with each other by suitable fastening means such as glue, screw, nails, etc. Such connec- tions are however not adjustable and for the most part not releasable without causing damage to the building boards.

For this adjustable and releasable aspect, it is known to adjust coupling devices, where the device comprises a number of parts coupled to a first building board and a second building board, respectively. The adjustable coupling devise comprises an ad justment mechanism extending between the two building boards and is arranged as a threaded rod and arranged into engagement with the coupling parts, which are con nected to the building boards. One example of such coupling devices is disclosed in WO 2005/085657 A1.

These adjustable coupling devices are limited in their way of use, as the coupling ef fect between the two building boards is only established through the engagement of an adjusting mechanism such as a screw-type adjustment. The known types of adjustable coupling devices do not allow any pre-connection of the building boards without the activation of the adjusting mechanism.

Another example_of such a coupling device is disclosed in GB 2277973 A. The docu ment discloses an apparatus for securing two parts together. The apparatus comprises an adjustor installed in or on the first member, a receptor fixedly installed in a recess in the surface of the second member, and a connector installed in a bore formed in the end or edge of the first member. The apparatus is complicated to install and therefore not suitable for being installed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudi nal direction.

Further, these adjustable couplings are limited in their degree of adjustment, and are time consuming to install, as the entire adjustable coupling, before installation, has to be adjusted to an approximate position in order for the two end parts of the coupling to fit into millings/openings of the building boards in a situation where the building boards are abutting each other. If the two end parts are too far away from each other, the de vice has to be adjusted again before the coupling can be inserted into the mill ings/openings.

In installing the known type of couplings, the individual boards to be connected have to be arranged in position before the couplings are installed into engagement with the boards.

Furthermore, these known types of coupling devices are somehow designed in a bulky manner and do not allow two individual boards, such as two worktops/table tops of a relative thin thickness, such as approximate 1 centimetre or less, to be connected.

It is an object of the present invention to arrange an adjustable coupling where two building boards are pre-connected in a simple manner without the use of an adjust ment mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to arrange an adjustable coupling, where the cou pling can be arranged in connection with the two structural parts before arranging the parts in the desired position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable coupling device for the releasable coupling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards, where the assembly can be accomplished in a speedy manner irre spective of any distance between the two building boards.

The above object and advantages, together with numerous other objects and ad vantages, which will be evident from the following description of the present invention, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by: An adjustable coupling device for the releasable coupling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards, the coupling device having a longitudinal direction, and comprising a first cou pling member, and a second coupling member being engageable with the first cou pling member, the first coupling member comprising a first body part for engaging part of the first structural part, and the second coupling member comprising a second body part for engaging part of the second structural part; the first coupling member further comprising a first elongated coupling part with a hollow profile having internal coupling means, and the second coupling member further comprising a second elongated coupling part having external coupling means, and the second elongated coupling part being ar ranged for insertion into the first elongated coupling part, and the internal coupling means being arranged for engagement with the external coupling means, and where the first elongated coupling part extends in the longitudinal direction and has a first up per side defining an upper surface, and an under side defining an open profile, such that the second elongated coupling part may be inserted into the open profile in a di rection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that the internal and external engagement means interact.

The body parts of each coupling member is in a preferred embodiment arranged as circular body parts 12,14; but may in an alternative embodiment be arranged with an other shape, such the shape of a square, rectangle, triangular, octagon, etc., depend ing on the type of milling/recess available in the building panel.

Arranging the first and second elongated coupling parts with integrated coupling means establishes a coupling device, which is suitable for pre-connecting to structural parts without having to activate an activation mechanism establishing an engagement between the two coupling members.

Arranging the coupling device as defined above thus has the technical effect that, when assembling two structural parts, the first coupling member and the second cou pling member are simply connected in that the second elongated coupling device is in serted into the first coupling device, whereby mutual engagement means interconnect. When installing the two structural parts, such as two worktops/table tops, each cou pling member may be inserted into engagement with the structural parts, respectively, before arranging the parts in a desired position, and the structural parts may after wards be pushed towards each other, whereby the two coupling members are inter connected by inserting the second elongated coupling part into engagement with the first elongated coupling part. The two elongated coupling parts may hereby be inter connected in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the coupling device.

The above defined embodiment has the further advantage that arranging the elon gated coupling parts with mutual interacting coupling means, preferably over a major part of the elongated coupling parts, establishes a coupling device which can be used in a variety of connections, having varying distances between the millings/recesses of the structural parts. The degree of insertion of the second elongated coupling part into the first elongated coupling part defines the overall longitudinal extent of the coupling device and thus provides a very versatile coupling device.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable coupling part is further manufactured from a plastic material; but may in another preferred embodiment be manufactured from an other suitable material such as metal, including steel, aluminum copper, etc.

Tthe first elongated coupling device comprises an open lower profile, such that the second elongated coupling part may be inserted into the first elongated coupling part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This has the technical effect that, when assembling two structural parts, no pre-adjustment of the adjustable coupling device is needed. The first coupling member is simply arranged into engagement with the first structural part, and the second coupling member is af terwards brought into engagement with the second structural part, and the two elon gated coupling parts are simultaneously interengaged.

In a situation where the two coupling members are installed in the structural parts, re spectively, before the structural parts are arranged in position, the two structural parts and the coupling members may be connected in a direction perpendicular to the longi tudinal direction. This is particular advantageous in e.g. a situation where the work tops/table tops are to be connected and where no horizontal movement is possible. Here, the first worktop part having the first coupling member may be installed, and the second worktop having the second coupling member may be brought into position from below, such that the two coupling members are connected. The second worktop having the second coupling member may be installed first, whereby the first worktop having the first coupling member is brought into position from above.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the second body part defines a cavity, and the second coupling member comprises a coupling activa tion mechanism arranged in the cavity, and arranged for displacing the second elon gated coupling part in relation to the second body part.

In order for the adjustable coupling device to adjust the two structural parts into tight connection, the adjustable coupling device comprises a coupling activation mechanism arranged in the cavity, and arranged for displacing the second elongated coupling part in relation to the second body part. Hereby, after pre-connecting the coupling mem bers, the activation mechanism may be operated in order to draw the two structural parts into tight connection.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the internal and the external engagement means comprise a plurality of ribs extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In order for the adjustable coupling device to be arranged with a number of different longitudinal extents, the elongated structural parts preferable comprise a plurality of ribs extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Hereby, when inserting the second elongated coupling part into the first elongated coupling part, the two elongated coupling parts may be arranged in a variety of differ ent position in relation to each other. The two elongated coupling parts may thus have different numbers of ribs, as long as the ridges of one set of ribs correspond to the val leys on the other set of ribs. The number of ribs on each of the first and second elon gated coupling parts may thus vary between 1 and 50, preferably more that 2 in order to provide a sufficiently strong connection. The number of ribs may also be more than 50.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the first body part and/or the body part comprises external ribs for establishing a friction engage ment with the part of the first and/or the second structural part. The two body parts are preferably arranged with external ribs, preferably extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This has the tech nical effect that each body part may engage with the respective structural part in a fric tion-fit engagement, hereby preventing the two body parts from falling out of the struc tural parts, e.g. in a situation where two horizontally extending building boards are to be assembled, such as two table tops.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the coupling ac tivation mechanism comprises an eccentric activation member.

In order for the coupling activation mechanism to operate in a simple and reliable man ner, and with minimum production cost, the activation is provided as an eccentric acti vation member rotationally nested within the cavity of the second body part. This has the further advantage, compared to the prior art couplings having screw-type mecha nisms, that the activation mechanism is a much simpler construction and less suscep tible to wear, and the coupling according to the present invention is therefore espe cially suitable to be manufactured from materials being less hard than metal. The cou pling may thus be manufactured from plastic, but may also be manufactured from other materials including metals.

Preferable, the activation mechanism extends, at least partly, through an opening of an upper and/or lower surface of the second body part, such that the activation mech anism is engageable from the outside via a suitable tool, such as e.g. a screwdriver or any other tool known to the skilled person. For that purpose, the activation mechanism comprises a tool engaging means, such as torx, hex, square, slot, Philips, etc.

In another preferred embodiment, where the activation mechanism extends at least partly through an opening of both upper and lower surfaces of the second body part, both side surfaces of the activation mechanism comprise tool engaging means.

Hereby, the coupling may, as a standard, be operated by two different types of tools.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the eccentric ac tivation member is rotationally journaled within the cavity of the second body part and for exerting a force on the second elongated coupling part. With the rotational arrangement of the eccentric activation mechanism inside the cavity of the second body part, the eccentric part of the activation member engages the sec ond elongated coupling part and causes the displacement between the second elon gated coupling part and the second body part, which evidently causes the contraction or expansion of the entire coupling device.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the second elon gated coupling part comprises an enlarged portion having an open circular profile, and the eccentric activation member is arranged within the open circular profile.

In order for the activation to provide the possibility of both contraction and expansion of the coupling device, the second elongated coupling part comprises an enlarged por tion having an open circular profile, and the eccentric activation member is arranged within the open circular profile. Hereby, the activation is fully encompassed by the sec ond elongated coupling part, and hereby any rotation of the activation mechanism pro vides a force onto the second elongated coupling part, thereby causing a movement in either direction of the second elongated coupling part.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the second body part comprises an upper housing part and a lower housing part, the upper and lower housing parts comprising intermediate releasable coupling means.

The second body part is preferable arranged with two interconnectable and discon- nectable housing parts, such that the adjustment mechanism and/or the second elon gated coupling part may be replaced. The coupling activation mechanism is arranged with a means for engaging with a tool, such as a screwdriver, for adjusting the cou pling device, and therefore different activation mechanisms may be provided having different means corresponding to a desired type of tool, such as different types of screwdriver bits. The activation mechanism may thus be arranged with different tool engaging means such as torx, hex, square, slot, Philips, etc.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above objects and ad vantages are obtained by:

A method for connecting first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards, the method comprising the following steps: • providing first and second structural parts having first and second millings/re cesses, respectively, or

• providing first and second structural parts and providing first and second mill ings/recesses in the structural parts, the method comprising the following further steps:

• providing a coupling device according to the invention, having first and second coupling parts,

• arranging the first body part into the milling/recess of the first structural part, and arranging the second body part into the milling/recess of the second struc tural part, and simultaneously arranging the second elongated coupling part into the open profile of the first elongated coupling part.

According to a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the step of simultaneously arranging the second elongated coupling part into the open profile of the first elongated coupling part included arranging the second elongated coupling part into the open profile of the first elongated coupling part in a direction substantially per pendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The above defined method for connecting first and second structural parts has proven to be especially efficient in work labor and fail-safe operation, as the two coupling members may be pre-connected before the use of any tools. Hereby, the skilled worker can establish a quick connection of the two parts and afterwards, by the use of a suitable tool, arrange for the tight and final connection between the two structural parts.

Fig. 1 A is an upper perspective view of an adjustable coupling device for the releasable coupling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards.

Fig. 1 B is a lower perspective view of an adjustable coupling device for the releasable coupling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards.

Fig. 2A is a lower planar view of an adjustable coupling device for the releasable cou pling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards.

Fig. 2B is an upper planar view of an adjustable coupling device for the releasable cou pling of first and second structural parts, such as two furniture or building boards. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second coupling device.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in 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. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will thus not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

Fig. 1 A is an upper perspective view of an adjustable coupling device 10, and figure 1 B is a lower perspective view of an adjustable coupling device 10.

The figures illustrates an upper side of the adjustable coupling device 10 and the lower side of the device 10. The coupling device 10 is illustrated with a first body part 12 and a second body part 14, which are arranged for insertion into a milling/recess in a con struction part (not shown) such as a furniture or building board. The body parts 12,14 are provided with a number of external ribs 28 for engaging with the inner sides of the millings/recesses for establishing a friction for engagement between the coupling device and the structural parts.

The activation mechanism 24 of the second body part 14 is shown provided with a tool engaging means 26 for the engaging with a Philips-type tool, but may in a different em bodiment be arranged with another engagement means 26. The activation mechanism 24 further comprises an indication means, such as an arrow, for indicating the specific rotational position of the activation mechanism. The arrow thus preferably indicates the position of the activation mechanism causing the coupling device to be fully expanded of fully contracted.

The first elongated coupling part 16 comprises a number of external indentations suita ble for gripping by the skilled worker, or alternatively suitable for providing a cut ting/shortening of the first elongated coupling part. The second elongated coupling part is thus also suitable to be cut/shortened by any cutting tool. This may be desirable where the minimum distance between the millings/recesses is shorter than the maximum con traction of the coupling device.

Figure 1 B, which is a lower perspective view of an adjustable coupling device, illustrates the first elongated coupling part comprising an open profile, thus arranging the first elon gated coupling part as a hollow, wherein the second elongated coupling part is to be arranged. The length of the first coupling part may be substantially equal to the length of the second coupling part; however, the two parts may have different lengths.

The first elongated coupling part is shown having internal engagement means, which is illustrated as a plurality of ribs extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling device. The second elongated coupling device also comprises a plurality of ribs, which likewise extends in a direction substantially perpen dicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling device. The two numbers of ribs may be equal, but may, as illustrated in the figure, also be different. It is however essential that the ridges of the ribs of the second elongated coupling part correspond to the valleys of the first elongated coupling part.

Fig. 2A and 2B, which is a lower and upper planar view of an adjustable coupling device, respectively, illustrate different views of the embodiments as described in relation to figure 1A and 1B.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second coupling device.

The figure illustrates the second body part 14 comprising an upper housing part 34 hav ing an upper housing part opening 36 and a lower housing part 38, having a lower hous ing part opening 40. The activation member is rotationally nested within the openings 36, 40.

The second elongated coupling part 18 comprises an enlarged portion 42 having an open circular profile, which has an outer diameter which is smaller than an inner diam eter of the cavity of the second body part 18, such that the enlarged portion may be displaced within the cavity of the second body part 18. The activation member 24 is arranged within the open circular profile such that upon any rotationally movement of the activation member 24, the enlarged portion 42 is dis placed within the cavity, which causes the second elongated coupling part 18 to be dis placed in relation to the second body part 14, which when the two coupling members are connected, results in a contradiction or expansion of the adjustable coupling device. Fig. 4A-4C show steps in a horizontal mounting process. The figures show the first and second coupling members being arranged in first and second structural parts, respec tively. As the two structural parts are pushed together as shown in figures 4A and 4B, the first and second coupling members are interconnected in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the coupling device. As a final step shown in fig. 4C, the activa tion member is operated with a tool for tightening the connection between the two struc tural parts. If the two structural parts symbolise a worktop/table top, it is to be understood that the coupling device is preferably arranged at the underside thereof.

Fig. 5A-5C show steps in a vertical mounting process. The mounting process is similar to the one described in relation to figures 4A-4C; however, in this process the two struc tural parts having the two coupling members, respectively, are brought together in a vertical direction, whereby the two coupling members interconnect in the vertical direc tion.

This mounting process is particularly suitable in a situation where two structural parts, such as two worktops/table tops are to be assembled where no horizontal displacement of the parts is possible, e.g. a table corner connection between cabinets. Hereby, the structural parts are simply dropped into place, whereby the coupling members are con nected.

List of reference numbers

10 Adjustable coupling device

12 First body part 14 Second body part

16 First elongated coupling part 18 Second elongated coupling part 20 Internal engagement means 22 External engagement means 24 Activation member

26 Tool engagement means 28 External ribs

30 External indentations

32 Open profile 34 Upper housing part

36 Upper housing part opening

38 Lower housing part

40 Lower housing part opening

42 Enlarged portion