Field of invention

The invention relates to a chair comprising a frame having a first section and a second section mutually displaced from each other to form a gap there between and a seat panel configured to connect with the first section and the second section thereby bridging the gap.

Technical Background

Many different ways have been used throughout the years to join furniture parts to each other. Often different types of mechanical fastening means are used. For self-assembly furniture it is important that the different furniture parts can be assembled to each other in a safe and relatively simple way. This is especially important when the customer is to assemble the furniture on his/her own. It is therefore always an aspiration to improve the joints between the different furniture parts. The improvements may concern the quality of the joint, i.e. how well the furniture parts are assembled to each other. They may also concern the manufacturing costs, ease of assembly etc. Another important aspect to consider is the handling of the furniture parts from factory to the customer. The parts should allow as small package as possible to reduce packaging costs and transportation cost.

Another aspect to consider is the robustness of the furniture. This is especially the case if the furniture is a chair which in many cases is not only used as a sitting furniture but also for several other situations where the chair often is subjected to a complex load with bending forces, e.g. when people balance on the rear pair of legs when sitting. This makes it essential to provide robust joints, Flowever, such joints must not add to the complexity of the fastening means.

Summary of invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a chair and joint arrangement for the furniture parts which allows an easy assembling without the use of any tools or any mechanical fastening means.

The joints should be practical to use and yet give a secure assembly of the chair. The assembled chair should provide a high degree of robustness that can withstand the often very high forces that a chair may be subjected to.

It should also be possible to separate the furniture parts from each other after assembly, without harming the furniture parts.

The objects have been achieved by a chair comprising a frame having a first section and a second section mutually displaced from each other to form a gap there between; a seat panel configured to connect with the first section and the second section thereby bridging the gap; and a panel joint arrangement configured to attach the seat panel to the first section and to the second section; wherein the panel joint arrangement comprises: at least two male parts, both being arranged either on a major surface of the seat panel or both being arranged on the first and second sections with at least one of the male parts on each section, at least two female parts, both being arranged on the other one of the major surface of the seat panel and the respective section, wherein each of the male parts is formed by a dowel extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end facing away from a surface of the frame or from the major surface of the seat panel, wherein each of the female parts is formed by a recess in the major surface of the seat panel or in the surface of the frame, the recess having an elongated extension between an insertion portion and a locking portion, whereby the frame and the seat panel are configured to be moved relative to each other such that the dowels are first moved relative to the recesses in the longitudinal direction of the respective dowel into the insertion portion of the respective recess and thereafter the dowels are moved along the elongated extension of the respective recesses to the locking portion of the respective recess; and wherein the chair further comprising a locking means, wherein the locking means, in a condition when the seat panel has been mounted to the frame, is configured to engage the frame, thereby preventing the seat panel from being displaced in view of the frame.

By the frame and seat panel being configured to be moved relative to each other such that the dowels are moved relative to the recesses in the longitudinal direction of respective dowel into the insertion portion of the respective recess and thereafter moved along the elongated extension to the locking portion of the respective recess, the seat panel will be locked to the frame in three directions - in two directions as seen across the plane of the seat panel and also in a direction transverse the plane of the seat panel. This interlocking is provided for without requiring any tooling or separate mechanical locking means such as screws and brackets. The three- dimensional interlocking will provide a very robust constructional design which may be used for a wide variety of chairs and parts thereof. By the joint being of the dowel-and recess type, the locking may easily be released if required to dis-assemble the chair.

The locking means may be arranged in a lower surface of the seat panel.

The first and second sections may by way of example be the side sections of a chair, where each section comprises a front leg and a rear leg. The respective section may be a pre-assembled unit comprising one of the columns configured to form a support for a back-rest, a front leg, a rear leg and an intermediate support extending between the two legs. Thus, the seat panel may constitute the seat which bridges the two sections.

The at least two male parts may be arranged in the first and the second sections of the frame and the at least two female parts may be arranged in the major surface of the seat panel, preferably at least one of the at least two male parts being arranged in the first section and at least one of the at least two male parts being arranged in the second section. The required package volume and hence the required package material may thereby be reduced since there will be no parts projecting from the plane of the seat panel.

Each recess in the female pats of the panel joint arrangement may have an elongated extension between the insertion portion and the locking portion which extends in a direction transverse the gap between the first and the second sections of the frame. Thereby, the seat panel may be mounted by a sliding movement across the gap and bridge the same.

The first section and the second section of the frame may be arranged in parallel with each other.

The panel joint arrangement may comprise at least three male parts and at least three female parts, and wherein the at least three male parts and the at least three female parts respectively may be arranged to define a polygon.

The panel joint arrangement may comprise at least four male parts and at least four female parts where at least two of the male parts are arranged in the first section of the frame and at least two of the male parts are arranged in the second section of the frame. The chair may further comprise a first cross-member having first and second opposing free ends, the first cross-member being configured to connect with its first free end to the first section and with its second free end to the second section, thereby bridging the gap, a first joint arrangement configured to attach the first free end of the first cross-member to the first section and a second joint arrangement configured to attach the second free end of the first cross-member to the second section, wherein each of the first and second joint arrangements comprises: at least two male parts being arranged on either a free end of the first cross-member or on the respective section; and at least two female parts being arranged on the other one of the respective section and the first cross-member; wherein each male part is formed by a dowel extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end facing away from a surface of the free end of the first cross-member or a first surface of the respective section; and wherein each female part is formed by a recess in the respective section or in the surface of the free end of the first cross- member, the recess having an elongated extension and a locking portion, whereby the first cross-member is configured to be moved relative to the first and second sections such that the dowels are moved along the elongated extension of the recesses to the locking portions.

The first cross-member may be arranged across the front end of the chair adjacent the front pair of legs and form a support for the seat panel. The dowels are preferably made by a solid material with a uniform cross-section. The term“uniform cross-section " should in the context of the invention be understood as a cross-section without any flexible zones, such as grooves having an extension in parallel with the longitudinal extension of the dowel. The uniform cross-section prevents undue flexibility of the dowels, thereby contributing to the robustness of the joint arrangement. Further, the dowels are preferably made by wood.

By the first and the second joint arrangements comprising at least two male parts and two female parts, the first cross-member is prevented from rotation in its mounted condition. Also, it reduces the risk of splitting the material in the first and second sections. This is especially the case if these sections are made of wood.

The male parts of the first and second joint arrangements may be arranged in the first and the second free ends of the first cross-member, and the female parts of the first and the second joint arrangements may be arranged in the first and second sections of the chair. One female part of the first and second joint arrangement respectively may be formed by a recess formed in the first surface of the first and second sections of the chair, and where said recess has an insertion portion and a locking portion, and one female part of the first and second joint arrangement respectively may be formed by a recess having a mouth formed in a second surface of the first and second sections of the chair, and wherein the first and second surfaces are forming an angle to each other.

By the mouth of the recess being arranged in the second surface, the first cross-member may be mounted to the sections by a substantially linear movement in view of the respective section. When the seat panel thereafter is arranged to the frame to abut the second surface, the seat panel will close-off the mouth and not only visually hide the same, but also efficiently prevent displacement of the first cross-member. Thereby the thus formed chair will receive a structurally very rigid form.

The chair may further comprise a second cross-member having first and second opposing free ends, the second cross-member being configured to connect with its first free end to the first section and with its second free end to the second section thereby bridging the gap; and a third joint arrangement configured to attach the first free end of the second cross- member to the first section and a fourth joint arrangement configured to attach the second free end of the second cross-member to the second section, wherein each of the third and fourth joint arrangements comprises: at least one male part being arranged on either a free end of the second cross-member or on the respective section; and at least one female part being arranged on the other one of the respective section and the second cross-member, wherein each male part is formed by a dowel extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end facing away from a surface of the free end of the second cross-member or a first surface of the respective section, and wherein each female part is formed by a recess in the respective section or in the surface of the free end of the second cross-member, the recess having an elongated extension and a locking portion, whereby the second cross-member is configured to be moved relative to the first and second sections such that the dowels are moved along the elongated extension of the recesses to the locking portions.

The second cross-member may be arranged across the rear end of the chair adjacent the rear pair of legs and form a support for the seat panel. The dowels are preferably made by a solid material with a uniform cross-section. The uniform cross-section prevents undue flexibility of the dowels, thereby contributing to the robustness of the joint arrangement.

Further, the dowels are preferably made by wood.

The female parts of the third and fourth joint arrangements may be formed by recesses, each recess having an insertion portion and a locking portion.

The male parts of the third and fourth joint arrangements may be arranged in the first and in the second free ends of the second cross-member, and the female parts of the third and the fourth joint arrangements may be arranged in the first and in the second sections of the chair. The female parts may be arranged in the first surface of the respective first and second sections. The first surface may extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the cross-members.

The first and/or the second cross-members may comprise either male parts in both free ends thereof or female parts in both free ends thereof. In case of male parts being arranged in the free ends of the first and/or second cross-members, the required package volume and hence package material may be reduced since the male parts will extend in the longitudinal direction of the cross-members. Also, the position of the male parts in the free ends of the cross-members facilitates assembly since the furniture sections may be arranged resting on a solid support during mounting of the respective cross- members.

At least one male part in each of the first, second, third and fourth joint arrangement and in the panel joint arrangement may comprise a locking means in the form of at least one rim extending radially from the envelope surface of the male part; and a recess of the corresponding female part in each of the first, second, third and fourth joint arrangement and in the panel joint arrangement may comprise at least one corresponding groove, whereby in said locking position, the at least one rim of the male part is configured to engage the at least one corresponding groove of the female part.

The number of rims may vary depending on expected loads on the chair. Also, the number of rims and their design may be used as an indicator to the operator of how to orient the parts during assembly.

The distance between the longitudinal center lines of the male parts of the first and second joint arrangements and/or the male parts of the third and fourth joint arrangements respective may be smaller than eight times the longitudinal extension of each male part, and more preferred smaller than six times the longitudinal extension of each male part. The first and second cross-members do each have a substantially smaller height than length, and by arranging the male parts as close to the ends as possible as seen in the height direction, the robustness of the frame and hence the chair may be improved.

In a condition when the seat panel has been mounted to the frame, the rear end of the seat panel may be configured to abut a portion of a back rest of the chair, while the locking means may be configured to abut the first cross member. The seat panel is thereby prevented from being displaced in view of the frame in the depth direction Y. Further, an overall robustness of the chair is provided for.

An upper edge of the second cross-member that is configured to face the seat panel may be provided with an angle a of 2-10 degrees towards the interior of the frame F. Thereby, when mounting the seat panel to the frame F by pushing the seat panel rearwards towards the second cross-member into the locking position, the seat panel will due to a wedge action caused by the angle a, actively force the at least two male parts of the second cross- member into a locking engagement with the female parts in the first and the second sections. This will add to the overall robustness of the chair.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which show a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 discloses one example of a panel joint arrangement as applied to a seat panel of a chair.

Figs. 2A-2C schematically disclose the operation of the panel joint arrangement.

Figs. 3A-3E disclose the mounting of the first and second cross- members to a first section of a chair by means of the first joint arrangement.

Figs. 4A-4B disclose the mounting of the first and second cross- members to the second section of a chair.

Figs. 5A-5C discloses, highly schematically the third joint arrangement. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Now turning to Fig. 1 , the chair 1000 comprises a first section 100A and a second section 100B forming sides of the chair 1000, a first cross- member 200A, a second cross-member 200B, a back rest 300 and a seat panel 400.

Each section 100A, 100B comprises a front leg 102, a rear leg 103 and an extension 104 forming part of the back rest 300. The front leg 102 and the rear leg 103 in each section 100A, 100B are interconnected by at least one intermediate support 105A, 105B. In the disclosed embodiment, two intermediate supports 105A, 105B are arranged, of which the upper most will form part of a support for the seat panel 400.

The first and second sections 100A, 100B may be provided as two pre- assembled units. The first and second sections 100A, 100B may be mirrored.

The first and the second sections 100A, 100B are mutually displaced from each other to form a gap G there between. The gap G is bridged by the first and the second cross-members 200A, 200B and by the seat panel 400.

When mounted together, the first and second sections 100A, 100B and the first and second cross-members 200A, 200B form a frame F.

The first and the second sections 100A, 100B and also the first and the second cross-members 200A, 200B do each have a first surface 107 and a second surface 108. The first surface 107 is arranged to face the interior of the frame F. The second surface 108 may be arranged to form a top surface configured to support the seat panel 400. The first and the second surfaces 107, 108 form an angle to each other. The angle may be 90 degrees.

The seat panel 400 is configured to be attached to the first and second sections 100A, 100B by a panel joint arrangement 410. The disclosed panel joint arrangement 410 comprises four male parts 420 and four female parts 430. Two of the male parts 420 are arranged in the second surface 108 of the first intermediate support 105A and two of the male parts 420 are arranged in the second surface 108 of the second intermediate support 105B. One male part 420 is positioned adjacent the front leg 102 and one mail part 420 is positioned adjacent the rear leg 103. The four female parts 430 are all arranged in corresponding positions in the lower surface of the seat panel 400.

The panel joint arrangement 410 should preferably comprise at least two male parts 420, both being arranged either on a major surface of the seat panel 400 or both being arranged on the intermediate supports 105A, 105B with at least one of the male parts 420 arranged on each intermediate support 105A, 105B. It goes without saying that more than four male parts 420 and more than four female parts 430 may be used. It is to be understood that the male parts 420 with remained function may be arranged in the first and the second sections 100A, 100B.

Each of the male parts 420 is formed by a dowel 421 extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end 422 facing away from the second surface 108 of the intermediate supports 105A, 105B. The dowel 421 comprises a locking means 423 in the form of at least one rim 424 which extends radially from the envelope surface of the dowel 421. In the disclosed embodiment, three rims 424 are arranged, one after the other as seen along the longitudinal extension of the dowel 421. The respective dowel 421 may have a circular cross section. It is to be understood that other cross sections are possible. The respective dowel 421 may be made by a solid material with a uniform cross-section. Also, the respective dowel 421 may be made by wood. Other materials are possible such as a plastic or metallic material.

Each of the female parts 430 is formed by a recess 431. The recess 431 is arranged in the lower major surface of the seat panel 400. The recess 431 has an elongated extension between an insertion portion 432 and a locking portion 433. The elongated extension extends in a direction

transverse the gap G between the first and second sections 100A, 100B. The insertion portion 432 has a cross-section that allows the dowel 421 to be freely inserted by a longitudinal movement. The inner wall 434 of the insertion portion 432 may be smooth. The insertion portion 432 merges with the locking portion 433. The envelope surface of the inner wall 435 of the locking portion 433 comprises at least one groove 436 configured to receive the at least one rim 424 of the corresponding dowel 421 to be inserted thereto. The number of grooves 436 should thus correspond to the number of rims 424 on the corresponding male part 420.

Now turning to Figs. 2A-2C, when mounting the seat panel 400 it is positioned above the frame F in a position where the longitudinal extension of the dowel 421 is aligned with the insertion portion 432 of the recess 431. The seat panel 400 is then lowered so that the dowel 421 is moved relative to the recess 431 in the longitudinal direction of the dowel 421 into the insertion portion 432, see Fig. 2B. The seat panel 400 is thereafter moved, see Fig. 2C along the elongated extension of the recess 431 to the locking portion 433. As a result of this movement, the rims 424 of the dowel 421 will lockingly engage the grooves 436 of the recess 431 and prevent the seat panel 400 from being lifted in view of the frame F.

The seat panel 400 will be locked to the frame F in three directions - in the depth direction Y of the seat panel 400, in the width direction X transverse the depth extension Y of the seat panel 400 and in the vertical direction Z.

This interlocking is provided for without requiring any tooling or mechanical locking means such as screws and brackets. The three-dimensional interlocking will provide a very robust constructional design which may be used for a wide variety of furniture and parts thereof.

In the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1 and Figs. 2A-2C, the at least two male parts 420 are arranged in the first and the second intermediate supports 105A, 105B of the frame F and the at least two female parts 430 are arranged in the lower major surface of the seat panel 400. It is to be understood that the opposite position may be applied with remained function. It is to be understood that the at least two male parts 420 alternatively or additionally may be arranged in the first and second sections 100A, 100B and in the first and/or second cross members 200A, 200B. Accordingly, in one, non- disclosed embodiment, the panel joint arrangement 400 may comprise at least three male parts 420 and at least three female parts 430, where the at least three male parts 420 and the at least three female parts 430

respectively are arranged to define a polygon.

Depending on the design of the chair 1000, the first section 100A and the second section 100B forming part of the frame F may be arranged in parallel with each other. Also, the first and the second cross members 200A, 200B may be arranged in parallel with each other.

The seat panel 400 may be provided with a locking means 450 that after mounting of the seat panel 400 to the frame F prevents the seat panel 400 from being displaced in the depth direction Y in view of the frame F. The locking means 450 may by way of example be arranged in the lower surface of the seat panel 400. The locking means may be provided in many forms, one of them being disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2C. In the disclosed embodiment, the locking means 450 is provided as a flexible tongue 451 that is arranged in the front end of the lower surface of the seat panel 400. The flexible tongue 451 has a free, projecting edge 452 which in its un-loaded condition projects away from the lower surface of the seat panel 400. As discussed above with reference to Figs. 2A-2C, when the seat panel 400 is mounted to the frame F, the seat panel 400 is lowered so that the dowel 421 is moved relative to the recess 431 in the longitudinal direction of the dowel 421 into the insertion portion 432, and then the seat panel 400 is moved along the elongated extension of the recess 431 to the locking portion 433. During the movement, the flexible tongue 451 will be moved past the first cross-member 200A which is a part of the frame F. As the flexible tongue 451 passes the first-cross- member 200A, the flexible tongue 451 will be temporarily pressed

downwardly, and as the first cross-member 200A has been passed it will flex back to its unloaded condition in which it prevents the seat panel 400 from being moved in the opposite direction by abutting the first cross member 200A.

As is best seen in Figs. 1 and 2C, in a condition when the seat panel 400 has been mounted to the frame F, the rear end of the seat panel 400 is configured to abut the extension 104 forming part of the back rest 300, while the locking means 450 in the front end of the seat panel abuts the first cross member 200A. The seat panel 400 is thereby prevented from being displaced in view of the frame F in the depth direction Y.

In an alternative, non-disclosed embodiment, the flexible tongue 451 may be received in a non-disclosed recess in the first cross-member 200A, thereby preventing the seat panel 400 from being displaced in the depth direction Y and in the vertical direction Z.

To further improve the robustness of the chair 1000, the upper edge of the second cross-member 200B that is configured to face the seat panel 400 may be provided with a small angle a of 2-10 degrees towards the interior of the frame F, see Fig. 5A. The a is formed between the second surface 108 and the first surface 107 of the second cross member 200B. When mounting the seat panel 400 to the frame F by pushing the seat panel 400 rearwards towards the second cross-member 200B into the locking position, the seat panel 400 will due to a wedge action caused by the angle a, actively force the at least two male parts 720 of the second cross-member into a locking engagement with the female parts 737 in the first and the second sections 100A, 100B.

The panel joint arrangement 410 may be applied to a modular chair 1000 which will be discussed with reference to Figs. 3A-3E, 4A-4B and 5A- 5C. The chair 1000 has the same overall design as that previously described in view of Fig. 1 and to avoid undue repetition, the same reference numbers will apply. Each section 100A, 100B comprises a front leg 102 and a rear leg 103. The sections 100A, 100B may be provided to the consumer as two pre- assembled units. The sections 100A, 100B are to be interconnected by using the first and the second cross-members 200A, 200B.

Now turning to Figs. 3A and 4A, the first cross-member 200A is configured to interconnect and lockingly engage the two sections 100A, 100B in a position between the front legs 102 and thereby bridge the gap G between the sections.

The first cross-member 200A comprises in its first free end 201 A a first joint arrangement 500 configured to attach the first free end 201 A to the first section 100A and in its second free end 202A a second joint arrangement 600 configured to attach the second free end 202A to the second section 100B.

The first and the second joint arrangements 500, 600 are identical whereby only the first joint arrangement 500 will be described in detail.

Now turning to Fig. 3B, the first joint arrangement 500 comprises two male parts 520 which are arranged in the first free end 201 A of the first cross- member 200A. It is to be understood that more than two male parts 520 in each free end 201 A, 201 B may be used.

Each male part 520 is formed as a dowel 521 which comprises a locking means 523 in the form of at least one rim 524 which extends radially from the envelope surface of the dowel 521. In the disclosed embodiment, three rims 524 are arranged, one after the other as seen along the

longitudinal extension of the dowel 521.

At least the upper dowel 521 is provided with a beveled surface 525 having an extension in parallel with the longitudinal extension of the dowel 521. The beveled surface may be in parallel with the second surface 108 of the first section 100A. Other cross-sections are possible. By way of example, the dowel 521 may have a circular or an oval cross section as seen

transverse its longitudinal extension. The dowel 521 is made by a solid material with a uniform cross-section. Also, the dowel 521 is made by wood.

The first joint arrangement 500 further comprises two female parts 537, 538 which are arranged in the first section 100A. In the disclosed embodiment the female parts 537, 538 are arranged in the front leg 102.

The lower female part 537, is formed by a recess 531 which is formed in the first surface 107 of the first section 100A, 100B. The recess 531 has an elongated extension with an insertion portion 532 and a locking portion 533. The insertion portion 532 has a cross-section that allows the dowel 521 to be freely inserted by a longitudinal movement. The inner wall of the insertion portion 532 may be smooth. The insertion portion 532 merges with the locking portion 533. The envelope surface of the inner wall 534 of the locking portion 533 comprises at least one groove 536 configured to receive the at least one rim 524 of the corresponding dowel 521 to be inserted thereto. The number of grooves 526 should thus correspond to the number of rims 524 on the corresponding dowel 521.

The upper female part 538 is formed by a recess 539 having an elongated extension. The recess 539 has a mouth 540 which is formed in the second surface 108 of the first section 100A and which merges into a locking portion 533. The mouth 540 has a cross section that allows insertion of the corresponding dowel 521. The envelope surface of the inner wall 541 of the recess 539 comprises at least one groove 542 configured to receive the at least one rim 524 of the corresponding dowel 521 to be inserted thereto. The number of grooves 542 should thus correspond to the number of rims 524 on the corresponding dowel 521.

When mounting the first cross-member 200A to the first section 100A, see Figs. 3B-3D, the first cross-member 200A is displaced in view of the first section 100A so that the upper dowel 521 is arranged above the mouth 540 of the upper recess 539 and so that the lower dowel 521 is aligned with the insertion portion 532 of the lower recess 537. The first cross-member 200A is then moved relative to the first section 100A, see Fig. 3E such that the dowels 521 are moved along the elongated extension of the recesses 537, 538 to the locking portions 533. As a result of this movement, the rims 524 of the dowels 521 will lockingly engage the grooves 536, 542 of the recesses 537, 538 and prevent the first cross-member 200A from being displaced in view of the first section 100A as seen in the longitudinal extension of the first cross-member 200A. The same operation is then repeated for the second section 100B so that the opposing free ends of the first cross-member 200A will lockingly engage the first and the second sections 100A, 100B.

As a result of the beveled surface 525 of at least the upper dowel 521 the beveled surface 525 will be flush with the second surfaces 108 of the first and second sections 100A, 100B, see Fig.4B. Thereby the first and second sections 100A, 100B together with the first and second intermediate supports 105A, 105B form a substantially flat support surface for the seat panel 400 to be mounted thereto. Now turning to Figs. 3A and 4A anew, the chair 1000 further comprises the second cross-member 200B. The second cross-member 200B comprises first and second opposing free ends 201 B, 202B.

A third joint arrangement 700 is configured to attach the first free end 201 B of the second cross-member 200B to the first section 100A and the fourth joint arrangement 800 is configured to attach the second free end 202B of the second cross-member 200B to the second section 100B, thereby bridging the gap G.

The third and the fourth joint arrangements 700, 800 are identical whereby only the third joint arrangement will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5A-5C.

The disclosed third joint arrangement 700 comprises two male parts 720 which are arranged in the first and the second free ends 201 B, 202B of the second cross-member 200B. It is to be understood that the third joint arrangement 700 should comprise at least one male part 720. It is also to be understood that more than two male parts 720 in each free end may be used.

Each male part 720 may be formed as a dowel 721 which comprises a locking means 723 in the form of at least one rim 724 which extends radially from the envelope surface of the dowel 721. In the disclosed embodiment, three rims 724 are arranged one after the other as seen along the longitudinal extension of the dowel 721. The dowel 721 has the same cross section as that in the first and second joint arrangements 500, 600, i.e. it is provided with a beveled surface 725 having an extension in parallel with the longitudinal extension of the dowel 721. It is to be understood that other cross sections are possible, such as a circular or oval cross section. The dowel 721 is made by a solid material with a uniform cross-section. Also, the dowel 721 is made by wood.

The disclosed third joint arrangement 700 further comprises two female parts 737 which are arranged in the first section 100A. It goes without saying that the number of female parts 737 should correspond to the number of male parts used. Thus, the third joint arrangement 700 should comprise at least one female part 737. The two female parts 737 may be identical. The design of the two female parts 737 may be identical with the lower female part 537 in the first joint arrangement 500.

Each female part 737 is formed by a recess 731 which is formed in the first surface 107 of the first and second section 100A. The recess 731 has an elongated extension with an insertion portion 732 and a locking portion 733. The insertion portion 732 has a cross-section that allows the dowel 721 to be inserted by a longitudinal movement. The inner wall of the insertion portion 732 may be smooth. The insertion portion 732 merges with the locking portion 733. The envelope surface of the inner wall of the locking portion 733 comprises at least one groove 736 configured to receive the at least one rim 724 of the corresponding dowel 721 to be inserted thereto. The number of grooves 736 should thus correspond to the number of rims 724 on the corresponding dowel 721.

When mounting the second cross-member 200B to the first section

I OOA, see Fig. 5B, the second cross-member 200B is arranged in view of the first section 100A so that the dowels 721 are aligned with the insertion portions 732 of the two recesses 731. Thereafter, the second cross-member 200B is moved, see Fig. 5C relative to the first section 100A such that the dowels 721 are moved along the elongated extension of the recesses 731 to the locking portions 733, see Fig. 5C. As a result of this movement, the rims 724 of the dowels 721 will lockingly engage the grooves 736 of the recesses 731 and prevent the second cross-member 200B from being displaced in view of the first section 100A as seen in the longitudinal extension of the first cross-member. The locking principle is the same as that previously disclosed in Figs. 3D-3E. The same operation is then repeated for the second section 100B with the result that the opposing free ends 201 B, 202B of the second cross-member 200B lockingly engage the first and the second sections 100A,

I OOB.

As is illustrated in Fig. 3D, the distance between the longitudinal center lines L1 of the male parts 521 of the first and second joint arrangements 500, 600 may be smaller than eight times the longitudinal extension L2 of each male part 521 , and more preferred smaller than six times the longitudinal extension of each male part. This may also apply to the male dowels of the third and fourth joint arrangements 700, 800. The first and second cross- members 200A, 200B do each have a substantially smaller height than length, and by arranging the male parts as close to the ends as possible as seen in the height direction, the robustness of the frame F and hence the chair 100 may be improved.

As the seat panel 400 is mounted to the frame F, the seat panel 400 will close-off the mouth 540 of the upper recess 539 in the first and the second joint arrangements 500, 600 and not only conceal the same, but also efficiently prevent displacement of the first cross-member 200A. The thus formed chair 1000 will receive a structurally very rigid form.

It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The male parts of the first, second, third and fourth joint arrangements 500, 600, 700, 800 have been disclosed as being arranged on the two opposing free ends of the first and second cross-members 200A, 200B and the female parts have been disclosed as being arranged in the first surfaces 107 of the first and second sections 100A, 100B. It is to be understood that the positions may be shifted with remained function.

The first and/or the second cross-members 200A, 200B may comprise either male parts in both free ends thereof or female parts in both free ends thereof. It is however preferred that the male parts are arranged in both the free ends 201 A, 201 B, 202A, 202B.

The male parts 420 of the panel joint arrangement 410 are preferably arranged in the first and second sections 100A; 100B, and the female parts 430 of the panel joint arrangement 410 are preferably arranged in the lower major surface of the seat panel 400. The sections 100A, 100B, the cross- members 200A, 200B and the seat panel 400 may thereby be arranged side by side in a flat package without any male parts projecting away from a major surface of the package.

The positions of the male and female parts 420, 430 of the panel joint arrangement 410 may be altered with remained function. In that case, the female parts 430 are arranged in the second surface 108 of the first and second sections 100A, 100B, and the male parts 420 in the lower surface of the seat panel 400.

The different parts making up the chair, i.e. the sections 100A, 100B, the cross-members 200A, 200B and the seat panel 400 may be made by wood, plastics or a composite material. Different materials may be used for the different parts or different portions of the parts.

The female parts, no matter which joint arrangement may be formed directly into the material by a cutting tool. The female parts may also be formed in inserts that are inserted into the material of the different parts making up the chair. Such inserts may be provided by injection molding a plastics material. The invention has been exemplified as being a chair. It is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other types of furniture. As non-limiting examples, the furniture may be a bench, a sofa, a coffin, a stool, or a table. The seat panel must not be a horizontal surface. By way of example it may be a side wall having a substantially vertical extension.