"FITTING SYSTEM"

Technical domain

The present application describes a fitting system, applicable in the assembly of panels.

Background of the Art

Some solutions of fitting systems with similar purposes to that of the present invention are already generally known. However, some of the current solutions comprise semi permanent fastening, particularly fastening with screws. Other solutions already known with non-permanent fastening require an auxiliary element to the connectors for creating prison, that is, they need multiple parts so as to form a connection .

Although some products of this type already exist, the existence of technology with resistance due to the fitting made through panels is not generally known.

However, in opposition to what is currently available on the market, the present technology comprises a single part that enables easy assembly and disassembly of panels without the need for additional semi-permanent fastening means, conferring good resistance to the structure of the panels.

Summary

The present application refers to a fitting system for assembling panels characterized by comprising: - base connector (1) with two perpendicular sides that comprises :

- a clip (2) on each perpendicular side;

- a bulge (6) disposed between the perpendicular sides, which comprises a bulge (7);

- a groove (5) adjacent to each perpendicular side; top connector (8) with two perpendicular sides that comprises :

- a clip (9) on each perpendicular side;

- an inner bulge (10) disposed between the perpendicular sides ;

- an outer bulge (11) disposed between the perpendicular sides ;

- intermediary connector (15) with two perpendicular sides that comprises:

- a bulge (16) disposed between the perpendicular sides; at least four vertical panels (13) comprising cuts geometrically complementary to the clips (2) (9) and groove (5) .

In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one horizontal panel (14) comprising cuts on the vertices which are geometrically complementary to the inner bulge (10) and to the outer bulge (11) .

In another embodiment the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) present a vertical groove (4) on each perpendicular side.

Further in another embodiment, the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) present a hinge (3) on each perpendicular side.

In one embodiment, the hinge (3) is of the butterfly hinge or bistable hinge type.

In another embodiment the base connector (1) is placed on the upper vertices of the vertical panels (13) .

Further in another embodiment, the top connector (8) is placed on the lower vertices of the vertical panels (13) .

In another embodiment, the intermediary connector (15) is placed into cuts present on the vertical panels between the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) .

In one embodiment, the clips (2) (9) are of the snap-fit type.

In another embodiment, the base connector (1) and the top connector (8) are made of thermoplastic material.

Further, in another embodiment the second bulge (7) of the base connector (1) fits into the opening (12) of the top connector ( 8 ) . General description

The present application describes a fitting system with application in the assembly of panels.

The fitting system now proposed is composed of three types of connectors, which allow the assembly of panels. The connectors are made of a material that confers sufficient flexibility to the connectors for them to fit into the panels .

The connectors of the system presently described are of three different types: a base connector, an intermediary connector and a top connector.

The fitting system to be used in the practical assembly of panels relies on a plurality of these three types of connectors, depending on the breadth and modularity of the panel at hand. Accordingly, said connectors are assembled on the respective base, intermediate and top joints between every two vertical panels, or each two vertical panels and one horizontal, this assembly being made with the assistance of cuts in the panel structure itself, made to measure according to the respective bulges and clips of each connector .

The fitting system presently described, besides providing an advantage in terms of facility and diminishment of time spent assembling the panels, also provides the technical advantage of conferring greater resistance to the structures assembled with these connectors than that conferred by the connectors on the market today. The resistance conferred by the system of connectors described herein is related to the cuts present on the panels which enable the panels to be locked in all directions. The clips existing in the connectors also enable them to complete the locking system, and it is the interaction between the cuts present in the panels and the geometry of the connector which provide for a strong bond between all the panels. It is thus possible to construct a three-dimensional structure of varied lengths and heights, or even a modular structure that presents greater resistance.

Therefore, the system developed provides for the assembly of showcases, urns, boxes, decorative objects and furniture, but not limited to these examples.

Therefore, the present application describes a fast and simple form of assembling multiple panels, making them fit to be modular by introducing as many panels as necessary, by interconnection thereof by virtue of the combination of connectors now presented.

Brief description of the drawings

For an easier understanding of the present application, the accompanying drawings represent preferred embodiments, though they are not intended to limit the art disclosed herein .

Figure 1A illustrates a front view of a base connector (1) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 2 - clip; 5 - groove; 6 - bulge; 7 - second bulge. Figure IB illustrates a rear view of a base connector (1) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 4 - vertical groove.

Figure 2 illustrates a base connector (1) connected to two vertical panels (13), wherein the reference numbers represent: 5 - groove.

Figure 3A illustrates a front view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 10 - inner bulge; 11 - outer bulge .

Figure 3B illustrates a rear view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, rotation of 180° of the illustration of Figure 3A, wherein the reference numbers represent: 12 - opening.

Figure 3C illustrates a front view of a top connector (8) belonging to the fitting system, rotation of 180° of the illustration of Figure 3A, wherein the reference numbers represent: 12 - opening.

Figure 4A illustrates a horizontal panel (14) fitted into a top connector (8) .

Figure 5 illustrates the vertical fitting of a top connector (8) to a base connector (1), wherein the reference numbers represent: 7 - second bulge; 12 - opening; 13 - vertical panel; 14 - horizontal panel.

Figure 6A illustrates a front view of an intermediary connector (15) belonging to the fitting system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 16 - bulge.

Figure 6B illustrates a rear view of an intermediary connector (15) belonging to the fitting system.

Figure 6C illustrates the assembly of two vertical panels (13) perpendicular to the intermediary connector (15) .

Figure 7A illustrates an embodiment of the top connector (8) in open arrangement, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 17 - hinge.

Figure 7B illustrates a top connector (8) in closed arrangement, wherein the reference numbers represent: 9 - clip; 3 - hinge.

Figure 8 illustrates a modular structure of vertical panels (13) assembled with the assistance of the top connectors (8), base connectors (1) and intermediary connectors (15), with a magnified view of the cuts in the panels (A) (B) .

Figure 9 illustrates a modular structure of vertical panels (13) and horizontal panel (14) assembled with the assistance of the top connectors (8), base connectors (1) and intermediary connectors (15) .

Description of embodiments

With reference to the drawings, some embodiments are now described in greater detail, though are not meant to limit the scope of the present application.

The present application refers to a fitting system applicable in the assembly of panels. The fitting system presently described comprises three types of connectors: top connector and base connector, and an intermediary connector.

Base connectors

According to Figure 1, the base connector (1) has an essentially cubic shape comprising two vertical sides perpendicular to each other.

As can be seen in Figure IB, the base connector (1), presents a vertical groove (4) in each of the vertical sides.

In the front view of the base connector (1), and according to Figure 1A, it is noted that each vertical side comprises a clip (2) of the snap-fit type. These clips (2) fit into the complementary cuts present in the vertical panels (13) so as to fasten two vertical perpendicular panels (13) .

The panels associated to this technology comprise cuts geometrically complementary to the clips that provide for safe fitting of the clips, as can be seen in A and B in Figure 8. To fit the clips in the vertical panel (13), it is suffice to apply a slight force which makes the clips (2) flex, move and fit into the cuts of the vertical panels (13) .

Additionally, the base connector (1), in the front view thereof as in Figure 1A, further comprises two grooves (5) disposed at the bottom of the base connector (1), wherein each groove (5) is adjacent to one of the vertical sides. The grooves (5) are complementary to cuts present in the edges, and near the vertices of the vertical panels (13), as can be seen in Figure 2. The two grooves (5) and the two clips (2) of the base connector (1), fit into the complementary cuts existing on each vertical panel (13) and perpendicular to each other, and consequently lock the entire structure, as can be seen in Figure 2. Therefore, each base connector (1) enables, through its shape, the fitting of two vertical panels (13) perpendicularly disposed.

The introduction of a base connector (1) on each vertex of the base of a vertical panel (13) will originate the alignment and the fastening of four vertical panels (13), forming a cube or parallelepiped-shaped structure, closed on four sides, as can be seen in Figures 8 and 9.

According to Figure 1A, the base connectors (1), at its base, comprise a bulge (6) between the vertical sides. This bulge

(6) further comprises a second bulge (7) . This second bulge

(7) is essential to promote the junction between a base connector (1) and a top connector (8), disposed on top of each other.

Top connectors

To build a vertical modular structure of panels with another level, or to introduce a horizontal panel into the structure, the top connectors (8) are used. The top connectors (8) serve two purposes, the construction of a structure of panels at height, and the placement of a horizontal panel (14) whenever necessary .

As can be seen in Figure 3, the top connector (8) has a topology that is essentially similar to the base connector (1) . This top connector (8) equally comprises two vertical sides perpendicular to each other. In the front view of the top connector (8), and according to Figure 3A, it is noted that each vertical side comprises a clip (9) of the snap-fit type. These clips fit into the complementary cuts present on the vertical panels (13) so as to fasten two perpendicular panels .

According to Figure 3A, the top connector (8) comprises two bulges between the vertical sides: an inner bulge (10) and an outer bulge (11) . These bulges provide for the fitting of a horizontal panel (14), and the outer bulge (11) fits into the corresponding geometric cut present in the vertex of a horizontal panel (14) . The inner bulge (10) serves to reinforce further the coupling between the two vertical panels (13) and the horizontal panel (14) . The top connector (8) fits into the free space resulting from the coupling between three panels. Therefore, through their shape, each top connector (8) provides for the fitting of two vertical panels (13) perpendicularly disposed, in addition to a horizontal panel (14) .

The top connector (8) further comprises an opening (12) at its base, as can be seen in Figure 3C. This opening (12) has a geometrically complementary arrangement to the second bulge (7) of the base connector (1), and enables the vertical fitting between a base connector (1) and a top connector (8), as can be seen in Figure 5. It is thus possible to construct a vertical modular structure of panels, in accordance with Figures 8 and 9.

In one embodiment, the base connectors (1) and the top connectors (8), present an open arrangement when disassembled, or a closed arrangement when assembled in panels, as can be seen in Figures 7A and 7B respectively. These arrangements are provided by hinges (3) existing in each of the vertical sides of the connectors which provide for a fold of the portion of the vertical side that comprises the clips (2) (9) . The presence of the hinge (3) facilitates injection mold production, the extraction of the connector, both top or base, of the mold and the disassembly of the connector from the panels. This embodiment results from the production process of the connectors by injection molding.

In another embodiment the base connectors (1) and the type connectors (8) are produced without hinges (3) and as such present only a closed arrangement.

The connectors (1) (8) with clips (2) (9) may have hinges (3), and latter may be of various types such as butterfly hinge or bistable hinge. The existence of hinges promotes the horizontal position of the clips which will facilitate the injection molding process in the zone of the clips. The hinges (3) promote traction to maintain the clips (2) (9) safe to the panels until they are released when the connector is pulled out.

The hinges (3) are optional to improve injection molding production, but the hinges may be added to the connectors by way of other processes such as 3D printing, maintaining the original design.

Intermediary connector

The present fitting system further comprises an intermediary connector (15), as can be seen in Figures 6A and 6B, which may optionally be used in the assembly of panels. This connector is used when the width of the panels is high and appears to need reinforcement. For the use of this intermediary connector (15) the vertical panels (13) must have cuts that enable the fitting of this intermediary connector (15), as seen in B in Figure 8. The intermediary connector (15) comprises two vertical sides perpendicular, and between them there is a bulge (16) . This bulge (16) has a complementary geometrical arrangement to the cuts present in the vertical panels (13) perpendicular, as can be seen in Figure 6C. Ideally, the intermediary connectors (16) are disposed at the joint between two perpendicular vertical panels (13), and in an intermediary position between base connectors (1) and top connectors (8), so as to exert pressure between two perpendicular vertical panels (13) and thus reinforce the structure.

This fitting system enables the construction of a structure comprising four vertical panels (13), wherein each panel comprises top connectors (8) on the upper vertices, and additionally comprises base connectors (1) on the lower vertices, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The system further enables the complementation of the structure with the assembly of at least one horizontal panel (14) by way of four base connectors (1) existing on the same horizontal level. In another embodiment, the structure of panels described previously may further be reinforced by the fitting of intermediary connectors (15) between two perpendicular panels, as shown in Figure 9.

In one embodiment, the system presently described enables the assembly of a modular structure, wherein a level of the structure comprises four vertical panels (13), and comprises at least an upper level, disposed vertically above the prior level, comprising four vertical panels (13) .

The connectors of the present application are produced from material that confers flexibility, because during the fitting the clips (2) (9) of the connectors have to flex to enable fitting into the cuts of the vertical panels (13) .

Preferably, the materials to be used in the connectors are plastic materials, particularly thermoplastics. In one embodiment the material is selected from polypropylene or polyethylene. These materials have the flexibility and resilience necessary to enable countless assembly and disassembly operations of the connectors without affecting the technical functionality of the same.

The connectors can be produced by injection molding processes .

The vertical panels (13) to be used jointly with the connectors described herein present structural elements as cuts near the vertices, and these cuts are complementary to the clips (2) (9) of the connectors. Optionally, the vertical panels (13) may also comprise cuts geometrically complementary to the bulge (16) of the intermediary connector (15) . These cuts are positioned between the vertices that will receive the top connector (8) and the base connector (1) .

The base connector (1) is placed on upper vertices of the vertical panels (13), while the top connector (8) is placed on lower vertices of the vertical panels (13) .

Additionally, the vertices of the horizontal panels (7) comprise structural elements geometrically complementary to these bulges (13) and (14) of the base connector (8), as cuts . The panels may be produced from various materials, its only compulsory characteristic being its rigidity.

The thickness of the material may vary, yet the measurements of the connectors may also vary to correspond to the thickness of the panels.

In one embodiment the materials for producing the panels are selected from ligno-cellulosic materials such as cork or wood, acrylics, glass, steel, aluminum.

Naturally, the present description is in no way restricted to the embodiments presented in this document and a person with average skill in the art may be able to envisage many possibilities of modifying the same without straying from the general idea, as defined in the claims. The preferred embodiments described above are obviously mutually combinable. The accompanying claims further define preferred embodiments .