# US 11,076,691 B2 · Set of panels with a mechanical locking device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,691 B2 - Document ID: US11076691B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/386,824 - Filed: 2019-04-17 - Published: 2019-10-24 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-18 - Assignees: Välinge Innovation AB - Applicants: Välinge Innovation AB - Inventors: Christian Boo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076691B2 ## CPC - A47B 47/0066: {Formed panels connected without frames (for panels mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/042)} - A47B 47/0075: {Flat or flat-like panels connected without frames (for panels mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/042)} - A47B 47/042: {Panels connected without frames} - A47B 88/90: Constructional details of drawers - A47B 97/00: Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass - F16B 12/125: {using mortise and tenon joints} - F16B 12/24: using separate pins, dowels, or the like - F16B 12/26: using snap-action elements - E04F 2201/0138: by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract A method for dismantling a set and a set including a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first panel includes a first edge surface and a first panel surface, the second panel includes a second panel surface, the mechanical locking device includes an panel groove at the second panel surface, a flexible tongue positioned in the panel groove, a rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and an insertion groove at the second panel surface extending from the second panel surface to the panel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to be inserted into the insertion groove and the rod-shaped element includes a recess, the flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the recess, and the panel groove extending at an angle α in the second panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A set comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, wherein the first panel comprises a first edge surface and a first panel surface, the second panel comprises a second panel surface, the first edge surface is facing the second panel surface in a locked position of the first and the second panel, the mechanical locking device comprises an panel groove at the second panel surface, a flexible tongue positioned in the panel groove, a rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and an insertion groove at the second panel surface extending from the second panel surface to the panel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to be inserted into the insertion groove and the rod-shaped element comprises a recess, the flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the recess for a locking of the first panel to the second panel in a first direction which is perpendicular to the second panel surface, and the panel groove extending at an angle α in the second panel in view of the second panel surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is between 10-80 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is between 10-70 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel comprises a second edge surface at a distance from the panel groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the panel groove in the second panel surface is smaller than a width of the first edge surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the panel groove in the second panel surface is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel groove is a bottom-ended groove, comprising a bottom surface which is positioned at a distance from the insertion groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The set as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flexible tongue is arranged at the bottom surface of the panel groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tongue is configured to be flexed inwards towards the bottom surface to be completely positioned in the panel groove. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tongue, in an unflexed state, is configured to be position partly in the panel groove and partly in the insertion groove. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel groove is a longitudinal groove that extends in a longitudinal direction of the second planar surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The set as claimed in claim 11, wherein the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal groove is substantially parallel to the second edge surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel comprises a third edge surface, and the panel groove of the mechanical locking device further is positioned at the third edge surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel comprises a fourth edge surface, and the panel groove of the mechanical locking device further is positioned at the fourth edge surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The set as claimed in claim 14, wherein the panel groove extends from the third edge surface to the fourth edge surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The set as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flexible tongue is arranged between the recess and the bottom surface of the panel groove in the locked position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion groove is a bottom-ended groove, comprising a bottom surface which is positioned at a distance from the panel groove. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first edge surface comprises two or more of said rod-shaped element and the second panel surface comprises two or more of said insertion groove, wherein each of the rod-shaped elements is configured to be inserted into one of the insertion grooves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the locked position, the panel groove is configured to receive a dismantling-rod, wherein, when the dismantling rod is received in the panel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to cooperate with the dismantling-rod for flexing the flexible tongue inwards in the panel groove, wherein, when the flexible tongue is flexed inwards in the panel groove, the rod-shaped element and the dismantling-rod is configured to be moveable outwards in the insertion groove and out of the insertion groove to dismantle the first panel from the second panel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical locking device is configured to automatically lock the first panel to the second panel when the rod-shaped element is inserted into the insertion groove and the first edge surface is arranged against the second panel surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped element is configured to be attached in an attachment groove in the first edge surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second edge surface is essentially perpendicular to the second panel surface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recess extends along an entire circumference of the rod-shaped element. ### Claim 24 Method for dismantling, from a locked position to a dismantled position, a set comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, wherein: the first panel comprises a first edge surface and a first panel surface, the second panel comprises a second panel surface, the first edge surface is facing the second panel surface in a locked position of the first and the second panel, the mechanical locking device comprises an panel groove at the second panel surface, a flexible tongue positioned in the panel groove, a rod-shaped element at the first edge surface and an insertion groove at the second panel surface extending from the second panel surface to the panel groove, the rod-shaped element is configured to be inserted into the insertion groove and the rod-shaped element comprises a recess, the flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the recess for a locking of the first panel to the second panel in a first direction which is perpendicular to the second panel surface, and the panel groove extending at an angle α in the second panel in view of the second panel surface, wherein the method comprises: inserting a dismantling-rod into the edge groove and move the flexible tongue out of the recess of the rod-shaped element by flexing the flexible tongue inwards in the edge groove, and moving the rod-shaped element and the dismantling-rod outwards in the insertion groove and out of the insertion groove to dismantle the first panel from the second panel.