# US 11,441,590 B2 · Set of panels with a mechanical locking device

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- Number: US 11,441,590 B2
- Document ID: US11441590B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/126,518
- Filed: 2020-12-18
- Published: 2021-06-24
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-19
- Assignees: Välinge Innovation AB
- Applicants: Välinge Innovation AB
- Inventors: Peter Derelöv
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441590B2

## CPC

- F16B 12/20: using clamps, clips, wedges, sliding bolts, or the like
- F16B 12/26: using snap-action elements
- A47B 47/042: {Panels connected without frames}
- F16B 5/0012: {a tongue on the edge of one sheet, plate or panel co-operating with a groove in the edge of another sheet, plate or panel}
- F16B 12/125: {using mortise and tenon joints}
- F16B 12/46: Non-metal corner connections
- F16B 2012/043: {using carpentry joints other than mortise and tenon joints, e.g. using multiple tenons}
- Y10T 403/602: by separate spring
- Y10T 403/7075: including discrete retainer
- 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)
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A set of panels including a first panel with a first main plane and a second panel with a second main plane with a second main surface. The first and second main planes are essentially perpendicular in a locked position. The first and the second panel include a locking device for locking a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel. The locking device includes an edge groove wherein the edge groove includes a tongue, which is configured to cooperate with a tongue groove of the first panel, in a locked position, for locking the first and the second edges in a first direction which is perpendicular to the first main plane. A first groove surface of the edge groove cooperate with second main surface to lock the first and second panel in a second direction which is perpendicular to the second main plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A set of panels comprising a first panel with a first main plane with a first main surface in a generally horizontal direction and a second panel with a second main plane with a second main surface, wherein the first main plane is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane in a locked position, wherein the second panel comprises a third main surface at a first distance-from the second main surface,
wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise a locking device for locking a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel,
wherein the locking device comprises an edge groove at the first edge of the first panel, said edge groove comprise a first groove surface and an opposite second groove surface and a first bottom surface,
wherein the locking device comprises a tongue groove at the second main surface of the second panel,
wherein the second panel comprises a first edge surface which is facing the first bottom surface in a locked position, the second panel further comprises a second edge surface extending between the tongue groove and the first edge surface,
wherein the edge groove comprises a tongue, which is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove in a locked position, for locking the first and the second edges in a first direction which is perpendicular to the first main plane,
wherein the first groove surface cooperates with the second main surface, at a first contact area in a locked position and the second groove surface cooperate with the third main surface, at a second contact area, to lock the first and second panel in a second direction which is perpendicular to the second main plane,
wherein the first contact area is positioned, in a locked position, at a second distance from the second contact area,
wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance,
wherein the edge groove at the intersection of the first and third main surfaces has an open space,
wherein the locking device comprises a first space, in the locked position, between the second edge surface and the first groove surface, and
wherein the first space extends vertically higher than the second contact area and vertically lower than the tongue groove.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second distance is the closest distance in a perpendicular direction to the first main plane between the first and second contact area.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue protrudes from the first groove surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue is a flexible tongue.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue is arranged in an insertion groove.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second contact area are positioned at a third distance in a perpendicular direction to the second main plane, wherein the first distance is greater than the third distance.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein a part of the second panel, inserted in the edge groove, in the locked position, is bent in a direction B towards the first groove surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge groove comprises a second bottom surface at a greater depth than the first bottom surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking device comprises a second space in the locked position, between the first edge surface and the second bottom surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second contact areas are positioned at a third distance, C, in a perpendicular direction to the second main plane, and the second groove surface and the first bottom surface are positioned at a fourth distance, W, in a perpendicular direction to the second main plane.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 10, wherein (W) is within the range of about 0.1xC to 0.9xC.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second space is vertically aligned with the third main surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first angle between the second groove surface and the second main plane, in the locked position is within the range of about 1-30°.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second angle between the first main surface and the first groove surface is within the range of about 70-89°.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and/or the second panel comprises a wood fiber based material, such as one or more of HDF, MDF, plywood, solid wood or particleboard, or a reinforced plastic board or a wood fiber composite board.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and/or second panel comprises a decorative layer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge groove extends along essentially the entire length of the first edge.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel comprises said tongue groove in at least 2 of 4 edges.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking device is configured to be unlocked by an angling motion of the panel relative the adjacent panel, such that a third angle between the first and second main plane is increasing.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first groove surface comprises an upper part positioned above the tongue and a second lower part positioned below the tongue wherein the lower part is displaced relative the upper part.