Panel Connecting Device

A panel connector for interconnecting at least two panels, the panel connector comprising:

• a structural profile portion comprising:
• an elongate main body having a generally square transverse cross section;
• and
• a plurality of elongate tenons extending from a plurality of sides of the main body, each of the tenons configured for fittingly engaging in one or more mating undercut channels of one of the panels;
• and
• a pair of alignment portions adjacent to opposite ends of the main body, respectively, the alignment portions configured to restrict unwanted displacement of the structural profile portion when the structural profile portion is engaged with the panels;
• wherein each alignment portion comprises a main body, a plug extending from a main face of the main body, and a pair of locating pins extending from two sides of the main body;
• the main body of the alignment portion is sized and shaped to be congruent with a size and the shape of the transverse cross section of the main body of the structural profile portion, the plug is configured to be engaged in a matching hole of the end of the structural profile portion, the pins extend from the main body of the alignment portion in a first direction and a second direction respectively, the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other, and each of the pins is configured to be engaged in a matching void of a corresponding one of the panels;
• and
• wherein the structural profile portion and the alignment portions are formed together as a single, unitary piece of material.

A panel connecting system for interconnecting at least four panels, the connecting system comprising:

• two structural profiles each comprising:
• an elongate main body having a generally square transverse cross section;
• and
• a pair of elongate tenons extending from two sides of the main body, respectively, each of the tenons configured for fittingly engaging in an undercut channel of a corresponding one of the panels;
• and
• a pair of alignment means each comprising a pair of first plugs, wherein the two alignment means are configured to engage with opposite ends of the pair of main bodies, respectively, with the first plugs of each alignment means engaged in the corresponding ends of the main bodies and the two alignment means restricting unwanted displacement of the structural profiles when the structural profiles are engaged with the panels with the main bodies being juxtaposed along their lengths.

A panel connecting system for interconnecting at least two panels, the connecting system comprising:

• a structural profile comprising:
• an elongate main body having a generally square transverse cross section;
• and
• a pair of elongate tenons extending from a plurality of sides of the main body, each of the tenons configured for fittingly engaging in a mating undercut channel of a respective one of the panels;
• a pair of strips of material, wherein each strip of material has a width congruent with a thickness of a same one of the panels, the strips of material are attachable to opposite edge faces of said one of the panels, respectively, such that the strips of material cover opposite ends of the undercut channel and thereby restrict unwanted displacement of the structural profile when the structural profile is engaged with said one of the panels;
• and
• a pair of plugs each comprising an enlarged head portion, and an engaging portion extending from the head portion, the engaging portion configured to be engaged in a corresponding hollow end of the structural profile;
• wherein a thickness of each strip of material is substantially the same as a corresponding thickness of each head portion.