Connecting means and method of producing a connection between a first component and a second component

A connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, comprising:

• a first connecting element which is configured to be arranged on the first component in the connected state of the components, and
• a second connecting element which is configured to be arranged on the second component in the connected state of the components,
• wherein at least one of the connecting elements comprises a curved bearing surface which is in the form of an arc of a circle in longitudinal section,
• wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are connected to one another in releasable manner in the connected state of the components and at least the first connecting element comprises a housing and at least one holding element which is moveable relative to the housing of the first connecting element and which, in a holding position, cooperates with the second connecting element in such a way that a relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along a direction of connection is prevented, and which, in a release position, permits a relative movement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along the direction of connection,
• wherein the at least one holding element is movable from at least one of the holding position into the release position or the release position into the holding position by an action taken outside the connecting means and wherein the housing of the first connecting element is a unitary, one-piece structure substantially in the form of a section of a regular cylinder and comprises a first curved bearing surface which is in the form of an arc of a circle in longitudinal section, a first substantially flat bearing surface which is located opposite the aforesaid first curved bearing surface and is arranged to abut the second connecting element in the connected state of the components, and two lateral side faces running substantially parallel to the direction of connection, and wherein the housing of the first connecting element surrounds a seating chamber accommodating the at least one holding element, wherein the at least one holding element is configured to emerge from the seating chamber through a first mouth at which the seating chamber opens out into the first substantially flat bearing surface of the first connecting element,
• wherein the seating chamber opens out into a second mouth in the first curved bearing surface of the first connecting element and the second mouth is configured such that the at least one holding element can be pushed into the seating chamber through the second mouth,
• wherein the second connecting element comprises a housing which is substantially in the form of a section of a regular cylinder and comprises a second curved bearing surface which is in the form of an arc of a circle in longitudinal section, a second substantially flat bearing surface which is located opposite the aforesaid second curved bearing surface and is arranged to abut the first substantially flat bearing surface of the first connecting element in the connected state of the components, and two lateral side faces running substantially parallel to the direction of connection, and
• wherein the aforesaid curved bearing surfaces and the aforesaid substantially flat bearing surfaces of the first and second connecting elements are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the direction of connection in the connected state of the components.