CN117770599A

CN117770599A - Panel structure and design method thereof, panel structure with support component and furniture

Info

Publication number: CN117770599A
Application number: CN202211151767.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李跃明
Original assignee: Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-21
Filing date: 2022-09-21
Publication date: 2024-03-29

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel structure and a design method thereof, and a panel structure and furniture with a support component. The panel structure includes: a first skin layer; a second surface layer, at least part of which forms a hollow cavity with the first surface layer; and at least one reinforcing unit integrally formed with the second skin layer, wherein at least part of each reinforcing unit is recessed toward the first skin layer; wherein at least part of the reinforcement units are irregularly distributed on the second skin layer. The panel structure provided by the invention can be used for designing the reinforcing unit according to the use scene, is light and has high mechanical strength, and can be widely applied to facilities such as a bench, a wall, a cabinet body, a tray, a goods shelf and the like.

Description

Panel structure and design method thereof, panel structure with support component and furniture

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of panel structures, and more particularly, to a panel structure and a design method thereof, a panel structure with a support assembly, and furniture.

Background

The interior of the panel structure is hollow, and in order to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure, recesses with uniform size and regular arrangement are generally formed on the panel structure. However, such uniformly sized and regularly arranged depressions are not conducive to use scenarios where the panel structure is subjected to uneven forces for a long period of time.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a panel structure, a method of designing a panel structure, a panel structure with a support assembly, and furniture.

The present invention provides a panel structure comprising:

a first skin layer;

a second surface layer, at least part of which forms a hollow cavity with the first surface layer; and

at least one reinforcing unit integrally formed with the second surface layer, wherein at least part of the reinforcing unit is recessed towards the first surface layer;

wherein at least part of the reinforcement units are irregularly distributed on the second skin layer.

In one embodiment, the reinforcement unit includes first concave portions that are concave toward the first surface layer, each of the first concave portions has a side wall and a bottom wall, and a side surface of the first surface layer that faces the second surface layer is denoted as a first inner surface, and the bottom wall of some of the first concave portions is joined to the first inner surface.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing unit includes first concave portions, the first concave portions are concave toward the first surface layer, each of the first concave portions has a side wall and a bottom wall, a side surface of the first surface layer toward the second surface layer is denoted as a first inner surface, and a space is provided between the bottom wall of some of the first concave portions and the first inner surface.

In one embodiment, some of the reinforcement units include second recesses disposed in a bottom wall of the first recess, the second recesses being recessed toward the first skin layer, each of the second recesses also having a side wall and a bottom wall;

some of the second recesses have a space between the bottom wall and the first inner surface or some of the second recesses have a space between the bottom wall and the first inner surface.

In one embodiment, the mechanical strength of the reinforcement unit provided with the first recess and the second recess is higher than the mechanical strength of the reinforcement unit provided with only the first recess.

In one embodiment, the first concave portion is polygonal, the number of the second concave portions is at least one, and at least one of the second concave portions is distributed at the vertex angle or the edge of the first concave portion respectively.

In one embodiment, the second recess is a dot, a polygon, or a sector.

In one embodiment, some of the reinforcement units further comprise a protrusion provided at a bottom wall of the first recess, the protrusion protruding in a direction away from the first skin layer.

In one embodiment, at least one of the second recesses is distributed on the periphery of the boss; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the convex shape of the convex part is similar to the concave shape of the first concave part.

In one embodiment, the side of the second skin facing away from the first skin is denoted as a second outer surface, and the protrusions on the reinforcement unit are raised outwardly by a height not higher than the second outer surface at the periphery of the reinforcement unit.

In one embodiment, the maximum height of the hollow cavity is not less than 8mm, and the area of the first concave part is not less than 50% of the second surface layer; the height of the second concave part is not higher than 5mm.

In one embodiment, the reinforcement units in the middle of the second skin layer are more dense and/or more concave-convex than the reinforcement units in the edges of the second skin layer.

The invention also provides a panel structure comprising:

a first skin layer;

a second skin layer;

wherein the first skin layer has a first inner surface facing the second skin layer, the second skin layer has a second inner surface facing the first skin layer; at least a portion of the first inner surface and the second inner surface form a hollow cavity therebetween, at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface being curved.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the area in at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface is an irregularly changing curved surface.

In one embodiment, the second inner surface located in the middle of the second skin layer is closer to the first skin layer than to the edge of the second skin layer.

In one embodiment, the panel structure further includes a reinforcing member, where the reinforcing member is fixedly disposed on the second surface layer.

In one embodiment, the second inner surface is closer to the first skin than to the area proximate to the stiffener to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure relative to the area distal to the stiffener.

In one embodiment, the curved surface does not vary by more than 3mm in thickness of the panel structure.

In one embodiment, the panel structure further comprises reinforcing units, at least part of the reinforcing units being irregularly distributed on the second skin layer;

the reinforcing unit comprises first concave parts, the first concave parts face the first surface layers in a concave mode, each first concave part is provided with a side wall and a bottom wall, the side face, facing the second surface layers, of the first surface layers is marked as a first inner surface, and the bottom walls of some first concave parts are connected with the first inner surface.

the reinforcing unit comprises first concave parts, the first concave parts face the first surface layers in a concave mode, each first concave part is provided with a side wall and a bottom wall, the side face, facing the second surface layers, of the first surface layers is marked as a first inner surface, and intervals are reserved between the bottom walls of some first concave parts and the first inner surface.

The invention also provides a design method of the panel structure, which is characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:

analyzing the stress characteristics of a conventional scene of the panel structure;

according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, arranging a reinforcing unit with higher mechanical strength in a region with higher stress and arranging a reinforcing unit with lower mechanical strength in a region with lower stress; at least part of the reinforcement units are irregularly distributed.

In one embodiment, the panel structure comprises a first surface layer and a second surface layer, wherein at least part of the second surface layer and the first surface layer form a hollow cavity therebetween;

according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, arranging a reinforcing unit with higher mechanical strength in a region with higher stress and arranging a reinforcing unit with lower mechanical strength in a region with lower stress; at least part of the reinforcement units are irregularly distributed; the method comprises the following steps:

according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, arranging a reinforcing unit with higher mechanical strength in a region with higher stress, arranging a reinforcing unit with lower mechanical strength in a region with lower stress, and adjusting the mechanical strength through the concave-convex change of the second surface layer and the density degree of the reinforcing unit; at least part of the reinforcement units are irregularly distributed.

The invention also provides a design method of the panel structure, which is characterized in that: the panel structure includes a first skin having a first inner surface facing the second skin and a second skin having a second inner surface facing the first skin;

the design method of the panel structure comprises the following steps:

changing the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, wherein the larger the stress is, the smaller the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface is; at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface is curved.

In one embodiment, the method is characterized by: changing the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, wherein the larger the stress is, the smaller the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface is; the step of at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface being curved comprises:

changing the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, wherein the larger the stress is, the smaller the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface is; at least a partial area in at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface is an irregularly changing curved surface.

The invention also provides a panel structure with the supporting component, which comprises the panel structure and the supporting component, wherein the supporting component is connected with the panel structure and is used for supporting the panel structure.

In one embodiment, the panel structure further includes a reinforcing rib, the reinforcing rib is integrally formed with the second surface layer and the reinforcing unit, and the reinforcing rib protrudes outwards in a direction away from the first surface layer.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing rib is provided with a clamping groove, and the support component is detachably clamped in the clamping groove.

In one embodiment, the supporting component comprises two hinged supporting pieces, each supporting piece comprises a clamping connection rod, two supporting rods and a landing rod, the two supporting rods are identical in length, the two supporting rods are hinged with each other and form an X shape, and two ends of each supporting rod are respectively fixedly connected with the clamping connection rod and the landing rod;

the clamping rods are detachably clamped in the clamping grooves, and the clamping grooves are multiple so that the support assembly supports the panel structure in different postures.

In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a support frame and a plurality of support legs, the support frame is connected to the peripheral wall of the panel structure and/or the second surface layer, and the plurality of support legs are rotatably connected to the support frame; the support legs can be folded to be attached to the second surface layer in a rotating mode to form a storage state.

In one embodiment, the support assembly further comprises a plurality of hinge rods, the support frame comprises at least one fixed rod and at least one rotating rod, the fixed rod is fixedly connected to the annular peripheral wall and/or the second surface layer of the panel structure, and two ends of the rotating rod are respectively and rotatably connected to two different fixed rods; the fixing rod and the connecting rod are surrounded to form an annular supporting frame; the support legs are respectively and fixedly connected with the rotating rod and are respectively hinged with the rotating rod through the hinging rods.

In one embodiment, the support assembly further comprises two extension pieces, wherein two ends of one of the rotation rods are respectively and fixedly connected to the two fixing rods through the two extension pieces, so that position interference among the plurality of support legs in the storage state is avoided.

In one embodiment, the panel structure is foldable and forms a receiving cavity, and the support assembly is rotatably foldable and received in the receiving cavity.

In one embodiment, the panel structure with support assembly is a table or stool.

The invention also provides furniture, which comprises a table and at least one stool, wherein the table comprises a tabletop and table legs rotatably connected to the tabletop, and the tabletop comprises the panel structure; the stool comprises a stool surface and stool legs rotatably connected with the stool surface, and the stool surface comprises the panel structure.

In one embodiment, when the table is in the storage state, a storage cavity is formed between the table top and the table legs, and the stool in the storage state can be stored in the storage cavity, so that the table and the stool form a combined storage state.

In one embodiment, the receiving cavity is capable of receiving at least two stools.

The panel structure provided by the invention can be used for designing the reinforcing unit according to the use scene, is light and has high mechanical strength, and can be widely applied to facilities such as a bench, a wall, a cabinet body, a tray, a goods shelf and the like.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a panel structure in an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the panel structure in fig. 1 at another view angle.

Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a portion a in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the portion B in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged view of a portion C in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the panel structure in fig. 1 at another view angle.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of section T-T of FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 is a partial enlarged view of a portion D in fig. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the section U-U of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a panel structure with a support assembly in a supported state according to an embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of fig. 10 at another viewing angle.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the support assembly of fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a panel structure in another embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the panel structure of fig. 13 at another viewing angle.

Fig. 15 is a partial enlarged view of the portion E in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of the panel structure of fig. 13 at another viewing angle.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of section V-V of FIG. 16.

Fig. 18 is a partial enlarged view of the portion F in fig. 17.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of section W-W of FIG. 16.

Fig. 20 is a schematic view of a panel structure with a support assembly in another embodiment in a supported state.

Fig. 21 is a schematic view of the panel structure with support assembly of fig. 20 at another view angle.

Fig. 22 is a partial enlarged view of the portion F in fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a schematic view of the support assembly of fig. 20.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view of the panel structure with the support assembly of fig. 20 in a stowed condition.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of the support assembly of fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a schematic view of a panel structure in another embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a schematic view of the panel structure of fig. 26 at another viewing angle.

Fig. 28 is a partial enlarged view of the portion G in fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a schematic view of the panel structure of fig. 26 at another viewing angle.

Fig. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of section X-X of fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a partial enlarged view of the J portion in fig. 30.

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of section Y-Y of FIG. 29.

Fig. 33 is a schematic view of a panel structure with a support assembly in another embodiment in a supported state.

Fig. 34 is a schematic view of the panel structure with support assembly of fig. 33 from another perspective.

Fig. 35 is a schematic view of the support assembly of fig. 33.

Fig. 36 is a schematic view of the panel structure with support assembly of fig. 33 in a stowed condition.

Fig. 37 is a schematic view of the support assembly of fig. 36.

Fig. 38 is a schematic view of a table and stool combination in a supporting state in an embodiment.

Fig. 39 is a schematic view of the table and stool combination of fig. 38 in a stored state.

FIG. 40 is a schematic view of a panel structure according to another embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the Z-Z section of FIG. 40.

Fig. 42 is a partial enlarged view of the K portion in fig. 41.

Fig. 43 is a partial enlarged view of the L portion in fig. 41.

FIG. 44 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a panel structure in another embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a schematic view of a panel structure with a support assembly in an embodiment.

Fig. 46 is a schematic view of the panel structure with the support assembly of fig. 45 in a stowed condition.

100. A panel structure; 101. a hollow cavity; 102. an outer peripheral wall; 103. a receiving chamber; 10. a first skin layer; 11. a first outer surface; 12. a first inner surface; 20. a second skin layer; 21. a second outer surface; 22. a second inner surface; 30. a reinforcement unit; 31. a first concave portion; 32. a second concave portion; 33. a boss; 40. reinforcing ribs; 41. a clamping groove; 50. a reinforcing member; 200. a support assembly; 210. a support; 211. a clamping rod; 212. a support rod; 213. a landing rod; 220. a support frame; 221. a fixed rod; 222. a rotating lever; 223. support legs; 224. a hinge rod; 225. a threaded fastener; 226. lengthening the sheet; 227. a reinforcing rod; 228. a binding member; 300. a table; 310. a receiving chamber; 400. and (5) a stool.

Detailed Description

In order that the above objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many other forms than described herein and similarly modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, whereby the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings are merely for convenience in describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present invention, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly, through intermediaries, or both, may be in communication with each other or in interaction with each other, unless expressly defined otherwise. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In the present invention, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, a first feature "up" or "down" a second feature may be the first and second features in direct contact, or the first and second features in indirect contact via an intervening medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "over" and "on" a second feature may be a first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is level higher than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may be the first feature being directly under or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is less level than the second feature.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "fixed" or "disposed" on another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like are used herein for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be the only embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1 to 44, the panel structure 100 is widely used in facilities such as a bench, a wall, a cabinet, a tray, a shelf, etc., and is generally a blow-molded structure, and is made of thermoplastic, and suitable plastics for blow molding include polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester, and styrene polymers. The panel structure 100 may also be formed by an injection molding process plus gas assist techniques.

The panel structure 100 includes a perimeter wall having a hollow cavity 101 formed therein. The sheet-like or plate-like panel structure 100 has a first skin 10, a second skin 20 and an annular peripheral wall 102, at least part of which second skin 20 forms a hollow space 101 with the first skin 10. In some simple molding processes, only one large hollow cavity 101 is provided between the first skin 10 and the second skin 20. In contrast, in some more complex molding processes, a plurality of medium-sized and small-sized hollow cavities 101 which are mutually communicated or independent may be disposed between the first surface layer 10 and the second surface layer 20; in this case, the first skin 10 and the second skin 20 are connected to each other to separate two adjacent hollow cavities 101.

The side of the first skin layer 10 facing the second skin layer 20 is denoted as first inner surface 12 and the side facing away from the second skin layer 20 is denoted as first outer surface 11; the side of the second skin layer 20 facing the first skin layer 10 is denoted as second inner surface 22 and the side facing away from the first skin layer 10 is denoted as second outer surface 21. Depending on the use of the panel structure 100, for example, as a table top or bench top, the first outer surface 11 and the first inner surface 12 may be configured as flat surfaces, and the second inner surface 22 and the second outer surface 21 may be curved surfaces.

In order to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure, recesses of uniform size and regular arrangement are usually formed on the panel structure. For example, the panel structure is a polygonal table top, the first surface layer is a relatively flat plate, the second surface layer is provided with a plurality of depressions, the depressions are uniform in size and shape, and the depressions are in a polygonal array, so that the polygonal table top has relatively uniform strength in all directions.

However, even under the same stress, the deformation amount of the polygonal table top is different throughout; in the actual use process, the stress of the polygonal tabletop is often unbalanced; thus, setting the polygonal table top to uniform strength does not maximize its force.

As is well known, the support legs 223 of the polygonal table top are generally positioned near the corners, and if the polygonal table top has a relatively uniform strength, the middle portion of the polygonal table top is more likely to deform during use. In many use scenarios, in order to prevent the polygonal tabletop from tipping, people prefer to place objects in the middle of the tabletop, and the middle of the tabletop is also easier to deform. In addition, the strength of the contact part between the tabletop and the supporting legs is higher, the strength of the part far away from the supporting legs is lower, but the pressure of the contact part between the supporting legs and the tabletop is higher, and the tabletop is easy to permanently damage.

For another example, when the deck structure 100 is used as a bench top for an audience of a stadium, people also tend to sit in the middle of the bench top rather than on both sides, and if the bench top has relatively uniform strength, the middle of the bench top is more prone to greater deformation. As another example, when the panel structure 100 is used as a pallet, one would also prefer to place items in the middle of the pallet rather than at the edges of the pallet, which would be subject to greater deformation if the pallet had relatively uniform strength; however, if the pallet transports the same article for a long time and the different positions where the article contacts the pallet have different pressures, it is apparent that the positions where the pressures are large are more likely to be deformed more.

Based on this, the present application provides the panel structure 100 and the design method thereof, taking a polygonal table top or a polygonal stool surface as an example. It will be appreciated that the panel structure 100 is not limited to a table top or bench top, but may be used as other products, such as trays, shelves, support plates, etc., and is not limited thereto. Of course, the shape of the panel structure 100 may be varied, for example, a circle, a combination of an arc and a polygon, and the like, and is not limited to the polygon.

The design method of the panel structure 100 includes the following steps: analyzing the conventional scene stress characteristics of the panel structure 100; according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, the reinforcing units 30 with higher mechanical strength are arranged in the areas with higher stress, and the reinforcing units 30 with lower mechanical strength are arranged in the areas with lower stress. Wherein at least part of the reinforcement units 30 are irregularly distributed.

It should be noted that "irregularly distributed" means that the reinforcement units 30 are not symmetrically arranged about a certain point, or symmetrically arranged about a certain line, or regularly arranged in an array (for example, a circular array, a polygonal array, a fan-shaped array, an elliptical array, etc.).

It should be noted that, in these reinforcement units 30, there may be regular shapes, such as circles, ellipses, regular polygons, sectors, etc., or the same shapes, but these reinforcement units 30 having regular shapes and the same shapes are not regularly distributed. Of course, the reinforcing units 30 may have irregular shapes (regular shapes such as non-circular, elliptical, regular polygonal, and fan-shaped), for example, quadrangles other than rectangle and parallelogram, triangles other than right triangle and isosceles triangle, and the like; the reinforcing units 30 may be formed in a shape in which a plurality of regular shapes are combined, for example, a shape in which a quadrangle is combined with a sector shape, or the like.

It is understood that the mechanical strength refers to the maximum load that can be sustained per unit area, and the panel structure 100 such as a table top, a stool surface, a shelf, a tray, etc. can be represented by bending strength, compressive strength, bending strength, maximum load-bearing mass, etc.

Referring to fig. 2, 14, 27 and 44, the panel structure 100 further includes at least one reinforcing unit 30, wherein at least one reinforcing unit 30 is integrally formed with the second surface layer 20, and at least part of the reinforcing unit 30 is recessed toward the first surface layer 10; wherein at least part of the reinforcement units 30 are irregularly distributed on the second skin layer 20. In the panel structure 100 of the conventional art, the reinforcing units 30 are identical in shape and are regularly distributed, and if the reinforcing units 30 bear poor force in a certain direction, at least one reinforcing unit 30 is overlapped, so that a stressed short plate is easily formed in the direction. When at least a portion of the reinforcing units 30 are irregularly distributed on the second skin layer 20, the irregularly distributed reinforcing units 30 can avoid the existence of stress short plates in a certain direction of the panel structure 100. In addition, the reinforcing units 30 are arranged in an irregular distribution, and the shape, size, height of the recess, distribution mode, etc. of the reinforcing units 30 can be designed according to the use scene, conventional stress, etc. of the panel structure 100, so that the layout of the reinforcing units 30 can be optimized according to the conventional use scene.

It should be noted that, taking one of the reinforcing units 30 as an example, at least part of the reinforcing units 30 is recessed toward the first surface layer 10, a portion protruding away from the first surface layer 10 may also be present in the reinforcing units 30, and the reinforcing units 30 may be formed on a wall surface formed by recessing and protruding, or may be formed on a wall surface formed by protruding and then recessing, which is not limited herein.

As shown in fig. 18, 19, 31 and 44, some of the reinforcement units 30 include first concave portions 31, the first concave portions 31 are concave toward the first skin layer 10, each of the first concave portions 31 has a side wall 31a and a bottom wall 31b, the side of the first skin layer 10 toward the second skin layer 20 is denoted as a first inner surface 12, and the bottom walls 31b of some of the first concave portions 31 are joined to the first inner surface 12.

It will be appreciated that a plurality of reinforcement units 30 may be present in the same panel structure 100, and that the reinforcement units 30 may be provided in the same second skin 20 as the reinforcement units 30 in other embodiments.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, some reinforcing units 30 include first concave portions 31, the first concave portions 31 are concave toward the first surface layer 10, each first concave portion 31 has a side wall 31a and a bottom wall 31b, the side surface of the first surface layer 10 toward the second surface layer 20 is denoted as a first inner surface 12, and a space is provided between the bottom wall 31b of some first concave portions 31 and the first inner surface 12.

As shown in fig. 8, 9, 18, 19, 31 and 44, some of the reinforcing units 30 include second concave portions 32, the second concave portions 32 are disposed on the bottom wall 31b of the first concave portion 31, the second concave portions 32 are concave toward the first surface layer 10, and each of the second concave portions 32 also has a side wall 32a and a bottom wall 32b; the bottom walls 32b of some of the second recesses 32 are spaced from the first inner surface 12 or the bottom walls 32b of some of the second recesses 32 are engaged with the first inner surface 12.

The mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 can be adjusted by the variation of the irregularities of the second skin layer 20. For example, the mechanical strength of the reinforcement unit 30 provided with the first concave portion 31 and the second concave portion 32 is higher than that of the reinforcement unit 30 provided with only the first concave portion 31. To some extent, the greater the number of relief changes, the greater the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100. Of course, the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 may be adjusted by the variation of the irregularities of the first skin layer 10, and the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 may be adjusted by the degree of the density of the reinforcement unit 30.

Optionally, the first concave portion 31 is polygonal, at least one second concave portion 32 is provided, and at least one second concave portion 32 is respectively distributed at a vertex angle or an edge of the first concave portion 31. The second recess 32 is a dot, a polygon, or a sector. Optionally, a rounded corner transition is selected between two adjacent sides of the polygonal shape, so as to facilitate molding. Of course, the first concave portion 31 may be a circular shape, a fan shape, an oval shape, or a combination of multiple basic shapes, or may be an elongated shape; when the area of the second concave portion 32 is large, a shape of a polygon, a circle, an ellipse, a sector, or a combination of a plurality of basic shapes may be selected; when the area of the second concave portion 32 is small, a dot shape or the like may be selected.

As shown in fig. 8, 9, 18, 19, 31 and 44, some reinforcing units 30 further include a protrusion 33, where the protrusion 33 is disposed on the bottom wall 31b of the first recess 31, and the protrusion 33 protrudes in a direction away from the first skin 10, so as to increase the concave-convex variation of the second skin 20, so as to improve the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100.

It is understood that the reinforcement unit 30 may include not only the first recess 31, the second recess 32, and one protrusion 33, but also more recesses and more protrusions, and the recesses and protrusions may be arranged and combined, and the layout is designed, so as to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100. Of course, the second concave portion 32 may be substantially similar to the first concave portion 31, and the shape thereof may be different from the first concave portion 31.

Optionally, at least one second recess 32 is distributed at the periphery of the protrusion 33. The first concave portions 31 are polygonal, the number of the second concave portions 32 is the same as that of the corners of the first concave portions 31, and the second concave portions 32 are respectively located at the corners of the first concave portions 31. Of course, the second concave portions 32 may be concentrated on one side of the convex portion 33, or may be uniformly distributed on the outer periphery of the convex portion 33.

Alternatively, the convex shape of the convex portion 33 is substantially similar to the concave shape of the first concave portion 31. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the shape of the protruding portion 33 may be different from the first recessed portion 31, which is not limited herein.

Alternatively, the side of the second skin layer 20 facing away from the first skin layer 10 is denoted as the second outer surface 21, and the protrusions 33 on the reinforcement unit 30 are not raised outwardly by a higher height than the second outer surface 21 at the periphery of the reinforcement unit 30.

The maximum height of the hollow cavity 101 is not less than 8mm, the area ratio of the first concave part 31 is not less than 50% of the second surface layer 20, and the height of the second concave part 32 is not more than 5mm. Such parameters are more conducive to the formation of the panel structure 100.

As above, in many use scenarios, desktops, bench tops, trays, etc., the middle is the most easily deformed location. In some embodiments, then, the reinforcement units 30 located in the middle of the second skin 20 may be disposed more densely and/or with more variation in relief than the reinforcement units 30 located at the edges of the second skin 20 to increase the mechanical strength of the middle of the panel structure 100.

Of course, the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 may also be increased by providing the reinforcement 50. The placement of the stiffeners 50 may also be carefully designed according to the usual use of the panel structure 100. For example, the reinforcement 50 may be fixed to at least one of the first skin 10, the second skin 20, and the annular peripheral wall of the panel structure 100. The upper component stiffener 50 may be a metal patch.

The mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 may also be increased by providing the support assembly 200. The conventional usage scenario of the panel structure 100 can be designed by adjusting the setting position of the supporting component 200, the shape and size of the supporting surface, the material of the supporting component 200, and the like.

Since the reinforcing member 50/supporting member 200 is disposed at a position having high mechanical strength, the concave-convex structure of the periphery thereof can be changed accordingly. For example, the area of the reinforcement unit 30 that is farther from the reinforcement 50 is denser and/or the relief varies more than the area that is closer to the reinforcement 50/support assembly 200 to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100 relative to the area that is farther from the reinforcement 50/support assembly 200.

It will be appreciated that the panel structure 100 can have various ways to change its mechanical strength, such as by the degree of density of the reinforcing units 30, the number of concave-convex changes (i.e. the number of concave or convex positions) on the same reinforcing unit 30, the concave-convex change size (i.e. the height and area of concave or convex positions) of the first concave portion 31 or the second concave portion 32 or the convex portion 33, whether the reinforcing member 50 is arranged or not, whether the reinforcing rib 40 is arranged or not, the spacing between the first surface layer 10 and the second surface layer 20, etc., which can be arranged and combined in any design to adapt to the usage scenarios of different panel structures 100, and optimize the balance between the mechanical strength and the manufacturing cost of the panel structure 100, so that the panel structure 100 can adapt to the personalized usage scenarios.

The present application also provides another panel structure 100 and a design method thereof, wherein at least one of the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 in the panel structure 100 is curved, as shown in fig. 40 to 44.

The design method of the panel structure 100 includes the following steps: analyzing the conventional scene stress characteristics of the panel structure 100; changing the spacing between the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, wherein the larger the stress is, the smaller the spacing between the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 is; at least one of the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 is curved. By varying the spacing between the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 such that different regions of the panel structure 100 have different mechanical strengths, as well, the spacing between the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 may be designed according to the use scenario, the usual stress, etc. of the panel structure 100, such that the panel structure 100 may be adapted to a personalized use scenario.

Optionally, at least a portion of at least one of the first inner surface 12 and the second inner surface 22 is an irregularly changing curved surface to better accommodate the personalized needs.

The term "irregularly changing curved surface" refers to a curved surface that is not a regular curved surface (a curved surface formed when a line moves according to a certain rule is called a regular curved surface).

For the same reasons as described above, the second inner surface 22 located in the middle of the second skin 20 is located closer to the first skin 10 than the edge of the second skin 20 to increase the mechanical strength of the middle of the panel structure 100.

It will be appreciated that the curvature change can also be regarded as a concave-convex change, and the curvature change does not conflict with the arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 40, the reinforcing members 50 and the reinforcing units 30, and these modes can be arranged and combined in any design to adapt to the use situations of different panel structures 100, and optimize the balance between the mechanical strength and the manufacturing cost of the panel structure 100, so that the panel structure 100 can adapt to the personalized use situations.

Alternatively, the second inner surface 22 is curved and the first inner surface 12 is planar. Of course, for the convenience of molding, the first surface layer 10 may be formed in a flat plate shape as a whole, and the second surface layer 20 may be formed in a curved surface shape as a whole.

The position of the second inner surface 22 closest to the first inner surface 12 is denoted as a peak H1, the position of the second inner surface 22 furthest from the first inner surface 12 is denoted as a trough H2, the panel structure 100 is a high density polyethylene having a density ρ, and the load bearing of the panel structure 100 is G; wherein G is ρ (H2/H1) > 141.15.

Alternatively, when the panel structure 100 is a tabletop, the wall thickness of the first surface layer 10 and the second surface layer 20 is about 2mm, the wave crest H1 is about 6mm, the wave trough H2 is about 8mm, and the density ρ is 0.941g/cm ³ To 0.96g/cm ³ The bearing G is more than or equal to 150kg; when the panel structure 100 is a stool surface, the wall thickness of the first surface layer 10 and the second surface layer 20 is about 1.8mm, the wave crest H1 is about 4.4mm, the wave trough H2 is 6.4mm, and the density ρ is 0.941g/cm ³ To 0.96g/cm ³ The bearing G is more than or equal to 220kg.

The curved surface does not vary by more than 3mm in thickness of the panel structure 100 to accommodate the blow molding process.

It is understood that the first inner surface 12 and/or the second inner surface 22 are curved surfaces without affecting the arrangement of the reinforcement units 30, and the reinforcement units 30 may be disposed on the second surface layer 20, and the structural features of the reinforcement units 30 are the same as those described above and will not be repeated herein.

The present application also protects a panel structure 100 having a support assembly 200, the support assembly 200 being connected to the panel structure 100 and for supporting the panel structure 100.

Referring to fig. 2, 14, 27, and 40, the panel structure 100 further includes a reinforcing rib 40, the reinforcing rib 40 is also used for increasing the concave-convex variation of the second surface layer 20, the reinforcing rib 40 is integrally formed with the second surface layer 20 and the reinforcing unit 30, and the reinforcing rib 40 protrudes outwards away from the first surface layer 10.

Some of the reinforcement units 30 are located on the reinforcement ribs 40; some of the reinforcing units 30 are located at positions where the reinforcing ribs 40 are not provided on the second skin layer 20; there are also reinforcing units 30, in which a part of the structure of the first concave portion 31 is located on the reinforcing rib 40, and another part is located at a position where the reinforcing rib 40 is not provided on the second skin layer 20. It will be appreciated that the location of the reinforcement unit 30 may be designed and selected as desired.

In some cases, the panel structure 100 may be required to be used with other external components. For example, when the panel structure 100 is used as a table top, the support assembly 200 needs to be provided as a table leg; when the panel structure 100 is used as a stool surface, the support assembly 200 needs to be provided as stool legs; when the panel structure 100 is used as a shelf storage panel, the support assembly 200 is required to be used as a shelf bracket; when the panel structure 100 is used as a pallet, the support assembly 200 is required as a foot or the like.

As shown in fig. 2, the reinforcing rib 40 is provided with a clamping groove 41, and the clamping groove 41 is used for clamping the support assembly 200, so that the panel structure 100 and the support assembly 200 can be detachably connected. It will be appreciated that the provision of the support assembly 200 is advantageous for improving the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100, and the provision of the clamping grooves 41 also increases the variation of the concavity and convexity of the second skin layer 20, and is also advantageous for improving the mechanical strength of the panel structure 100. The engaging groove 41 may be formed at another position of the second surface layer 20, and is not necessarily provided in the reinforcing rib 40.

The clamping grooves 41 may be multiple, so that the support assembly 200 supports the panel structure 100 in different postures. As shown in fig. 8, optionally, the bottom wall 41b of the clamping groove 41 is connected to the first surface layer 10, so as to improve the stability of the position of the clamping groove 41.

The following describes the support assembly 200 in detail using the legs and the legs as examples.

As shown in fig. 10 to 12, in one embodiment, the support assembly 200 is supported at the middle of the panel structure 100. The support assembly 200 includes two hinged support members 210, each support member 210 includes a clamping rod 211, two support rods 212 and a landing rod 213, the two support rods 212 have the same length, the two support rods 212 are hinged to each other and form an X-shape, two ends of each support rod 212 are respectively fixedly connected to the clamping rod 211 and the landing rod 213, the clamping rod 211 is detachably clamped in the clamping groove 41, and the landing rod 213 is used for contacting with the ground. The clamping grooves 41 are also arranged in two groups, and at least two clamping grooves 41 are arranged in each group so that the support assembly 200 supports the panel structure 100 in different postures. Alternatively, the support assembly 200 can be disengaged from the clamping groove 41 and folded for storage.

As shown in fig. 20 to 25, the support assembly 200 includes a support frame 220 and a plurality of support legs 223, wherein the support frame 220 is connected to the peripheral wall 102 of the panel structure 100 and/or the second skin 20, and the plurality of support legs 223 are rotatably connected to the support frame 220; the support leg 223 can be folded to fit the second skin layer 20 to form a storage state.

Optionally, the support assembly 200 further includes a plurality of hinge rods 224, the support frame 220 includes at least one fixing rod 221 and at least one rotating rod 222, the fixing rod 221 is fixedly connected to the annular peripheral wall 102 and/or the second surface layer 20 of the panel structure 100, and two ends of the rotating rod 222 are respectively rotatably connected to two different fixing rods 221; the fixing rod 221 and the connecting rod enclose a supporting frame 220 forming a ring shape; the plurality of support legs 223 are fixedly connected to the rotation rod 222, respectively, and are hinged to the rotation rod 222 through hinge rods 224, respectively.

In one embodiment, the support assembly 200 is supported at the perimeter of the panel structure 100. The support assembly 200 includes a support frame 220, four support legs 223, and four sets of hinge rods 224, wherein the support frame 220 includes two fixing rods 221 and two rotating rods 222, the fixing rods 221 are fixedly connected to the annular peripheral wall 102 and/or the second surface layer 20 of the panel structure 100, and two ends of the rotating rods 222 are rotatably connected to two different fixing rods 221. The fixing bars 221 and the connecting bars enclose the supporting frame 220 forming a ring shape, and the fixing bars 221 and the connecting bars are located at the periphery of the second outer surface 21 of the second skin 20 relatively close to the periphery. The four support legs 223 are fixedly connected to the rotation rod 222, respectively, and are hinged to the rotation rod 222 through four sets of hinge rods 224, respectively. Optionally, four support legs 223 are provided at four corners of the panel structure 100, respectively. The four support legs 223 can be folded to substantially fit the second outer surface 21 by the hinge rod 224 to form a storage state; it is also possible to rotate to be perpendicular to the first outer surface 11 of the panel structure 100 by the hinge lever 224 to form a supporting state.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the shape of the support frame 220 is a similar pattern to the shape of the panel structure 100, for example, when the panel structure 100 is a rectangular table, the support frame 220 is also rectangular. The four support legs 223 may be divided into two groups, and two support legs 223 in the same group are connected to each other, and each group of support legs 223 is hinged to the support frame 220 by a group of hinge rods 224. As shown in fig. 33 to 37.

Optionally, the support frame 220 is mounted to the annular peripheral wall 102 of the panel structure 100 or the second skin 20 by threaded fasteners 225.

Optionally, the support assembly 200 further includes two extension pieces 226, wherein two ends of one of the rotation rods 222 are fixedly connected to the two fixing rods 221 through the two extension pieces 226, respectively, so as to avoid position interference between the plurality of support legs 223 in the storage state.

Optionally, the support assembly 200 further includes a reinforcing rod 227, and two ends of the reinforcing rod 227 are respectively fixed on the support legs 223 on the same side, so as to increase the stability in use in a supporting state.

Optionally, the support legs 223 are offset from each other to reduce the storage thickness.

Optionally, the support assembly 200 further includes a binding 228, the binding 228 being capable of binding the support leg 223 with the fixture in the stowed condition.

As shown in fig. 38 and 39, the present application further protects a piece of furniture, including a table 300 and at least one stool 400, wherein the table 300 includes a table top and legs rotatably connected to the table top, and the table top includes the panel structure 100 described above; the stool 400 includes a stool surface and stool legs rotatably connected to the stool surface, the stool surface including the panel structure 100 described above.

The legs include the support assembly 200 described above and the legs include the support assembly 200 described above.

When the table 300 is in the storage state, the accommodating cavity 310 is formed between the table top and the table legs, and the stool 400 in the storage state can be accommodated in the accommodating cavity 310, so that the table 300 and the stool 400 form a combined storage state.

The use process is that the stool 400 is firstly stored and put on the second surface layer 20 of the table 300, and then the table 300 is stored and folded, so that the stool 400 is accommodated in the accommodating cavity. Optionally, the table 300 is secured in the stowed position using the binding 228. Thus, the stool 400 and the table 300 may form an integrated receiving structure, and the table 300 and the stool 400 may be separately used when necessary.

Alternatively, the support leg 223 of the stool 400 is bent outward, and the support leg 223 of the stool 400 is in the same plane as the support leg 223 of the table 300 when the table 300 and the stool 400 are received together. In this way, the use stability of the stool 400 in the supporting state can be improved, and when the table 300 and the stool 400 are stored together, the support leg 223 side can be more stably placed on the plane.

Alternatively, a single table 300 may be stored with multiple stools 400 at the same time. As shown in fig. 38 to 39, one table 300 may be stored with two stools 400.

Referring to fig. 45 and 46, the panel structure 100 can be folded to form the accommodating cavity 103, and the support assembly 200 can be rotatably folded and accommodated in the accommodating cavity 103.

The panel structure 100 provided by the invention can design the reinforcement unit 30 according to the use scene, is light and has high mechanical strength, and can be widely applied to facilities such as a table chair, a wall, a cabinet body, a tray, a goods shelf and the like.

The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, and all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are not described for brevity of description, however, as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features, they should be considered as the scope of the description.

The above examples illustrate only a few embodiments of the invention, which are described in detail and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, which are all within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present invention is to be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A panel structure, comprising:

a first skin layer;

2. The panel structure of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement unit includes first recesses recessed toward the first skin layers, each of the first recesses having a sidewall and a bottom wall, the sides of the first skin layers toward the second skin layers being denoted as first inner surfaces, the bottom walls of some of the first recesses being joined to the first inner surfaces.

3. The panel structure of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement unit includes first recesses recessed toward the first skin layers, each of the first recesses having a sidewall and a bottom wall, the sides of the first skin layers toward the second skin layers being denoted as first inner surfaces, and some of the first recesses having a space between the bottom wall and the first inner surfaces.

4. A panel structure according to claim 3, wherein some of the reinforcing units comprise second recesses provided in the bottom wall of the first recesses, the second recesses being recessed towards the first skin, each of the second recesses also having side walls and a bottom wall;

5. The panel structure according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical strength of the reinforcing unit provided with the first recess portion and the second recess portion is higher than that of the reinforcing unit provided with only the first recess portion.

6. The panel structure of claim 4, wherein the first recess is polygonal in shape, the second recess is at least one, and at least one of the second recesses is respectively disposed at a top corner or an edge of the first recess.

7. The panel structure of claim 6, wherein the second recess is a dot, a polygon, or a sector.

8. The panel structure of claim 4, wherein some of the reinforcement units further comprise a boss disposed at a bottom wall of the first recess, the boss protruding in a direction away from the first skin.

9. The panel structure of claim 8, wherein at least one of the second recesses is distributed at an outer periphery of the boss; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

10. The panel structure of claim 8 wherein the side of the second skin opposite the first skin is designated as a second outer surface, the protrusions on the reinforcement unit protruding outwardly no higher than the second outer surface at the perimeter of the reinforcement unit.

11. The panel structure of claim 8, wherein the maximum height of the hollow cavity is not less than 8mm, and the area of the first recess is not less than 50% of the second skin layer; the height of the second concave part is not higher than 5mm.

12. The panel structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement units in the middle of the second skin layer are more dense and/or have more variation in relief than the reinforcement units in the edges of the second skin layer.

13. A panel structure, comprising:

a first skin layer;

a second skin layer;

14. The panel structure of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the area in at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface is an irregularly changing curved surface.

15. The panel structure of claim 13, wherein the second inner surface in the middle of the second skin is closer to the first skin than the edge of the second skin.

16. The panel structure of claim 13, further comprising a stiffener secured to the second skin.

17. The panel structure of claim 16 wherein the second inner surface is closer to the first skin than to the area proximate to the stiffener to increase the mechanical strength of the panel structure relative to the area distal to the stiffener.

18. The panel structure of claim 13 wherein the curved surface varies by no more than 3mm in thickness of the panel structure.

19. The panel structure of claim 13, further comprising reinforcing elements, at least a portion of the reinforcing elements being irregularly distributed on the second skin layer;

20. The panel structure of claim 13, further comprising reinforcing elements, at least a portion of the reinforcing elements being irregularly distributed on the second skin layer;

21. The panel structure of claim 20, wherein some of the reinforcement units include second recesses disposed in a bottom wall of the first recesses, the second recesses being recessed toward the first skin, each of the second recesses also having a side wall and a bottom wall;

22. The panel structure of claim 21, wherein some of the reinforcement units further comprise a boss disposed at a bottom wall of the first recess, the boss protruding in a direction away from the first skin.

23. The panel structure of claim 22, wherein at least one of the second recesses is distributed at an outer periphery of the boss; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

24. A design method of a panel structure is characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the panel structure comprises a first skin layer and a second skin layer, at least a portion of the second skin layer and the first skin layer forming a hollow cavity therebetween;

26. A design method of a panel structure is characterized in that: the panel structure includes a first skin having a first inner surface facing the second skin and a second skin having a second inner surface facing the first skin;

The design method of the panel structure comprises the following steps:

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: changing the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface according to the stress characteristics of the conventional scene, wherein the larger the stress is, the smaller the distance between the first inner surface and the second inner surface is; the step of at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface being curved comprises:

28. A panel structure having a support assembly comprising a panel structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 and a support assembly connected to the panel structure and adapted to support the panel structure.

29. The panel structure with support assembly of claim 28, further comprising a stiffening rib integrally formed with the second skin and the stiffening element, the stiffening rib protruding in a direction away from the first skin.

30. The panel structure with support assembly of claim 29, wherein the reinforcement rib is provided with a clamping groove, and the support assembly is detachably clamped in the clamping groove.

31. The panel structure with support assembly according to claim 30, wherein the support assembly comprises two hinged support pieces, each support piece comprises a clamping rod, two support rods and a landing rod, the two support rods have the same length, the two support rods are hinged with each other and form an X shape, and two ends of each support rod are respectively fixedly connected with the clamping rod and the landing rod;

32. The panel structure with support assembly of claim 28, wherein the support assembly comprises a support frame and a plurality of support legs, the support frame being connected to the peripheral wall of the panel structure and/or the second skin, the plurality of support legs being rotatably connected to the support frame; the support legs can be folded to be attached to the second surface layer in a rotating mode to form a storage state.

33. The panel structure with support assembly according to claim 32, wherein the support assembly further comprises a plurality of hinge rods, the support frame comprises at least one fixed rod and at least one rotating rod, the fixed rod is fixedly connected to the annular peripheral wall and/or the second surface layer of the panel structure, and two ends of the rotating rod are respectively rotatably connected to two different fixed rods; the fixing rod and the connecting rod are surrounded to form an annular supporting frame; the support legs are respectively and fixedly connected with the rotating rod and are respectively hinged with the rotating rod through the hinging rods.

34. The panel structure with support assembly according to claim 32, wherein the support assembly further comprises two extension pieces, wherein two ends of one of the rotation bars are fixedly connected to two fixing bars through the two extension pieces, respectively, so as to avoid positional interference between the plurality of support legs in the storage state.

35. The panel structure with support assembly of claim 28, wherein the panel structure is foldable and forms a receiving cavity, and wherein the support assembly is rotatably foldable and receivable into the receiving cavity.

36. The panel structure with support assembly of any one of claims 28 to 35, wherein the panel structure with support assembly is a table or stool.

37. Furniture comprising a table and at least one stool, said table comprising a table top and legs pivotally connected to said table top, said table top comprising a panel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 23; the stool comprises a stool surface and stool legs rotatably connected to the stool surface, the stool surface comprising the panel structure of any one of claims 1 to 23.

38. The piece of furniture of claim 37, wherein when the table is in the stowed position, a receiving cavity is formed between the table top and the table legs, and the stool in the stowed position is receivable within the receiving cavity to form a combined stowed position of the table and the stool.

39. The piece of furniture of claim 38, wherein the receiving cavity is capable of receiving at least two stools.