KR101146041B1 - Panel cover attachments to snap together connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an attachment device for attaching a panel cover to an element such as a rod or panel by means of a snap-engaged latch and / or catch to attach the rod and / or panel to each other and to form a structure.

Description

Panel cover attachment device for snap bonding {PANEL COVER ATTACHMENTS TO SNAP TOGETHER CONNECTOR}

The present invention relates to a novel assembly device and system, and more particularly, to a snap coupling method and device for connecting a panel or other element by latches and catches engaged with each other.

US Pat. No. 5,888,114 to Slocum et. Al teaches a toy assembly or modular storage system with freestanding edge elements. The storage system for this slowcomb consists of a series of similar panels, which have a cube through slide-bonded extrusion mating edges with catches extending down from the periphery of one edge and latches extending down from the other side. To form. Once the two panels are engaged in a slide joining manner, the panel edges can only be disassembled by sliding in directions away from each other. Slocom's patent describes a number of configurations involving slide-mounted catches and corresponding slide-mounted latches, all of which extrude without teaching the alignment guides or alignment stops to maintain the vertical alignment of the connection panel. It relies on molded latches and catches. Slocom's slide-coupled matching system connects four panels to form a four-wall box.

In the field of snap-fit elements or panels, it remains a challenge to attach snap-fit attachment devices to panels and non-panels. Another challenge is to form snap coupled five-side structural elements or six-side structural elements and structures. The present invention overcomes the aforementioned challenges and limitations of the prior art by forming snap-mounted latch and catch connector attachments for use with panels, non-panels, and / or other elements.

The present invention relates to a snap coupled assembly apparatus and system. Panels as well as non-panel elements such as structural elements, design elements, sticks, rods and elongate members may be snapped together using latches and catches that are supported or attached to the structural elements, design elements, non-panel elements.

In one embodiment, each panel has a front side, a back side, an edge, and a corner. When viewed from the front or back, at least one edge is formed with a latch / catch pair. The order of latch to catch changes on each side. In addition, the order may not be changed. The catches with elongation, elasticity, restoring force, and / or smoothness, which are deformed upon insertion and removal of the corresponding elongate latches and are suitable for restoring in place, are elongated. In some embodiments, the latch is deformable and snaps into a substantially hard or deformable catch.

Panels, structural elements, and / or design elements are snapped at a given edge, substantially perpendicular to each other. Additional panels and / or structural elements, design elements or other connectable elements may be added to form other structures. Add alignment stops to prevent slippage between latches and catches that can cause misalignment. A subwall may be formed at or near the corner, or near the edge of the panel or other element. Two adjacent subwalls can support each other and serve as larger supports that can further stabilize the structure.

Some embodiments illustrate a device for attaching a panel cover to a wide range of objects, elements, panels, non-panels, structural elements, and / or design elements. In some embodiments, latches, catches, and / or panel covers with latches and catches may be attached to rods, sticks, flat sticks, or other elongate members. An example of a panel cover with a latch / catch pair is not limiting, and the panel cover may have only one or more latches or only one or more catches without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. The panel cover is an element of a predetermined shape in which a latch and / or a catch are formed. When attaching the panel cover to the support, the latches and / or catches formed in the panel cover are formed in the shape of the corresponding latches or catches to form the connection.

The latch and catch may be formed as part of each structural element, design element, or one or both sides of the panel. The latch and / or catch may be attached by slide mounting, snap mounting, adhesive mounting, or through mounting at structural locations, design elements, non-panels, and / or appropriate locations on the panel. Unlike configurations that form latches and / or catches as part thereof, configurations that attach latches and / or catches have the advantage of combining dissimilar materials that are difficult or difficult to cool together. Such conventional materials include, but are not limited to, metal frames, wooden frames, rattan frames, rattan lattice, wicker lattice, wicker frames, metal sheets, cardboard, foam, fiberboard, laminates, wood or metal grid panels, and the like. . In addition, a sliding door, a latch and a wheel of the sliding door may be added to the cube, panel or structure. The hinge can be supported on the catch closure and panel cover that houses the latch closure and can be integrated into the latch and / or catch. The panel may have a protruding or recessed surface structure, which may form a support skeleton for the grid-like panel and may be used to provide passages or guides for shelves and / or drawers. In addition, the guide frame may support canvas, vinyl, quilted fabric, mesh, lined fabric, unlined fabric, or other soft materials.

Structures other than cubes with rectangular side panels can also be formed. Using interchangeable opposing side panels, it is possible to form a box-shaped structure, and the opposing walls of many different dimensions are corrected.

Features of the invention which are considered to be novel are specifically described in the appended claims. However, with respect to both configuration and method of operation and its advantages, the present invention itself will be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following detailed description.

1A is a front perspective view of a modular storage system.

1B is a front perspective view of an unattached corner of one panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;

1C is a rear perspective view of an unattached corner of one panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;

1D is a perspective view of the attached front corner in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

1E is a side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1D.

2A is a front perspective view of another modular storage system.

2B is a front perspective view of an unattached corner of one panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a rear perspective view of an unattached corner of one panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A; FIG.

FIG. 2D is an enlarged view of the front corner connection in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A;

2E is a side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2D.

2F is a cross-sectional view showing the edges of four cube intersections.

3A is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage system.

3B is an enlarged front perspective view of the slide-mounted corner panel cover of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

3C is a rear enlarged perspective view of the slide-mounted corner panel cover of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a rear side enlarged perspective view of the slide-mounted corner panel cover of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. FIG.

3E is an enlarged view of the front corner connection in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

3F is a side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3E.

4 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a connecting panel.

5A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the connecting panel.

FIG. 5B is a component view showing the door and the attachment device in the configuration of FIG. 5A. FIG.

FIG. 5C is a component view showing the wheel and the attachment device in the configuration of FIG. 5A. FIG.

6 is a perspective view of a third configuration of the connecting panel.

7 is a front view of another panel embodiment.

8 is a front view of another panel embodiment.

9A is an end view of the snap mount panel cover attaching device.

9B is a partial view of a panel cover snap fitted to a grid panel;

9C is a cross-sectional view of the solid panel adapted to attach to the panel cover attachment device shown in FIG. 9A.

9D is a perspective view of another corner panel.

10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a slide-mounted corner panel cover.

11A is a plan view of a through-mount panel cover.

11B is a perspective view of another through-mount panel cover.

11C is a perspective view of another adhesively mounted panel cover.

12A is an assembled view of the configuration of a panel.

12B is a side cross-sectional view of the door latch closure of the receiving latch in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A.

13A and 13B show a desk support formed of structural elements.

14 is a side cross-sectional view of the deformable latch secured within the catch.

15 is a perspective view of another snap coupling structure.

16A is a plan view of a panel cover with a stick.

16B is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16A.

17 is a plan view of another panel cover with a stick.

18 is a top view of another panel cover with a stick.

Fig. 19A is a plan view of another panel cover having a cavity for stick mounting.

19B is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A.

It is to be understood that the components shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, for the sake of simplicity and clarity of illustration. For example, for the sake of clarity the dimensions of some of the components are exaggerated relative to one another. In addition, when considered appropriate, reference numerals were repeatedly used to indicate corresponding elements in the drawings.

1A is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a modular storage system indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

The cube is formed of five four-side panels 11. Each panel has a front face 12, a back face 13, and an edge 14 at each side. A latch / catch pair 20 is formed at the end 15 of each edge 14 adjacent to the corner 16 of each panel 11. As seen from the edge 14, the latch 21 and catch 22 are formed close to the corner 16. The latch / catch pair 20 is provided oppositely so that one latch 21 is exposed at one side and one catch 22 is exposed at the other side at the edge 14 of the predetermined panel 11. This structure makes it possible to construct the entire structure using a compatible panel.

1B and 1C are front and rear perspective views of the corners of the unattached panel, FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the attached front corner, and FIG. 1E is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1D.

1B and 1C show the shape of the latch 21, wherein the tab protrusion forming the latch extends long with an enlarged head 23 provided at its distal end, and the enlarged head has a corresponding long catch ( Reversibly snap into slot 24 of 22) and extend at an angle of about 45 ° from the panel. The panel is preferably an injection molded article consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”), acetal, acyl or nylon. However, depending on the intended use, a material such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyurethane or the like may be used instead. An alignment stop 30 is formed at the junction of each edge 14. Movement of the type commonly occurring in the latch / catch panel connected via extrusion latches or catches mounted together by a slide-in action is prevented by the alignment stop 30. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1D, the alignment stop 30 forms subwalls between the panels to improve structural integrity of the structure.

An enlarged head 23 forming a latch is shown in FIG. 1E, by constructing the catch 22 from a material having sufficient smoothness, flexibility, and / or restoring force, the enlarged head is formed by a slot ( Tightly mated within 24, the enlarged head 23 can be withdrawn or withdrawn from the slot 24 by displacing the slot wall 25, which can be restored without damage upon its withdrawal. In addition, a sufficiently flexible slot wall 25 places less stress on the neck portion 26 of the latch 21, thereby minimizing the risk of neck damage during mounting or detachment of the panel.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, which is a front perspective view of a first variant of the modular storage system indicated generally by 110.

The cube is formed of five square panels 111. Each panel 111 is a square frame in which an open lattice structure is formed. Each panel has a front face 112, a back face 113, and an edge 114 on each side. A latch / catch pair 200 is formed at the end 115 of each edge 114 adjacent to the corner 116 of each panel 111. A panel grating 117 is formed within the boundary of the edge 114, and the raised grating support 118 can extend from the panel grating to provide greater stability to the panel grating 117 and the panel 111. Viewed from the edge 114, the latch 201 and catch 202 are formed close to the corner. The latch / catch pair 200 is provided oppositely so that one latch 201 is exposed at one side and one catch 202 is exposed at the other side at the edge 114 of the predetermined panel 111. This structure makes it possible to construct the entire structure using similar compatible panels with corresponding latch / catch pairs 200.

Expect and discuss variants of the side panels. The side panels may be configured in various forms without departing from the intended scope of the present invention, such as having different surface structures, cutouts, skeletal structures, protrusions, and the like.

2B and 2C are front and rear perspective views of the corner of the unattached panel, FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the attached front corner, FIG. 2E is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2D, and FIG. 2F is a four It is a cross section showing the edge of the cube intersection.

2B and 2C illustrate the shape of the latch 201, wherein the tab protrusion forming the latch has an enlarged head 203 that reversibly snaps into the slot 204 of the corresponding catch 202. The panel is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible and long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate or nylon, etc., capable of providing snap release. An alignment stop 230 is formed at the junction of each edge 114. Alignment stop 230 adjacent to the inclined subwall 235 prevents forward and backward movement within catch 202 of latch 201. In addition, a combination of two or more adjacent subwalls 235 (see FIG. 2D) forms larger panel supports to further improve structural integrity of the structure.

It is shown in FIG. 2E that the enlarged head 203 forming the latch is firmly mated within the slot 204 forming the catch 202, which is used to secure the panel with a material having sufficient flexibility, resilience and / or smoothness. By constructing, the enlarged head 203 can be withdrawn or withdrawn from the slot 204 without damaging the slot wall 205 or neck portion 206 of the latch 201. A support guide 250 is formed between the latch 201 and the catch 202. 2F shows a support rod 260 of a predetermined size and shape that is hermetically coupled to the support guide 250. Support rods can be used to prevent detachment of the panel when it is necessary to restrict the detachment of the panel, such as when it is associated with young children, or at a popular school or company location.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a second variant of the modular storage system generally indicated by 300.

The cube is formed of five panels 301. Each panel 301 is of similar size. There is an edge 304 on the side of each panel. Attached to the end 305 of each edge 304 adjacent to the corner 306 of each panel 301 is a slide-mounted corner panel cover 320 that supports the latch / catch pairs 321/322. When viewed from the edge 304, the slide-mounted corner panel cover 320 is attached near the corner 306. A latch / catch pair 321/322 on a slide-mounted corner panel cover such that one latch 321 is exposed on one side and one catch 322 on the other side at the edge 304 of the given panel 301. ) Is provided oppositely. This structure makes it possible to construct the entire structure using a compatible panel.

3B, 3C and 3D are front, rear and back side perspective views of the slide-mounted corner panel cover 320, respectively, FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the attached front corner, and FIG. 3F is taken along line AA in FIG. 3E. It is a cross section.

Figures 3B, 3C and 3D show the shape of the latch 321 where the tab protrusions forming the latch extend long and are reversibly snapped into the slots 324 of the corresponding catch 322. A head 323. The slide-mounted corner panel cover 320 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible and long lasting material, such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, hard rubber, nylon, or the like, capable of providing snap release. An alignment stop 329 is formed at the corner junction of each latch / catch pair 321/322.

3E illustrates the location of the alignment stop 329 that inhibits movement within the catch 322 of the latch 321 to improve structural integrity of the structure. A support edge 331 is provided around each subwall 330, which meshes with the support edge 331 of the adjacently attached panel to form a larger support 332 at the corner. Panel mating guides 340 are formed on opposite sides of each latch / catch pair 321/322. Each panel 301 is fitted to the slide-mounted corner panel cover 320 through the panel registration guide 340. Each panel 301 is considered to be firmly attached to the panel mating guide 340. The adhesion properties vary depending on the material of which the panel is made, and adhesives, locking tabs, sonic welding, glue, rivets, crimps and the like can be used.

Expect and discuss variants of the side panels. Materials available for side panels include wire mesh embedded in frames, coated wire, plastic grids, stamped or molded wood, metals, plastics, composites and steel sheets (stainless steel, hot or cold rolled carbon steel). Or any alloy steel), brass, or copper, a woven metal or plastic, a metal frame inserted into a plastic, and the like.

In FIG. 3F, the enlarged head 323 forming the latch is shown to be rigidly mated within the slot 324 forming the catch 322. By constructing the slide-mounted corner panel cover 320 from a material with sufficient smoothness, the enlarged head 323 can be inserted into the slot 324 without damaging the slot wall 325 or the neck 326 of the latch 321. Can be withdrawn or withdrawn.

4 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a connecting panel, indicated generally by 400.

A series of cubes 401 are coupled and one panel 410 acts as a common panel shared between these cubes 401. Latch / catch pairs are present on both sides of each panel 410 (as described in FIGS. 1-3) to facilitate the snap fastening configuration of the cube 401.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a second configuration of a connecting panel forming a vertical storage case generally indicated by 500, and FIGS. 5B and 5C show a sliding door and a wheel, respectively.

A series of cubes 501 consisting of the same panel 510 are combined (as described in FIGS. 1-4) to form a tower. The shelf member 511 is held in a guide 512 formed as part of the surface structure of the panel 510.

One of the cubes 501 is attached by a hinged door 520 via a hinge having one latch 521 and one catch 522 (as described in FIGS. 1-3). A group of detachable caster type wheel modules 530 is attached to the tower 500, one per corner of the floor. Each wheel module 530 has one wheel 531 and a rod 532, which are mated to a boss 533 formed at each corner of the bottom panel 510. Each rod 532 extends from the wheel stop 534 and mates with the boss 533.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third configuration of the connection panel generally indicated by 600.

A series of cubes 601 composed of panels 610 are combined (as described in FIGS. 1-4) to form a tower. In such a configuration, the cube 601 is of a size suitable for desktop use to accommodate iron, paper, pens, clips, computer disks, CDs or other media storage devices. A series of rubber pads 620 may be attached to the bottom surface of the lower cube 601 to prevent slipping on the table.

7 and 8 are front views of the first and second modifications of the panel, indicated entirely by reference numerals 700 and 800, respectively.

FIG. 7 shows a metal and plastic panel in which a four-sided square frame 703 is provided with a plastic structure 702, preferably transparent or translucent, in which a wire insert 701 is embedded. At both ends of each side of the square frame 703, a latch 704 and a catch 705 are attached (as already described in FIGS. 1-3) or formed as part of a panel. On the back side of the panel 700 (not shown), there is a catch 705 on the opposite side of each latch 704, and a latch 704 on the opposite side of each catch 705.

8 shows a four-sided square frame panel 801 supporting the central mesh 802, and latches 803 and catches 804 are provided at both ends of each side of the square frame panel 801 (FIGS. 1 to 3). As already explained above). On the back side of the panel 800 (not shown), there is a catch 804 on the opposite side of each latch 803, and a latch 803 on the opposite side of each catch 804. Square frame 801 and / or mesh 802 may be made of a metal, coated, lacquered, painted or metal plated with a plastic, metal, or rubber-like material.

9A and 9B, another panel cover 820 is shown. The latch 821 is a tab protrusion with an enlarged head 822 that reversibly snaps into the slot 824 of the corresponding catch 823. The panel cover 820 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible, long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, high hardness rubber, nylon, or the like, capable of providing snap release. The alignment stop 825 is formed on the panel cover 820.

Opposing opposite latch / catch pairs 821/823, snap-fastening panel mating guides 830 are formed. Through this snap-fastening panel mating guide 830, a square frame panel 801 or other panel as shown in FIG. 9C may be fitted into the panel cover 820. The square frame panel 801 preferably has a circular cross section of a size such that its frame section 833 can be snapped into the snap fastened panel mating guide 830. The solid panel 831 may be attached to the panel cover through an attachment head 832 that is sized to snap into the snap fastening panel registration guide 830.

9A-9D illustrate snap fastening panel mating guides 830 or slide fastening panel mating guides 340 formed on opposite sides of each latch / catch pair 821/823. Panel registration guides 340/830 are used to attach panel cover 820 to panel elements or non-panel elements.

9D shows another embodiment of a panel cover 820 with a slide fastening panel mating guide 341.

Another panel cover 835 is shown in FIG. 10. This panel cover is a modification of the panel cover shown in FIG. The latch 821 is a tab protrusion with an enlarged head 822 that reversibly snaps into the slot 824 of the corresponding catch 823. The panel cover 835 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible, long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, hard rubber, nylon or the like that provides flexibility and durability to provide snap release. Do. In addition, an alignment stop 825 is formed on the panel cover.

Another panel cover 840 is shown in FIG. 11A. The panel cover has one latch 821, one catch 823, and a through mount attachment device. Latch 821 is a tab protrusion with an enlarged head that reversibly snaps into a slot of a corresponding catch 823. The panel cover 840 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible and long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, high hardness rubber, nylon, or the like, capable of providing snap release. An alignment stop 825 is formed at the corner junction of each latch / catch pair 821/823.

A mounting guide 841 is formed through the mounting plate 842, so that the panel cover 840 can be mounted to the panel (shown entirely in FIG. 12A) using an attachment fastener. Nails, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, pins, swaged connectors, and citron connectors and the like. In addition, the mounting plate 842 of the panel cover 840 can be used to form the receiving catch 843 for the latch closure. An extension lip 844 is further provided in the receiving catch to provide an edge for holding the latch closure.

Four mounting guides 841 are illustrated but are not limited to or necessary. The number, size and arrangement of the mounting guides 841 may be determined by the type of panel material of the panel cover 840 to be mounted through, whether the panel cover is also hinged (as shown in FIG. 12), and the mounting plate ( Including, but not limited to, whether 842 is used as a catch closure (shown in FIG. 12), or whether the mounting plate 842 is used to support the top plate (shown in FIG. 13). It depends on any number of factors.

Another panel cover 845 is shown in FIG. 11B. The panel cover has one latch 821, one catch 823, and a through mount attachment device. Latch 821 is a tab protrusion with an enlarged head that reversibly snaps into a slot of a corresponding catch 823. The panel cover 845 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible and long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, hard rubber, nylon, or the like, capable of providing snap release. An alignment stop 825 is formed at the corner junction of each latch / catch pair 821/823.

A through mounting guide 841 formed through the mounting plate 846 is used to hold the mounting plate 846 in the support slot 1000 at the corners of the panel 1002. One mounting guide 841 is illustrated but is not limited to or required. The panel cover 845 is held in the support slot 1000 by fasteners. In this embodiment, fastener 1100 consists of two-piece connectors 1102 and 1104 inserted through fastener guide 1004 of panel 1002. Suitable conventional fasteners may include, but are not limited to, nails, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, pins, swaged connectors, citron connectors, and the like. In some examples, the panel cover 845 may be attached using glue, adhesive, solder, and / or tape.

Another panel cover 847 is shown in FIG. 11C. The panel cover has one latch 821, one catch 823, and a through mount attachment device. Latch 821 is a tab protrusion with an enlarged head that reversibly snaps into a slot of a corresponding catch 823. The panel cover 847 is preferably an injection molded article composed of a flexible and long lasting material such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, high hardness rubber, nylon, or the like, capable of providing snap release. An alignment stop 825 is formed at the corner junction of each latch / catch pair 821/823.

An adhesive mounting guide 848 formed through the mounting plate 849 and into which the glue or adhesive may flow prior to curing is used to bond and / or secure the panel cover 847 to the panel 1002. . Mounting plate 849 is seated in support slot 1000 at the corner of panel 1002. There is no limitation or requirement on the number, size, and shape of the adhesive mounting guide 848.

The panel cover 847 is held in the support guide 1000 by glue or adhesive (not shown) that is inserted into the support guide and / or mounting plate 849 and adhesive mounting guide 848.

12A and 12B are assembly views and cross-sectional views of the first configuration of the connection panel indicated generally by 850.

By connecting the rectangular panel 851 by the panel cover 835 and forming the opening door 852 using the square panel 12, a box rather than a cube is formed. A pair of hinges 853 may be mounted to the panel cover 840 via a through mounting guide (see FIG. 11) fastened to the opening door 852 by a fastener 854. In addition, the mounting plate 842 of the panel cover 840 to which the hinge 853 is mounted provides an accommodation catch 843 (see FIG. 11) having an extended lip 844 for the latch closure 855. . The latch closure 855 has one or more flexible regions 856, which are modified to fit within the receiving catch 843 to keep the sliding door closed. 12B shows a latch closure 855 located within an accommodation catch 843 with an elongate lip 844 that holds a latch closure 855.

13A and 13B are assembled and perspective views of a desk supported by the configuration of the structural elements generally indicated by 860.

A series of cubes 300 and panels 12 are joined together to form structural elements 861 of a selected height. The top plate 862 of the desk is supported at one end by the top of the structural element and at the other end by a support leg 863. In order to suppress the movement of the top plate, a through-mounted corner panel cover 840 is mounted on the bottom of the top plate, and is disposed corresponding to the position of the corresponding latch / catch pair 821/823. Door latch closure 855 may be used in place of one or more of through-mounted corner panel covers 840 and is aligned with a corner panel cover including receiving catch 843.

14 is a cross-sectional view of panel cover 870 with retractable latch 871. In this embodiment, the tab protrusion 872 forming the latch is elongated and has a split magnification head 873 consisting of two half heads 874 and 874 '. Half heads 874 and 874 ′ are reversibly snapped into slot walls 876 of corresponding catches 875. Split magnification head 873 may be deformed while entering into catch 875. The slot wall 876 of the catch may or may not be deformable.

The latch / catch pairs 871/875 are constructed of materials that are flexible and long lasting enough to provide snap release, such as polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, hard rubber, or nylon, and provide sufficient smoothness. It is desirable to have an injection molded article that has a latch / catch pair 871/875 attached thereto that can be snapped (attached) and removed (detachable) at least a plurality of times without disturbing mounting or dismounting. Do.

15 shows another snap coupling configuration of panel 12. A straight panel cover 901 is supported with latch / catch pairs 902/903, respectively, which panel cover is shown attached to the panel 12.

The attachment device is illustrated as a slide mount, but other mounts may also be used, such as, for example, snap mount or through mount. In addition, although panel cover 901 is illustrated, latch / catch pairs 902/903 may also be formed as part of the panel.

16A and 16B, a stick, rod, dowel, or other elongate member 1210 is shown attached to panel cover 845. The elongate member may be composed of wood, metal, coated metal, rattan, wicker, plastic, paper, or other material. The material will be selected according to the intended application. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 16A and 16B, wood is preferred. The expression "panel cover" is not intended to be limiting. The panel cover is not limited to the element covering the panel. The panel cover can be connected to the non-panel element (shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C). The panel cover may be connected to a wide range of objects and elements, including but not limited to panels, frames, gratings, elongated members, structural elements, and / or design elements.

Elongate member 1210 is attached to panel cover 845 by two fasteners 1100 at mounting plate 846. Each fastener consists of two-piece connectors 1102 and 1104 and penetrates through a mounting guide 841 on the mounting plate. Suitable conventional fasteners include, but are not limited to, nails, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, pins, swaged connectors, and citron connectors.

In FIG. 17, the elongate member 1210 is shown attached to the panel cover 845. Elongate member 1210 may be comprised of wood, metal, coated metal, rattan, wicker, plastic, paper, or other material. The material will be selected according to the intended application. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17, wood is preferred. The elongate member 1210 is attached to the panel cover 845 at the mounting plate 846 by a screw fastener (not shown) passing through the mounting guide 841 of the mounting plate 846.

In FIG. 18, rectangular elongated member 1220 is shown attached to panel cover 845 via fastener 1100 at mounting plate 846. Rectangular elongate member 1220 may be comprised of wood, metal, coated metal, rattan, wicker, plastic, paper, or other materials. The material will be selected according to the intended application. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 18, wood is preferred.

Elongate member 1220 is attached to panel cover 845 by two fasteners 1100 at mounting plate 846. Each fastener consists of two-piece connectors 1102 and 1104 and penetrates through a mounting guide 841 on the mounting plate. Suitable conventional fasteners include, but are not limited to, nails, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, pins, swaged connectors, and citron connectors. In some examples, the panel cover 845 may be attached to the elongate member 1220 using glue, adhesive, solder, and / or tape.

19A and 19B, a pair of mounting guides 1310 are shown attached to the panel cover 845. Elongated member cavities 1315, each of size and shape that accommodates an end of a corresponding elongate member (not shown), are provided in mounting guide 1310, respectively. The elongate member may be permanently or detachably mounted within the elongate member cavity 1315. Common mounting means include, but are not limited to, glue, adhesive, friction, sonic welding, barbs, Mattel locks, and catches.

Since certain modifications may be made to the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention described herein, all matters contained in the foregoing description are illustrative rather than limiting as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be interpreted as meaning.

Claims (18)

In the corner panel cover attachment system, A corner panel cover, the corner panel cover is supported with at least a latch and catch, the catch being provided with a deformable long slot wall, which slot wall has a predetermined length, is rigid, deformable and snaps back Wherein the latch is provided with an elongated head having a length similar to the length of the slot wall, the catch and the latch extending at fixed angles to each other in an assembled state, the catch being deformable long of the catch A corner panel cover which is snap-mounted to engage a latch of an adjacent corner panel cover in the transverse direction of the slot wall, the combination of latch and catch being firmly mated to each other; One or more long absences, and Attachment means for attaching the at least one elongate member to the corner panel cover Wherein said attachment means comprises at least one cavity for the elongate member. The corner panel cover attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a fastener for attaching the elongate member to the corner panel cover. delete As panel cover, Two or more latches and catches supported by the panel cover, each catch being provided with a deformable long slot wall, the slot wall having a predetermined length and rigid, elastic and restoring force to deform and snap back; The latch is provided with an elongated enlarged head having a length similar to the length of the slot wall, the catch and the latch extend at fixed angles to each other in an assembled state, the catch transverse to the deformable long slot wall of the catch. Two or more latches and catches which are snap-mounted to engage the latches of adjacent corner panel covers in a direction, the combination of latches and catches being rigidly mated to each other; At least one elongate member attached to the panel cover, A panel cover comprising a mounting guide comprising one or more elongated cavities capable of receiving the elongated member. delete 5. The panel cover of claim 4, wherein the cavity for the elongate member of the mounting guide is sized to secure the elongate member in the cavity through the cavity. The panel cover of claim 4, wherein the elongate member is selected from the group consisting of rods, sticks, flat sticks, or dowels. The panel cover of claim 4, wherein the at least one panel cover includes a stop, wherein movement of the attached panel along the length of the slot wall is restricted through the stop. As a snap coupling device, A plurality of panel covers, each panel cover having one or more latches and catches, the catches being provided with a deformable long slot wall, which slot wall has a predetermined length, is rigid, deformable and snaps back Wherein the latch is provided with an elongated head having a length similar to the length of the slot wall, the catch and the latch extending at fixed angles to each other in an assembled state, the catch being deformable long of the catch Snap-mounted to engage the latches of adjacent corner panel covers in the transverse direction of the slot walls, the combination of latches and catches firmly mating to each other, the panel covers creating one or more elongated cavity for accommodating the elongated members. A plurality of panel covers to be provided, Two or more structural elements each comprising four panel covers each attached to an elongate member forming a four-sided frame, the first structural member forming a right angle between the first structural element and the second structural element through the elongated member; Wherein the first edge of the structural element is connected to at least one panel cover on the first edge of the second structural element by at least one panel cover, the first structural element and the second structural element forming a two-sided device Two or more structural elements Snap coupling device comprising a. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a third structural element, through which the first edge of the third structural element is formed in the panel cover to form a right angle between the second structural element and the third structural element. Connected to a second edge of the second structural element, wherein the first structural element, the second structural element and the third structural element form a three-sided device. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a fourth structural element, through which the first edge of the fourth structural element is formed in the panel cover to form a right angle between the third structural element and the fourth structural element. Connected to the second edge of the third structural element, the second edge of the fourth structural element being connected to the second edge of the first structural element by the panel cover, the first structural element, the second structural element, the third The structural element and the fourth structural element form a device having four sides. 10. The snap fastening device according to claim 9, wherein at least one panel cover includes a stop, and wherein the attached panel is restricted through the stop to move along the longitudinal direction of the slot wall. 10. The structural element of claim 9 wherein the structural element comprises a metal frame, a wood frame, a rattan frame, a wicker grid, a wicker frame, a metal sheet, cardboard, foam, fiberboard, wood, and a metal grid panel. Snap coupling device is selected from the group. 11. The snap coupling of claim 10 wherein the structural element is selected from the group consisting of metal frames, wood frames, rattan frames, wicker grids, wicker frames, metal sheets, cardboard, foams, fibreboards, wood, and metal grid panels. Device. 12. The snap joint of claim 11 wherein said structural element is selected from the group consisting of metal frames, wood frames, rattan frames, wicker grids, wicker frames, metal sheets, cardboard, foams, fiberboards, wood, and metal grid panels. Device. 10. The snap fastening device according to claim 9, wherein the elongate member is selected from the group consisting of rods, sticks, flat sticks, or dowels. As a corner panel cover attachment device, A corner panel cover, which is supported by two or more latches and catches, each catch being provided with a deformable slot wall, the slot wall having a predetermined length, rigid, deformable and snap-restored Having a restoring force, each latch is provided with an enlarged head having a length similar to the length of the slot wall, one or more catches configured to be snap-mounted to engage one or more latches, the combination of latches and catches being firmly mated to each other The latch and catch extend at a fixed angle relative to each other, the corner panel cover having a cavity for one long member capable of receiving the long member Corner panel cover attachment device comprising a. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongate member is selected from the group consisting of rods, sticks, flat sticks, or dowels.

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