SE544451C2

SE544451C2 - A dowel, an assembled product and a method of interconnecting a first part and a second part for forming said product comprising said dowel

Info

Publication number: SE544451C2
Application number: SE2051182A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Mikael Carlsson
Original assignee: Ikea Supply Ag
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2020-10-09
Publication date: 2022-06-07
Also published as: SE2051182A1; WO2022075914A1

Abstract

A dowel (10) configured to form a part of or to be connected to a first part (1), such as a furniture part, is provided. The dowel (10) comprises: a first portion (11) being configured to pass a waist portion (22) being positioned between an insertion portion (21) and a locking portion (23) of a recess (20); a second portion (12); and a third portion (13) being positioned closer to the free end (16) of the dowel (10) than the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) and having a third width (W13) being larger than at least the width (W11, W12) of the one of the first and second portions (11, 12) being closest to the third portion (13), thereby forming a first abutment surface (13a) facing in a direction (13aN) having at least a component (13aN’) in a direction (L' ) opposite to the longitudinal direction (L).

Description

A DOWEL, AN ASSEMBLED PRODUCT AND A METHOD OFINTERCONNECTING A FIRST PART AND A SECOND PART FORFORMING SAID PRODUCT COMPRISING SAID DOWEL Field of invention The invention relates to a dowel configured to form a part of or to beconnected to a first part, such as a furniture part.

The invention also relates to an assembled product, such as afurniture, formed of a first part and a second part being configured to beinterconnected to each other by the first part comprising a dowel beinginsertable into a recess in the second part.

The invention also relates to a method of interconnecting a first partand a second part for forming an assembled product, such as a furniture.

Technical Background ln WO2013104422A1 there is disclosed a joint for assemble of two furniture parts to each other. A first furniture part has a male part for co-operation with a female part of a second furniture part. Each of the male andfemale parts has a number of grooves. At assembly the male part is movedalong the female part by means of co-operation between the grooves of themale and female part, respectively. The co-operating male and female partshave an insertion position and an end position, in which end position thefurniture parts are assembled to each other.When designing furniture's and similar products configured to be assembled, there is typically a set of design criteria that should be addressed. lt should be easy for the person assembling the parts to bring the parts together in the correct manner and the resulting connection should be strong.

Preferably, it should be possible to perform this with a minimum use of tools.

Summary of inventionlt is an object of the invention to provide an improved design of a connection for interconnecting a first part and a second part for forming anassembled product, such as a furniture, addressing at least some of thedesign criteria that the it should be easy for the person assembiing the partsto bring the parts together in the correct manner and the resu|ting connectionshould be strong.

This object has been achieved by a dowel configured to form a part ofor to be connected to a first part, the dowel extending along a longitudinaldirection away from the first part towards a free end of the dowel, the dowelbeing configured to be inserted into an insertion portion of a recess of asecond part by moving the first part along the longitudinal direction relative tothe second part and to be transferred from the insertion portion to a lockingportion of the recess by moving the first part along a first transversal directionrelative to the second part thereby interconnecting the first and second parts,the dowel comprising: a first portion having an extension along the longitudinal direction andhaving a first width as seen along a second transverse direction, the firstportion being configured to, during the dowel being transferred from theinsertion portion to the locking portion, pass a waist portion of the recess, thewaist portion being positioned between the insertion portion and the lockingportion as seen along the first transverse direction and having a minimumwidth as seen along the second transverse direction at a depth correspondingto the extension of the first portion being smaller than the first width of the firstportion of the dowel, a second portion having an extension along the longitudinal directionand a second width as seen along the second transverse direction, thesecond width being smaller than the first width and being smaller than aminimum width of the waist portion at a depth corresponding to the extensionof the second portion, and a third portion being positioned closer to the free end of the dowel thanthe first portion and the second portion and having a third width being largerthan at least the width of the one of the first and second portions beingclosest to the third portion and thereby forming a first abutment surface, thefirst abutment surface facing in a direction having at least a component in adirection opposite to the longitudinal direction.

By designing the dowel such that it has a first portion having anextension along the longitudinal direction and having a first width as seenalong a second transverse direction in combination with designing the recesssuch that it has a waist portion being positioned between the insertion portionand the locking portion as seen along the first transverse direction and havinga minimum width as seen along the second transverse direction at a depthcorresponding to the extension of the first portion being smaller than the firstwidth of the first portion of the dowel it is facilitated to provide a locking effectaiding in keeping the dowel in the Iocking portion of the recess. Preferably,the width of the parts of the walls of locking portion of the recess interactingwith the first portion of the dowel is larger than the minimum width of the waistportion of the recess. This combination of a smaller width at the waist portionand a greater width at the Iocking portion facilitates provision of a distinctsnap-over further aiding in keeping the dowel in the Iocking portion. The snap-over may be designed such that it provides an audible and/or tactile feedbackto the person assembling the parts.

By designing the dowel such that it has a first portion and a secondportion, in optional order along the longitudinal direction, in combination with athird portion being positioned closer to the free end of the dowel than the firstportion and the second portion and having a third width being larger than atleast the width of the one of the first and second portions being closest to thethird portion and thereby forming a first abutment surface, the first abutmentsurface facing in a direction having at least a component in a directionopposite to the longitudinal direction, it is facilitated to provide a dowelpresenting an abutment surface at a greater depth into the second part. Bypresenting an abutment surface at a greater depth into the second part, therisk of the second part being torn or sheared by the forces from the abutmentsurface of the dowel is reduced.By designing the dowel such that it has a first portion and a secondportion, wherein the first portion has an extension along the longitudinaldirection and a first width as seen along a second transverse direction andwherein the second portion has an extension along the longitudinal directionand a second width as seen along the second transverse direction, thesecond width being smaller than the first width and being smaller than aminimum width of the waist portion at a depth corresponding to the extensionof the second portion, it is facilitated to provide a distinct snap-over and stillavoiding an uncontrolled increase in the force needed to overcome the snap-over in combination with making it possible to provide the abutment surfaceforming the connection at a greater depth in the second part. By designing thedowel with a first portion having a wider width and a second portion having asmaller width, the first portion may be used to provide a snap-over functionand the more narrow second portion may be used to provide an additionalextension of the dowel in the longitudinal direction without taking part informing the snap-over function. lt may also be noted that since the snap-overfunction is provided by a portion, the first portion, having a limited extensionalong one direction, the longitudinal direction, it is possible to choose thetolerances such that there is a greater negative play, the width of the firstportion minus the minimum width of the waist portion, without the forcenecessary to overcome the snap-over increases too much. Such a greaternominal negative play may in also be utilised to open up the toleranceintervals since there will still be provided a distinct snap-over. lt may be noted that the relevant width of the waist portion is the widthat different depths since the first portion and the second portion of the dowelwill extend at different depths in the recess. lt is e.g. possible to have a greatdifference in the widths of the first and second portions such that it would bepossible to have a minimum width of the waist portion at the depthcorresponding to the extension of the second portion actually being narrowerthan the minimum width at the depth corresponding to the extension of thefirst portion. However, in practice, it is preferred that the minimum width at thedepth corresponding to the extension of the first portion and the minimumwidth at the depth corresponding to the extension of the second portion arethe same.

The first width and the second width of the first and second portions ofthe dowe| may define a first difference and the first width of the first portion ofthe dowe| and the minimum width of the waist portion of the recess maydefine a second difference, and wherein the first difference preferably is inabsolute value greater than the second difference. With such a design of thedowe| and the recess, it is secured that the narrower second portion will freelypass the waist portion even if the recess have the same shape anddimensions along those portions of its depth along which both the first and thesecond portions of the dowe| extends. To have the same shape anddimensions is advantageous since it facilitates the design of the milling toolused to mill the recess in the second part. Thus, the above feature facilitatesproduction and still secures that the force to overcome the snap-over doesnot increase in an uncontrolled manner. Alternatively, or additionally, thepreferred design where the first difference is in absolute value greater thanthe second difference may also be used to widen the tolerance intervals sinceit still would be secured that the snap-over will be provided by the first portionand the second portion will pass freely. lt is preferred that the first width is between 0,2mm and 2mm,preferably between 0,2mm and 1mm, wider than the second width. On onehand it is preferred that there is a distinct difference of at least 0,2mm in widthbetween the first and second portions of the dowe| such that there is room forreasonable tolerance intervals when it comes to the manufacture of the dowe|and the recess. On the other hand, the second portion should not be toomuch weakened relative to the first portion and therefore it is consideredpreferable that the second width should not be more than 2mm, preferably notmore than 1mm, smaller than the first width The extension of the first portion along the longitudinal direction isbetween 10% to 75% of the total extension of the first and the secondportions along the longitudinal direction. lf the first portion has a too shortextension it is difficult to provide a sufficiently distinct and strong snap-overfunction. lf the first portion as a too long extension it is difficult to make use ofthe inventive concept of having a first portion with a limited extension alongthe longitudinal direction to allow for a greater negative play.

Preferably, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portionare arranged one after another in said order along the longitudinal direction.This provides a stable design since the first portion and the third portion beingin stronger contact with the recess are located at a distance from each other,as seen along the longitudinal direction.

The dowel may further comprise a fourth portion being adjacent thefirst part and having a fourth width being larger than at least the width of theone of the first and second portions being closest to the fourth portion andthereby forming a second abutment surface, the second abutment surfacefacing in a direction having at least a component in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the fourth portion, the first portion, the second portion andthe third portion are arranged one after another in said order along thelongitudinal direction.

This fourth portion may be used counter surface to the first abutmentsurface such that the gripping force between the first abutment surface andthe recess may at least partly be separated from the gripping force betweenthe first and second parts. The second abutment surface is preferably inclinedsuch that it faces outwardly from the longitudinally extending central axis.Thereby will the interaction between the second abutment surface and thesecond part facilitate correct assembly by providing a guiding action. This isespecially pronounced if the edge of the recess is correspondingly shapedwith an inclined abutment surface extending along the edges of the waistportion and the locking portion of the recess.

This fourth portion may also act as a stop securing that the dowel isinserted into the desired extent into the first part.

This fourth portion may also be used for other purposes, such asforming an abutment surface for application of ultrasound for ultrasonicwelding of the dowel to the first part.The third portion may comprise a recess having an extension from thefree end and into the dowel in a direction opposite to the longitudinaldirection.

The recess may e.g. be shaped as a centrally located channel or boreextending along a central longitudinal axis of the dowel. Such a channel orbore may e.g. be useful to ensure uniform material properties when the dowelis injection moulded. With such a design, the third part of the dowel preferablycircumscribe the channel or bore shaped recess. The recess has anextension into the dowel such that it ends in the vicinity of a transitionbetween the third portion and the one of the first and second portions beingclosest to the third portion. lt may also be noted that such a channel or boreprovided in an injection moulding process is typically formed by the injectionmoulding tool having a pin shaped part corresponding to the shape of thechannel or bore, rather than the channel or bore being formed by a later stepremoving material. ln such a design, the third portion is typically formed ofrigid plastic material, such as a fibre reinforced plastic material, and theprovision of the channel or bore has from a practical standpoint no impact onthe flexibility of the third portion as seen along the transverse directions.

The recess may be provided solely for the purpose of ensuring uniformmaterial properties, and as such it is preferably circular. Alternatively, therecess may also be used for other purposes, such as for facilitatingorientation of the dowel around the longitudinal direction or for making itpossible to screw the dowel into the first part. ln the latter case, the recessmay e.g. be shaped with an inwardly facing envelope surface designed toreceive and interact with a suitable tool, such as having an inwardly facingpolygonal, such as a hexagonal, envelope surface configured to interact witha polygonal, such as a hexagonal, key. Other shapes are also conceivable.According to one embodiment the recess has the shape of a slot or a cross oftwo or more slots, the slot or slots extending transversely through a major partof the third portion or completely through the third portion. According to oneembodiment the recess has basically the shape of a star or the like. Such arecess may e.g. be shaped as a six pointed star.ln another embodiment, the recess may have a transverse extensionand the dowel may be formed of a material such that the provision of therecess from a practical standpoint have an influence on the flexibility of thethird portion as seen along at least one transverse direction. The recess maye.g. be shaped as a slot extending transversely through a major part of thethird portion or completely through the third portion similarly to how a slot of aslot screw head extends transversely through a major part of the screw heador completely through the screw head. Such a design may be useful e.g. fordowels formed of wood or of plastic materials having a comparable flexibility.

The third width is preferably between 3mm and 10mm wider than thewidth of the one of the first and second portions being closest to the thirdportion. This will provide a sufficiently wide abutment surface without the thirdwidth being excessively large. The first portion typically has a width in theorder of about 5mm to 15mm.

The first portion preferably has a circular cylindrical shape. The centralnormal axis of the circle preferably coincides with the longitudinal direction.This facilitates production of the dowel as such and it facilitates theinstallation of the dowel in the first part since there is no need to secure anyspecific angular position due to the fact that the same snap-over functionalitywill be provided irrespective of the angular position.

The second portion preferably has a circular cylindrical shape. Thecentral normal axis of the circle preferably coincides with the longitudinaldirection. This facilitates production of the dowel as such and it facilitates theinstallation of the dowel in the first part since there is no need to secure anyspecific angular position due to the fact that the same play between the waistportion and the second portion will be provided irrespective of the angularposition.

The third portion preferably has a circular symmetrical shape, wherethe abutment surface gives the third portion a generally speaking circularconical shape. This facilitates production of the dowel as such and itfacilitates the installation of the dowel in the first part since there is no need tosecure any specific angular position due to the fact that the same kind ofabutment surface will be presented to the groove at the bottom of the recessirrespective of the angular position.

The dowel may further comprise a fifth portion configured to beinserted into a bore in the first part, to interact with the bore of the first part,and thereby attach the dowel to the first part. lt may be said that the fifthportion extends from the other portions in a direction opposite to theIongitudinal direction towards a second free end of the dowel. The secondfree end is opposite to the free end and is typically embedded inside the firstpart. The provision of a fifth portion facilitates attachment of the dowel to thefirst part.

Preferably, at least the first, second and third portions of the dowel aremade of a polymer-based material, such as a p|astic material.

Preferably, the optional fourth portion is also made of a polymer-basedmaterial, such as a p|astic material.

Preferably, the optional fifth portion configured to be inserted into abore in the first part is also made of a polymer-based material, such as ap|astic material. ln one embodiment, the first, second, third, the optional fourthportion, and the fifth portion are integrally formed. The integrally formedportions may e.g. be formed from a polymer-based material, such as a p|asticmaterial. ln an alternative embodiment of the dowel, the first, second and thirdportions, and preferably also the optional fourth portion, if present, areintegrally formed. The such formed dowel may e.g. be provided with a boreextending longitudinally completely through the dowel and the dowel may e.g.be attached to the first part using a screw extending through the dowel, thescrew being screwed into the first part and having head abutting the free endof the dowel, or a similarly oriented abutment surface formed by a step insidethe bore, and thereby attaching the dowel to the first part.

Alternatively, least the first, second and third portions of the dowel maybe made of a wood-based material. Such a dowel may be integrally formedwith the furniture part. Alternatively, it may be attached in accordance with any of the attachment methods mentioned in respect of a dowel formed of apolymer-based material.

The above mentioned object has also been achieved by an assembledproduct, such as a furniture, formed of a first part and a second part beingconfigured to be interconnected to each other by the first part comprising adowel being insertable into a recess in the second part, wherein the dowel extends along a longitudinal direction away from thefirst part towards a free end of the dowel, wherein the recess has an insertion portion, a waist portion and alocking portion, the waist portion being positioned between the insertionportion and the locking portion as seen along a first transverse direction, wherein the first part and a second part being interconnected to eachother by the dowel being inserted into the insertion portion by moving the firstpart along the longitudinal direction relative to the second part and thereafterbe transferred from the insertion portion to the locking portion by moving thefirst part along the first transversal direction relative to the second part, wherein the dowel comprises: a first portion having an extension along the longitudinal direction andhaving a first width as seen along a second transverse direction, the firstportion being configured to, during the dowel being transferred from theinsertion portion to the locking portion, pass the waist portion of the recess,the waist portion having a minimum width as seen along the secondtransverse direction at a depth corresponding to the extension of the firstportion being smaller than the first width of the first portion of the dowel, a second portion having an extension along the longitudinal directionand a second width as seen along the second transverse direction, thesecond width being smaller than the first width and being smaller than aminimum width of the waist portion at a depth corresponding to the extensionof the second portion, and a third portion being positioned closer to the free end of the dowel thanthe first portion and the second portion and having a third width being largerthan at least the width of the one of the first and second portions beingclosest to the third portion and thereby forming a first abutment surface, thefirst abutment surface facing in a direction having at least a component in adirection opposite to the longitudinal direction.

The various features have been disclosed in detail with reference tothe dowel and the that disclosure is equally applicable also with respect to theassembled product.

The above mentioned object has also been achieved by a method ofinterconnecting a first part and a second part for forming an assembledproduct, such as a furniture, the method comprising: forming a dowel having a first portion, a second portion, a third portion,and a fifth portion being positioned one after the other along a longitudinaldirection, the first portion and the second portion being positioned betweenthe third portion and the fifth portion and with the third portion beingpositioned closer to a free end of the dowel than the first portion and thesecond portion, attaching the dowel on a first part by inserting the fifth portion into abore in the first part such that the fifth portion interacts with the bore of thefirst part and such that the dowel extends along the longitudinal directionaway from the first part towards the free end of the dowel, forming a recess in the second part, the recess having an insertionportion, a waist portion and a locking portion, the waist portion beingpositioned between the insertion portion and the locking portion as seenalong a first transverse direction, interconnecting the first part to the second part by the dowel beinginserted into the insertion portion by moving the first part along thelongitudinal direction relative to the second part and thereafter beingtransferred from the insertion portion to the locking portion by moving the firstpart along the first transversal direction relative to the second part, wherein the first portion has an extension along the longitudinaldirection and has a first width as seen along a second transverse direction,the first portion being configured to, during the dowel being transferred fromthe insertion portion to the locking portion, pass the waist portion of therecess, the waist portion having a minimum width as seen along the secondtransverse direction at a depth corresponding to the extension of the firstportion being smaller than the first width of the first portion of the dowel,wherein the second portion has an extension along the longitudinal direction and a second width as seen along the second transverse direction,the second width being smaller than the first width and being smaller than aminimum width of the waist portion at a depth corresponding to the extensionof the second portion, and wherein the third portion has a third width being larger than at least thewidth of the one of the first and second portions being closest to the thirdportion and thereby forms a first abutment surface, the first abutment surfacefacing in a direction having at least a component in a direction opposite to thelongitudinal direction.

The various features have been disclosed in detail with reference tothe dowel and the that disclosure is equally applicable also with respect to themethod. lt may be noted that the use of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. are mainly to be seen as labels facilitating reading and that it does not necessarily mean that there need to be all the intervening numbers of portions present. ltmay e.g. be noted that it is contemplated to have a design where there is afirst portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fifth portion, with the forthportion being omitted. However, to facilitate reading, we have consistentlyused the numbering first, second, third, fourth, etc., as labels, and in a sensebased on an example embodiment including all conceivable portions. lt mayalso be noted that the dowel may be provide with additional portions. Thedowel may e.g. be designed with a plurality of abutment surfaces similar tothe first abutment surface, wherein the abutment surfaces are arranged oneafter the other as seen along the longitudinal direction. This may in a sensebe referred to as that the dowel is provide with a plurality of third portionsarranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component,means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least oneinstance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unlessexplicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do nothave to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.The invention may also in short be said to relate to a dowel, a configured to form a part of or to be connected to a first part, such as afurniture part, the dowel being configured to be inserted into an insertionportion of a recess of a second part and to be transferred to a locking portion23 of the recess 20, the dowel comprising: a first portion having a first widthand being configured to pass a waist portion being positioned between theinsertion portion and the locking portion and having a minimum width beingsmaller than the first width, and the dowel comprising a second portion havinga second width being smaller than the first width and being smaller than the a minimum width.

Brief description of the drawinqs The invention will by way of example be described in more detail withreference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view disclosing a first part beingprepared to be interconnected to a second part by a dowel being attached tothe first part interacting with a recess in the second part.

Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in figure 1A.

Figures 2A-B corresponds to figures 1A-B and discloses a stage wherethe dowel has been inserted into an insertion portion of the recess.

Figures 3A-B corresponds to figures 1A-B and discloses a stage wherethe dowel has been transferred from the insertion portion of the recess to awaist portion of the recess.

Figures 4A-B corresponds to figures 1A-B and discloses a stage wherethe dowel has been transferred from the waist portion of the recess to a locking portion of the recess.Figures 5 and 6 discloses in greater detail the dowel of figures 1A-B to4A-B.

Figure 7A discloses in more detail the second part and the recessformed therein.

Figure 7B is a plan view showing the second part and the recessformed therein as seen from the surface being configured to interact with thefirst part.

Figure 7C is a plan view of a cross-section of the second part throughthe recess formed therein.

Figure 8 corresponds to figure 6 and discloses a first alternativeembodiment.

Figure 9 corresponds to figure 6 and discloses a second alternative embodiment Detailed description of preferred embodiments As shown in figures 1A-B, there is disclosed an assembled product100, such as a furniture, formed of a first part 1 and a second part 2 beingconfigured to be interconnected to each other by the first part 1 comprising adowel 10 being insertable into a recess 20 in the second part 2. The dowel 10may be configured to form a part of or to be connected to a first partAs generally shown in figure 1A and as shown in more detail in figures5 and 6, the dowel 10 extends along a longitudinal direction L away from thefirst part 1 towards a free end 16 of the dowelAs shown in figure 2A, the dowel 10 is configured to be inserted into aninsertion portion 21 of a recess 20 of a second part 2 by moving the first part1 along the longitudinal direction L relative to the second part 2 as indicatedby the arrow A.

As shown in the series of figures 2A, 3A and 4A, the dowel 10 isconfigured to be transferred from the insertion portion 21 to a locking portion23 of the recess 20 by moving the first part 1 along a first transversal directionT1 relative to the second part 2 as indicated by arrow B. On its way from theinsertion portion 21 to the locking portion 23, the dowel 10 is moved via or past a waist portion 22 of the recess 20 , the waist portion 22 being positionedbetween the insertion portion 21 and the Iocking portion 23 as seen along thefirst transverse direction TAs shown e.g. in figures 2A, 7A, and especially indicated in 7C, therecess 20 is, at least in the Iocking portion 23 thereof shaped such that it hasa comparably narrow width W23a at an upper portion 23a and a comparablywider width W23b at a lower portion 23b. Upper portion 23a refers to a portionbeing closer to the first part 1 compared to the lower portion 23b, as seenalong the longitudinal direction L or also referred to as a depth direction D.

The dowel 10 comprises a first portion 11 having an extension 11ealong the longitudinal direction L and having a first width W11 as seen alonga second transverse direction T2. The dowel 10 further comprises a secondportion 12 having an extension 12e along the longitudinal direction L and asecond width W12 as seen along the second transverse direction TThe dowel 10 further comprises a third portion 13 being positionedcloser to the free end 16 of the dowel 10 than the first portion 11 and thesecond portion 12 and having a third width W13 being larger than at least thewidth W11, W12 of the one of the first and second portions 11, 12 beingclosest to the third portion 13. Thereby the third portion 13 will form a firstabutment surface 13a. The first abutment surface 13a faces in a direction13aN having at least a component 13aN' in a direction L' opposite to thelongitudinal direction L. ln the embodiment shown in figures 1A to 6, the first portion 11, thesecond portion 12 and the third portion 13 are arranged one after the other insaid order as seen along the longitudinal direction L.

The width W13 of the third portion 13 is designed such that on onehand fits into the wider lower portion 23b of the Iocking portion 23 of therecess 20 and on the other hand is too wide to pass upwardly past thenarrower upper portion 23a of the Iocking portion 23 of the recess 23.Thereby, the first and second parts 1, 2 becomes interconnected by the dowel10 being retained in the recess 20. As shown in figures 7A-7C, the widerlower portion 23b of the Iocking portion 23 is shaped as a grooveextending along the bottom perimeter of the locking portion 23. The groove 25basically have a shape corresponding to the shape of the third portion 13 ofthe dowelThe groove 25 is interconnected to the insertion portion 21 via agroove 26 being positioned each side, as seen along the second transversedirection T2, of the waist portion 22, the grooves 26 extending along the firsttransverse direction T1. The grooves 26 are positioned at the bottom of thewaist portionThe insertion portion 21 has a width W21 sufficient to allow the thirdportion 13 of the dowel 10 to be inserted into the recess 20 by a movement ofthe first part 1 along the longitudinal direction L.

The grooves 26 have a shape basically corresponding to the thirdportion 13 of the dowel 10. The grooves 26 have a sufficient size such thatthey allow the third portion 13 to pass from the insertion portion 21 to thelocking portionAs mentioned above, the dowel 10 is transferred past the waist portion22 on its way from the insertion portion 21 to the Iocking portion 23. Thisstage of the interconnection is shown in figures 3A and 3B.

As shown in detail in figures 7A-C, the waist portion 22 has a minimumwidth W22 as seen along the second transverse direction T2 at a depth D1corresponding to the extension 11e of the first portion 11. This minimum widthW22 is smaller than the first width W11 of the first portion 11 of the dowel 10.This may be used to provide a locking effect aiding in keeping the dowel 10 inthe locking portion 23 of the recess 20. Preferably, the width W23a of theparts of the walls of locking portion 23 of the recess 20 interacting with thefirst portion 11 of the dowel 10 is larger than the minimum width W22 of thewaist portion 22 of the recess 20. This combination of a smaller width W22 atthe waist portion 22 and a greater width W23a at the locking portion 23facilitates provision of a distinct snap-over further aiding in keeping the dowel10 in the locking portion 23. The snap-over may be designed such that itprovides an audible and/or tactile feedback to the person assembling theparts 1, 2. However, it should be noted that the minimum width W23a at theIocking portion 23 is still smaller than the minimum width W21 of the insertionportionAs shown in figure 7B, the side walls of the waist portion 22 areinclined slightly an angle oi such that the width of the waist portion 22 isslightly larger at the transition between the insertion portion 21 and the waistportion 22. The minimum width W21 of the waist portion 21 is preferablylocated at the transition between the waist portion 22 and the Iocking portion23 such that after the dowel 10 has passed snap-over, the dowel 10 issecurely locked in position in the Iocking portion 23. Preferably the snap-overis positioned such that the dowel 10, when positioned in the Iocking portion23, cannot move along the first transversal direction T1 without overcomingthe snap-over in the reverse direction. Thus, it is preferred that the snap-overbias the dowel 10 towards and keeps the dowel 10 in abutment with the endwall of the Iocking portion 23, the end wall being the parts of the envelopesurface of the Iocking portion 23 facing the waist portionAs shown in detail in figures 5 and 6, the second width W12 of thesecond portion 12 of the dowel 10 is smaller than the first width W11 of thefirst portion 11 of the dowel 10. Moreover, the second width W12 is alsosmaller than a minimum width W22' of the waist portion 22 at a depth D2corresponding to the extension 12e of the second portion 12. ln the preferredembodiment, the minimum width W22 at the depth D1 is the same as theminimum width W22' at the depth DBy designing the dowel 10 such that it has a first portion 11 and asecond portion 12 ,wherein the first portion 11 has an extension 11e alongthe longitudinal direction L and a first width W11 as seen along a secondtransverse direction T2 and wherein the second portion 12 has an extension12e along the longitudinal direction L and a second width W12 as seen alongthe second transverse direction T2 , the second width being smaller than thefirst width W11 and being smaller than a minimum width W22' of the waistportion 22 at a depth D2 corresponding to the extension 12e of the secondportion 12 , it is facilitated to provide a distinct snap-over and still avoiding an uncontrolled increase in the force needed to overcome the snap-over incombination with making it possible to provide the abutment surface 13aforming the connection at a greater depth in the second part 2. By designingthe dowel 10 with a first portion 11 having a wider width W11 and a secondportion 12 having a smaller width W12 , the first portion 11 may be used toprovide a snap-over function and the narrower second portion 12 may beused to provide an additional extension of the dowel 10 in the longitudinaldirection L without taking part in forming the snap-over function. lt may alsobe noted that since the snap-over function is provided by a portion, the firstportion 11 , having a limited extension 11e along one direction, thelongitudinal direction L , it is possible to choose the tolerances such that thereis a greater negative play, the width W11 of the first portion 11 minus theminimum width W22 of the waist portion 22 , without the force necessary toovercome the snap-over increases too much. Such a greater nominalnegative play may in also be utilised to open up the tolerance intervals sincethere will still be provided a distinct snap-over. lt may be noted that the relevant width of the waist portion 22 is thewidth W22, W22' at different depths since the first portion 11 and the secondportion 12 of the dowel 10 will extend at different depths D1, D2 in the recess.lt is e.g. possible to have a great difference in the widths W11, W12 of thefirst and second portions 11, 12 such that it would be possible to have aminimum width W22' at the depth D2 corresponding to the extension of thesecond portion 12 actually being narrower than the minimum width W22 atthe depth D1 corresponding to the extension of the first portion 11. However,in practice, it is preferred that the minimum width W22 at the depth D1corresponding to the extension 11e of the first portion 11 and the minimumwidth W22' at the depth D2 corresponding to the extension 12e of the secondportion 12 are the same.

The first width W11 and the second width W12 of the first and secondportions 11, 12 of the dowel 10 may be said to define a first difference S1 andthe first width W11 of the first portion 11 of the dowel 10 and the minimumwidth W22 of the waist portion 22 of the recess 20 may define a seconddifference S2. The first difference S1 is in absolute value greater than thesecond difference SThe first width W11 is between 0,2mm and 2mm, preferably between0,2mm and 1mm, wider than the second width WThe extension 11e of the first portion 11 along the longitudinal directionL is between 10% to 75% of the total extension of the first and the secondportions 11, 12 along the longitudinal direction L. The total extension of thefirst and second portions 11, 12 is calculated as the sum of the extension 11eof the first portion 11 and the extension 12e of the second portion 12 as seenalong the longitudinal direction. The total extension 11e + 12e is between5mm and 15mm.

The third width W13 is preferably between 3mm and 10mm wider thanthe width W11, W12 of the one of the first and second portions 11, 12 beingclosest to the third portion 13. This will provide a sufficiently wide abutmentsurface 13a without the third width W13 being excessively large. The firstportion 11 typically has a width W11 in the order of about 5mm to 15mm.

The first portion 11 preferably has a circular cylindrical shape. Thecentral normal axis of the circle preferably coincides with the longitudinaldirection L. This facilitates production of the dowel 10 as such and it facilitatesthe installation of the dowel 10 in the first part 1 since there is no need tosecure any specific angular position due to the fact that the same snap-overfunctionality will be provided irrespective of the angular position. The widthW11 referred to in this disclosure will in such an embodiment be equal to theouter diameter of the circular cylindrical shape of the first portionThe second portion 12 preferably has a circular cylindrical shape. Thecentral normal axis of the circle preferably coincides with the longitudinaldirection L. This facilitates production of the dowel 10 as such and it facilitatesthe installation of the dowel 10 in the first part 1 since there is no need tosecure any specific angular position due to the fact that the same playbetween the waist portion 22 and the second portion 12 will be providedirrespective of the angular position. The width W12 referred to in this disclosure will in such an embodiment be equal to the outer diameter of thecircular cylindrical shape of the second portionThe third portion 13 preferably has a circular symmetrical shape, wherethe abutment surface 13a gives the third portion 13 a generally speakingcircular conical shape. This facilitates production of the dowel 10 as such andit facilitates the installation of the dowel 10 in the first part 1 since there is noneed to secure any specific angular position due to the fact that the samekind of abutment surface 13 will be presented to the groove 25 at the bottomof the recess 20 irrespective of the angular position. The width W13 referredto in this disclosure will in such an embodiment be equal to the largest outerdiameter of the circular shape of the third portionAs e.g. shown in figures 5 and 6, the dowel 10 may further comprise afourth portion 14 being positioned on the dowel 10 such that it will end upadjacent the first part 1. The fourth portion 14 has a fourth width W14 beinglarger than at least the width W11, W12 of the one of the first and secondportions 11, 12 being closest to the fourth portion 14. Thereby the fourthportion 14 will form a second abutment surface 14a , the second abutmentsurface 14a facing in a direction 14aN having at least a component 14aN' inthe longitudinal direction L.

Preferably, the fourth portion 14 , the first portion 11 , the secondportion 12 and the third portion 13 are arranged one after another in saidorder along the longitudinal direction L.

As shown in figures 5 and 6, the third portion 13 may comprise arecess 17 having an extension 17e from the free end 16 and into the dowel10 in a direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L.

The recess 17 may e.g. be shaped as a centrally located channel orbore extending along a central longitudinal axis L of the dowel 10. Such achannel or bore may e.g. be useful to ensure uniform material propertieswhen the dowel 10 is injection moulded. With such a design, the third part 13of the dowel 10 preferably circumscribe the channel or bore shaped recess17. The recess 17 has an extension 17e into the dowel 10 such that it ends inthe vicinity of a transition between the third portion 13 and the one of the firstand second portions 11, 12 being closest to the third portion 13. lt may alsobe noted that such a channel or bore provided in an injection mouldingprocess is typically formed by the injection moulding tool having a pin shapedpart corresponding to the shape of the channel or bore, rather than thechannel or bore being formed by a later step removing material. ln such adesign, the third portion is typically formed of rigid plastic material, such as afibre reinforced plastic material, and the provision of the channel or bore hasfrom a practical standpoint no impact on the flexibility of the third portion 13as seen along the transverse directions T1, TThe recess 17 may be provided solely for the purpose of ensuringuniform material properties, and as such it is preferably circular. Alternatively,the recess 17 may also be used for other purposes, such as for facilitatingorientation of the dowel 10 around the longitudinal direction L or for making itpossible to screw the dowel 10 into the first part 1. ln the latter case, therecess 17 may e.g. be shaped with an inwardly facing envelope surfacedesigned to receive and interact with a suitable tool, such as having aninwardly facing hexagonal envelope surface configured to interact with ahexagonalkey.

The dowel 10 may further comprise a fifth portion 15 configured to beinserted into a bore 1b in the first part 1 , to interact with the bore 1b of thefirst part 1 , and thereby attach the dowel 10 to the first part 1. lt may be saidthat the fifth portion 15 extends from the other portions in a direction L'opposite to the longitudinal direction L towards a second free end 18 of thedowel 10. The second free end 18 is opposite to the free end 16 and istypically embedded inside the first part 1. The provision of a fifth portion 15facilitates attachment of the dowel 10 to the first partAs shown e.g. in figures 5 and 6, the fifth portion, the fourth portion thefirst portion, the second portion, and the third portion, are arranged one afteranother in said order along the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, at least the first, second and third portions 11, 12, 13 of thedowel 10 are made of a polymer-based material, such as a plastic material.Preferably, the optional fourth portion is also made of a polymer-basedmaterial, such as a plastic material.

Preferably, the optional fifth portion configured to be inserted into abore in the first part is also made of a polymer-based material, such as aplastic material. ln one embodiment, the first, second, third, the optional fourthportion, and the fifth portion are integrally formed. The integrally formedportions may e.g. be formed from a polymer-based material, such as a plasticmaterial.

A method of interconnecting a first part 1 and a second part 2 forforming an assembled product 100 , such as a furniture, may also be said toinclude the steps of forming dowel 10, attaching the dowel 10 on the first part1, forming a recess in the second part 2, interconnecting the first and secondparts 1, 2. The interconnecting step includes inserting the dowel 10 into aninsertion portion 21 of the recess 20 by moving A the first part 1 along thelongitudinal direction L relative to the second part 2, transferring the dowel 10from the insertion portion 21 to a locking portion 23 of the recess 20 bymoving the first part 1 along a first transversal direction T1 relative to thesecond partThe step of attaching the dowel 10 on the first part 1 includes insertingthe fifth portion 15 into a bore 1b in the first part 1 such that the fifth portion 15interacts with the bore 1b of the first part 1 and such that the dowel 10extends along the longitudinal direction L away from the first part 1 towardsthe free end 16 of the dowellt may be noted that the use of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. aremainly to be seen as labels facilitating reading and that it does not necessarilymean that there need to be all the intervening numbers of portions present. ltmay e.g. be noted that it is contemplated to have a design where there is afirst portion 11 , a second portion 12 , a third portion 13 and a fifth portion 15 ,with the forth portion 14 being omitted. However, to facilitate reading, we haveconsistently used the numbering first, second, third, fourth, etc., as labels,and in a sense based on an example embodiment including all conceivable portions. lt may also be noted that the dowel 10 may be provide withadditional portions. The dowel 10 may e.g. be designed with a plurality ofabutment surfaces similar to the first abutment surface 13a , wherein theabutment surfaces are arranged one after the other as seen along thelongitudinal direction L. This may in a sense be referred to as that the dowel10 is provide with a plurality of third portions 13 arranged one after the otheralong the longitudinal direction L.

Even though it is preferred that the dowel 10 and the recess 20 isdesigned in accordance with the disclosure in the detailed disclosure ofpreferred embodiments and the appended drawings, it should be noted that aspecific preferred embodiment of a specific component does not necessarilyhave to be combined with a specific embodiment of another component.Thus, advantages associated with a specific embodiment, including one ormore features, of a specific component may be accomplished even thoughthe other component s is/are designed in accordance with the more generaldisclosure under the summary of the invention rather than being defined inaccordance with the specific embodiment disclosed in the detaileddescription.

The dowel 10 may e.g. be provided with a first portion 11 and a secondportion 12 as disclosed in detail herein but be provided with a completelydifferent kind of fifth portion 15. The fifth portion 15 may e.g. be a threadedportion designed to be screwed into the bore in the first partln figures 8 and 9, there are disclosed two variants of the dowel 10when it comes to the configuration of the first and second portions 11,ln the embodiment shown in figure 8, the order of the first and secondportions 11, 12 is reversed compared to the embodiment shown e.g. infigure 6. ln figure 8, the second portion 12, the first portion 11 and the thirdportion 13 are arranged one after the other in said order along the longitudinaldirection L. ln the embodiment shown in figure 9, the first portion 11 is formed as aband with a second portion 12 on each side of the band as seen along thelongitudinal direction L. ln this embodiment, a second portion 12, the firstportion 11, a second portion 12, and the third portion 13 are arranged oneafter the other in said order along the Iongitudinal direction L. lt may be notedthat the total extension of the first and second portions 11, 12 is thus formedof the extension of a second portion 12 plus the extension of the first portion11 plus the extension of a second portionOther configurations are also conceivable. The first portion 11 coulde.g. be divided into two bands with a second portion 12 between the twobands. ln such an embodiment, a first portion 11, the second portion 12, afirst portion 11, and a third portion 13 are arranged one after the other in saidorder along the Iongitudinal direction L. lt is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of theembodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can beunderstood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimedinvention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appendedclaims. ln the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elementsor steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Themere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependentclaims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot beused to advantage. ln another embodiment, the recess 17 may have a transverseextension and the dowel may be formed of a material such that the provisionof the recess from a practical standpoint have an influence on the flexibility ofthe third portion as seen along at least one transverse direction. The recessmay e.g. be shaped as a slot extending transversely through a major part ofthe third portion or completely through the third portion similarly to how a slotof a slot screw head extends transversely through a major part of the screwhead or completely through the screw head. Such a design may be usefule.g. for dowels formed of wood or of plastic materials having a comparableflexibility. ln an alternative embodiment of the dowel, the first, second and thirdportions, and preferably also the optional fourth portion, if present, are integrally formed. The such formed dowel may e.g. be provided with a bore extending Iongitudinally completely through the dowel and the dowel may e.g. be attached to the first part using a screw extending through the dowel, thescrew being screwed into the first part and having head abutting the free end16 of the dowel, or a similarly oriented abutment surface formed by a stepinside the bore, and thereby attaching the dowel to the first part.

Aiternatively, least the first, second and third portions 11, 12, 13 of thedowel 10 may be made of a wood-based material. Such a dowel 10 may beintegrally formed with the furniture part. Aiternatively, it may be attached inaccordance with any of the attachment methods mentioned in respect of adowel 10 formed of a polymer-based material.

The dowel 10 may e.g. be designed with a plurality of abutmentsurfaces similar to the first abutment surface 13a , wherein the abutmentsurfaces are arranged one after the other as seen along the longitudinaldirection L. This may in a sense be referred to as that the dowel 10 is providewith a plurality of third portions 13 arranged one after the other along thelongitudinal direction L. ln such a design, the recess 20 will be designed witha plurality ofgrooves 26 and a plurality of wider portions 25 corresponding to the plurality of third portions 13.

Claims

1. Dowel (10) configured to form a part of or to be connected to a firstpart (1), the dowel (10) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) away fromthe first part (1) towards a free end (16) of the dowel (10), the dowel (10)being configured to be inserted into an insertion portion (21) of a recess (20)of a second part (2), the insertion portion (21) having a width (W21) allowingthe dowel (10) to be inserted into the insertion portion (21) by moving (A) thefirst part (1) along the Iongitudinal direction (L) relative to the second part (2),the dowel (10) further being configured to be transferred from the insertionportion (21) to a locking portion (23) of the recess (20) by moving (B) the firstpart (1) along a first transversal direction (T1) relative to the second part (2)thereby interconnecting the first and second parts (1, 2), the dowel (10)comprising: a first portion (11) extending and thereby having an extension (11e)along the longitudinal direction (L) and having a first width (W11) as seenalong a second transverse direction (T2), the first portion (11) beingconfigured to, during the dowel (10) being transferred from the insertionportion (21) to the locking portion (23), pass a waist portion (22) of the recess(20), the waist portion (22) being positioned between the insertion portion (21)and the locking portion (23) as seen along the first transverse direction (T1)and having a minimum width (W22) as seen along the second transversedirection (T2) at depths (D1) along the extension (1 1e) of the first portion (11)being smaller than the first width (W1 1) of the first portion (1 1) of the dowel(10), a second portion (12) extending and thereby having an extension (12e)along the Iongitudinal direction (L) and a second width (W12) as seen alongthe second transverse direction (T2), the second width being smaller than thefirst width (W11) and being smaller than a minimum width (W22') of the waistportion (22) at depths (D2) along the extension (12e) of the second portion(12), anda third portion (13) being positioned closer to the free end (16) of thedowel (10) than the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) and having athird width (W13) being larger than at least the width (W1 1, W12) of the oneof the first and second portions (11, 12) being closest to the third portion (13)and thereby forming a first abutment surface (13a), the first abutment surface(13a) facing in a direction (13aN) having at least a component (13aN') in adirection (L') opposite to the longitudinal direction (L).

2. The dowel (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first width (W11)and the second width (W12) of the first and second portions (11, 12) of thedowel (10) define a first difference (S1) and the first width (W11) of the firstportion (1 1) of the dowel (10) and the minimum width (W22) of the waistportion (22) of the recess (20) define a second difference (S2), and whereinthe first difference (S1) is in absolute value greater than the second difference(S2).

3. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe first width (W11) is between 0,2mm and 2mm, preferably between 0,2mmand 1mm, wider than the second width (W12).

4. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe extension (1 1e) of the first portion (11) along the longitudinal direction (L)is between 10% to 75% of the total extension (11e, 12e) of the first and thesecond portions (11, 12) along the longitudinal direction (L)

5. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe first portion (11), the second portion (12), and the third portion (13) arearranged one after another in said order along the longitudinal direction (L).

6. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe dowel (10) further comprises a fourth portion (14) being adjacent the firstpart (1) and having a fourth width (W14) being larger than at least the width(W11, W12) of the one of the first and second portions (11, 12) being closestto the fourth portion (14) and thereby forming a second abutment surface(14a), the second abutment surface (14a) facing in a direction (14aN) havingat least a component (14aN') in the Iongitudinal direction (L).

7. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe third portion (13) comprises a recess (17) having an extension (17e) fromthe free end (16) and into the dowel in a direction (L') opposite to thelongitudinal direction (L).

8. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, whereinthe third width (W13) is between 3mm and 10mm wider than the width (W11,W12) of the one of the first and second portions (11, 12) being closest to thethird portion (13).

9. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first portion (11) has a circu|ar cy|indrica| shape.

10. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the second portion (12) has a circu|ar cy|indrica| shape.

11. The dowel (10) according to any of the previous claims, whereinthe dowel (10) further comprises a fifth portion (15) configured to be insertedinto a bore (1 b) in the first part (1), to interact with the bore (1 b) of the firstpart (1 ), and thereby attach the dowel (10) to the first part (1 ).

12. The dowel (10) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein at least the first, second and third portions (11, 12, 13) of the dowel (10) is made of a polymer-based material, such as a plastic material.

13. The dowel (10) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein atleast the first, second and third portions (11, 12, 13) of the dowel (10) is madeof a wood-based material.

14. An assembled product (100), such as a furniture, formed of a firstpart (1) and a second part (2) being configured to be interconnected to eachother by the first part (1) comprising a dowel (10) being insertable into arecess (20) in the second part (2), wherein the dowel (10) extends along a |ongitudina| direction (L) awayfrom the first part (1) towards a free end (16) of the dowel (10), wherein the recess (20) has an insertion portion (21 ), a waist portion(22) and a Iocking portion (23), the insertion portion (21) having a width (W21)allowing the dowel (10) to be inserted into the insertion portion (21), and thewaist portion (22) being positioned between the insertion portion (21) and theIocking portion (23) as seen along a first transverse direction (T1), wherein the first part (1) and a second part (2) being interconnected toeach other by the dowel (10) being inserted into the insertion portion (21) bymoving the first part (1) along the |ongitudina| direction (L) relative to thesecond part (2) and thereafter be transferred from the insertion portion (21) tothe Iocking portion (23) by moving the first part (1) along the first transversaldirection (T1) relative to the second part (2), wherein the dowel (10) comprises: a first portion (11) extending along and thereby having an extension(11e) along the |ongitudina| direction (L) and having a first width (W11) asseen along a second transverse direction (T2), the first portion (11) beingconfigured to, during the dowel (10) being transferred from the insertionportion (21) to the Iocking portion (23), pass the waist portion (22) of therecess (20), the waist portion (22) having a minimum width (w22) as seenalong the second transverse direction (T2) at depths (D1) along the extension(11e) of the first portion (11) being smaller than the first width (W11) of thefirst portion (1 1) of the dowel (10), a second portion (12) extending along and thereby having an extension(12e) along the longitudinal direction (L) and a second width (W12) as seenalong the second transverse direction (T2), the second width (W12) beingsmaller than the first width (W11) and being smaller than a minimum width(W22') of the waist portion (22) at depths (D2) along the extension (12e) ofthe second portion (12), and a third portion (13) being positioned closer to the free end (16) of thedowel (10) than the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) and having athird width (W13) being larger than at least the width (W1 1, W12) of the oneof the first and second portions (11, 12) being closest to the third portion (13)and thereby forming a first abutment surface (13a), the first abutment surface(13a) facing in a direction (13aN) having at least a component (13aN') in adirection (L') opposite to the longitudinal direction (L).

15. Method of interconnecting a first part (1) and a second part (2) forforming an assembled product (100), such as a furniture, the methodcomprising: forming a dowel (10) having a first portion (11), a second portion (12),a third portion (13), and a fifth portion (15) being positioned one after theother along a longitudinal direction (L), the first portion (11) and the secondportion (12) being positioned between the third portion (13) and the fifthportion (15) and with the third portion (13) being positioned closer to a freeend (16) of the dowel (10) than the first portion (11) and the second portion(12), attaching the dowel (10) on a first part (1) by inserting the fifth portion(15) into a bore (1b) in the first part (1) such that the fifth portion (15) interactswith the bore (1 b) of the first part (1) and such that the dowel (10) extendsalong the longitudinal direction (L) away from the first part (1) towards the freeend (16) of the dowel (1 O), forming a recess (20) in the second part (2), the recess (20) having aninsertion portion (21), a waist portion (22) and a locking portion (23), theinsertion portion (21) having a width (W21) allowing the dowel (10) to beinserted into the insertion portion (21), and the waist portion (22) beingpositioned between the insertion portion (21) and the locking portion (23) asseen along a first transverse direction (T1), interconnecting the first part (1) to the second part (2) by the dowel(10) being inserted into the insertion portion (21) by moving the first part (1)along the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the second part (2) andthereafter being transferred from the insertion portion (21) to the lockingportion (22) by moving the first part (1) along the first transversal direction(T1) relative to the second part (2), moving the first portion (11), extending and thereby having anextension (11e) along the longitudinal direction (L) and a first width (W11) asseen along a second transverse direction (T2), during the dowel (10) beingtransferred from the insertion portion (21) to the locking portion (23), past thewaist portion (22) of the recess (20), the waist portion having a minimumwidth (W22) as seen along the second transverse direction (T2) at depths(D1) along the extension (1 1e) of the first portion (11) being smaller than thefirst width (W11) of the first portion (11) of the dowel (10), moving the second portion (12), extending and thereby having anextension (12e) along the longitudinal direction (L) and a second width (W12)as seen along the second transverse direction (T2), during the dowel (10)being transferred from the insertion portion (21) to the locking portion (23),past the waist portion (22) of the recess (20), the second width (W12) beingsmaller than the first width (W11) and being smaller than a minimum width(W22') of the waist portion (22) at depths (D2) along the extension (12e) ofthe second portion (12), and forming a first abutment surface (13a) at the third portion (13) by thethird portion (13) having a third width (W13) being larger than at least thewidth (W11, W12) of the one of the first and second portions (11, 12) beingclosest to the third portion (13) the first abutment surface (13a) facing in adirection (13aN) having at least a component (13aN') in a direction (L') opposite to the longitudinal direction (L).