WO2020175980A1

WO2020175980A1 - Panel assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2020175980A1
Application number: PCT/MY2019/050040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teck Lai NG
Original assignee: Leyo Holdings Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Leyo Holdings Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2019-02-26
Filing date: 2019-07-31
Publication date: 2020-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-26
Also published as: JP3236228U; JP3236229U; WO2020175978A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit, the assembly comprising a first panel (1) having at least one projecting tongue (2) for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove (3) formed adjacent to an upright side wall (8) at a distal end of a second panel (4), the upright side wall (8) providing one surface of the groove (3) and providing an end surface (17) of the second panel (4) wherein a laminate (5) is disposed on at least one surface of the upright side wall (8) for improving the structural integrity of the upright side wall (8) while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue (2) and the groove (3).

Description

PANEL ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit. More particularly, the invention relates to a panel assembly with reinforced connectors for easy assembly into different furniture configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, a furniture unit is assembled from a plurality of panels with each panel having a hole which aligns with a corresponding hole of another panel when the panels are assembled together. The aligned holes may have a fastening means insertion therethrough for ensuring the panels are secured firmly as an assembly to form the furniture unit. However, such furniture unit is not desirable as it would often require more than one person to assemble the furniture unit. Therefore, such inconvenience causes consumers to gradually shift from conventional furniture unit to furniture unit which does not require fasteners or tools and which is easily assembled while still being stable. By way of example, the furniture unit may have the panels configured with built-in connectors such as plug and tongue, which can be secured by a corresponding hole or groove of another panel to form the furniture unit without an external fastening means.

Although various configurations of the panels are available, yet, the panels heretofore used to assemble the furniture units without involving the external fastening means have not been fully satisfactory. It is common for the panels to be manufactured from wood chips. Therefore, it is inevitable for the built-in connectors to suffer from damages such as cracks and fractures as most of the built-in connectors are formed integrally with the panels. The tongue may be damaged during its manufacture, for example, shaip edges of the tongue may be fractured when a cutting means removes part of the panels to form the tongue. Furthermore, the built-in connectors of the panels may not be able to withstand stresses within the assembled furniture unit and cause significant physical damage to the built-in connectors.

There are a few patented technologies over the prior art relating to the panel assembly. US4869564A discloses a readily assemblable furniture composed of plural, precision sized, covered, panels and a module assembly. The module assembly comprises releasably secureable connector members and a precision sized, covered, support panel having an end surface. At least a first one of the plural panels is secured to the support panel by at least one pair of the connectors consisting of a plug member and a rod-like member. The plug member has a recess in its periphery and is adapted to be disposed within a respective cylindrical bore in the support panel. The rod-like member has a threaded end for securement to the first panel and an oppositely disposed end having a head for disposition within the recess in the plug member.

Another panel assembly is disclosed in CN103565136B. The patent discloses a method of assembling wooden boards and a method of assembling the furniture, the profile column is mainly used, and a multi-angle fastener wood block structure, assembled to form a tubular polygonal pillar of the frame, and is fitted on the polygon structural members, wood furniture board is constituted. Wherein the upright profile, the appearance of a hollow cylindrical section, the outer wall is provided with at least one mounting slot and a slot knotting, its visible surface, with a layer of the coating layer.

However, the connectors for panel assembly disclosed in US4869564A and CN103565136B are not equipped with any feature to strengthen its structural integrity. Therefore, the furniture assembly in the above-mentioned prior art is susceptible to the problems highlighted above. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a panel assembly with reinforcement feature for providing structural integrity to the connectors during its manufacture and assembly of furniture unit into different furniture configurations.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides a panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit, the assembly comprising a first panel having at least one projecting tongue for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove formed in a second panel, wherein the tongue is provided with a laminate on at least one surface of the tongue for providing improved structural integrity to the tongue while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue and the groove. Preferably, the first panel may be slid substantially perpendicularly relative to the second panel to bring the tongue into engagement with the groove.

Preferably, the laminate may be in the form of a cover adapted to be slidably received along the tongue to cover the at least one surface of the tongue.

Preferably, the laminate may be attached onto the at least one surface of the first panel with a bonding material disposed therebetween, with at least a portion of the laminate with its underlying surface of the first panel being removed to form the tongue. Preferably, the tongue may extend continuously along one side of the first panel and is slidably inserted into the groove extending continuously along one side of the second panel.

Preferably, the tongue may have an upright side wall and a slanted side wall extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tongue.

Preferably, the groove may provide an upright side wall and a slanted side wall extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the groove, whereby the slanted side wail of the groove is juxtaposed the slanted side wall of the tongue when the first and second panels are connected together.

Preferably, the slanted side wall of the tongue may be frietionaiiy engaged by the juxtaposed slanted side wall of the groove during engagement of the tongue within the groove.

Another aspect of the invention provides a furniture unit comprising a plurality of first panels each configured with at least one laminated tongue on one side and a like number of second panels each configured with at least one complementary groove on one side, wherein each first panel is slidably engaged with a mating second panel through the laminated tongue and its corresponding groove to form the furniture unit.

Preferably, the first panel and the second panel each may be provided with a slot, in which the respective slot in the first panel and the second panel aligns with one another to slidably receive a third panel to interlock the first panel and the second panel.

Another aspect of the invention provides a panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit comprising a first panel having at least one projecting tongue for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove formed adjacent to an upright side wall at a distal end of a second panel, the upright side wall providing one surface of the groove and providing an end surface of the second panel wherein a laminate is disposed on at least one surface of the upright side wall for improving the structural integrity of the upright side wall while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue and the groove.

Preferably, the laminate may be applied to the end surface of the second panel.

Preferably, the laminate may be flush with an adjoining surface of the second panel which is normal to said end surface.

Preferably, the laminate may be attached onto the end surface with a bonding material disposed therebetween.

Preferably, the groove may provide a slanted side wall extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the groove, whereby the slanted side wall of the groove is juxtaposed a slanted side wall of the tongue when the first and second panels are connected togeth er.

Preferably, the slanted side wall of the tongue may be frictionally engaged by the juxtaposed slanted side wall of the groove during engagement of the tongue within the groove

Preferably, each laminate may be atached onto each surface disposed along a periphery of the second panel

Preferably, one end of the laminate may be situated adjacent to one end of another laminate in such a way that the two ends flush with one another.

Preferably, the laminate may be made from a material which is more flexible and elastic than the second panel. Preferably, the surface of the upright side wall may be sealed with the laminate as to prevent moisture from entering the second panel through the surface.

Preferably, one end of the groove may be covered by the laminate as to prevent the tongue from sliding beyond the end of the groove.

Another aspect of the invention provides a furniture unit comprising a plurality of first panels each configured with at least one tongue on one side and a like number of second panels each configured with at least one complementary groove adjacent to one laminated upright side wall on one side, wherein each first panel is slidably engaged with a mating second panel through the tongue and its corresponding groove to form the furniture unit.

Preferably, the first panel and the second panel each is provided with a slot, in which the respective slot in the first panel and the second panel aligns with one another to slidably receive a third panel to interlock the first panel and the second panel.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to cany out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated. Fig. 1 a - lb is a diagram illustrating a panel assembly having a first and second panel of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating first embodiment of a tongue for the first panel according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a furniture unit constructed by the panel assembly.

Fig. 4a - 4b is a diagram illustrating the furniture unit attached with a support rib. Fig. 5a - 5b is a diagram illustrating the furniture unit for receiving a top panel. Fig. 6a - 6c is diagram illustrating a locking means for engaging with and disengaging from the top panel.

Fig. 7a - 7b is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a furniture unit constructed by the panel assembly.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a furniture unit constructed by the panel assembly.

Fig. 9a - 9b is a diagram illustrating an inclined slot of the panel assembly for securing a furniture unit with reaction forces.

Fig. 10a- -10b is a diagram illustrating a panel assembly having its periphery attached with laminates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although, the invention can be presented in a number of different embodiments, and incorporating a variety of different components and technologies, the various embodiments of the invention have some common elements. According to the concept of the invention, a panel assembly is provided with a first panel slidably engageable with a second panel with through a tongue- and -groove configuration in which the tongue is provided with a reinforcement feature that strengthens the tongue The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings.

Fig, la and Fig, l b depict a panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit. In this particular embodiment, the assembly comprises a first panel 1 having at least one projecting tongue 2 for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove 3 formed in a second panel 4. By way of example, the first 1 and second panel 4 are usually manufactured from wood fibres, wood chips or wood that may involve the use of elevated temperatures, pressures and binding resins or adhesives. These materials are generally brittle which cause the panels to suffer from fractures and cracks upon sudden impact or elevation of stresses on the panels. To enable these materials to withstand stresses within the assembled furniture unit, the tongue 2 is provided with a laminate 5 on at least one surface of the tongue 2. Advantageously, the laminate 5 may be attached onto the surface of the tongue 2 to reduce deflection induced within the tongue 2 during its manufacture or assembling of the furniture unit. Therefore, the laminate 5 reduces occurrence of fractures in the surface of the tongue 2

Further, the laminate 5 provides improved structural integrity to the tongue 2 and the groove 3 while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue 2 and the groove 3. In this preferred embodiment, the first panel 1 is slid substantially perpendicularly relative to the second panel 4 to bring the tongue 2 into engagement with the groove 3. Hence, during the engagement of the tongue 2 and groove 3, the laminate 5 is sandwiched between the tongue 2 and groove 3. The laminate 5 according to this invention, by ways of example but not by limitation, may be a different material than the panel such as plastic laminate. Preferably, the laminate 5 is made from a material which is more flexible and elastic than the panel being attached to, such as the second panel 4 For example, when the laminate 5 is atached on one surface of the tongue 2, due to the elastic and flexible feature of the laminate 5, the laminate 5 can be stretched more than the first panel 1.

The laminate 5 may be constructed in various embodiments. In a first embodiment (Fig. 2), the laminate 5 is firstly attached onto the at least one surface of the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 with a bonding material disposed therebetween. Preferably, each surface of the first panel 1 is attached with the laminate 5 in such a way that the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 are fully encased within the laminate 5. Then, each laminate 5 is then heat-treated so as to bond together and to hold the laminate 5 onto its surface of the first panel 1 and second panel 4. Preferably, the heat-treated laminated surface is given a certain duration to cure the bonding material.

Advantageously, each laminate 5 produces prestressing forces over its attached surface respectively so that each surface of the first panel 1 and second panel 4 is prestressed inwardly. At least a portion of the laminate 5 with its underlying surface of the first panel 1 is removed with a cutting means to form the tongue 2 from the laminated surface of the first panel 1, forming at least one exposed surface 13 over the cut portion. Similarly, at least a portion of the laminate 5 with its underlying surface of the second panel 4 is removed with the cutting means to form the groove 3 from the laminated surface of the second panel 4. During its manufacture, the prestressing forces produced by the laminate 5 strengthens the first panel 1 and also reduces stresses induced by the cutting means onto the surface of the first panel 1. The exposed surface 13 may be provided with sharp edges 16 that may fracture easily with induced stress. However, the sharp edges 16 still remain intact after the portion of the first panel 1 is removed as the sharp edges 16 are hounded by the laminate 5, in which the laminate 5 reduces the stresses induced by the cutting means therefore reduces the occurrence of fractures on the sharp edges 16 Therefore, the exposed surface 13 is produced with a smooth profile along its longitudinal direction with reduced risk of fractures. Similarly, while forming the groove 3 on the second panel 4, the laminate 5 also reduces the stresses induced by the cutting means therefore reduces the occurrence of fractures on sharp edges 16 around the groove 3. The sharp edges 16 remain intact after the material removal process.

Meanwhile, remaining portion of the laminate 5 that is not removed by the cutting means still induces prestressing forces on the surface of the first panel 1. This feature allows the tongue 2 to remain intact when the tongue 2 is engaged by the groove 3. The prestressing forces also may counter stresses induced to the engaged tongue 2 when the first panel 1 is tilted, pushed or pull. The exposed surface 13 of the tongue 2 may still be attached with the laminate 5 for enhanced rigidity and strength. The first embodiment of the present invention is suitable to manufacture the tongue 2 with reduced occurrence of fractures on the surface of the first panel 1. However, the bonding material may not require heat-treatment as the bonding material may readily adhere the laminate 5 onto the surface of the first panel 1 upon contact of the laminate 5 with the surface of the first panel 1.

In a second embodiment (not shown), the laminate 5 is in the form of a cover adapted to be slidably received along the tongue 2 to cover the at least one surface of the tongue 2. In this particular embodiment, the surface of the first panel 1 is formed with the tongue 2, and then the cover is manufactured in accordance to a shape of the tongue 2. The cover may cover one surface or every surface of the tongue 1. The boning material may be disposed between the cover and the tongue 2 and then undergo heat treatment to secure the cover onto the tongue 2. Advantageously, the cover produces prestressing forces over the tongue 2 so that each surface of the tongue 2 is prestressed inwardly. Such feature allows the tongue to withstand stresses caused by movement of the first panel 1 such as tilting, pushing and pulling when the tongue 2 is received by the groove 3.

Referring to the present invention, the tongue 2 extends continuously along one side of the first panel 1 and is slidably inserted into the groove 3 extending continuously along one side of the second panel 4. However, the tongue 2 may be formed by several segments of tongue 2, such as to form a tongue 2 that is interrupted at points. Preferably, the tongue 2 provides the exposed surface 13 having an upright side wall 6 and a slanted side wall 7 extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tongue 2 Therefore, to allow for the tongue 2 slidably along the groove 3, the groove 3 also provides an upright side wall 8 and a slanted side wall 9 extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the groove 3. When the first 1 and the second panels 4 are connected together, the slanted side wall 9 of the groove 3 is juxtaposed the slanted side wall 7 of the tongue 2. Therefore, the slanted side rvall 7 of the tongue 2 is frictionally engaged by the juxtaposed slanted side wall 9 of the groove 3 during engagement of the tongue 2 within the groove 3. However, the configuration of the tongue 2 and groove 3 may be varied, by way of example, the tongue 2 and groove 3 may be configured with only slanted side walls instead of a combination of slanted side walls and upright side wall. Fig. 3 through Fig. 6 depict a first embodiment of the furniture unit constructed from the panel assembly. In this particular embodiment, the furniture unit may comprise a plurality of first panels 1 each configured with at least one laminated tongue 2 on one side and a like number of second panels 4 each configured with at least one complementary groove 3 on one side. Each first panel 1 is slidably engaged with a mating second panel 4 through the laminated tongue 2 and its corresponding groove 3 to form the furniture unit. By way of example, the tongue 2 may he attached with a laminate 5 with a bonding material therebetween, or slid with a cover to form the laminated tongue 2. Furthermore, the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 each is provided with a slot 10, in which the respective slot 10 in the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 aligns with one another to slidably receive a third panel 11 to interlock the first panel 1 and the second panel 4. Preferably, when the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 are interlocked by the third panel 11, the first panel 1 is flush with the second panel 4 as to prevent uneven surfaces on the furniture unit. In this particular embodiment, the third panel 11 is sufficiently thin to be inserted through the aligned slots 10. The third panel 11 is generally resilient in nature and provided with a spine at a middle portion of the third panel 11 so that it can be flexibly moved. A support rib 12 is attached onto the third panel 11 to strengthen its structure.

By way of example, one second panel 4 may be a base panel of the furniture unit for slidably receiving two first panels 1. Therefore, the first panels 1 are erected vertically and oppositely spaced apart by the base panel. The third panel 11 is inserted through the aligned slots 10 when the first panels 1 are engaged by the base panel. The support rib 12 is then attached onto the third panel 11 Another second panel 4, acting as a top panel, is slidably received by the oppositely spaced apart first panels 1. The support rib 12 may be provided with a locking means 14 which engages with one slot 13 formed beneath the top panel when the top panel is slid along the first panels 1 to cover the support rib 12. In this particular embodiment, the locking means 14 may be disengaged by a twisting motion on the locking means 14. Preferably, one end 15 of the groove 3 may be covered by the laminate 5 as to prevent the tongue 2 from sliding beyond the end of the groove 3.

Fig, 7a and Fig. 7b show a second embodiment of the furniture unit, in which the second embodiment is an improvement of its first embodiment. In this particular embodiment, the top panel is formed with opposing grooves 3, on a top and a bottom surface of the top panel, so that additional first panels 1 may be slidably stacked onto the top panel for forming the furniture unit with multiple partitions. The panel assembly may also be constructed as a third embodiment of the furniture unit as shown in Fig. 8. In this particular embodiment, the second panel 4 may be configured with a plurality of grooves 3 for receiving more first panels 1 in order to create more partitions within the furniture unit.

Referring to Fig. 9a and Fig, 9b the slots 10 in the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 may in the form of inclined slots, which the slots 10 of the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 may be configured with an inclination angle with respect to the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 respectively. Once the slots 10 in the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 align with one another, the third panel 11 is slid therethrough to interlock the first panel 1 and the second panel 4. Advantageously, the slot 10 bends a portion of the third panel 11 and thereby resiliently secures the bent portion by reaction force resulting from the bent portion within the slot 10.

Furthermore, each surface of the first 1 and second panel 4 may be attached with the laminate 5 to provide improved structural integrity to the furniture unit. Another advantage of such furniture unit is that it does not need to be secured by an external fastening means, while maintaining its rigidity and strength.

Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b depict a further embodiment of panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit. In this particular embodiment, the assembly comprises a first panel 1 having at least one projecting tongue 2 for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove 3 formed adjacent to an upright side wall 8 at a distal end of a second panel 4. Preferably, the upright side wall 8 provides one surface of the groove 3 and an end surface 17 of the second panel 4 By way of example, the first 1 and second panel 4 are usually manufactured from wood fibres, wood chips or wood that may involve the use of elevated temperatures, pressures and binding resins or adhesives. These materials are generally britle which cause the panels to suffer from fractures and cracks upon sudden impact or elevation of stresses on the panels.

To enable these materials to withstand stresses within the assembled furniture unit, a laminate 5 is disposed on at least one surface of the upright side wall 8 for improving the structural integrity of the upright side wall 8 while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue 2 and the groove 3. Advantageously, the laminate 5 is applied to the end surface 17 of the second panel 4 to reduce deflection induced on the upright side wall 8 during its manufacture or assembling of the furniture unit. Therefore, the laminate 5 reduces occurrence of fractures on the upright side wall 8. Preferably, the laminate 5 is flush with an adjoining surface of the second panel 4 which is normal to said end surface 17.

In this preferred embodiment, the first panel 1 is slid substantially perpendicularly relative to the second panel 4 to bring the tongue 2 into engagement with the groove 3. Hence, during the engagement of the tongue 2 and groove 3, the laminate 5 prevents the upright side wall 8 to deflect and fracture. Preferably, the laminate 5 is made from a material which is more flexible and elastic than the panel being atached to, such as the second panel 4. For example, when the laminate 5 is attached on one surface of the tongue 2, due to the elastic and flexible feature of the laminate 5, the laminate 5 can be stretched more than the first panel 1.

The laminate 5 is preferably attached onto the end surface 17 with a bonding material disposed therebetween. Preferably, the laminate 5 is atached onto each surface disposed along a periphery of the second panel 4 in such a way that the second panel 4 are surrounded by the laminate 5. In one particular embodiment, one end of the laminate 5 is situated adjacent to one end of another laminate 5 in such a way that the two ends flush with one another. Then, the laminate 5 is then heat-treated so as to bond together and to hold the laminate 5 onto it’s the periphery of the second panel 4. Preferably, the heat-treated laminated surface is given a certain duration to cure the bonding material. Advantageously, each laminate 5 produces prestressing forces over its attached surface respectively so that each surface of the second panel 4 is prestressed inwardly. During manufacture of the groove 3 on the second panel 4, the prestressing forces produced by the laminate 5 strengthens the second panel 4 and also reduces stresses induced onto the surface of the second panel 4. The end surface 17 may be provided with sharp edges that may fracture easily with induced stress. The shaip edges remain intact after as the laminate 5 reduces the stresses experienced by the upright side wall 8, therefore reduces the occurrence of fractures on the sharp edges.

Referring to the present invention, the tongue 2 extends continuously along one side of the first panel 1 and is slidably inserted into the groove 3 extending continuously along one side of the second panel 4. However, the tongue 2 may be formed by several segments of tongue 2, such as to form a tongue 2 that is interrupted at points. Preferably, the tongue 2 provides the exposed surface 13 having an upright side wail 6 and a slanted side wall 7 extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tongue 2. Therefore, to allow for the tongue 2 slidably along the groove 3, its upright side wall 8 and slanted side wall 9 extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the groove 3. When the first 1 and the second panels 4 are connected together, the slanted side wall 9 of the groove 3 is juxtaposed the slanted side wall 7 of the tongue 2. Therefore, the slanted side wall 7 of the tongue 2 is frictionally engaged by the juxtaposed slanted side wall 9 of the groove 3 during engagement of the tongue 2 within the groove 3. However, the configuration of the tongue 2 and groove 3 may be varied, by way of example, the tongue 2 and groove 3 may be configured with only slanted side walls instead of a combination of slanted side walls and upright side wall. This further embodiment of the panel assembly may be incorporated into the first embodiment of the furniture unit (as depicted Fig, 3 to Fig, 6). In this particular embodiment, the furniture unit may comprise a plurality of first panels 1 each configured with at least one tongue 2 on one side and a like number of second panels 4 each configured with at least one complementary groove 3 adjacent to one laminated upright side wall 8. Each first panel 1 is slidably engaged with a mating second panel 4 through the laminated tongue 2 and its corresponding groove 3 to form the furniture unit. By way of example, one surface of the upright side wall 8 may be attached with a laminate 5 with a bonding material therebetween. Advantageously, the surface of the upright side wall 8 is sealed with the laminate 5 as to prevent moisture from entering the second panel 4 through the surface. This allows the panels to last long even in damp environment and therefore extends the life of the furniture unit that uses these panels. Furthermore, the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 each is provided with a slot 10, in which the respective slot 10 in the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 aligns with one another to slidably receive a third panel 11 to interlock the first panel 1 and the second panel 4. Preferably, when the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 are interlocked by the third panel 11, the first panel 1 is flush with the second panel 4 as to prevent uneven surfaces on the furniture unit. In this particular embodiment, the third panel 11 is sufficiently thin to be inserted through the aligned slots 10. The slots 10 in the first panel l and the second panel 4 may in the form of inclined slots which the slots 10 of the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 may be configured with an inclination angle with respect to the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 respectively. Once the slots 10 in the first panel 1 and the second panel 4 align with one another, the third panel 11 is slid therethrough to interlock the first panel 1 and the second panel 4. Advantageously, the slot 10 bends a portion of the third panel 11 and thereby resiliently secures the bent portion by reaction force resulting from the bent portion within the slot 10 The third panel 11 is generally resilient in nature and provided with a spine at a middle portion of the third panel 11 so that it can be flexibly moved. A support rib 12 is attached onto the third panel 11 to strengthen its structure.

By way of example, one second panel 4 may be a base panel of the furniture unit for slidably receiving two first panels 1. Therefore, the first panels 1 are erected vertically and oppositely spaced apart by the base panel. The third panel 11 is inserted through the aligned slots 10 when the first panels 1 are engaged by the base panel. The support rib 12 is then attached onto the third panel 11. Another second panel 4, acting as a top panel, is slidably received by the oppositely spaced apart first panels 1. The support rib 12 may be provided with a locking means 14 which engages with one slot 13 formed beneath the top panel when the top panel is slid along the first panels 1 to cover the support rib 12. In this particular embodiment, the locking means 14 may be disengaged by a twisting motion on the locking means 14. Preferably, one end 15 of the groove 3 may be covered by the laminate 5 as to prevent the tongue 2 from sliding beyond the end of the groove 3.

The further embodiment of the panel assembly may also be incorporated into the second embodiment of the furniture unit (as depicted in Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b). In this particular embodiment, the top panel is formed with opposing grooves 3, on a top and a bottom surface of the top panel, so that additional first panels 1 may be slidably stacked onto the top panel for forming the furniture unit with multiple partitions.

Such panel assembly may also be incorporated into the third embodiment of the furniture unit as shown in Fig, 8. In this particular embodiment, the second panel 4 may be configured with a plurality of grooves 3 for receiving more first panels 1 in order to create more partitions within the furniture unit. The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A panel assembly for use in building a furniture unit the assembly comprising a first panel (1) having at least one projecting tongue (2) for slidably engaging with, and being retained in, a complementary groove (3) formed adjacent to an upright side wall (8) at a distal end of a second panel (4), the upright side wall (8) providing one surface of the groove (3) and providing an end surface (17) of the second panel (4) wherein a laminate (5) is disposed on at least one surface of the upright side wall (8) for improving the structural integrity of the upright side wail (8) while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the tongue (2) and the groove (3).

2. The panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the laminate (5) is applied to the end surface (17) of the second panel (4).

3. The panel assembly according to claim l wherein the laminate (5) is flush with an adjoining surface of the second panel (4) which is normal to said end surface (17).

4. The panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the laminate (5) is attached onto the end surface (17) with a bonding material disposed therebetween.

5. The panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the groove (3) provides a slanted side wail (9) extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the groove (3), whereby the slanted side wall (9) of the groove (3) is juxtaposed a slanted side wall (7) of the tongue (2) when the first (1) and second (4) panels are connected together.

6. The panel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the slanted side wall (7) of the tongue (2) is frictionally engaged by the juxtaposed slanted side wall (9) of the groove (3) duri ng engagement of the tongue (2) within the groove (3).

7. The panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein each laminate (5) is attached onto each surface disposed along a periphery of the second panel (4).

8. The panel assembly according to claim 7, wherein one end of the laminate (5) is situated adjacent to one end of another laminate (5) in such a way that the two ends flush with one another.

9. The panel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the laminate (5) is made from a material which is more flexible and elastic than the second panel (4).

10. The panel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the upright side wall (8) is sealed with the laminate (5) as to prevent moisture from entering the second panel (4) through the surface.

11. The panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the groove (3) is covered by the laminate (5) as to prevent the tongue (2) from sliding beyond the end of the groove (3).

12. A furniture unit comprising a plurality of first panels (1) each configured with at least one tongue (2) on one side and a like number of second panels (4) each configured with at least one complementary groove (3) adjacent to one laminated upright side wall (8) on one side, wherein each first panel (1) is slidably engaged with a mating second panel (4) through the tongue (2) and its corresponding groove (3) to form the furniture unit.

13. The furniture assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first panel (1) and the second panel (4) each is provided with a slot (10), in which the respective slot (10) in the first panel (1) and the second panel (4) aligns with one another to slidably receive a third panel (1 1) to interlock the first panel (1) and the second panel (4).