Panel Assembly

Abstract

A panel assembly comprises a first panel (10) having one or more projecting tongues (30) formed on at least one edge of the first panel (10) by a milling process, and a second panel (20) having one or more complementary groove channels (40) formed on the second panel (20) by a routing process. The projecting tongues (30) are engaged with, and inserted in, the groove channels (40) to form an interlocking joint for joining the first and second panels (10, 20).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel assembly comprising:
 a first panel having one or more projecting tongues formed on at least one edge of the first panel by a milling process; and   a second panel having one or more complementary groove channels formed on the second panel by a routing process;   wherein the projecting tongues are engaged with, and inserted in, the groove channels to form an interlocking joint for joining the first and second panels.   
     
     
         2 . The panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the projecting tongues is provided with a laminate on at least one surface of the projecting tongues for providing improved structural integrity to the projecting tongues while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the projecting tongues and the groove channels. 
     
     
         3 . The panel assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the projecting tongue with the laminate is further provided with a further laminate to entirely or partially cover the laminate. 
     
     
         4 . The panel assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the projecting tongues has a dovetail tongue configuration with a first engaging surface, a second engaging surface and a third engaging surface joining the first and second engaging surfaces, whereby the first and second engaging surfaces are slanted inwardly to form a generally trapezoidal cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The panel assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the laminate is disposed on the third engaging surface. 
     
     
         6 . The panel assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the laminate is disposed on the third engaging surface. 
     
     
         7 . The panel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the groove channels includes a first section and a second section, whereby the first section, has a cross-sectional area wider than the second section, is configured to initially receive one portion of the projecting tongue with a wider tolerance of insertion angles than the second section and to subsequently guide the projecting tongue to slide towards the second section at a designated orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The panel assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the second section has a dovetail groove configuration that is complimentary to the dovetail tongue configuration of the projecting tongues, and the first section has a square groove configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The panel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the further laminate is made of insect repellant material, moisture absorption material, sound insulation material, or any combination thereof.