Snap lock system, method and use for connecting construction elements
A snap lock system for connecting adjoining countertops comprises: a first locking unit comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface, the second surface being attachable to a first countertop, wherein the second surface has a profile comprising a projection, a first recess, and a second recess; a second locking unit comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface, the second surface being attachable to a second countertop, wherein the first surface has a profile comprising a projection and a recess; the second surface comprises a recess; and a third locking unit comprising a resilient member and a chamfered longitudinal edge, accommodated in a locking groove defined by the second recess of the first locking unit and the recess of the second locking unit. The profile of the second surface of the first locking unit is configured to receive the profile of the first surface of the second locking unit to provide a connection preventing mutual horizontal movement between the first and second locking units. During connection of the first locking unit and the second locking unit, the third locking unit is configured to allow vertical mating of the first locking unit and the second locking unit and, after connection, the third locking unit is configured to prevent mutual vertical movement between the first locking unit and the second locking unit.
1. A snap lock system for connecting adjoining horizontal countertops, wherein the system comprises:
a first locking unit comprising a first surface referred to as 1 A surface and an opposite second surface referred to as 1 B surface, the 1 B surface being attachable to a first countertop, and
wherein the 1 B surface has a profile comprising a projection, a first recess and a second recess;
a second locking unit comprising a first surface referred to as 2 A surface and an opposite second surface referred to as 2 B surface, the 2 B surface being attachable to a second countertop,
wherein the 2 A surface has a profile comprising a projection and a recess, and
wherein the 2 B surface comprises a recess; and
a third locking unit comprising a resilient member and a chamfered longitudinal edge, accommodated in a locking groove defined by the second recess of the first locking unit and the recess of the second locking unit;
wherein the profile of the 1 B surface is configured to receive the profile of the 2 A surface to provide a connection preventing mutual horizontal movement between the first and second locking units; and
wherein, when the 1 B surface is attached to the first countertop and the 2 B surface is attached to the second countertop, during connection of the first locking unit and the second locking unit, the third locking unit is configured to allow vertical mating of the first locking unit and the second locking unit and, after connection, the third locking unit is configured to prevent mutual vertical movement between the first locking unit and the second locking unit.
2. The snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first locking unit, the second locking unit and the third locking unit are manufactured in single pieces.
3. The snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein the projection of the second locking unit comprises a chamfered corner.
4. The snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein the third locking unit is made of a polymer or a metal.
5. The snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the first locking unit is plain.
6. The snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein the snap lock system further comprises a lever mechanism comprising:
a lever handle; and
a lever wire connecting the lever handle to the third locking unit;
wherein the lever mechanism is configured to retract the third locking unit to allow vertical movement between the first and second locking units after connection.
7. A countertop system comprising:
a first countertop;
a second countertop; and
a snap lock system according to claim 1 .
8. The countertop system according to claim 7 , wherein each countertop comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and four side surfaces, and the first and second locking units are shorter than the side surfaces of the adjoining countertops which are in contact when the first and second locking units are connected.
9. The countertop system according to claim 7 , wherein each countertop comprises a recess configured to receive the first and second locking units.
10. A method for connecting a first countertop with an adjoining second countertop by means of a snap lock system according to claim 1 , wherein each countertop comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and four side surfaces,
wherein the method comprises:
aligning the first locking unit with the first countertop and the second locking unit with the second countertop in such a way that when the first locking unit and the second locking unit are connected, one of the side surfaces of the first countertop is in contact with one of the side surfaces of the second countertop;
attaching the first locking unit to the first countertop in the aligned position and attaching the second locking unit to the second countertop in the aligned position;
providing the third locking unit in the locking groove; and
vertically connecting the first and second locking units.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
providing a recess on the first countertop, configured to receive the first locking unit; and
providing a recess on the second countertop, configured to receive the second locking unit.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises:
dimensioning the recesses in such a way that they horizontally and/or vertically align the first and second locking units with their respective first and second countertops.
13. Use of a snap lock system according to claim 1 for connecting construction elements of a framework or a truss or panel boards.
14. Use of a snap lock system according to claim 1 for connecting board joints of furniture or steps.
15. A snap lock system for connecting perpendicularly adjoining countertops, wherein the system comprises:
a fourth locking unit comprising a first surface referred to as 1 A surface and an opposite second surface, referred to as 1 B surface, the 1 B surface being attachable to a first countertop, and
wherein the 1 B surface has a profile comprising a recess;
a fifth locking unit comprising an end portion, a first surface referred to as 2 A surface and an opposite second surface referred to as 2 B surface,
wherein the end portion is adapted to be received in a recess of the first countertop, the 2 B surface has a profile comprising a recess, the 2 A surface being attachable to a second countertop;
a sixth locking unit comprising a resilient member and a chamfered longitudinal edge, accommodated in a locking groove defined by the the recess of the fourth locking unit and the recess of the fifth locking unit; and
wherein the end portion of the fifth locking unit is configured to prevent mutual horizontal movement between the first countertop and the fifth locking unit, when received in the recess of the first countertop; and
wherein, when the 1 B surface is attached to the first countertop and the 2 A surface is attached to the second countertop, during connection of the fourth locking unit and the fifth locking unit, the sixth locking unit is configured to allow vertical mating of the fourth locking unit and the fifth locking unit and, after connection, the sixth locking unit is configured to prevent mutual vertical movement between the fourth locking unit and the fifth locking unit.
16. The snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein each of the fourth locking unit, the fifth locking unit and the sixth locking unit are manufactured in single pieces.
17. The snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein the projection of the fifth locking unit comprises a chamfered corner.
18. The snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein the sixth locking unit is made of a polymer or a metal.
19. The snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein the first surface of the fourth locking unit is plain.
20. The snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein the snap lock system further comprises a lever mechanism comprising:
a lever handle; and
a lever wire connecting the lever handle to the sixth locking unit;
wherein the lever mechanism is configured to retract the sixth locking unit to allow vertical movement between the fourth and fifth locking units after connection.
21. The countertop system according to claim 20 , wherein each countertop comprises a recess configured to receive the fourth and fifth locking units.
22. A countertop system comprising:
a first countertop;
a second countertop; and
a snap lock system according to claim 15 .
23. The countertop system according to claim 22 , wherein each countertop comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and four side surfaces, and the fourth and fifth locking units are shorter than the side surfaces of the adjoining countertops which are in contact when the fourth and fifth locking units are connected.
24. A method for connecting a first countertop with an adjoining second countertop by means of a snap lock system according to claim 15 , wherein each countertop comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and four side surfaces, wherein the method comprises:
aligning the fourth locking unit with the first countertop and the fifth locking unit with the second countertop in such a way that when the fourth locking unit and the fifth locking unit are connected, the lower surface of the first countertop is in contact with one of the side surfaces of the second countertop;
attaching the fourth locking unit to the first countertop in the aligned position and attaching the fifth locking unit to the second countertop in the aligned position;
providing the sixth locking unit in the locking groove; and
vertically connecting the fourth and fifth locking units.
25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the method further comprises:
providing a recess on the first countertop, configured to receive the fourth locking unit; and
providing a recess on the second countertop, configured to receive the fifth locking unit.
26. The method according to claims 25 , wherein the method further comprises:
dimensioning the recesses in such a way that they horizontally and/or vertically align the fourth and fifth locking units with their respective first and second countertops.
27. Use of a snap lock system according to claim 15 for connecting construction elements of a framework or a truss or panel boards.
28. Use of a snap lock system according to claim 15 for connecting board joints of furniture or steps.