The present invention relates to a joint for the firm interconnection of a first and a second panel of furniture and other furnishing items.

Various types of joints are known, such as that object of European patent application EP 930436 A1 which comprises a cam element for actuating expandable gripping means or in any case, a mechanism for actuating the joint, which require holings in the panels, having a certain complexity.

Other systems are also known for joining a panel or shelf or base or bottom of a piece of furniture and a shoulder or other panel of a piece of furniture in the furnishing industry in general. In these further examples, the joining is effected by positioning a pin screwed into a hole of the shoulder and, for example, a butt or similar joining element inserted in a hole formed in the shelf or bottom or base of the furniture.

In order to produce this type of joint, a hole must be made in the shelf, bottom or base of the piece of furniture, said hole receiving the butt or similar joining element which, in turn, houses a grub screw in a threaded portion of the same. This hole is not very acceptable for the user, even if covered by a suitable cap in an attempt to restore the aesthetical appearance of the parts involved in the joining. FR 2333991 A1, EP 930436 A1 and SE 1300329 A1 show joint devices of the above type.

Furthermore, the presence of caps causes hindrances and obstacles for the positioning of objects on the bottom or base of the furniture, in any case creating disturbance for the user.

It should also be taken into account that an activation from above, in particular for lower joints, is not always easy, in the presence of limited spaces between shelves or minimum distances from the bottom of the furniture or rear wall of the furniture, and, as already indicated, visible holes are required which are greatly criticized by the users.

The general objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a relatively hidden joint, which provides for a front activation between a panel or shelf or base or bottom of a piece of furniture and a shoulder or other panel of a piece of furniture capable of solving the drawbacks of the known art mentioned above, in a simple, economical and functional manner.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a joint between two panels which, in addition to having a minimum visibility on the part of the observer, and therefore a high aesthetical value, can be easily accessible, even from a free area between the bottom and floor where the furniture is positioned.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a joint between portions of vertical walls and the bottom and shelves of a piece of furniture or furnishing item, which does not create a significant encumbrance and is adjacent between a panel or shelf or base or bottom of a piece of furniture and a shoulder or other panel of a piece of furniture, also even between the bottom or base and the floor.

The above objectives are achieved by a joint produced according to the independent claim1and following subclaims.

