BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connecting structure for plate members and an assembly using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is an assembly such as a three-dimensional puzzle, model, and decoration which is formed by plate members connected together. The assembly being the three-dimensional puzzle or the like requires a connecting structure between the plate members, capable of easily assembling the plate members and keeping an assembled state thereof. As such a connecting structure, there is one disclosed in JP 6440044B.

The connecting structure is provided with projected connecting fragments provided on sides of each plate member and connecting grooves each between adjacent connecting fragments. The connecting fragments are projected from the sides in arc shapes and the connecting groove is defined between the adjacent connecting pieces so as to have a base end at which the width of the connecting groove is widest.

When the connecting the plate members, base ends of the connecting fragments on one of the plate members are fitted to the base ends of the connecting grooves on the other of the plate members, respectively. With this, the plate members are easily assembled together and kept the assembled state.

The connecting structure, however, needs to be bent when fitting the connecting fragments to the connecting grooves and there is limited on material applicable to the connecting structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a connecting structure, capable of being applicable to a variety of materials for plate members while easily assembling the plate members and keeping the assembled state of the plate members.

In order to accomplish the object, an aspect of the present invention provides a connecting structure for plate members connected together. The connecting structure has a projection projected from one of the plate members in a first direction and a groove provided on the other of the plate members to have inner faces facing each other in a second direction and configured to fittingly receive the projection, the second direction intersecting the first direction. The projection has a main body being a portion projected from said one of the plate members in the first direction, a resilient portion provided on one side of the main body in the second direction and resiliently inwardly deformable in the second direction, and an engagement portion outwardly expanded in the second direction from the resilient portion and configured to be plastically deformed along and engage with one of the inner faces of the groove when the groove fittingly receives the projection.

According to the aspect, the connecting structure is applicable to a variety of materials of plate members while easily assembling the plate members and keeping the assembled state of the plate members.

