CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of Swedish Application No. 2350659-5, filed on May 30, 2023 and the benefit of Swedish Application No. 2351432-6, filed on Dec. 15, 2023. The entire contents of each of Swedish Application No. 2350659-5 and Swedish Application No. 2351432-6 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure generally relates to a floor panel assembly comprising a connecting device. The connecting device is configured to position at least two adjacent panels, such as three or four adjacent panels, in the floor panel assembly with respect to each other. The disclosure also relates to the connecting device itself and to a corresponding wall panel assembly.
BACKGROUND
The disclosure WO 2023/146452 A1 discloses improved assemblies for aligning floor panels forming four-way junctions (X-crossings) at their corner sections. For example, such junctions may be of interest when a particular floor design is desired, such as when the floor covering is adapted to resemble ceramic tiles.
However, there is still need for an alignment configuration that is adapted to a broader class of floor panels. Also, an even more stable alignment configuration may sometimes be desired.
SUMMARY
It is therefore an object of at least certain embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a floor panel assembly in which a relative position between the panels may be more controlled by means of a connecting device, while the connecting device is suitable for an arbitrary panel thickness and/or a more general design of a locking device of the panels.
Another object of at least certain embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a floor panel assembly admitting an improved positioning of the connecting device.
It is also an object of at least certain embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a connecting device configured to provide a floor panel assembly in accordance with any of the objects above.
These and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by the various aspects, embodiments and examples described below.
In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a floor panel assembly comprising a first panel and a second panel. A first edge portion of the first panel comprises a strip extending horizontally beyond an upper portion of the first edge portion, wherein the strip comprises an upwardly extending locking element and wherein an outer portion of the strip comprises a, preferably sidewardly open, cavity extending below, preferably a plane of, an upper surface of the locking element. A second edge portion of the second panel comprises a downwardly open locking groove configured to cooperate with the locking element for horizontally locking the first and second edge portions to each other. The floor panel assembly further comprises a connecting device configured to be at least partially arranged in the locking groove in a locked state of the first and second edge portions. An upper section of the connecting device comprises a projection extending from a body portion, wherein the projection is configured to be arranged in the cavity in the locked state.
In accordance with the first aspect, the projection may vertically position the connecting device with respect to the first panel at the first edge portion. Furthermore, the same type of connecting devices may be used for a variety of floor panel assemblies, regardless of a thickness of the panels and/or of a height of the locking elements therein. For example, a distance from a rear side of the first panel to the cavity, such as in the first edge portion, may be predetermined.
Generally herein, cooperating elements (such as between elements of the panels, between elements of the connecting device and of a panel) may cooperate by direct or indirect engagement. In any embodiment described herein, there may be a sealing agent, such as a wax, silicone, a rubber strip or an adhesive, provided between the cooperating elements, thereby providing examples of an indirect engagement.
The plane may be parallel to a horizontal plane extending along a front side of the first panel, and preferably along a front side of the second panel in the locked state.
The cavity may be disposed above a shelf arranged in the outer portion of the strip, the cavity being open upwards. Such a cavity may maintain a robustness of the strip, such as of the locking element, to a large degree.
In some embodiments, the cavity may be disposed above the shelf and may further be disposed below a ceiling portion. Thereby, the cavity may be at least partially concealed from above.
The cavity may be arranged at least partially horizontally outside of the locking element, such as outside of an upper and/or innermost portion of the locking element.
The positioning member may extend along the third edge portion outside of an area between an upper side edge of the first edge portion and an upper side edge of the second edge portion.
In a locked state of the third edge portion of the first panel and a fourth edge portion of a third panel, the positioning member may be provided in a gap between a section of the third edge portion and a section of the fourth edge portion of the third panel.
The connecting device may comprise a positioning member configured to extend along a third edge portion of the first panel in the locked state, wherein the first and third edge portions join each other at a corner portion of the first panel. By means of the positioning member, a relative horizontal displacement of one of the first and second panels with respect to the other panel in a direction along the first and second edge portions may be counteracted, or even entirely prevented.
The positioning member may be further configured to extend along a third edge portion of the second panel in the locked state, wherein the second and third edge portions join each other at a corner portion of the second panel.
The positioning member may comprise an arm portion configured to be arranged in a, preferably sidewardly open, cavity in the locked state, wherein the cavity is arranged in an outer portion of a strip of the third edge portion of the first panel, and wherein the cavity extends below, preferably a plane of, an upper surface of a locking element arranged in the strip of the third edge portion. The arm portion may vertically position the connecting device with regard to the first panel at its third edge portion. By means of the cavities on the first and third edge portions of the first panel as well as the projection and arm portion, the positioning of the connecting device may be improved with respect to the first panel (and optionally the second panel, see below) regardless of the remaining design of the locking device, such as the height of the locking element, on the first and third edge portions.
The positioning member may comprise a tapering end portion. The tapering end portion may be provided by a chamfer or a bevel of a, preferably vertical, side wall of the end portion. One or both side walls of the end portion may have a chamfer or a bevel. Thereby, an improved guiding of the connecting device between the third and fourth edge portions may be provided.
The body portion of the connecting device may be configured to be arranged in the locking groove horizontally outward of the locking element of the first edge portion in the locked state. For example, the body portion may counteract, or even entirely prevent, a relative displacement of the first and second panels against each other.
By means of the arm portion and/or the projection, a risk of involuntarily displacing the connecting element under the panels may be reduced or even eliminated.
In some embodiments, the positioning member may comprise a base portion without any part of the positioning member extending above the strip of the third edge portion of the first panel.
The connecting device may further comprise an aligning element configured to extend along a first edge portion of a third panel of the floor panel assembly in the locked state of the first and second edge portions of the first and second panels and in a locked state of the third edge portion of the first panel and a fourth edge portion of the third panel. The aligning element may horizontally align the third panel with respect to the first and/or the second panel.
The aligning element may be arranged, such as entirely, horizontally outward of the first edge portion of the third panel in the locked state of the first and second edge portions of the first and second panels and in the locked state of the third and fourth edge portions of the first and third panels. Thereby, the third panel may be horizontally aligned while admitting an assembly of the fourth edge portion of the third panel to the third edge portion of the first panel, such as by angling of the third panel relative to the first panel. For example, no displacement of the aligning element may be needed.
The aligning element may comprise a lug member configured to be arranged in a cavity of the first edge portion of the third panel in the locked state of the first and second edge portions and in the locked state of the third and fourth edge portions. The cavity may be arranged in an outer portion of a strip of the first edge portion of the third panel, wherein the cavity extends below, preferably a plane of, an upper surface of a locking element arranged in the strip. The lug member may provide an improved and/or more secure positioning of the connecting device, preferably at least to the third panel. For example, a risk of tilting the connecting device with regard to the panels, such as tilting the aligning element with respect to the third and/or fourth panel(s), may be reduced. Also, the lug member may reinforce the connecting device.
The aligning element may be flexible. The aligning element may be configured to be displaced horizontally outwards during assembly of the fourth edge portion of the third panel to the third edge portion of the first panel, such as by angling of the third panel relative to the first panel. The displacement outwards may be configured to be caused by a cooperation between an actuation member of the third panel and the lug member.
The horizontal locking of the locking groove with the locking element may be independent of the connecting device.
The floor panel assembly may further comprise a tongue and a tongue groove for vertical locking of the first and second edge portions.
The tongue may be a separate tongue, such as a separately formed tongue.
The tongue may be integrally formed with the second panel, such as being formed in a core thereof.
The connecting device may comprise a polymer-based material, such as a thermoplastic material, e.g., a polylactic acid, PLA, or polypropylene, PP. Optionally, the polymer-based material may comprise a reinforcing filler, such as glass fibres. The connecting device may comprise from 20 to 100 wt % of polymer-based material, such as 40 to 100 wt %, such as 60 to 100 wt %, such as 80 to 100 wt %. The connecting device may contain 20 to 80 wt % of reinforcing filler, such as 30 to 60 wt %. Other materials, such as a metal, e.g., aluminium, are also equally conceivable.
Any pair of first and second edge portions of a given pair of panels herein, in particular the first edge portion of the first panel and the second edge portion of the second panel, may be configured to be assembled to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the pair of panels, such as the first and second panels, against each other, preferably by so-called vertical folding (scissor movement).
Likewise, any pair of third and fourth edge portions of a given pair of panels herein, in particular the third edge portion of the first panel and the fourth edge portion of the third panel, may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling of the pair of panels, such as the third and first panels, relative to each other.
Alternatively, any pair of first and second edge portions of a given pair of panels herein, in particular the first edge portion of the first panel and the second edge portion of the second panel, may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling of the pair of panels, such as the first and second panels, relative to each other.
Likewise, any pair of third and fourth edge portions of a given pair of panels herein, in particular the third edge portion of the first panel and the fourth edge portion of the third panel may be configured to be assembled to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the pair of panels, such as the third and first panels, against each other.
The panels in the floor panel assembly may comprise a decorative joint portion along at least one, preferably all, of their edge portions. A horizontal and/or a vertical positioning may be particularly important for such panels for providing an aesthetically satisfactory assembly. For example, the panels may imitate ceramic tiles.
The body portion and/or an aligning element of the connecting device may be disposed at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the positioning member, such as 60° or 120°. Thereby, the connecting device may be used for positioning non-rectangular panels, such as Chevron panels.
In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a floor panel assembly in accordance with independent claim 22. Embodiments and examples of the second aspect, such as of the lug member, are largely analogous to those of the first aspect, whereby reference is made thereto.
In accordance with a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a connecting device in accordance with independent claim 23. Embodiments and examples of the third aspect are largely analogous to those of the first aspect, whereby reference is made thereto. In addition, the following embodiments are conceivable.
The arm portion may be provided vertically above or below the projection.
The connecting device may further comprise a sealing member.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a wall panel assembly. Embodiments and examples of the fourth aspect are largely analogous to those of the first aspect, whereby reference is made thereto. It is stressed, however, that the floor panels are replaced by wall panels.
Aspects of the disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.
Generally, all terms used in the claims below are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Reference to one or a plurality of “at least one element”, etc., may shortly be referred to as “the element(s)”.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will in the following be described in connection to exemplary embodiments and in greater detail with reference to the appended exemplary drawings, wherein:
FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a illustrate embodiments of a floor panel assembly in perspective views (FIGS. 1a-1b) and in enlarged partial views around the sections A (FIG. 1c) and B (FIG. 2a) in FIGS. 1a-1b.
FIGS. 2b-2d depict schematic illustrations of embodiments of assembled panels in top views (FIGS. 2b-2c) and an embodiment of a panel around a corner portion (FIG. 2d).
FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate embodiments of panels in locked states L1 (FIGS. 3a) and L2 (FIG. 3b) along the cross-sectional side views D-D and E-E in any of FIGS. 1a-1b and 2b-2c.
FIGS. 3c-3d illustrate embodiments of panels in locked states L3 (FIGS. 3d) and L4 (FIG. 3c) along the cross-sectional side views F-F and G-G in any of FIGS. 1b and 2b-2c.
FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate in perspective views embodiments of a connecting device (FIGS. 4a-4b), e.g., suitable for use in any of FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3a-3d and 4c-4h, and embodiments of panels in cross-sectional side views (FIGS. 4c-4d).
FIGS. 4e-4f illustrate an embodiment of panels in a locked state L1 (FIG. 4e) along the cross-sections D-D in any of FIGS. 1a-1b and 2b-2c, and embodiments of panels in a locked state L2 and/or L3 (FIG. 4f) along the cross-sectional side views E-E and/or G-G in any of FIGS. 1a-1b and 2b-2c.
FIGS. 4g-4h illustrate embodiments of a panel, such as any of those in FIGS. 4e-4f, around a corner portion.
FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate in perspective views an embodiment of a connecting device (FIGS. 5a-5b), and an embodiment of a floor panel assembly comprising this connecting device during assembly in an enlarged partial perspective view (FIG. 5c) and in a side view (FIG. 5d).
FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate an embodiment of a floor panel assembly comprising a connecting device of the kind in FIGS. 5a-5b during assembly (FIGS. 6a-6b) and in a locked state (FIG. 6c).
FIG. 7 illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of a connecting device, e.g., suitable for use in any of FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3a-3d and 4c-4h.
FIGS. 8a-8b illustrate embodiments of panels during assembly (FIG. 8a) and in a locked state L4 (FIG. 8b) along the cross-sectional side views F-F in any of FIGS. 1b and 2b-2c.
FIGS. 9a-9d illustrate in a perspective view (FIG. 9a) and a top view (FIG. 9b) an embodiment of a connecting device and an embodiment of a floor panel assembly comprising such a connecting device in locked states L1 (FIG. 9c) and L2 and/or L3 (FIG. 9d) along the sectional side views D-D and E-E, G-G, respectively, in any of FIGS. 1a-1b and 2b-2c.
FIGS. 10a-10f illustrate in a perspective view (FIG. 10a), a side view (FIG. 10b) and a top view (FIG. 10c) an embodiment of a connecting device and an embodiment of a floor panel assembly comprising such a connecting device in a top view (FIG. 10d) and in locked states L1 and/or L4 (FIGS. 10e) and L2 and/or L3 (FIG. 10f) along the cross-sectional side views D-D, F-F and E-E, G-G, respectively, in FIG. 10d.
FIGS. 11a-11d illustrate in a perspective view (FIG. 11a) an embodiment of a connecting device and an embodiment of a floor panel assembly comprising such a connecting device in a bottom view (FIG. 11b) and enlarged cross-sectional bottom views (FIGS. 11c-11d) of the regions H and J in FIG. 11b.
FIGS. 11e-11f illustrate the embodiment of the floor panel assembly in FIGS. 11b and 11d schematically in locked states L1 (FIGS. 11e) and L2 (FIG. 11f) along the cross-sectional side views D-D and E-E, respectively, and/or in locked states L4 (FIG. 11e) and L3 (FIG. 11f) along the sectional side views F-F and G-G, respectively.
FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate in a perspective view (FIG. 12a), a side view (FIG. 12b) and a top view (FIG. 12c) an embodiment of a connecting device, e.g., for use in any of FIGS. 10d-10f.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Next, various exemplary embodiments of a floor panel assembly will be described with reference to, e.g., FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3a-3d, 4a-4h, 5a-5d, 6a-6c, 7, 8a-8b, 9a-9d, 10a-10f, 11a-11f and 12a-12c. The floor panel assembly comprises a first 1 and a second 1′ panel and, preferably, a third 1″ and/or a fourth 1′″ panel. For example, the panels may imitate ceramic tiles. A, preferably maximal, thickness T of the panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ herein may be 3-25 mm or 3-20 mm, preferably 10-20 mm or 4-10 mm. The floor panel assembly may provide a floor covering that may be, preferably engagingly, floating on a subfloor 20, optionally including an underlay member, such as a foam. In some embodiments, however, it may be glued to the subfloor 20.
In non-restrictive examples, the floor panels described herein may be thermoplastic-based panels, thermosetting-based panels, ceramic tiles, or wood-based panels. By way of example, each panel may be a laminate panel, a wood powder-based panel, optionally comprising a veneer layer, a ceramic tile attached to a thermoplastic core, a mineral-based panel, such as comprising magnesium oxide and, optionally, magnesium chloride (e.g., MgCl2) and/or magnesium sulfate (e.g., MgSO4), a Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT tile), a Stone Plastic (Polymer) Composite panel (SPC panel), or an Expanded Polymer Core panel (EPC panel), also known as Water Proof Core panel (WPC panel). Any of these panels may imitate ceramic tiles proper.
Each of the first 1, second 1′, third 1″ and fourth 1′″ panels may comprise a first 1a, 1a′, 1a″, 1a′″, a second 1b, 1b′, 1b″, 1b′″, a third 1c, 1c′, 1c″, 1c′″, and a fourth 1d, 1d′, 1d″, 1d′″ edge portion. The first (third) and second (fourth) edge portions of each panel may be oppositely arranged to each other, preferably being parallel to each other. For example, the third and fourth (first and second) edge portions may extend along a first (second) horizontal direction X (Y). A thickness direction of the panels may be parallel with a vertical direction Z. The panels may be rectangular. In some embodiments, however, the panels are non-rectangular, for example being Chevron panels in the shape of parallelograms, see FIG. 11b. In such cases, the first (or second) edge portion of each panel may be provided at angle γ, γ′ against the third (or fourth) edge portion, such as 60° or 120°, see FIG. 11b. In a first example, such as in FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3a-3d, 4c-4h, 5c-5d, 6a-6c, 8a-8b and 9c-9d, the first (third) and second (fourth) edge portions are short (long) edge portions. In a second example, such as in FIGS. 10d-10f and 11b-11f, the first (third) and second (fourth) edge portions are long (short) edge portions. In some embodiments, however, the panels may be square.
The panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ may be substantially identical to each other. In some embodiments, however, and in case of non-rectangular panels, the floor panel assembly may comprise a first 40 and a second 41 type of panels giving rise to a first and a second kind of joint, see at the regions H and J in FIG. 11b.
The first 1a (second 1b′″) and third 1c (fourth 1d′″) edge portions may join each other at a corner portion 1e (1e′″) of the first panel 1 (fourth panel 1′″). The second 1b′ (first 1a″) and third 1c′ (fourth 1d″) edge portions join each other at a corner portion 1e′ (1e″) of the second panel 1′ (third panel 1″). The panels 1, 11, 1″, 1′″ may be assembled to each other such that a four-way junction is formed at their corner portions 1e, 1e′, 1e″, 1e′″. The upper side edges 1f of the edge portions provided adjacent to front sides 1g of the panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ may thereby form a cross-like shape, cf. FIGS. 2b-2d and 4g-4h, or an irregular cross-like shape, cf. FIG. 11b.
Each panel may comprise a mechanical locking device for horizontally and, preferably, vertically locking the panel to an adjacent panel. As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 3a, 2b-2c, 4e, 9c, 10d-10e and 11e (FIGS. 3c, 2b-2c, 8b, 9c, 10d-10e and 11e), the first 1a (1a″) and second 1b′ (1b′″) edge portions may be locked to each other to obtain a locked state L1 (L4). Moreover, as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 3b, 2b-2c, 4f, 9d, 10d, 10f and 11f (FIGS. 3d, 2b-2c, 4f, 9d, 10d, 10f and 11f), the third 1c (1c′) and fourth 1d″ (1d′″) edge portions may be locked to each other to obtain a locked state L2 (L3). The locked state L1 (L4) may include a horizontal and, optionally a vertical, locking of the first 1a (1a″) and second 1b′ (1b′″) edge portions to each other. The locked state L2 (L3) may include a horizontal and, optionally a vertical, locking of the third 1c (1c′) and fourth 1d″ (1d′″) edge portions to each other.
The corner portions 1e, 1e′, 1e″, 1e′″ may face each other in a locked state L1, L2, L3, L4 of all four panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″.
As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 2d, 3a, 4c, 4e, 4g-4h, 9c, 10e and 11e, the first edge portion 1a comprises a strip 3 extending horizontally beyond an upper portion 4a thereof. The strip 3 comprises an upwardly extending locking element 5, preferably located at an outer portion 3a of the strip 3. Moreover, the second edge portion 1b′ comprises a downwardly open locking groove 6 configured to cooperate with the locking element 5 for horizontally locking the first 1a and second 1b′ edge portions to each other. For example, the upper portions 4a, 4b of the first 1a and second 1b′ edge portions as well as an inner surface 5a of the locking element 5 and an outer surface 6a of the locking groove 6 may cooperate for horizontal locking. The horizontal locking of the locking groove 6 with the locking element 5 may be independent of the connecting device 2.
It is emphasized that FIGS. 4c-4d may be represented in the same manner for the panels in FIGS. 10d-10f and 11b-11f, with appropriate modifications.
The outer portion 3a of the strip 3 comprises a, preferably sidewardly open, cavity 30 which extends below, preferably below a plane P1 of, an upper surface 5c, such as an uppermost surface, of the locking element 5. The cavity 30 may be arranged at least partially horizontally outside of the locking element 5, such as outside of an upper portion 5d and/or an innermost portion 5e of the locking element. For example, the cavity 30 may be arranged entirely horizontally outside of the locking element 5. The cavity 30 may be disposed above a shelf 31 arranged in the outer portion 3a. Preferably, and as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2d, 3a, 4c, 9c, 10e and 11e, the cavity 30 may be open upwards. In some embodiments, however, and as shown in FIGS. 4e and 4g-4h, the cavity 30 may be at least partially concealed from above. The cavity may thereby be disposed below a ceiling portion 34, preferably provided in the outer portion 3a. For example, the ceiling portion 34 may be arranged below, or at least partially in, the locking element 5.
The cavity 30 may extend horizontally inwardly of a vertical plane W1 provided along an outermost surface 3b of the outer portion 3a. The cavity 30, and optionally the shelf 31, may extend along substantially the entire first edge portion 1a, see FIGS. 2d and 4g. In some embodiments, however, the cavity 30, and optionally the shelf 31, may extend along a portion of the first edge portion 1a, such as being arranged in the corner portion 1e of the first panel 1, see FIG. 4h.
Optionally, the panels 1, 1′ may further comprise a tongue 11 and a tongue groove 12 for vertical locking of the first 1a and second 1b′ edge portions. As shown in, e.g., FIG. 3a, the tongue 11 and tongue groove 12 may be provided in the first 1a and second 1b′ edge portions, respectively. For example, the tongue 11 may be a separate, preferably flexible, tongue provided in a displacement groove 11a. However, providing the tongue 11 and tongue groove 12 in the second 1b′ and first 1a edge portions, respectively, is equally conceivable, see, e.g., FIG. 10e, where the tongue 11 is integrally formed with the second panel 1′, such as being formed in a core 29 thereof. In either case, a similar tongue 11′ and groove 12′ configuration is preferred also in the first 1a″ and second 1b′″ edge portions, see, e.g., FIGS. 3c, 10e, 4c and 4d (with the referenced numbers reversed). It is noted that for increasing the clarity the separate tongue is sometimes removed in the figures herein.
As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 2d, 3b, 4d, 4f-4h, 9d and 10f, the third edge portion 1c comprises a strip 13 extending horizontally beyond an upper portion 14a thereof. The strip 13 comprises an upwardly extending locking element 9, preferably located at an outer portion 13a of the strip 13. Moreover, the fourth edge portion 1d″ comprises a downwardly open locking groove 10 configured to cooperate with the locking element 9 for horizontally locking the third 1c and fourth 1d″ edge portions to each other. For example, the upper portions 14a, 14b of the third 1c and fourth 1d″ edge portions as well as an inner surface 9a of the locking element 9 and an outer surface 10a of the locking groove 10 may cooperate for horizontal locking.
Optionally, the panels 1, 1″ further comprise a tongue 11b and a tongue groove 12a for vertical locking of the third 1c and fourth 1d″ edge portions. As shown in, e.g., FIG. 3b, the tongue 11b and tongue groove 12a may be provided in the fourth 1d″ and third 1c edge portions, respectively. For example, the tongue 11b may be integrally formed with the third panel 1″, such as being formed in a core 29 thereof. However, providing the tongue 11b and tongue groove 12a in the third 1c and fourth 1d″ edge portions, respectively, is equally conceivable, see, e.g., FIG. 10f, where the tongue 11b is separate, preferably flexible, tongue provided in a displacement groove 11c. In either case, a similar tongue 11b′ and groove 12a′ configuration is preferred also in the third 1c′ and fourth 1d′″ edge portions, see, e.g., FIGS. 3d, 10f, 4d, 4f-4h and 4c (with the referenced numbers reversed). The tongue 11b′ may be a separate, preferably flexible, tongue provided in a displacement groove 11c′.
A similar mechanical locking device as those described on the edge portions 1a, 1b′, 1c, 1d″ may be provided in the corresponding edge portions of the panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″. For example, as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 3c and 10e, a locking element 5′ provided in a strip 3′ of the first edge portion 1a″ may be configured to cooperate with a downwardly open locking groove 6′ in the second edge portion 1b′″ for horizontally locking the first 1a″ and second 1b′″ edge portions to each other. The elements 4a′, 4b′, 11′, 11a′, 12′ may be embodied identically to the elements 4a, 4b, 11, 11a, 12 described elsewhere herein, whereby reference is made thereto. Moreover, a locking element 9′ provided in a strip 13′ of the third edge portion 1c′ may be configured to cooperate with a downwardly open locking groove 10′ in the fourth edge portion 1d′″ for horizontally locking the third 1c′ and fourth 1d′″ edge portions to each other, see, e.g., FIGS. 3d and 10f. The elements 3′, 3a′, 4a′, 4b′, 5′, 5c′, 9′, 11′, 11a′, 11b′, 11c′, 12′, 12a′, 13′, 13a′, 14a′, 14b′, etc., e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3c-3d, may be embodied identically to the elements 3, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5, 5c, 9, 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 12, 12a, 13, 13a, 14a, 14b, etc., described elsewhere herein, whereby reference is made thereto.
In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 9c-9d and 11e-11f, any pair or even all of the upper portions 4a, 4b, 4a═, 4b′, 14a, 14b, 14a′, 14b′ may comprise a supplementary tongue 43 and a supplementary tongue groove 44 such that they overlap horizontally. The supplementary tongue 43 and tongue groove 44 may contribute to the vertical locking of the panels and/or may provide a sealing of the joint.
Next, reference is made to, e.g., FIGS. 1c, 2a, 2d, 3b, 3d, 4d, 4f-4h, 9d, 10f and 11f. The outer portion 13a of the strip 13 may comprise a, preferably sidewardly open, cavity 32, which extends below, preferably below a plane P2 of, an upper surface 9c, such as an uppermost surface, of the locking element 9. Alternatively, or additionally, the outer portion 13a′ of the strip 13′ may comprise a, preferably sidewardly open, cavity 32′, which extends below, preferably below a plane P4 of, an upper surface 9c′, such as an uppermost surface, of the locking element 9′. The cavity 32 (32′) may be arranged at least partially horizontally outside of the locking element 9 (9′), such as outside of an upper portion 9d (9d′) and/or an innermost portion 9e (9e′) of the locking element. For example, the cavity 32 (32′) may be arranged entirely horizontally outside of the locking element 9 (9′). The cavity 32 (32′) may be disposed above a shelf 33 (33′) arranged in the outer portion 13a (13a′). Preferably, the cavity 32, 32′ is open upwards, see FIGS. 1c, 2a, 2d, 3b, 3d, 4d and 11f. As shown in FIGS. 4f-4h, however, the cavity 32, 32′ may in some embodiments be at least partially concealed from above. The cavity may be disposed below a ceiling portion 35, 35′, preferably provided in the outer portion 13a, 13a′. For example, the ceiling portion 35, 35′ may be arranged below, or at least partially in, the locking element 9, 9′. In yet some embodiments, there is no cavity 32 and/or 32′ with the above characteristics.
The cavity 32 (32′) may extend horizontally inwardly of a vertical plane W2 (W2′) provided along an outermost surface 13b (13b′) of the outer portion 13a (13a′). The cavity 32 (32′), and optionally the shelf 33 (33′), may extend along substantially the entire third edge portion 1c (1c′), see FIG. 4g. In some embodiments, however, the cavity 32 (32′), and optionally the shelf 33 (33′), may extend along a portion of the third edge portion 1c (1c′), such as being arranged in the corner portion 1e (1e′) of the first panel 1 (second panel 1′), see FIG. 4h.
The first 1a (1a″) and second 1b′ (1b′″) edge portions, such as those in FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3a, 3c, 4c, 4e, 4g-4h, 5c-5d, 6a-6c, 8a-8b and 9c, may be configured to be assembled to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the first 1 (third 1″) and second 1′ (fourth 1′″) panels against each other, see page 16, line 30 to page 17, line 11 and FIGS. 2a-2e and 5a-5b of WO 2006/043893 A1, whose content hereby is incorporated by reference.
Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the third 1c (1c′) and the fourth 1d″ (1d″) edge portions, such as those in FIGS. 1a-1c, 2a-2d, 3b, 3d, 4d, 4f-4h, 5c-5d, 6a-6c and 9d, may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling of the third 1″ (second 1′) and first 1 (fourth 1′″) panels relative to each other.
Alternatively, the first 1a (1a″) and second 1b′ (1b′″) edge portions, such as those in FIGS. 10e and 11e, may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling of the first 1 (third 1″) and second 1′ (fourth 1′″) panels relative to each other. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the third 1c (1c′) and the fourth 1d″ (1d′″) edge portions, such as those in FIGS. 10f and 11f, may be configured to be assembled to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the third 1″ (second 1′) and first 1 (fourth 1′″) panels relative to each other.
The floor panel assembly further comprises a connecting device 2 configured to be at least partially arranged in the locking groove 6 in the locked state L1, cf., e.g., FIGS. 3a, 4a-4b, 4e, 7, 9a-9c, 10a-10e, 11a-11e and 12a-12c. The connecting device 2 comprises a positioning member 7 configured to extend along the third edge portion 1c in the locked state L1. For example, the connecting device 2 may comprise a polymer-based material, such as PLA or PP, or a metal, e.g., aluminium. In non-limiting examples, the connecting device 2 may have a longitudinal extension LB and/or LP of 8-50 mm, such as 10-30 mm.
The connecting device 2 may comprise a body portion 2a configured to be arranged in the locking groove 6, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the locking element 5 and/or of the second edge portion 1b′, such as the outermost surface 3b in the locked state L1, see, e.g., FIGS. 3a and 4e. The body portion may be provided in a gap 15a between a section of the first edge portion 1a and a section of the second edge portion 1b′. Moreover, in the locked state L1, a base portion 7c of the positioning member 7 may extend, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the locking element 9 and/or of the third edge portion 1c, such as the outermost surface 13b, cf. FIG. 3b. The positioning member 7 may extend along the third edge portion 1c outside of an area between an upper side edge 1f of the first edge portion 1a and an upper side edge 1f of the second edge portion 1b′. The positioning member may be provided in a gap 15b between a section of the third edge portion 1c and a section of the fourth edge portion 1d″. The positioning member 7 may be connected to the body portion 2a, and longitudinal extensions LP, LB of the positioning member 7 and the body portion 2a may be disposed at an angle α, such as essentially perpendicularly to each other, see, e.g., FIGS. 4a-4b, 5a-5b, 7, 9a-9b, 10a-10c and 12a-12c, or at a non-perpendicular angle α, such as 60° or 120°, see, e.g., FIGS. 11a-11d. For example, especially for the perpendicularly arranged longitudinal extensions, the longitudinal extension LB may be larger or smaller than LP, or LP and LB may be essentially equal. Alternatively, for example in FIGS. 11a-11f, the longitudinal extension LP may be larger than combined longitudinal extensions LB of the body portion 2a and the aligning element 8 (defined below).
As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1c and 4a, 4b (including the leftmost broken lines), 5a-5b, 10a, 11a and 12a, the positioning member 7 may be further configured to extend along the third edge portion 1c′ in the locked state L1. Thus, the positioning member may be further provided in a gap 15c between a section of the third edge portion 1c′ and a section of the fourth edge portion 1d′″, see, e.g., FIGS. 3d, 10f and 11f. The longitudinal extension LP of the positioning member 7 may thereby traverse both sides 2c, 2d of the body portion 2a. Hence, the positioning member may comprise a first 7d and a second 7e positioning portion extending on either side of the body portion 2a along the longitudinal extension LP. In the locked state L1, the base portion 7c may extend, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the locking element 9′ and/or of the third edge portion 1c′, such as the outermost surface 13b′.
Preferably, the positioning member 7 is provided along the third edge portion 1c′ such that it extends horizontally inwardly (along the first direction X) of the locking groove 6 with respect to the second panel 1′, cf. FIGS. 1c, 5c and 11e.
As shown in FIGS. 10a-10c and 12a-12c the positioning member 7 may optionally comprise a tapering end portion 39. Such a tapering end portion 39 may provide an improved guiding of the connecting device 2 between the third 1c and fourth 1d″ edge portions. The tapering end portion 39 may be provided by a chamfer or a bevel of a, preferably vertical, side wall 7f, 7g of the end portion. One or both side walls 7f, 7g of the end portion 39 may have a chamfer or a bevel. For example, the tapering end portion 39 may comprise at least one tapering side wall 7f, 7g, such as two tapering side walls 7f, 7g. Alternatively, or additionally, the tapering end portion 39 may comprise an inclined top wall 7i. It is emphasized that the tapering end portion 39, for example with tapering side walls 7f, 7g and/or the inclined top wall 7i, is conceivable in other embodiments herein, such as that in FIGS. 11a-11f.
In the locked state L1, the body portion 2a, such as a side 2c thereof, may engage with the outer portion 3a, such as with an outermost surface 3b thereof, see, e.g., FIG. 3a, or with an outer surface 5b of the locking element 5, see, e.g., FIG. 4e. Alternatively, or additionally, the body portion 2a, such as a side 2d thereof, may engage with the locking groove 6, such as with an inner surface 6b thereof. The body portion may be straight, such as comprising planar sides 2c, 2d. In the locked state L1, the base portion 7c, such as a side wall 7f thereof, may engage with the outer portion 13a and/or 13a′, such as with the outermost surface 13b and/or 13b′ thereof, see, e.g., FIGS. 3b and 3d, or with an outer surface 9b, 9b′ of the locking element 9 and/or 9′, see, e.g., FIG. 4f. Alternatively, or additionally, the base portion 7c, such as a side wall 7g thereof, may engage with the locking groove 10 and/or the locking groove 10′, such as with an inner surface 10b and/or 10b′ thereof. The base portion may be straight, such as comprising planar side walls 7f, 7g.
Hence, the connecting device 2 may be substantially L-shaped (see, e.g., the unbroken lines in FIG. 4b), T-shaped (see, e.g., the unbroken lines and the leftmost broken lines in FIG. 4b) or cross-shaped (see, e.g., FIGS. 4a, 5a-5b, 9a, 10a, 12a, and the unbroken and all broken lines in FIG. 4b). In some embodiments, the connecting device 2 may have an irregular cross-like shape such that the end points of the body portion 2a, the positioning member 7 and aligning element 8 (defined below) extend along the vertices of a quadrilateral, such as an irregular quadrilateral (see, e.g., FIG. 11a).
The connecting device 2 may extend substantially to the subfloor 20, e.g., such that at least a part of it contacts the subfloor 20. In some embodiments, however, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 1c and 11e-11f, there may be a gap 21 between the subfloor 20 and one or several of the body portion 2a, the base portion 7c and the aligning element 8 (defined below). For example, there may be a gap 21 between the subfloor 20 and the body portion 2a.
The connecting device 2 comprises a projection 2b configured to be arranged in the cavity 30 in the locked state L1. Thereby, the projection 2b, such as an underside 2e thereof, may be provided at least partially, or even entirely, below the upper surface 5c. The projection 2b extends from the body portion 2a and is provided in an upper section 27 of the connecting device 2. The projection 2b may extend, preferably horizontally, from the body portion 2a and may face the first edge portion 1a in the locked state L1. The projection 2b, such as the underside 2e, may engage with the shelf 31, such as with an upper surface portion 36 thereof.
The positioning member 7 may optionally comprise an arm portion 7a configured to be arranged in the cavity 32 and/or 32′ in the locked state L1, see, e.g., FIGS. 1c, 2a, 3b, 3d, 4a, 4f, 5a-5b and 7. Thereby, the positioning member 7, such as an underside 7b thereof, may be provided at least partially, or even entirely, below the upper surface 9c and/or 9c′. The arm portion 7a may vertically position the first 1 and second 1′ panels with respect to each other. The arm portion 7a may extend, preferably horizontally, from the base portion 7c. The arm portion 7a, such as the underside 7b, may engage with the shelf 33 and/or 33′, such as with an upper surface portion 37 and/or 37′ thereof.
In a first example, a topmost surface 2h of the connecting device 2 is disposed vertically under at least one, such as each, of the upper surfaces 5c, 9c and 9c′, cf. FIGS. 3a-3d. In a second example, the topmost surface 2h is disposed essentially at the same vertical level as at least one, such as each, of the upper surfaces 5c, 9c and 9c′, cf. FIG. 9c. In the second example, the locking groove 6, 10, 10′ may be more filled out and/or the vertical thickness of the panel 1′, 1″, 1′″ above the locking groove may increase, implying that the panel and/or locking device may become stronger.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 4b, 9a-9d, 10a-10f, 11a-11f and 12a-12c, the positioning member 7 may comprise a base portion 7c without any part of the positioning member, such as the first 7d and/or second 7e positioning portion, extending above the strip 13, 13′ of the third 1c and/or 1c′ edge portion. For example, the positioning member 7 may extend, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the outer portion 13a, 13a′. The positioning member may be absent of an arm portion 7a.
In some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 4a, 4b (the upmost broken lines), 5a-5b, 6c, 8b, 9a, 10a, 11a and 12a, the connecting device 2 may further comprise an aligning element 8 configured to extend along a first edge portion 1a″ of the third panel 1″ in the locked states L1 and L2, see, e.g., FIGS. 1c, 3c, 10e and 11e. The aligning element 8 may be provided in a gap 15d between a section of the first edge portion 1a″ and a section of the second edge portion 1b′″, see, e.g., FIG. 3c. In the locked states L1 and L2, the aligning element 8 may be arranged, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the first edge portion 1a″. The aligning element 8 may extend from the body portion 2a essentially in parallel with the longitudinal extension LB. In the embodiment in FIG. 11e, the aligning element 8 may extend at a non-perpendicular angle β with respect to the positioning member 7, such as 60° or 120°. Also, the respective connections of the body portion 2a and the aligning element 8 to the positioning member 7 may be separated along the longitudinal extensions LP by an intermediate segment 7h.
In the locked state L4, the aligning element 8 may be arranged in the locking groove 6′, preferably at least partially arranged between the locking element 5′ and an inner surface 6b′ of the locking groove, cf. FIGS. 3c, 10e and 11e. In the locked states L1 and L2, the aligning element 8, such as a wall 8a thereof, may engage with the outer portion 3a′, such as an outermost surface 3b′ thereof, see, e.g., FIG. 6c, or with an outer surface 5b′ of the locking element 5′, see, e.g., FIG. 8b herein and FIG. 3c of WO 2023/146452 A1, which hereby is explicitly incorporated by reference. Alternatively, or additionally, in the locked state L4 the aligning element 8, such as a wall 8b thereof, may engage with the locking groove 6′, such as with the inner surface 6b′. The aligning element may be straight, such as comprising planar walls 8a, 8b.
In some embodiments, no part of the aligning element 8 extends above the strip 3′ of the first edge portion 1a, see, e.g., FIGS. 3c, 10f and 11f. For example, the aligning element 8 may extend, preferably entirely, horizontally outward of the outer portion 3a′, such as outermost surface 3b′. The aligning element 8 may be absent of a lug member 8c (defined below). It is understood that the section F-F in relation to the embodiment in FIGS. 9a-9d may be embodied as in, e.g., FIG. 3c, whereby reference is made thereto.
It is understood that the cross-sections D-D and E-E in FIGS. 11f-11g are represented schematically. In particular, the second positioning portion 7e and the aligning element 8 in FIGS. 11e and 11f should not be present along the section D-D and E-E, respectively.
Preferably, a width W of the aligning element (see FIGS. 4a and 6c) does not exceed a horizontal space S between the locking element 5′ and the, preferably inner surface 6b′ of the, locking groove 6′ in the locked state L4, see FIGS. 3c and 6c. For example, the width W may be determined by an upper portion 8e or a vertical centre portion 8f of the aligning element. In embodiments such as those in FIGS. 3a-3d, the first edge portion 1a″ may be essentially freely movable with respect to at least a portion of, such the entire, the aligning element 8 during angling of the fourth edge portion 1d″ with respect to the third edge portion 1c. The relation between the width W and the space S stated above may be the same for some or, preferably, all of the first and second edge portions in the floor panel assembly, such as for the edge portions 1a, 1b′. In non-limiting examples, 0.5 mm≤W≤5.0 mm, such as 0.5 mm≤W≤2.0 mm.
Nevertheless, in some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1c, 5a-5d, 6a-6c, 8a-8b, 10e, 11e and 12a-12c, the aligning element 8 may comprise a lug member 8c, such as a wing portion, configured to be arranged in a cavity 30′ of the first edge portion 1a″ in the locked states L1 and L2, and optionally L4. The, preferably sidewardly open, cavity 30′ is arranged in an outer portion 3a′ of the strip 3′ and extends below, preferably below a plane P3 of, an upper surface 5c′, such as an uppermost surface, of the locking element 5′. Thereby, the lug member 8c, such as an underside 8d thereof, may be provided at least partially, or even entirely, below the upper surface 5c′. The cavity 30′ may be arranged at least partially horizontally outside of the locking element 5′, such as outside of an upper portion 5d′ and/or an innermost portion 5e′ of the locking element. For example, the cavity 30′ may be arranged entirely horizontally outside of the locking element 5′. The cavity 30′ may be disposed above a shelf 31′ arranged in the outer portion 3a′. Preferably, the cavity 30′ is open upwards.
The cavity 30′ may extend horizontally inwardly of a vertical plane W3 provided along the outermost surface 3b′ of the outer portion 3a′. The cavity 30′, and optionally the shelf 31′, may extend along substantially the entire first edge portion 1a″ in complete analogy with the cavity 30 in FIG. 4g. In some embodiments, however, the cavity 30′, and optionally the shelf 31′, may extend along a portion of the first edge portion 1a″, such as being arranged in the corner portion 1e″ of the third panel 1″, in complete analogy with the cavity 30 in FIG. 4h.
The lug member 8c is provided in the upper section 27, preferably extending horizontally from the upper portion 8e. The lug member 8c may face the first edge portion 1a″ in the locked states L1, L2. The lug member 8c, such as the underside 8d, may engage with the shelf 31′, such as with an upper surface portion 38 thereof.
In some embodiments, the aligning element 8 is flexible such that it may be displaced horizontally outwards and inwards (see arrows A1, A2), such as at least along the first horizontal direction X, during assembly of the fourth edge portion 1d″ to the third edge portion 1c. The horizontal displacement may be from a pivoting rotation of the aligning element 8. For example, the flexibility may be provided by a flexible material of the aligning element 8. The non-limiting embodiment in FIGS. 6a-6c illustrates an assembly of the third 1″ and first 1 panels as shown in FIGS. 5c-5d, while being assembled to a fifth panel 1″″ arranged on the subfloor 20, cf. FIG. 2c. The displacement outwards may be caused by a cooperation between an actuation member 1i of the third panel 1″ and the lug member 8c, see FIGS. 5c-5d and 6a-6c, such as when assembling, e.g., angling, the third panel 1″ to the first panel 1 (see arrow AG). The actuation member 1i may be arranged in the rear side 1h of the third panel 1″ and/or in the outer portion 3a′, e.g., extending between the rear side 1h and the outer portion 3a′. The actuation member 1i may comprise a, preferably planar, inclined surface with regard to the rear side 1h, for example forming an angle ![custom-character]()
of 5°-45°, such as 10°-30°.
The aligning element 8 may be displaced horizontally outwards (see arrow A1) away from the third panel 1″. Thereby, the third panel 1″ may be vertically displaced past the lug member 8c. Subsequently, when the third panel 1″ is further vertically displaced downwards, the aligning element 8 may be displaced inwards (see arrow A2) such that the lug member 8c may assume a position in which it is arranged in the cavity 30′, see, e.g., FIGS. 1c and 6c.
In embodiments of the type in FIGS. 5a-5d, etc., the lug member 8c preferably is arranged in a distal end portion 8g of the aligning element 8. For example, it may extend along a portion of the aligning element, such as along less than half, preferably less than a third, of a longitudinal extension LE of the aligning element. Thereby, a smaller outward displacement A1 of the aligning element may be needed for allowing the third panel 1″ to be vertically displaced past the lug member 8c.
FIG. 6c (and FIG. 2c) illustrates a locked state L5 of the first edge portion 1a″″ of the fifth panel 1″″ and the second edge portion 1b″ of the third panel 1″, which may be analogous to the locked state L4 and/or L1.
In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 8a-8b, the connecting device 2 may comprise a lug member 8c configured to extend at least partially above the locking element 5′ in the locked states L1 and L2, and optionally L4. Other features of the connecting device 2, such as of its lug member 8c, may be the same as for those described above in relation to, e.g., FIGS. 1c, 5a-5d and 6a-6c, whereby reference is made thereto.
It is noted that the alignment element 8 of the embodiments in FIGS. 4e-4h may be embodied, e.g., as in any of FIGS. 3c, 4a-4b and 7 or as in FIGS. 1c, 5a-5b and 6c.
Preferably, the projection 2b extends along the entire body portion 2a along the longitudinal extension LB. In embodiments of the type in FIGS. 10a-10c, 11a and 12a-12c, etc., the lug member 8c preferably extends along essentially the entire longitudinal extension LE of the aligning element 8, preferably via a smooth connection to the projection 2b. As shown in FIG. 11a and most clearly in FIG. 11e, a lower section 27′ of the connecting device 2 may comprise a flange portion 2g extending from the body portion 2a and/or a flange portion 8h extending from the aligning element 8. Each of the flange portions 2g, 8h may be embodied similarly to the lug member 8c, up to an interchange of the upper 27 and lower 27′ sections (also, see below). Moreover, the flange portion 2g (or 8h) may be configured to be arranged in a recess 42 (or 42′) of the second edge portion 1b′ (or 1b′″) in the locked state L1 (or L4). Preferably, the recess 42 (or 42′) is provided in the rear side 1h of the second edge portion 1b′ (or 1b′″) and is open towards the locking groove 6 (or 6′).
In fact, the connecting device 2 may in some embodiments be configured to be used in both of the first and second kind of joints in FIG. 11b (see regions H and J). The upper 27 and lower 27′ sections may become interchanged by a rotation of the connecting device 2. Indeed, the roles of the flange portions 2g, 8h on the one hand and the projection 2b and the lug member 8c on the other hand may be interchanged by first rotating the connecting device 2 around the longitudinal extension LP by 180° (see arrow R1) and thereafter rotating it around a vertical axis Q by 180° (see arrow R2). Thereby, the projection 2b and the lug member 8c used in the first kind of joint (see region J) may be embodied by the flange portions 2g and 8h in the second kind of joint (see region H), and vice versa. Also, the roles of the first 7d and a second 7e positioning portions may be interchanged. Moreover, the non-perpendicular angles α, β may be changed from 120° to 60°, or vice versa.
Hence, the locked states L1, L2, L3 and L4 in the second kind of joint shown in FIG. 11c may be embodied similarly to those of the first kind of joint shown in FIGS. 11d-11f.
A distance Z1 from a rear side 1h of the first panel 1 to the cavity 30, such as to the upper surface portion 36, may be predetermined. Moreover, a distance Z2 and/or Z3 from the rear side 1h of the first 1 and/or second 1′ panel to the cavity 32 and/or 32′, such as to the upper surface portion 37 and/or 37′, may be predetermined. In a first preferred example, Z2 and/or Z3 is essentially the same as Z1. In a second example, however, Z2 and/or Z3 may be different from Z1.
Optionally, a distance Z4 from the rear side 1h of the third panel 1″ to the cavity 30′, such as to the upper surface portion 38, may be predetermined. For example, Z4 may be essentially the same as Z1.
Any of the ratios Z1/T, Z2/T, Z3/T, Z4/T, such as all of them, may be between 0.05 and 0.30,preferably 0.1-0.25. In non-restrictive examples, at least one selected from the group consisting of Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, such as all of them, may be 1.0-5.0 mm, such as 1.3-2.5 mm.
Generally herein, any or each cavity 30, 30′, 32, 32′ may be sidewardly open, preferably such that at least a portion of the cavity faces a direction outwards from the first 1a, 1a″ or third 1c, 1c′ edge portion (the direction, e.g., being parallel with the first X or second Y horizontal direction). For example, any or each cavity 30, 30′, 32, 32′ may be arranged at least partially, such as entirely, horizontally outward of the upper surface 5c, 5c′, 9c, 9c′ of the locking element 5, 51, 9, 9′. Moreover, said plane P1, P2, P3, P4 below which any or each cavity 30, 32, 30′, 32′ may extend, may be parallel to a horizontal plane HP extending along the front side 1g.
For example, the panels of a first floor panel assembly may have a different locking device than the panels of a second floor panel assembly, while the first and second assemblies preferably have the same panel thicknesses T, but the same respective predetermined distances Z1, Z2, Z3, and optionally Z4. In another example, the panels of a first and a second floor panel assembly may have different panel thicknesses T, but the same respective predetermined distances Z1, Z2, Z3, and optionally Z4.
Generally herein, a vertical distance V1 from the rear side 1h of the panel 1, 1′ to the upper surface 9c, 9c′ may be the same as a vertical distance V2 from the rear side 1h of the panel 1, 1″ to the upper surface 5c, 5c′. In some embodiments, however, the locking elements 9, 9′ of the third 1c, 1c′, 1c″, 1c′″ edge portions may extend vertically above (or below) the locking elements 5, 5′ of the first 1a, 1a′, 1a″, 1a′″ edge portions. In this scenario, V1>V2 (or V2>V1). Such embodiments are described on page 15, line 32 to page 16, line 14 and shown in FIGS. 7c-7d of WO 2023/146452 A1, whose content hereby is expressly incorporated by reference.
However, since the connecting device 2 herein may engage with one or several of the shelfs 31, 33, 331, 31′ in the locked state L1, L2, L3, L4, the connecting device and its cooperating panel portions, such as the shelfs, herein may be formed and may function largely independently of the distances V1, V2. In any of these embodiments, the connecting device may be provided in a joint with improved moisture control, see WO 2021/058572 A1 whose contents, especially on page 8, lines 15-32, page 12, lines 12-30, FIGS. 4a-4b and FIGS. 7-8, hereby are expressly incorporated by reference.
The connecting device 2 in any of the embodiments herein, may comprise a sealing member 22, such as a sealing agent or a coating. The sealing member 22 may comprise a wax, a water-repellent agent, or a rubber, such as latex, etc. For example, it may be sprayed or brushed on an enveloping surface 2f of the connecting device.
As shown in FIG. 7, the body portion 2a and/or the aligning element 8 may in some embodiments comprise a positioning protrusion 25, 25′ configured to cooperate with at least one of the first 1, second 1′, third 1″, and fourth 1′″ panels, also see, e.g., and page 16, line 22 to page 17, line 31 and FIGS. 10a-10h of WO 2023/146452 A1, whose content is expressly incorporated by reference. Alternatively, or additionally, the positioning member 7 may comprise a positioning projection 26, 26′ configured to cooperate with at least one of the first 1, second 1′, third 1″, and fourth 1′″ panels.
The floor panel assembly may comprise a plurality of connecting devices 2. In a first example, and as shown in FIG. 2b, there may be connecting devices 2 provided, preferably only, at the outermost junctions 16. In a second example, and as shown in FIG. 2c, there may be a connecting device 2 provided at each, or substantially each, inner junction 16 of the floor panel assembly.
The panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ in the floor panel assembly may comprise a decorative joint portion 17a, 17b along at least one, preferably all, of their edge portions, see, e.g., FIGS. 1c and 2a-2c. Non-limiting embodiments of such decorative joint portions 17a, 17b are described in WO 03/078761, page 18, line 15 to page 21, line 15 and FIGS. 4b, 5c, 6a-6c and 7a-7c, whose content hereby is incorporated by reference.
Aspects of the disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other 5 embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, embodiments of the floor panel assembly comprising floor panels described herein are equally conceivable for a corresponding wall panel assembly comprising wall panels. Furthermore, as noted above, it is clear that the cavity 32, 32′ is optional in some embodiments, e.g., in FIG. 10f. Finally, a skilled artisan will appreciate that the embodiments 10 and examples of the predetermined distances Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 specified above may be considered for any or even all the panels 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″, 1″″ in the floor panel assembly.
Patent Application
20240401343
