MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE FOR BUILDING PANELS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Swedish Application No. 2450023-3, filed on Jan. 10, 2024. The entire contents of Swedish Application No. 2450023-3 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of building panels, such as floor panels, wall panels, furniture components or similar. More specifically, the present application relates to the field of mechanical locking devices for floating installation of such building panels.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Building panels, such as floor panels, may typically comprise a mechanical locking device for assembling the building panel with similar or essentially identical building panels such that said building panels are locked together in the assembled position. The mechanical locking device may lock adjacent building panels in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. The building panels may e.g. be assembled by a folding or pivoting motion, a vertical motion or a snapping motion.

It has, however, been found that a mechanical locking device used for building panels may be improved when it comes to e.g. withstanding vertical pressure. Accordingly, there is room for improvement in the technical field.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,801,213 B2 discloses sub-floor panels provided with a joint. The sub-floor panels are configured to be assembled on joists. The joint is configured to be glued. The joint solves the problem of positioning a first sub-floor panel relative a second sub-floor panel before the glue dries or cures and bonds the first sub-floor panel to the second sub-floor panel. The joint comprises glue spaces for the glue. The joint comprises a tongue at a first edge and a lower lip at a second edge.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide improvements over known art, and especially provide building panels with improved strength and durability.

In an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising similar or essentially identical building panels wherein set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising similar or essentially identical building panels, wherein each building panel comprises a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge and comprises a first mechanical locking device configured to horizontally and vertically lock at least one of the first edge of a building panel to the second edge of an adjacent building panel or the third edge of a building panel to the fourth edge of an adjacent building panel, wherein upper edge portions of the adjacent building panels are joined in a joint seam in an assembled position, the first mechanical locking device comprising, at at least one of the first edge or the third edge a locking tongue which is configured to extend at least partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, and at at least one of the second edge or the fourth edge a tongue groove which is configured to extend at least partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel and configured to receive the locking tongue of an adjacent building panel such that adjacent building panels are locked in a vertical direction in an assembled position, wherein the locking tongue comprises an upper impact surface extending at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane, wherein the tongue groove comprises an upper impact surface extending at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane, and wherein the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is configured to cooperate with the upper impact surface of the locking tongue in the assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels.

The first mechanical locking device may further comprise at at least one of the second edge or the fourth edge a locking strip extending outwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to the front surface of the building panel, wherein the locking strip comprises, at its outermost portion, a locking element extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip, wherein the locking element is configured to cooperate with a locking groove arranged in one of the first edge or third edge, such that adjacent building panels are locked in a horizontal direction in an assembled position.

The locking tongue may be configured to extend at least partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam, relative to the first edge and/or the third edge, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

The first mechanical locking device may be configured to horizontally and vertically lock at least one of the first edge of a building panel to the second edge of an adjacent building panel or the third edge of a building panel to the fourth edge of an adjacent building panel.

The building panels, such as floor panels, may be configured to be assembled in a glue-free installation, e.g. configured to be assembled without glue.

The building panels, such as floor panels, may be configured to be assembled in a floating installation.

The first mechanical locking device may be configured to lock adjacent building panels without glue, i.e. in a glue-free installation.

The force acting, at least partially in the vertical direction, may be a force resulting from a load applied on the building panel in the assembled position. The force may act on the at least one building panel in the assembled position during conventional use, for example when being installed in a room.

The force may be applied on a front surface of at least one the building panels, opposite the back surface of at least one of the building panels.

At least the cooperating upper impact surfaces of the locking tongue and the tongue groove, respectively, are beneficial as they improve the stability and strength of the first mechanical locking device, such as the vertical locking strength of the mechanical locking device.

The upper impact surfaces may also be referred to as support surfaces in the present disclosure.

The upper impact surfaces, or support surfaces, may be configured to cooperate with a corresponding upper impact surface, or support surface, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels. The upper impact surfaces, or support surfaces, may be configured to provide support during an impact, i.e., a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, applied to at least one of the building panels. The two upper impact surfaces may be configured to cooperate with each other, such as being in contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels in the assembled position.

The two upper impact surfaces may be configured to cooperate with each other, such as being in contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to the second or fourth edge, i.e., the edge provided with the tongue groove, of the adjacent building panel in the assembled position.

The two upper impact surfaces may be configured to be in direct contact with each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels in the assembled position.

The two upper impact surfaces may be configured to cooperate with each other, such as being in contact with each other, without any intervening layer, such as without any intervening glue layer, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels in the assembled position.

The two upper impact surfaces may be configured for being arranged with no material or layer between the upper impact surfaces.

In one embodiment, a play is arranged between the upper impact surface of the locking tongue and the upper impact surface of the tongue groove in the assembled position.

A play, as used herein, may refer to a space between two elements. That is, the space may exist when the panels are in an assembled configuration in a relaxed state, without being subject to a load (e.g., footsteps, static loads from objects/furniture and the like, dynamic loads from objects being transported, etc.). Furthermore, the space may be more apparent when measured, e.g., by inserting a feeler gauge.

The play, which may be arranged between the upper impact surface of the locking tongue and the upper impact surface of the tongue groove, may be free from glue.

The play may be arranged between the upper impact surface of the locking tongue and the upper impact surface of the tongue groove in the assembled position when no force, acting at least partially, in the vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels.

In an embodiment the first edge and the second edge of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion.

In an embodiment the third edge and the fourth edge of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion.

In an embodiment the first edge and the second edge of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion, and the third edge and the fourth edge of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion.

In an embodiment the third edge and the fourth edge of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion, and the first edge and the second edge of the building panels are assembled with a second mechanical locking device, for example by vertical assembly.

In an embodiment the first edge and the second edge are short edges of each building panel.

In an embodiment the third edge and the fourth edge are long edges of each building panel.

In an embodiment the locking tongue is configured to extend entirely outwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In another embodiment the locking tongue is configured to extend partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam and partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In yet another embodiment the locking tongue is configured to extend from the plane of the plane of the joint seam and out from the edge in which the locking tongue is provided, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In an embodiment the tongue groove is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In another embodiment the tongue groove is configured to extend partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam and partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In yet another embodiment the tongue grove is configured to extend from the plane of the plane of the joint seam and into the building panel in which the tongue groove is provided, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel.

In an embodiment the upper impact surface of the locking tongue is configured to extend entirely outwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface does not cross over the plane of the joint seam.

In another embodiment the upper impact surface of the locking tongue is configured to extend partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam and partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface does cross over the plane of the joint seam.

In yet another embodiment the upper impact surface of the locking tongue is configured to extend from the plane of the plane of the joint seam and out from the edge in which the locking tongue is provided, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface has an end part essentially on the plane of the joint seam.

In an embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface does not cross over the plane of the joint seam.

In another embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is configured to extend partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam and partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface does cross over the plane of the joint seam.

In yet another embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is configured to extend from the plane of the plane of the joint seam and into the building panel in which the tongue groove is provided, in a direction parallel to a front surface of the building panel, such that the upper impact surface has an end part essentially on the plane of the joint seam.

Thereby, the design of the upper impact surface of the tongue groove, and of the tongue, respectively, can be adjusted to properties of the materials of the panels, and/or to available tools, desired tolerances, etc.

Further, the upper impact surface of the locking tongue may be arranged in the upper portion of the locking tongue and the upper impact surface of the tongue groove may be arranged in the upper portion of the tongue groove.

In an embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove may be arranged at an acute angle of between 20° and 60°, or between 30° and 55°, or between 40° and 50°.

Further, the upper impact surface of the locking tongue may be arranged at an acute angle of between 20° and 60°, or between 30° and 55°, or between 40° and 50°.

In another embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is arranged essentially parallel to the upper impact surface of the locking tongue.

In another embodiment the upper impact surface of the tongue groove is arranged non-parallel to the upper impact surface of the locking tongue.

In another embodiment the locking surface of the tongue groove is arranged at an acute angle, which differs from the acute angle of the upper impact surface of the tongue groove.

In another embodiment the locking surface of the tongue is arranged at an acute angle, which differs from the acute angle of the upper impact surface of the tongue.

In yet another embodiment the locking tongue further comprises a locking surface, such as an upper locking surface, extending between the upper impact surface and an outermost portion of the locking tongue, wherein the tongue groove further comprises a locking surface, such as an upper locking surface, extending between the upper impact surface and an innermost portion of the tongue groove, and wherein the locking surface of the tongue groove is configured to cooperate with the locking surface of the locking tongue in an assembled position to lock the adjacent building panels in the vertical direction.

Further, the locking surface of the tongue groove may be arranged at an acute angle of between 0° and 20°, or between 5° and 15° or about 10°.

Yet, further, the locking surface of the locking tongue may be arranged at an acute angle of between 0° and 20°, or between 5° and 15° or about 10°.

In an embodiment the locking surface of the tongue groove is arranged essentially parallel to the locking surface of the locking tongue.

In an embodiment, the locking element comprises a lower impact surface extending from an outer surface of the locking element in a direction towards a back surface of the building panel, at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane, and wherein the locking groove comprises a lower impact surface extending from an inner surface of the locking groove in a direction towards the back surface of the building panel, at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane, and configured to cooperate with the lower impact surface of the locking element in an assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels.

Further, the lower impact surface of the locking element may be arranged at the acute angle of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

Further, the lower impact surface of the locking groove may be arranged at the acute angle of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

In an embodiment the lower impact surface of the locking element is arranged essentially parallel to the lower impact surface of the locking groove.

In another embodiment the lower impact surface of the locking element is arranged non-parallel to the lower impact surface of the locking groove.

The locking element may further comprise a locking surface configured to cooperate with a locking surface of the locking groove. The locking surfaces may be configured to cooperate with each other without any intervening layer, such as without any intervening glue layer.

Further, the first edge and the second edge of the building panels may be assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a pivoting motion.

Further, the first edge and the second edge of the building panels may be assembled with the first mechanical locking device by a snapping motion.

The set of building panel may further comprise a second mechanical locking device configured to horizontally and vertically lock a third edge of a building panel to a fourth edge of an adjacent building panel, wherein the second mechanical locking device may differ from the first mechanical locking device.

In an embodiment the first edge and the second edge are the short edges of building panels.

In an embodiment the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 8 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in the following: reference being made to the appended drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of how the disclosure can be reduced into practice.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a building panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an assembly, according to an embodiment, of a plurality of similar or essentially identical building panels,

FIG. 2D illustrates the building panels in FIGS. 2A-2C in the assembled position,

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross section of an edge of the building panel including a first connecting means of a first mechanical locking device according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross section of an edge, opposite the edge in FIG. 3A, of the building panel including a second connecting means of the first mechanical locking device,

FIG. 4 illustrates a snapping assembly of two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 5 illustrates an angling or folding assembly of two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 6 illustrates two assembled adjacent building panels, assembled by either assembling method illustrated in FIG. 4 or 5, including a first mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 7 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 8A illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 8B illustrates a detailed view of FIG. 8A,

FIG. 9 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 10 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 11 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 12 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate two adjacent building panels including a first mechanical locking device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, in an assembled position,

FIG. 15 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 16 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 17 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to another embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 18 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to yet another embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 19 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 20 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to another embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIG. 21 illustrates two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to yet another embodiment, in an assembled position,

FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate a snapping assembly of two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment,

FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate a vertical assembly of two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment,

FIGS. 24A-24B illustrate a vertical assembly of two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment,

FIG. 25 illustrates a displaceable locking tongue for the second mechanical locking devices in FIGS. 23A-24B, according to an embodiment,

FIGS. 26A-26C illustrate a vertical assembly of two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment, and

FIGS. 27A-27B illustrate a vertical assembly of two adjacent building panels including a second mechanical locking device, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. Generally, in this disclosure, terms like “below” or “lower” typically implies closer to the back surface of the panel or a plane thereof, whereas “above” or “upper” implies closer to the front surface or a plane thereof. Further, the thickness direction of the panel is defined as the vertical direction when the panel lays flat on a surface. The horizontal and vertical directions are applicable definition when the building panel is laid flat on, e.g., a floor. Instead of horizontal and vertical directions, the description will also refer to a direction parallel with extension of the front surface of the building panel and a direction perpendicular to the extension of the front surface of the building panel. When a building panel is lays flat on, e.g., a floor, the horizontal direction is the same as the direction parallel with the extension of the front surface of the building panel and the vertical direction is the same as the direction perpendicular to the extension of the front surface of the building panel.

By “horizontal plane” is meant a plane, which extends parallel to the outer main surface of the surface layer, or in examples wherein no surface layer is provided, a plane, which extends parallel to an upper surface of the substrate. Immediately juxta-posed upper parts of two adjacent joint edges of two joined building panels together define a “vertical plane”, perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

With reference to the drawings, a building panel 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The building panel 1 may for example be a floor panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel, a furniture element or similar. When the building panel 1 is assembled into a larger unit, such as floor panels into a floor, similar or essentially identical building panels are used. Thus, every building panel 1 includes the similar or essentially identical components arranged at the same location.

The building panel 1 may be configured to be arranged on a sub-floor (not shown). The sub-floor may in one example be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,801,213 B2, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, a foam layer may be arranged between the building panel 1 and the sub-floor or sub-structure.

The building panel 1 is configured to form an interior component of a building and not a part of the construction.

The building panel 1 includes four edges 2a-2d, a front surface 7a and a back surface 7b. The building panel 1, as illustrated, further includes a substrate 8 and a surface layer 9 arranged on one side of the substrate 8. The surface layer 9 may preferably be a decorative surface layer. The surface layer 9 is configured to face a user in an installed position. The surface layer 9 is an optional layer 9. If no surface layer 9 is present it is possible, if desirable, to provide the substrate 8 with a decorative feature, e.g., a print or the like.

The surface layer 9 may form the front surface 7a of the building panel 1.

When installed on a sub-floor or sub-structure, the back surface 7b is configured to face the sub-floor or sub-structure (not shown).

A surface of the building panel 1, such as the front surface 7a or the surface layer 9, is configured to be visible for a user in the installed position.

In an embodiment the surface layer 9 may comprise a decorative layer. The decorative layer may be a coloured powder layer, a paper sheet, a polymer-based sheet, a wood-based sheet, a wood veneer, a cork-based sheet or a fabric, woven or non-woven. Such layer may further be printed.

The surface layer 9 may comprises a laminate, such as one or more resin impregnated papers.

In other embodiments the decorative layer 9 may be a printed sheet, or a printed sheet in combination with a primer, e.g., a paper sheet. The decorative layer may further be a printed décor which is printed directly on the substrate.

In other embodiments the decorative layer may be the surface layer, e.g., when the surface layer is a wood-based layer, such as a wood veneer of varying thicknesses, or an impregnated or unimpregnated paper sheet with or without a decorative print.

Further, the surface layer 9 may comprise a wear layer, such as a wear resistant foil, a wear layer having wear resistant particles and/or a lacquered layer and/or coating layer.

The substrate 8 may be a single-layer substrate or a multi-layer substrate. A multi-layer substrate may include different layers to fulfil different features of the building panel, for example, layers with the purpose of providing the building panel with the desirable strength, hardness and/or balancing properties to name a few.

The substrate 8 may be a polymer-based substrate, comprising one of several polymer-based materials and optionally a filler and/or other additives.

The substrate 8 of, preferably, all building panels in the set, may comprise a thermoplastic material and a filler. For example, the thermoplastic material may be chosen from a group comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyacrylate methacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and/or a combination thereof. The filler may be an organic filler or inorganic filler. An organic filler may be fibres of wood, coconut or bamboo and rice husks. An inorganic filler may be calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), barium sulphate (BaSO₄), limestone, talc, fly ash, MgO, stone material and/or a combination thereof.

In preferred embodiments, the substrate 8 may comprise 10-40 wt. %, or 15-35 wt. %, of the thermoplastic material, such as PVC, and 50-80 wt. % of an inorganic filler.

A degree of plasticizer in the substrate 8 may be less than 5 wt. %, preferably less than 3 wt. % or less than 1 wt. % and may be in the range of 0.1-5 wt. %, 0.5-5 wt. %, or 0.5-3 wt. %. Generally herein, the substrate 8 may be dense or, alternatively, foamed.

In any embodiment herein, the substrate 8 and/or the building panel 1 per se, may have a modulus of elasticity of 2-12 GPa, such as 4-9 GPa or 3-7 GPa.

In examples, the building panel may be a floor panel referred to as Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT tile), a Stone Plastic (Polymer) Composite panel or Solid Polymer Core panel (SPC panel), or an Expanded Polymer Core panel (EPC panel), also known as Water Proof Core panel or Wood Plastic Composite panel (WPC panel).

In alternative embodiments, the substrate 8 may be a polymer-based substrate, comprising one of several polymer-based materials, a wood-based substrate, such as HDF, MDF, particle board or plywood board, or a mineral-based substrate, e.g., MgO. The substrate 8 may further comprise one or several fillers and/or other additives.

In other alternative embodiments the substrate may instead comprise a polyurethane, PUR, thermoset and, optionally, MgO.

The building panel 1 preferably has a thickness between 2 and 20 mm, or between 3 and 10 mm, or between 3 and 8 mm, or between 3 and 5 mm. In an embodiment the building panel 1 has a thickness of between 3.5 mm and 5 mm.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ may be provided with an optional pre-attached foam layer 13 attached to the back surface 7b.

The pre-attached foam layer 13 may be attached by adhesive. The pre-attached foam layer 13 may have a thickness of between 0.5-1.5 mm. The pre-attached foam layer 13 may be attached to the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ after manufacture of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″, for example, prior to packaging the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ for transportation. Thereby, the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are already provided with the foam-layer such that no loose foam-layer has to be arranged below the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ prior to assembling and installation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3D, the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are configured to be assembled in a floating installation.

The building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are configured to be assembled in a glue-free installation, i.e., without being glued to each other.

In order to lock adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ together each building panel 1 includes a first mechanical locking device 10. The first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along at least one of the first edge 2a and the opposite second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″, or the third edge 2c and the opposite fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along the first edge 2a and the opposite second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along the third edge 2c and the opposite fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along the first edge 2a and the opposite second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″ and arranged along the third edge 2c and the opposite fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, a second mechanical locking device 10′ is arranged along the third edge 2c and the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the second mechanical locking device 10′ is arranged along the first edge 2a and the second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along the first edge 2a and the opposite second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″, and the second mechanical locking device 10′ is arranged along the third edge 2c and the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

In an embodiment, the first mechanical locking device 10 is arranged along the third edge 2c and the opposite fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″, and the second mechanical locking device 10′ is arranged along the first edge 2a and the second edge 2b of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

The first and second mechanical locking device 10, 10′ may be essentially identical to each other or differ in several features. Embodiments of both the first and second mechanical locking device 10, 10′ are presented below.

The first and second edge 2a, 2b may be the short edges of the building panel 1 and the third and fourth edge 2c, 2d may be the long edges of the building panel 1, 1′, 1″.

Each mechanical locking device 10, 10′ is configured for horizontal and vertical locking of similar or essentially identical building panels in an assembled position. The assembled position may be achieved by a pivoting motion, also called pivoting assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1″, a snapping motion, also called snapping assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1″ and/or vertical displacement, also called vertical assembly, of one of several building panels 1, 1′, 1″.

The snapping motion, or snapping assembly, may be achieved by a more horizontal displacement of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ being assembled, compared to a pivoting assembly.

The snapping motion, or snapping assembly, may be achieved by an essentially horizontal displacement of the building panel 1 being assembled to an adjacent building panel 1′.

The vertical displacement, or vertical assembly, may be achieved by an essentially vertical displacement of the building panel 1 being assembled to an adjacent building panel 1′.

The first mechanical locking device 10 may be configured for a pivoting motion, also called pivoting assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1″, a snapping motion, also called snapping assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1′.

The second mechanical locking device 10′ may be configured for a pivoting motion, also called pivoting assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1″, a snapping motion, also called snapping assembly, of one or several building panels 1, 1′, 1″ and/or vertical displacement, also called vertical assembly, of one of several building panels 1, 1′, 1″.

The first mechanical locking device 10 includes at the first edge 2a connecting means 12a and at the second edge 2b connecting means 12b which are compatible with the connecting means 12a at the first edge 2a. The second mechanical locking device 10′ includes at the third edge 2c connecting means 12c which are compatible with connecting means 12d at the fourth edge 2d.

Illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D is a possible assembly method of a set of building panels 1, 1′, 1″, wherein both the first edge 2a is assembled to a second edge 2b of an adjacent building panel 1′ and the third edge 2c is assembled to a fourth edge 2d of an adjacent building panel 1″, by a pivoting assembly. There are, however, further possible ways of assembling a set of building panels, e.g. a snapping assembly, as illustrated in e.g. FIG. 4 and explained in more detail below.

However, in a first step of the pivoting assembly method illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, two building panels 1, 1′ are assembled along the first and second edge 2a, 2b, i.e. the short edges in the illustrated example. This is achieved by lifting the second edge 2b of the first building panel 1 and arranging the connecting means 12a of the opposite first edge 2a in the connecting means 12b of the second edge 2b of the second building panel 1′, such that the two connecting means 12a, 12b are able to cooperate to lock the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′. The second edge 2b of the first building panel 1 is then lowered down such that a pivoting motion around the cooperating connecting means 12a, 12b of the first and second edge 2a, 2b is achieved. During the pivoting motion and into the assembled position, wherein the two building panels 1, 1′ are arranged flush with each other, the cooperating connecting means 12a, 12b of each edge 2a, 2b locks the two adjacent edges 2a, 2b of the two building panels 1, 1′ together. The pivoting motion may also be referred to as a pivoting assembly PA. In the assembled position of the short edges, the connecting means 12a of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged in the first edge 2a of the first building panel 1 is locked to the connecting means 12b of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged in the second edge 2b of the second building panel 1′, such that the uppermost part of the first edge 2a of the first building panel 1 are juxtaposed, creating a seal S, preferably a tight seal, with the uppermost part of the second edge 2b of the second building panel 1′, and the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are locked in at least a horizontal direction.

The pivoting assembly of the first edge 2a of the first building panel 1 to the second edge 2b of the adjacent second building panel 1′ by a pivoting motion may pivot around an upper portion of the second edge 2b of the adjacent second building panel 1′.

In a second step, the first and second building panel 1, 1′ are assembled to the third building panel 1″, by the third edge 2c of the first and second building panel 1, 1′ and the fourth edge 2d of the third building panel 1″, i.e. the long edges in the illustrated example. This is achieved by lifting the fourth edge 2d of the first and second building panel 1, 1′ and arranging the connecting means 12c of the opposite third edge 2c in the connecting means 12d of the fourth edge 2d of the third building panel 1″, such that the two connecting means 12c, 12d are able to cooperate to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″. The fourth edge 2d of the first and second building panel 1, 1″ is then lowered down such that a pivoting motion around the cooperating connecting means 12c, 12d of the third and fourth edge 2c, 2d is achieved, as illustrated in FIG. 2C. During the pivoting motion and into the assembled position, wherein the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are arranged flush with each other, the cooperating connecting means 12c, 12d of each edge 2c, 2d locks the two adjacent edges 2c, 2d of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″ together. The pivoting motion may also be referred to as a pivoting assembly PA. In the assembled position of the long edges, the connecting means 12c of the second mechanical locking device 10′ arranged in the third edge 2c of the first and second building panel 1, 1′ is locked to the connecting means 12d of the second mechanical locking device 10′ arranged in the fourth edge 2d of the third building panel 1″, such that the uppermost part of the third edge 2c of the first and second building panel 1, 1′ are juxtaposed creating a seal S, preferably a tight seal, with the uppermost part of the fourth edge 2d of the third building panel 1″, and the adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are locked in at least a horizontal direction.

The pivoting assembly of the third edge 2c of the first building panel 1 and second building panel 1′ to the fourth edge 2d of the adjacent third building panel 1″ by a pivoting motion may pivot around an upper portion of the fourth edge 2d of the adjacent third building panel 1″.

A more detailed view of the pivoting assembly PA is illustrated in FIG. 5.

In an alternative installation (not shown) the first building panel may be simultaneously assembled to the second and third building panel, in which the pivoting assembly in the short edges are achieved simultaneously with the pivoting assembly in the long edges.

FIGS. 3A-14B illustrate embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10 which is to be assembled preferably by a pivoting assembly or a snapping assembly. The first mechanical locking device 10 may be provided along either the short sides of the building panel or on the long sides of the building panels, or on both the short sides and the long sides of the building panel.

FIGS. 15-27B illustrate embodiments of suitable second mechanical locking devices 10′ to be combined with the first mechanical locking device 10 if it is not preferred or possible to have the first mechanical locking device provided on both the short sides and the long sides of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″. The second mechanical locking device 10′ may be provided on either the long sides or the short sides of the building panel. The illustrated embodiments of the second mechanical locking device 10′ may be assembled by either a pivoting assembly, a vertical assembly, or a snapping assembly.

The first mechanical locking device 10 may be provided along at least one of the opposite first edge 2a and second edge 2b, and the opposite third edge 2c and fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1. However, in the disclosure below, the first mechanical locking device 10 is described as being provided along the opposite first edge 2a and second edge 2b of the building panel. Consequently, reference is made to the first edge 2a and the second edge 2b of the building panel 1. In the disclosure below, the first edge 2a may be replaced with reference to the third edge 2c, and the second edge 2b may be replaced with reference to the fourth edge 2d. Further, the second mechanical locking device 10′ may be provided along either the opposite first edge 2a and second edge 2b or the opposite third edge 2c and fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1. However, in the disclosure below, the second mechanical locking device 10′ is described as being provided along the opposite third edge 2c and fourth edge 2d of the building panel. Consequently, reference is made to the third edge 2c and the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1. In the disclosure below, the third edge 2c may be replaced with reference to the first edge 2a, and the fourth edge 2d may be replaced with reference to the second edge 2b.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross section of the connecting means 12b of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged, preferably, along the second edge 2b of the building panel 1 whereas FIG. 3B illustrates a cross section of the connecting means 12a of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged, preferably, along the first edge 2a of the building panel 1.

In an assembled position, which is shown in FIG. 6, wherein the two connecting means 12a, 12b of the first mechanical locking device 10 and two adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ are joined together, a joint seam JS is created between the two adjacent upper edge portion 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b of each building panel 1, 1′, 1″. In the embodiment illustrated in e.g. FIG. 6 the joint seam JS extends in a vertical direction. However, in other embodiments the joint seam JS may extend in an angled direction in relation to the vertical plane. The plane in which the joint seam JS extends will be used as a reference in the description of features below.

The first mechanical locking device 10 in FIG. 3A comprises a locking strip 15, preferably integrally formed in the second edge 2b of the building panel 1. The locking strip 15 is arranged in a lower edge portion 4a of the second edge 2b, projecting outwards from the lower edge portion 4a and from the joint seam JS in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or in an essentially horizontal direction.

The locking strip 15 has an elongated shape and includes, at the outermost end of the locking strip 15, a locking element 16. The locking element 16 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip 15, at least partially in a direction towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1.

The locking strip 15 comprises an elongated part 19. The elongated part 19 may extend between a tongue groove 24 and the locking element 16. The elongated part 19 may have an upper surface 19a, such as an uppermost surface of the elongated part 19. The upper surface 19a may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, which in the illustrated examples is parallel to the horizontal plane.

The outermost end of the locking strip 15 may be a most distal end of the locking strip 15, as seen from the vertical plane. The vertical plane is a plane in which the joint seam JS is formed in the assembled state in FIG. 3A. However, as noted above, in other embodiments the joint seam JS may extend in an angled direction in relation to the vertical plane, which may provide additional locking. In the non-assembled position as in FIG. 3A, the outermost end of the locking strip 15 may be a most distal end of the locking strip as seen from the upper locking surface 29.

The locking element 16 may have an upper surface 20a. The upper surface 20a may be an uppermost surface of the locking element 16. The upper surface 20a may have an extension substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, which in the illustrated examples is parallel to the horizontal plane.

The locking element 16 is configured to be received in a locking groove 32 arranged in the first edge 2a of an adjacent building panel 1 during the assembly of two building panels 1. The locking element 16 and the locking groove 32 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the horizontal direction.

The locking element 16 comprises a locking surface 18 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, such as be in direct contact, with a corresponding locking surface 34 arranged in the locking groove 32 of the adjacent building panel 1. The two locking surfaces 18, 34 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 is arranged with an acute angle α in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, in the illustrated examples parallel to the horizontal plane. The acute angle α is preferably between 40° and 80°, even more preferably between 50° and 60°. The corresponding locking surface 34 in the locking groove 32 is preferably substantially parallel to the locking surface 18 of the locking element 16.

The locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 is located in an upper portion of the locking element 16. The locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 is further arranged to face towards the second edge 2b and the rest of the building panel 1. The locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 may extend between an upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 of the locking strip 15 and an upper surface 20a, preferably an uppermost surface, of the locking element 16.

The locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 may be a planar surface, or a substantially planar surface. The locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32 may be a planar surface, or a substantially planar surface.

The locking element 16 further comprises an optional lower impact surface 22 which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding optional lower impact surface 38 arranged in the locking groove 32. The two lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are together configured to cooperate with each other, preferably be in contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, in the assembled position. These lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are as mentioned optional and embodiments both with and without such lower impact surfaces are described and illustrated herein.

The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 may be a planar surface, or a substantially planar surface. The lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 may be a planar surface, or a substantially planar surface.

The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16, if present, is located in a lower portion of the locking element 16. It is further arranged to face away from the second edge 2b and the rest of the building panel 1. The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 may extend between a lower surface 19b of the elongated part 19 of the locking strip 15 and an outer surface 20b, preferably an outermost surface, of the locking element 16. The lower impact surface 22 may extend from the outer surface 20b of the locking element 16 in a direction towards the back surface 7b of the building panel 1, and preferably in a direction towards the building panel in which the lower impact surface 22 is arranged.

The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16, if present, is arranged with an acute angle β in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle β is preferably between 40° and 70°. Depending on the thickness of the building panel 1 the acute angle β may vary. In an embodiment, when the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 4.5 mm the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 60° in relation to the horizontal plane. In an alternative embodiment, when the building panel 1 has a thickness of 4.5 mm or more, e.g. 5 mm or 8 mm, the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 is in the illustrated example a continuous surface but may in other embodiments have two or more sections arranged at different angles, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, it is possible that one or several sections of such lower impact surface is/are configured to cooperate, and even be in contact, with the corresponding lower impact surface of the locking groove in the adjacent building panel.

The elongated part 19 of the locking strip 15 may be able to flex in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the elongated part 19, or in the vertical direction. In order to increase the flexibility of the elongated part 19 the shape of e.g. the lower surface 19b, 19b′ may be changed, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. A flexible locking strip 15 may be configured enable a snapping assembly and/or to create a pretension in the locking surfaces 18, 34 of the first mechanical locking device 10 such that the edges 2a, 2b of two adjacent building panels 1 are in contact with each other, in the assembled position. The pretension may be created by the two locking surfaces 18, 34 of respective locking element 16 and locking groove 32, which are in the assembled position in contact with each other.

A pretension, in the assembled position, between the two locking surfaces 18, 34 of respective locking element 16 and locking groove 32, may also be created without a flexible locking strip 15, e.g. by having a flexible layer, such as the optional foam layer 13, arranged under the building panel during installation.

Thus, the locking strip 15 and its lower surface 19b, 19b′ may extend either in a horizontal direction or with an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. The lower surface 19b, 19b′ may include a cut. For example, the end portion of the locking strip 15 may be cut from the level of the surface 19b to that of the surface 19b′, such that the dashed line illustrates the lower surface 19′ of the locking strip 15 after the cut. The cut may begin at the lower impact surface 22 and may intersect the horizontal portion of the back surface 7b of the building panel at a point that is outward of the joint seam JS. Alternatively, the end portion of the locking strip 15 may be compressible. The cut and compressible properties may facilitate assembly of adjacent panels by snapping. Different designs of the locking strip 15 and its lower surface 19b, 19b′ may provide the locking strip with different properties, for example, the locking strip 15 may become more or less flexible. Another advantage with a lower surface 19b, 19b′ of the locking strip 15 according to any of the illustrated examples in FIG. 3A is that the effect of unevenness of the surface on which the building panels are to be assembled, or of material sticking up around the area of the first mechanical locking device 10 is decreased.

The same advantages and possibilities apply to an optional calibration portion 37 arranged in first edge 2a, in the back surface 7b of the building panel in which the locking groove 32 is arranged. The calibration portion 37 may extend from the locking groove 32 and the chamfer 39 in towards the rest of the building panel 1. The calibration groove 37 may compensate, at least around the area where a mechanical locking device 10, 10′ is present, for unevenness in the surface on which the building panels 1, 1′ are installed.

At an inner portion of the locking strip 15 and above the locking strip 15 there is arranged a tongue groove 24. The tongue groove 24 extends from the joint seam JS, in an essentially horizontal direction into the building panel 1. Further, the tongue groove 24 is configured to cooperate with a locking tongue 40 arranged in the first edge 2a of the adjacent building panel 1. The tongue groove 24 and the locking tongue 40 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the vertical direction.

The tongue groove 24 comprises an upper locking surface 25 which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40. The two upper locking surfaces 25, 41 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the vertical direction. The upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 may extend essentially flush with the horizontal plane or extend at an acute angle χ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle χ may be between about 0° to about 20°. Preferably the corresponding upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 extends parallel to the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24.

Arranged above the upper surface 25 and as an extension of the upper surface 25 is an upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24. The upper impact surface 27 preferably extends from the upper surface 25 to the plane of the joint seam JS.

The upper impact surface 27 extends, from the upper surface 25 of the tongue groove 24, at an acute angle γ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle γ of the upper impact surface 27 may be between 20° and 60° or between 30° and 55°. The acute angle γ of the upper impact surface 27 preferably differs from the acute angle χ in which the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 extends, thereby promoting joint stability when a load is applied on the panels. Further, the edge of the panel provided with the locking tongue 40 can be strengthen, for example by a distance from the joint seam JS intersecting with the upper impact surface 27 to the locking groove 32 is increased.

The upper impact surface 27 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding upper impact surface 42 arranged in the first edge 2a of the adjacent building panel 1. The upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b and the corresponding upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a are configured to cooperate with each other, preferably be in contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, in the assembled position.

Further, the upper impact surface 27 may be used as a guiding surface during the assembly of two adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ configured to guide the locking tongue 40 into the tongue groove 24.

The upper impact surface 27 extends between the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 and an upper locking surface 29 of the upper edge portion 4b.

In the upper edge portion 4b, above the upper impact surface 27, there is provided the upper locking surface 29, illustrated as an essentially vertical surface. The upper locking surface 29 is preferably arranged in the same plane as the joint seam JS.

The upper locking surface 29 of the upper edge portion 4b is configured to cooperate with a corresponding opposite upper locking surface 45, illustrated as an essentially vertical surface, arranged in the upper edge portion 3b of the adjacent building panel 1′. The two upper locking surfaces 29, 45 are configured to cooperate and preferably be in contact with each other in the assembled position. The upper locking surface 29 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 45 of the adjacent building panel 1′ are configured to create the seal S, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2D.

The first mechanical locking device 10 comprises at the first edge 2a, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the locking groove 32 which is configured to receive the locking strip 15 with the locking element 16 of the adjacent building panel 1, as described above. The locking groove 32 is arranged in a lower edge portion 3a of the first edge 2a, extending inwards and upwards into the building panel 1. The part of the locking groove 32 extending up towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1 is configured to receive an upper portion of the locking element 16.

The locking groove 32 and the locking element 16 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the horizontal direction.

The locking groove 32 comprises a locking surface 34 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with the corresponding locking surface 18 of the locking element 16. The two locking surfaces 18, 34 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 34 of the locking groove is preferably essentially parallel to the locking surface 18 of the locking element 16. Thus, the locking surface of the locking groove may be arranged with an acute angle δ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle δ is preferably between 40° and 80°, even more preferably between 50° and 60°.

The locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32 is located in an upper portion of the locking groove 32. It is further arranged to face in towards the rest of the building panel 1. The locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32 may extend between an upper surface 35 of a lower part of the locking groove 32, which is opposite the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 of the locking strip 15 of the adjacent building panel 1 in the assembled position, and an upper surface 36a, preferably an uppermost surface, of an upper part of the locking groove 32, which is opposite the upper surface 20a of the locking element 16 of the adjacent building panel 1 in the assembled position.

The locking groove 32 may further comprise an upper surface 36a. The upper surface 36a may extend from the locking surface 34 in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, which in the illustrated examples is parallel to the horizontal plane.

The locking groove 32 further comprises an optional lower impact surface 38 which is configured to cooperate with the optional corresponding lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16. The two lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are together configured to cooperate with each other, be in contact with and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, in the assembled position. These lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are as mentioned optional and embodiments both with and without such impact surfaces are described and illustrated herein.

The lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 may be parallel to the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16. Alternatively the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 may be non-parallel to the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16.

The lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32, if present, is located in a lower portion of the locking groove 32. It is further arranged to face away from the rest of the building panel 1. The lower impact surface 38 may extend from an inner surface 36b, preferably an innermost surface, of the locking groove 32 in a direction towards, and in some embodiments all the way to, the back surface 7b of the building panel 1, and preferably in a direction away from the building panel 1.

The lower impact surface 38, if present, may be arranged with an acute angle ϕ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle ϕ is preferably between 40° and 70°. Depending on the thickness of the building panel 1 the acute angle ϕ vary. In an embodiment, when the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 4.5 mm. the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 60° in relation to the horizontal plane. In an alternative embodiment, when the building panel 1 has a thickness of 4.5 mm or more, e.g. 5 mm or 8 mm, the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 may be arranged at the acute angle ϕ of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

The lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 is in the illustrated example a continuous surface but may in other embodiments have two or more sections arranged at different angles, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, it is possible that one or several sections of such lower impact surface is/are configured to cooperate with the corresponding lower impact surface of the locking element in the adjacent building panel.

At a lowermost end of the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 there may be provided a chamfer 39, preferably a vertical chamfer or a chamfer arranged at an angle extending down towards the back surface 7b and in towards the building panel 1, extending from the lower impact surface 38 to the back surface 7b of the building panel 1. This chamfer 39 is an optional feature but may be beneficial to have for installation properties. For example, if it is desirable to design the lower impact surfaces 38 with an acute angle β, ϕ of between 40° and 45° and parallel to each other, it may be beneficial to remove material, shorten the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32, and have the chamfer 39 in order to decrease the risk that the features of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged in the first or third edge 2a, 2c to abut features of the first mechanical locking device 10 arranged in the second or fourth edge 2b respectively during the assembly of building panels 1. The height H3 of the chamfer 39 may vary depending on the acute angle β, ϕ, the thickness of the building panel 1 and possibly other features of the first mechanical locking device 10. In an embodiment in which the building panel has a thickness of 3.5 mm and the lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are arranged with the angles of between 40° and 70° a preferred maximum height H3 may be 0.6 mm. In an embodiment in which the building panel has a thickness of 5 mm and the lower impact surfaces 22, 38 are arranged with the angles of between 40° and 70° the maximum height H3 may be 1.4 mm.

The edge may be provided with such a chamfer even if there is no lower impact surface of the locking groove present.

Opposite the locking groove 32, in the horizontal direction, a locking tongue 40 is arranged. A lower surface 40a is provided between the locking tongue 40 and the locking groove 32, which in the illustrated example is a surface extending essentially in the horizontal direction. However, in other embodiments the lower surface 40a may be a tilted surface compared to the horizontal plane. Such a tilted surface is e.g. illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B or in FIG. 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, the lower surface 40a may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, which in the illustrated examples is parallel to the horizontal plane. The lower surface 40a may extend from the locking tongue 40 to the locking surface 34. The lower surface 40a may be configured to cooperate with, such as being in contact with or in direct contact with, the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 of the adjacent building panel 1′ in an assembled position.

The locking tongue 40 is preferably integrally formed in the first edge 2a of the building panel 1 and extends out from the joint seam JS in an essentially horizontal direction.

The locking tongue 40 is configured and designed to be received in the tongue groove 24 arranged in the second edge 2b of the adjacent building panel 1. The tongue groove 24 and the locking tongue 40 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the vertical direction.

The locking tongue 40 comprises an upper locking surface 41 which is configured to cooperate with the corresponding upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24. The two upper locking surfaces 25, 40 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the vertical direction. The upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 may extend essentially flush with the horizontal plane or extend at an acute angle λ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle λ may be between about 0° to about 20°. Preferably the corresponding upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 extends parallel to the upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40.

Further, there may be a play arranged between the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40. The play, such as the width of the space, may be between 0 mm and 0.2 mm, or between 0.02 and 0.1 mm, or about 0.05 mm.

The play may be measured by a feeler gauge.

Arranged above the upper surface 41 and as an extension of the upper surface 41 is an upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40. The upper impact surface 42 preferably extends from the upper surface 41 to the plane of the joint seam JS.

The upper impact surface 42 extends, from the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40, at an acute angle φ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle φ of the upper impact surface 42 may be between 20° and 60° or between 30° and 55°. The acute angle φ of the upper impact surface 42 preferably differs from the acute angle λ in which the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 extends, thereby promoting joint stability when a load is applied on the panels. Further, the edge of the panel provided with the locking tongue 40 can be strengthen, for example by a distance from the joint seam JS intersecting with the upper impact surface 27 to the locking groove 32 is increased.

The upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 is configured to cooperate with the corresponding upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 arranged in the second edge 2b of the adjacent building panel 1. The upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a and the corresponding upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b are configured to cooperate with each other, preferably be in contact with each other, such as in direct contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, in the assembled position.

The force acting, at least partially in the vertical direction, may be a force resulting from a load applied on the building panel 1 in the assembled position. The force may act on the at least one building panel 1 in the assembled position during conventional use, for example when being installed in a room.

The force may be applied on the front surface 7a of at least one the building panels 1, opposite the back surface of at least one of the building panels 1.

The force may be applied on the front surface 7a of the building panel 1 adjacent the second edge 2b.

The load, and the resulting force, may applied by footsteps, loads from furniture and the like, loads from objects being transported, loads form objects falling on the top surface, etc., on the building panel 1 in the assembled position, for example, when installed to form a flooring in a room. The force may originate from dynamic loads and/or static loads. The force may be such forces conventionally occurring during normal use, for example when installed as a flooring in a room. The force may originate from a permanent or temporary load on the building panel 1 in the assembled position.

Such force and/or load may be referred to as an impact impacting on the mechanical locking devices. Such impact may activate the upper impact surfaces 42, 27, such that the upper impact surfaces 42, 27 cooperate with each other, such as contact each other.

Further, there may be a play arranged between the upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b and the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a. The play may be between 0 mm and 0.2 mm, or between 0.02 and 0.1 mm, or about 0.05 mm.

The play may be measured by a feeler gauge. The play is illustrated by P1 in more details with reference to FIG. 8B.

The play arranged between the upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b and the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a may be present in the assembled position at least when no force, acting at least partially, in the vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels. The play is measured in the assembled position, when the upper locking surfaces 29, 45 are in contact.

The building panels may be configured to have the play in an assembled position, prior to application of a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″. Thereafter, the force may reduce the play and cause the upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b to cooperate with the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a, such as be in contact or direct contact with each other.

The upper impact surface 42 may in an embodiment extend between the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 and an upper locking surface 45. However, in some embodiments, there may be provided a slot 44 above the upper impact surface 42. Thus, the upper impact surface 42 would then extend between the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 and the slot 44, as illustrated e.g. in FIGS. 4-6. The slot 44 may continuously extend along the extension of the edge in which it is provided. The slot 44 may in alternative embodiments discontinuously extend along the extension of the edge in which it is provided, such that several slots 44, with the same or different dimensions, are provided along the extension of the edge in which they are provided. The slot 44 is an optional feature but may be beneficial to have for manufacturing tolerances or for tool aspects.

In the upper edge portion 3b, above the upper impact surface 42 or above the slot 44 if such is provided, there is provided an upper locking surface 45, illustrated as an essentially vertical locking surface. The upper locking surface 45 of the upper edge portion 3b may preferably extend in the same plane as the joint seam JS.

The upper locking surface 45 of the upper edge portion 3b is configured to cooperate with the corresponding opposite upper locking surface 29, illustrated as an essentially vertical locking surface, arranged in the upper edge portion 4b of the adjacent building panel 1. The two upper locking surfaces 29, 45 are configured to cooperate and preferably be in contact with each other in the assembled position. The upper locking surface 29 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 45 of the adjacent building panel 1′ are configured to create the seal S, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2D.

In the assembled position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 of the locking strip 15 is in contact with, such as in direct contact with, the lower surface 40a of the locking tongue 40. No intervening material or layer is positioned between the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 and the lower surface 40a of the locking tongue 40. No glue is present between the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 and the lower surface 40a of the locking tongue 40.

Further, in the assembled position, the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 is in contact with, such as in direct contact with, the upper surface 42 of the locking tongue 40. No intervening material or layer is positioned between the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40. No glue is present between the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40.

Further, the upper locking surface 29 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 45 of the adjacent building panel 1′ are in contact with each other, such as in direct contact with each other in the assembled position. No intervening material or layer is positioned between the upper locking surface 29 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 45 of the adjacent building panel 1′. No glue is present between the upper locking surface 29 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 45 of the adjacent building panel 1′.

Further, in the assembled position, the locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 and the locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32 are arranged with no intervening material or layer. No glue is present between the locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 and the locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32. If a play is present between the locking surface 18 of the locking element 16 and the locking surface 34 of the locking groove 32 as described above, the play is free from glue.

Further, in the assembled position, the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 and the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 are arranged with no intervening material or layer. No glue is present is present between the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 and the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32. If a play is present between the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 and the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove 32 as described above, the play is free from glue.

In the assembled position, when a force acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels 1, 1′, the lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove is configured to cooperate with the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 with no intervening material or layer. The lower impact surface 38 of the locking groove is configured to be in contact with, such as be in direct contact with, the lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 16 when such force is applied in the assembled position.

Further, in the assembled position, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 are arranged with no intervening material or layer. No glue is present is present between the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40. If a play is present between the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 as described above, the play is free from glue.

In the assembled position, when a force acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels 1, 1′, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 is configured to cooperate with the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 with no intervening material or layer. The upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 is configured to be in contact with, such as be in direct contact with, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 when such force is applied in the assembled position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does not cross over the plane of the joint seam JS. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 has an end part essentially in the plane of the joint seam JS.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does not cross over the plane of the joint seam JS. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 ends in the slot 44.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a cross section of two building panels 1, 1′ being assembled by a snapping assembly and a pivoting assembly PA. The building panels 1. 1′ may be provided with the first mechanical locking system 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B.

The snapping assembly, illustrated in FIG. 4, will now be described in more detail. The snapping assembly is achieved by a mainly horizontal displacement of the building panel 1 being assembled to an adjacent building panel 1′. Such a snapping assembly is facilitated e.g. by a more flexible locking strip 15. The locking strip 15 is configured to be pushed downwards by a lower surface 40a of the first edge 2a, arranged between the locking tongue 40 and the locking groove 32 of the building panel 1 being assembled and then flex back and be displaced upwards. The locking strip 15 is displaced upwards when the locking element 16 can move up into the locking groove 32.

In order to facilitate the right position of the building panel 1 being assembled the upper impact surface 27 may be configured to act as a guiding surface. The upper impact surface 27 is able to guide the locking tongue 40 and/or the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a of the building panel being displaced, into the correct position in the tongue groove 24 and in turn guide the first edge 2a of the building panel 1 being assembled into the right position in relation to the second edge 2b of the adjacent building panel 1′.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the lower edge portion 3a of the building panel 1 being horizontally displaced is provided with a chamfer 39, at the lowermost and innermost end of the locking groove 32 extending in an angled direction down and in towards the rest of the building panel 1 and not essentially vertical as other illustrated embodiments. This type of chamfer 39 is particularly beneficial in a snapping assembly in order to prevent a separate installed under layer (not shown) from buckling and folding when the building panel 1 is pushed into the assembled position. This chamfer 39 is an optional feature, and it is also optional to have a tilted chamfer instead of a vertical chamfer, but may be beneficial to have, as explained, for installation properties.

FIG. 6 illustrates the assembled position wherein the locking element 16 is in position in the locking groove 32, the locking tongue 40 is in the correct position in the tongue groove 24, the two upper locking surfaces 29, 45 are joined in the joint seam JS and create the desirable seal S between the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′, and the upper surfaces 7b of the two adjacent edges 2a, 2b are arranged flush with each other.

The pivoting assembly PA, illustrated in FIG. 5, may begin when the locking tongue 40 is at least partially arranged in the tongue groove 24 and the building panel 1 to be assembled is arranged at an angle compared to the adjacent building panel 1′. The building panel 1 is then pivoted down such that the locking tongue 40 is displaced further into the tongue groove 24 and the locking element 16 of the locking strip 15 is displaced into the locking groove 32, and the angle, in which the building panel 1 being pivoted is arranged, is decreased. The upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b can be used as a guiding surface for the locking tongue 40 and/or the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a of the building panel 1 being pivoted. When the pivoting motion has resulted in the assembled position, see FIG. 6, the vertical surfaces 29, 45 of the upper edge portion 4b, 3b are preferably cooperating, and even more preferably in contact with each other in order to create the seal S and the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are locked together in both the vertical and horizontal direction. The two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are, in the assembled position, locked in the vertical direction by at least the locking tongue 40 in the tongue groove 24, and in the horizontal direction by the at least the locking element 16 in the locking groove 32.

FIG. 7 illustrated an alternative embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10. This embodiment has essentially no slot provided above the upper impact surface 42. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure may have slots of different shapes and sizes or have no slot at all. It further has the optional pre-attached foam layer 13 arranged on the back surface 7b of each building panel 1, 1′. In other aspects, the embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIG. 7 corresponds to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does not cross over the plane of the joint seam JS. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 has an end part essentially in the plane of the joint seam JS.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does not cross over the plane of the joint seam JS. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 has an end part essentially in the plane of the joint seam JS.

FIGS. 8A-8B an alternative embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, a play P1 is present in the assembled position between the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 and the upper impact surface 42 of the tongue 42, as illustrated in more details in FIG. 8B.

The play P1 may be between 0 mm and 0.2 mm, or between 0.02 and 0.1 mm, or about 0.05 mm. The play may be measured by a feeler gauge.

The play P1 arranged between the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 of the second edge 2b and the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 of the first edge 2a may be present in the assembled position at least when no force, acting at least partially, in the vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels. The play P1 is measured in the assembled position, when the upper locking surfaces 29, 45 are in contact.

The building panels may be configured to have the play P1 in an assembled position, prior to application of a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″. Thereafter, the force may reduce the play and cause the upper impact surface 27 of the second edge 2b to cooperate with the upper impact surface 42 of the first edge 2a, such as be in contact or direct contact with each other.

In other aspects, the embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B corresponds to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

The embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 depicted in FIG. 8A may be suitable for joining a long side edge to a long side edge of an adjacent building panel, such as a third edge to a fourth edge of an adjacent building panel. The first mechanical locking device 10 may be with, or without the above described play P1.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate other alternative embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10. The embodiment in FIG. 9 corresponds to the embodiment in FIG. 6 but with no lower impact surfaces in the lower edge portions 3a, 4a of each building panel 1, 1′, i.e. no lower impact surface provided on the locking element 16 respective locking groove 32. Instead, the outer surface 20b of the locking element 16 and the inner surface 36b of the locking groove 32 extend further, in an essentially vertical direction down towards the back surface 7b of each building panel 1, 1′. In the same way, the embodiment in FIG. 10 corresponds to the embodiment in FIG. 7.

In other aspects, the embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 correspond to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

FIG. 11 discloses an alternative embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does not cross over the plane of the joint seam JS. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 has an end part essentially in the plane of the joint seam JS.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 is configured to extend entirely inwardly of the plane of the joint seam JS in a direction parallel to a front surface 7a of the building panel 1, such that the upper impact surface 27 does cross over the plane of the joint seam JS.

In other aspects, the embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIG. 11 corresponds to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

FIG. 12 discloses an alternative embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10. In the alternative embodiment, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 may be discontinuous, and may have two have two or more sections arranged at different angles. The upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 may be discontinuous, and may have two or more sections arranged at different angles. The sections of the upper impact surfaces 27, 42 of the tongue groove 24 and the locking tongue 40, respectively, may be parallel, or non-parallel.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 have two sections 27a, 27b arranged at different angles. The angles may be acute angles. The angles may differ from the acute angle λ in which the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 extends.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 have two sections 42a, 42b arranged at different angles. The angles may be acute angles. The angles may differ from the acute angle λ in which the upper locking surface 41 of the locking tongue 40 extends.

In other aspects, the embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIG. 12 corresponds to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

FIGS. 13A-13B, 14A-14B illustrate further alternative embodiments of the first mechanical locking device 10 which may be assembled by either a pivoting assembly or by a snapping assembly.

One main difference between theses embodiment and the previously described embodiments is that the lower surface 40a, which is arranged between the locking tongue 40 and the locking groove 32 in the first edge 2a of the building panel 1, is slanted or extends in an angled direction compared to a horizontal direction, whereas the previous embodiments had a lower surface 40a extending in the essentially horizontal directions. By having a slanted lower surface 40a, especially if it is slanting in a direction towards the back surface 7b of the building panel 1, the snapping assembly is facilitated. The slanted lower surface 40a extends to a lower ridge 40b of the locking tongue 40 which the locking element 16 must pass to be snapped into the locking groove 32.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, the upper surface 19a of the elongated part 19 has a stepped shape.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 14A are provided with lower impact surfaces 22 of the locking element 16, configured to cooperate with lower impact surfaces 38 of the locking groove 16, as described in previous embodiments.

In other aspects, the embodiment of the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B and 14A-14B correspond to the first mechanical locking device described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-6.

Further, the first mechanical locking device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B and 14A-14B comprises features described for previous embodiment.

The length of the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 and the length of the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 may vary. The length may vary compared to a length of the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 and the length of the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue 40.

In embodiment, such as illustrated in among other FIGS. 6 and 9-10, the length of the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 may exceed the length of the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24, or at least exceeding a length of the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24 configured to contact the locking tongue 40 in the assembled position. The length of the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 may exceed the length of the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue.

In other embodiments, such as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, the length of the upper impact surface 27 of the tongue groove 24 may be less than the length of the upper locking surface 25 of the tongue groove 24. The length of the upper impact surface 42 of the locking tongue 40 may be less than the length of the upper surface 41 of the locking tongue.

The length may be measured in the plane of the surfaces as seen in cross-section.

The first mechanical locking device 10 has been illustrated and described in several embodiments above. As mentioned, a building panel 1 may be provided with the first mechanical locking device along the short sides, along the long sides, or along both the short sides and the long sides of each building panel 1. If it is desirable to only have the first mechanical locking device on either the short sides or the long sides of the building panel 1, the building panel 1 may further be provided with a second mechanical locking device 10′. Embodiments of such second mechanical locking device 10′ are illustrated and described below with reference to FIGS. 15-27B.

In the disclosure below, reference is made to the third edge 2c and the fourth edge 2d of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″. Equally, reference may be made to the first edge 2a and the second edge 2b.

FIG. 15 illustrates a first embodiment of the second mechanical locking device 10′ which has several features in common or essentially identical to embodiments described above for the first mechanical locking device 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4-11, and which is also to be assembled preferably by a pivoting assembly or a snapping assembly. The second mechanical locking device 10′ is described as being provided along the third edge 2c and the fourth edge 2d but may equally be arranged of the first edge 2a and the second edge 2b of a building panel 1.

However, the second mechanical locking device 10′, in the fourth edge 2d, includes a locking strip 115, preferably integrally formed in the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1′. The locking strip 115 is arranged in a lower edge portion 6a of the fourth edge 2d, projecting outwards from the lower edge portion 6a and the joint seam JS in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1′, or in an essentially horizontal direction.

The locking strip 115 has an elongated shape and includes, at the outermost end of the locking strip 115, a locking element 116. The locking element 116 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip 115, at least partially in a direction towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1′.

The locking element 116 is configured to be received in a locking groove 132 arranged in the third edge 2c of an adjacent building panel 1 during the assembly of two building panels 1, 1′. The locking element 116 and the locking groove 132 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction.

The locking element 116 comprises a locking surface 118 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with a corresponding locking surface 134 arranged in the locking groove 132 of the adjacent building panel 1. The two locking surfaces 118, 134 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 118 of the locking element 116 is arranged with an acute angle α in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1′, in the illustrated examples parallel to the horizontal plane. The acute angle α is preferably between 40° and 80°, even more preferably between 50° and 60°. The corresponding locking surface 134 in the locking groove 132 is preferably substantially parallel to the locking surface 118 of the locking element 116.

The locking surface 118 of the locking element 116 is located in an upper portion of the locking element 116. It is further arranged to face towards the fourth edge 2d and the rest of the building panel 1′. The locking surface 118 of the locking element 116 may extend between an upper surface 119a of the elongated part 119 of the locking strip 115 and an upper surface 120a, preferably an uppermost surface, of the locking element 116.

The locking element 116 further comprises an optional lower impact surface 122 which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding optional lower impact surface 138 arranged in the locking groove 132. The two lower impact surfaces 122, 138 are together configured to cooperate with each other, preferably be in contact with each other, and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, in the assembled position.

The lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116, if present, is located in a lower portion of the locking element 116. It is further arranged to face away from the fourth edge 2d and the rest of the building panel 1′. The lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116 may extend between a lower surface 119b of the elongated part 119 of the locking strip 115 and an outer surface 120b, preferably an outermost surface, of the locking element 116. The lower impact surface 122 may extend from the outer surface 120b of the locking element 116 in a direction towards the back surface 7b of the building panel 1′, and preferably in a direction towards the building panel in which the lower impact surface 122 is arranged.

The lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116, if present, is arranged with an acute angle β in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1′, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle β is preferably between 40° and 70°. Depending on the thickness of the building panel the acute angle β may vary. In an embodiment, when the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 4.5 mm. The lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 60° in relation to the horizontal plane. In an alternative embodiment, when the building panel has a thickness of 4.5 mm or more, e.g. 5 mm or 8 mm, the lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

The lower impact surface 22 of the locking element 116 is in the illustrated example a continuous surface but may in other embodiments have two or more sections arranged at different angles, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, it is possible that one or several sections of such lower impact surface is/are configured to cooperate, and even be in contact, with the corresponding lower impact surface of the locking groove in the adjacent building panel.

The elongated part 119 of the locking strip 115 may be able to flex in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the elongated part 119, or in the vertical direction. In order to increase the flexibility of the elongated part 119 the shape of e.g. the lower surface 119b may be changed. A flexible locking strip 115 may be configured enable a snapping assembly and/or to create a pretension in the locking surfaces 118, 134 of the second mechanical locking device 10′ such that the edges 2c, 2d of two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are in contact with each other, in the assembled position. The pretension may be created by the two locking surfaces 118, 134 of respective locking element 116 and locking groove 132, which are in the assembled position in contact with each other.

A pretension, in the assembled position, between the two locking surfaces 118, 134 of respective locking element 116 and locking groove 132, may also be created without a flexible locking strip 115, e.g. by having a flexible layer, such as the optional foam layer 13, arranged under the building panel during installation.

Thus, the locking strip 115 and its lower surface 119b may extend either in a horizontal direction or with an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. The lower surface 119b may include a cut (not shown). Different designs of the locking strip 115 and its lower surface 119b may provide the locking strip with different properties, for example, the locking strip 115 may become more or less flexible. Another advantage with a lower surface 119b of the locking strip 115 is that the effect of unevenness of the surface on which the building panels are to be assembled, or of material sticking up around the area of the second mechanical locking device 10′ is decreased.

The same advantages and possibilities apply to an optional calibration portion (not shown) arranged in third edge 2c, in the back surface 7b of the building panel in which the locking groove 132 is arranged. The calibration portion may extend from the locking groove 132 and the chamfer 139 in towards the rest of the building panel 1. The calibration groove may compensate, at least around the area where a mechanical locking device 10, 10′ is present, for unevenness in the surface on which the building panels 1, 1′ are installed.

At an inner portion of the locking strip 115 and above the locking strip 115 there is arranged a tongue groove 124. The tongue groove 124 extends from the plane of the joint seam JS and into the building panel 1 in the essentially horizontal direction.

The tongue groove 124 is configured to cooperate with a locking tongue 140 arranged in the third edge 2c of the adjacent building panel 1. The tongue groove 124 and the locking tongue 140 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction.

The tongue groove 124 comprises an upper surface 125 which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 140. The two upper surfaces 125, 141 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction. The upper surface 125 of the tongue groove 124 may extend essentially flush with the horizontal plane or extend at an acute angle χ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle χ may be between about 0° to about 20°. Preferably the corresponding upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 140 extends parallel to the upper surface 125 of the tongue groove 124.

In the upper edge portion 6b, above the tongue groove 124, there is provided an upper locking surface 129, illustrated as an essentially vertical surface. The upper locking surface 129 of the upper edge portion 6b is configured to cooperate with a corresponding opposite upper locking surface 145, illustrated as an essentially vertical surface, arranged in the upper edge portion 5b of the adjacent building panel 1. The two upper locking surfaces 129, 145 are configured to cooperate and preferably be in contact with each other in the assembled position. The upper locking surface 129 of the building panel 1′ and the upper locking surface 145 of the adjacent building panel 1 are configured to create the seal S.

The second mechanical locking device 10′, in the third edge 2c, includes the locking groove 132 which is configured to receive the locking strip 115 with the locking element 116 of the adjacent building panel 1′, as described above. The locking groove 132 is arranged in a lower edge portion 5a of the third edge 2c, extending inwards and upwards into the building panel 1. The part of the locking groove 132 extending up towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1 is configured to receive an upper portion of the locking element 116.

The locking groove 132 and the locking element 116 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction.

The locking groove 132 comprises a locking surface 134 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with the corresponding locking surface 118 of the locking element 116. The two locking surfaces 118, 134 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 134 of the locking groove is preferably essentially parallel to the locking surface 118 of the locking element 116. Thus, the locking surface of the locking groove may be arranged with an acute angle δ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle δ is preferably between 40° and 80°, even more preferably between 50° and 60°.

The locking surface 134 of the locking groove 132 is located in an upper portion of the locking groove 132. It is further arranged to face in towards the rest of the building panel 1. The locking surface 134 of the locking groove 132 may extend between an upper surface 135 of a lower part of the locking groove 132, which is opposite the upper surface 119a of the elongated part 119 of the locking strip 115 of the adjacent building panel 1 in the assembled position, and an upper surface 136a, preferably an uppermost surface, of an upper part of the locking groove 132, which is opposite the upper surface 120a of the locking element 116 of the adjacent building panel 1′ in the assembled position.

The locking groove 132 further comprises an optional lower impact surface 138 which is configured to cooperate with the optional corresponding lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116. The two lower impact surfaces 122, 138 are together configured to cooperate with each other, be in contact with and support each other, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to any one of the building panels 1, 1′, in the assembled position. These lower impact surfaces 122, 138 are as mentioned optional and embodiments both with and without such impact surfaces are described and illustrated herein.

The lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 may be parallel to the lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116. Alternatively the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 may be non-parallel to the lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116.

The lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132, if present, is located in a lower portion of the locking groove 132. It is further arranged to face away from the rest of the building panel 1. The lower impact surface 138 may extend from an inner surface 136b, preferably an innermost surface, of the locking groove 132 in a direction towards, and in some embodiments all the way to, the back surface 7b of the building panel 1, and preferably in a direction away from the building panel 1.

The lower impact surface 138, if present, may be arranged with an acute angle ϕ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, or to the horizontal plane. The acute angle ϕ is preferably between 40° and 70°. Depending on the thickness of the building panel 1 the acute angle ϕ may vary. In an embodiment, when the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 4.5 mm, the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 may be arranged at the acute angle β of between 40° and 60° in relation to the horizontal plane. In an alternative embodiment, when the building panel 1 has a thickness of 4.5 mm or more, e.g. 5 mm or 8 mm, the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 may be arranged at the acute angle ϕ of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

The lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 is in the illustrated example a continuous surface but may in other embodiments have two or more sections arranged at different angles, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, it is possible that one or several sections of such lower impact surface is/are configured to cooperate with the corresponding lower impact surface of the locking element in the adjacent building panel.

At a lowermost end of the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 there may be provided a chamfer 139, preferably a vertical chamfer or a chamfer arranged at an angle extending down towards the back surface 7b and in towards the building panel 1, extending from the lower impact surface 138 to the back surface 7b of the building panel 1. This chamfer 139 is an optional feature but may be beneficial to have for installation properties. For example, if it is desirable to design the lower impact surfaces 138 with an acute angle β, φ of between 40° and 45° and parallel to each other, it may be beneficial to remove material, shorten the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132, and have the chamfer 139 in order to decrease the risk that the features of the second mechanical locking device 10′ arranged in the first or third edge 2a, 2c to abut features of the second mechanical locking device 10′ arranged in the second or fourth edge 2b, 2d respectively during the assembly of building panels 1. The height of the chamfer 139 may vary depending on the acute angle β, ϕ, the thickness of the building panel 1 and possibly other features of the second mechanical locking device 10′. In an embodiment in which the building panel has a thickness of 3.5 mm and the lower impact surfaces 122, 138 are arranged with the angles of between 40° and 70° a preferred maximum height may be 0.6 mm. In an embodiment in which the building panel has a thickness of 5 mm and the lower impact surfaces 122, 138 are arranged with the angles of between 40° and 70° the maximum height may be 1.4 mm.

The edge may be provided with such a chamfer even if there is no lower impact surface of the locking groove present.

Opposite the locking groove 132, in the horizontal direction, a locking tongue 140 is arranged, which is preferably integrally formed in the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 and which extends out away from the plane of the joint seam JS. The locking tongue 140 is configured and designed to be received in the tongue groove 124 arranged in the fourth edge 2d of the adjacent building panel 1′. The tongue groove 124 and the locking tongue 140 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1′ in at least the vertical direction.

The locking tongue 140 comprises an upper locking surface 141 which is configured to cooperate with the corresponding upper locking surface 125 of the tongue groove 124. The two upper locking surfaces 125, 140 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction. The upper locking surface 141 of the locking tongue 140 may extend essentially flush with the horizontal plane or extend at an acute angle λ up towards the front surface 7a. The acute angle λ may be between about 0° to about 20°. Preferably the corresponding upper locking surface 125 of the tongue groove 124 extends parallel to the upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 140. Further, there may be a play arranged between the upper locking surface 125 of the tongue groove 124 and the upper locking surface 141 of the locking tongue 140. The play may be between 0 mm and 0.2 mm, or between 0.02 and 0.1 mm, or about 0.05 mm.

In the assembled position, at the upper end of the upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 140 there may be provided a slot 144. The slot 144 may continuously extend along the extension of the edge in which it is provided. The slot 144 may in alternative embodiments discontinuously extend along the extension of the edge in which it is provided, such that several slots 144, with the same or different dimensions, are provided along the extension of the edge in which they are provided. The slot 144 is an optional feature but may be beneficial to have for manufacturing tolerances or for tool aspects.

In the upper edge portion 3d, above the upper surface 141 or above the slot 144, if such is provided, there is provided an upper locking surface 145, illustrated as an essentially vertical surface. The upper locking surface 145 of the upper edge portion 3d is configured to cooperate with the corresponding opposite upper locking surface 129 arranged in the upper edge portion 4d of the adjacent building panel 1′. The two upper locking surfaces 129, 145 are configured to cooperate and preferably be in contact with each other in the assembled position. The upper locking surface 129 of the first building panel 1 and the upper locking surface 145 of the adjacent building panel 1′ are configured to create the seal S.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the second mechanical locking device 10′ having, compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, lower impact surfaces 138, 122 being discontinuous and comprising two or more sections.

In FIG. 16 the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 is a discontinuous lower impact surface with a lower surface 138a arranged with a first acute angle ϕ and an upper surface 138b arranged with a second acute angle ϕ′, greater than the first acute angle ϕ. In this illustrated embodiment the first angle β of the lower surface 122a of the lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116 is parallel to the first angle ϕ of the lower surface 138a of the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132, and the second angle β′ of the upper surface 122b of the lower impact surface 122 of the locking element 116 is parallel to the second angle ϕ′ of the upper surface 138b of the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132.

In other aspects, the embodiment the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIG. 16 corresponds to the second mechanical device 10′ described above with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the second mechanical locking device 10′ having, compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, an additional feature of an upper locking tongue 127 and an upper tongue groove 142. Arranged above the tongue groove 124 is the upper locking tongue 127. The upper locking tongue 127 is preferably integrally formed in the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1′ and extends out from the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1′. The upper locking tongue 127 is configured and shaped to be received in an upper tongue groove 142 arranged in the third edge 2c of the adjacent building panel 1. The upper locking tongue 127 and the upper tongue groove 142 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction. The upper locking tongue 127 and the upper tongue groove 142 are together further configured to create a tight seal TS such that any liquid, e.g. water, is prevented, or at least obstructed, from penetrating further into the building panel 1, 1′. In order to create the desirable tight seal TS it is preferred that the height of the upper locking tongue 127 is greater than, or at least the same as, the height of the upper tongue groove 142. The difference between the height of the upper locking tongue 127 and the height H2 of the upper tongue groove 142 is in the range of 0.01 to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.01 to 0.1 mm, even more preferably 0.01 or 0.05 mm. The height of the upper locking tongue 127 is preferably between 0.2 and 2.0 mm, or between 0.2 and 1.0 mm.

The upper locking tongue 127 and the corresponding upper tongue groove 142 are optional features and it is possible to add or remove the locking tongue 127 and the corresponding tongue groove 142 with every embodiment described herein.

Arranged above the locking tongue 140 is the upper tongue groove 142. The upper tongue groove 142 extends into the third edge 2c of the building panel 1, preferably as a continuation of the upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 410. The upper tongue groove 142 is configured to receive the upper locking tongue 127 arranged in the fourth edge 2d of the adjacent building panel 1′. The upper tongue groove 142 and the upper locking tongue 127 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels in at least the vertical direction. As described above, the upper tongue groove 142 and the upper locking tongue 127 are together further configured to create the tight seal TS such that any liquid, e.g. water, is prevented, or at least obstructed, from penetrating further into the building panel 1, 1′.

In other aspects, the embodiment the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIG. 17 corresponds to the second mechanical device 10′ described above with reference to FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate further alternative embodiments of the second mechanical locking device 10′ which may be assembled by either a pivoting assembly or by a snapping assembly. These embodiments have several of the previously described features and therefore will not be described here again.

However, one main difference between theses embodiment and the previously described embodiments is that the lower surface 140a, which is arranged between the locking tongue 140 and the locking groove 132 in the third edge 2c of the building panel 1, is slanted or extends in an angled direction compared to a horizontal direction, whereas the previous embodiments had a lower surface 140a extending in the essentially horizontal directions. By having a slanted lower surface 140a, especially if it is slanting in a direction towards the back surface 7b of the building panel 1, the snapping assembly is facilitated. The slanted lower surface 140a extends to a lower ridge 140b of the locking tongue 140 which the locking element 116 must pass to be snapped into the locking groove 132.

Yet two other possible embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, having features already described for previous embodiments above. Also these embodiments may be provided with an upper locking tongue and an upper tongue groove is desirable. The building panels 1, 1′ in these two embodiments are preferably assembled by a pivoting assembly.

In other aspects, the embodiments of the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 18-21 correspond to the second mechanical device 10′ described above with reference to FIG. 15.

FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate an embodiment of a second mechanical locking device assembled with a snapping assembly. The snapping assembly is, like described above, achieved by an essentially horizontal displacement of the building panel 1 being assembled to an adjacent building panel 1′. Such a snapping assembly is facilitated e.g. by a more flexible locking strip 115. The locking strip 115 is configured to be pushed downwards by the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 being assembled and then flex back and be displaced upwards. The locking strip 115 is displaced upwards when the locking element 116 can move up into the locking groove 132.

In order to facilitate pushing down the locking strip 115 the locking element 116 may include a tilted guiding surface 117 arranged in a front portion of the locking element 116. The guiding surface 117 of the locking element 116 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding guiding surface 134 arranged in the lower edge portion, below the locking tongue 140, of the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 being assembled. The two guiding surfaces 117, 134 are configured to guide the locking element 116 and in turn the locking strip 115 downwards when they are in contact with each other, i.e., in the moment after FIG. 22A.

In order to facilitate the right position of the building panel 1 being assembled there is provided corresponding upper guiding surfaces 126, 144. The first upper guiding surface 126 is arranged in the upper portion of the tongue groove 124 and may preferably extend between the upper surface 125 of the tongue groove 124 and the upper locking surface 129. The second upper guiding surface 144 is arranged in the upper portion of the locking tongue 140 and may preferably extend between the upper surface 141 of the locking tongue 140 and the frontmost surface of the locking tongue 140. The two guiding surfaces 126, 144 are configured to guiding the locking tongue 140 into the correct position in the tongue groove 124 and in turn guide the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 being assembled into the right position in relation to the fourth edge 2d of the adjacent building panel 1′. As the locking tongue 140 is guided into the tongue groove 124 the locking strip 115 is pushed further down, see FIG. 22C.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22A-22D there is provided a chamfer 139, at the lowermost end of the lower impact surface 138 of the locking groove 132 which does not extend essentially in the vertical direction, as previously shown, but instead is tilted down and in towards the rest of the building panel 1. This type of chamfer 139 is particularly beneficial in a snapping assembly in order to prevent a separate installed under layer (not shown) from buckling and folding when the building panel 1 is pushed into the assembled position. This chamfer 139 is an optional feature, and it is also optional to have a tilted chamfer instead of a vertical chamfer, but may be beneficial to have, as explained, for installation properties.

FIG. 22D illustrate the assembled position of the second mechanical locking device 10′ wherein the locking element 116 has snapped into position in the locking groove 132, the locking tongue 140 is in the correct position in the tongue groove 124, the two upper locking surfaces 129, 145 create the desirable seal between the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′, and the upper surfaces of the two adjacent edges 2c, 2d are arranged flush with each other.

FIGS. 23A and 24A illustrate another type of second mechanical locking devices and a cross section of two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ prior to the assembled position. FIGS. 23B and 24B illustrate a cross section of the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in the assembled position, in which the building panels 1, 1′ are locked to each other by the second mechanical locking device 10′.

This type of second mechanical locking devices 10′ are configured to be assembled preferably by a vertical assembly, as illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 24A.

The second mechanical locking device 10′ comprises a locking strip 50, preferably integrally formed in the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1′. The locking strip 50 is arranged in a lower edge portion 6a of the fourth edge 2d, projecting outwards from the lower edge portion 6a in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1.

The locking strip 50 has an elongated shape and includes, at the outermost end of the locking strip 50, a locking element 51. The locking element 51 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip 50, at least partially in a direction towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1.

The locking element 51 is configured to be received in a locking groove 67 arranged in the third edge 2c of an adjacent building panel 1, during the assembly of two building panels 1, 1′. The locking element 51 and the locking groove 67 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1 in at least the horizontal direction, but preferably in both the horizontal and vertical direction.

The locking element 51 comprises a locking surface 53 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with a corresponding locking surface 69 arranged in the locking groove 67. The two locking surfaces 53, 69 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 53 of the locking element 51 is arranged with an angle θ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, in the illustrated examples parallel to the horizontal plane. The angle θ may be between 60° and 90°, between about 70° and 90°, or about 80°. The corresponding locking surface 69 in the locking groove 67 is preferably substantially parallel to the locking surface 53 of the locking element 51.

The locking surface 53 of the locking element 51 is located in an upper portion of the locking element 51. It is further arranged to face towards the fourth edge 2d and the rest of the building panel 1′. The locking surface 53 of the locking element 51 may extend between an upper surface 54a of an elongated part 54 of the locking strip 50 and an upper surface 55, preferably an uppermost surface, of the locking element 51.

The elongated part 54 of the locking strip 50 may be able to flex in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the elongated part 54, or in the vertical direction. A flexible locking strip 50 may be configured to create a pretension in the locking surfaces 53, 69 of the second mechanical locking device 10′ such that the edges 2c, 2d of two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are in contact with each other, in the assembled position. The pretension may be created by the two locking surfaces 53, 69 of respective locking element 51 and locking groove 67, which are in the assembled position in contact with each other.

A pretension, in the assembled position, between the two locking surfaces 53, 69 of respective locking element 51 and locking groove 67, may also be created without a flexible locking strip 50, e.g. by having a flexible layer arranged under the building panel during installation.

At an inner portion of the locking strip 50 and above the locking strip 50 there is arranged a displaceable tongue groove 57. The displaceable tongue groove 57 is configured to receive a displaceable locking tongue 59. The displaceable locking tongue 59 is in turn configured to cooperate with a tongue groove 70, arranged in the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 being installed. The displaceable locking tongue 59 is also configured to at least partly be received in the tongue groove 70. The displaceable tongue groove 57, the displaceable locking tongue 59 and the tongue groove 70 are configured to together lock the assembled building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction.

An embodiment of a suitable displaceable locking tongue is illustrated in FIG. 25. The displaceable locking tongue 59 has a longitudinal base portion 82 which continuously extends along the length of the displaceable locking tongue 59. Along the base portion 82 several elongated flexible or bendable parts 84 are provided. The elongated bendable parts 84 are integrally formed with the base portion 82 at a first end 85a. The opposite second end 85b of the bendable part 84 is configured to move freely between a resting position and a pressed position.

In the resting position, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the elongated bendable parts 84 extend away from the base portion 82, with the second end 85b farthest away from the base portion 82. Between the elongated bendable part 84 and the base portion 82 there is provided a slot or a gap 86, in the resting position. The bendable part 84 may bend inwards into the slot 86 towards the base portion 82. In an assembled position the bendable parts 84 are bent into the slot 86.

Before assembling the adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ the displaceable locking tongue 59 is arranged in the displaceable tongue groove 57 in the fourth edge 2d, with its bendable parts 84 facing into the displaceable tongue groove 57 and the longitudinal base portion 82 arranged just outside the displaceable tongue groove 57, facing the building panel 1 to be assembled, see FIG. 23A or FIG. 24A. When the building panel 1 is vertically displaced, i.e. pushed down, the third edge 2c of the building panel 1 being vertically displaced pushes the displaceable locking tongue 59 further into the displaceable tongue groove 57 creating a pretension in the displaceable locking tongue 59. Once the tongue groove 70 reaches, during the vertical displacement, the displaceable locking tongue 59, the displaceable locking tongue 59 snaps into the tongue groove 70, locking the building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction. In the upper edge portion 6b and above the displaceable tongue groove 57 there is provided a, preferably essentially vertical, upper locking surface 64. The upper locking surface 64 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding opposite, preferably essentially vertical, upper locking surface 80 arranged in the upper edge portion 5b of the adjacent building panel 1′. The two upper locking surfaces 64, 80 are configured to cooperate and preferably be in contact with each other in the assembled position. The upper locking surface 64 of the building panel 1′ and the upper locking surface 80 of the adjacent building panel 1 are configured to create the seal S.

The second mechanical locking device 10′ comprises, arranged in the third edge 2c, the locking groove 67 which is configured to receive the locking strip 50 with the locking element 51 of the adjacent building panel 1′, as described above. The locking groove 67 is arranged in a lower edge portion 5a of the third edge 2c, extending inwards, in a direction substantially parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, into the building panel 1. The locking groove 67 further extends, at an innermost end of the locking groove 67, up towards the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, in which space the locking element 51 is to be received.

The locking groove 67 and the locking element 51 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ in at least the horizontal direction.

The locking groove 67 comprises a locking surface 69 which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with the corresponding locking surface 53 of the locking element 51. The two locking surfaces 53, 69 are, as described above, together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′, 1″ in at least the horizontal direction. The locking surface 69 of the locking groove 67 is preferably essentially parallel to the locking surface 53 of the locking element 51.

The locking surface 69 of the locking groove 67 is located in an upper portion of the locking groove 67. It is further arranged to face in towards the rest of the building panel 1. The locking surface 69 of the locking groove 67 may extend between an upper surface 67a of a lower part of the locking groove 67, which is opposite the upper surface 54a of the elongated part 54 of the locking strip 50 of the adjacent building panel 1′ in the assembled position, and an upper surface 67b, preferably an uppermost surface, of an upper part of the locking groove 67, which is opposite the upper surface 55 of the locking element 51 of the adjacent building panel 1′ in the assembled position.

The embodiment of the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B further comprises, arranged above the displaceable tongue groove 70, a ledge 61. An upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 is preferably planar and preferably extends in the horizontal direction. The ledge 61 is preferably integrally formed in the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1 and extends out from the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1. The upper surface 62 is configured and shaped to cooperate with a lower surface 73 of a protruding upper part 72 arranged in the upper edge portion 5b of the third edge 2c of the adjacent building panel 1. The upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 and the lower surface 73 of the protruding upper part 72 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels in at least the vertical direction. The upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 and the lower surface 73 of the protruding upper part 72 are together further configured to create a tight seal TS such that any liquid, e.g. water, is prevented, or at least obstructed, from penetrating further into the building panel 1, 1′, in the assembled position.

The ledge 61 and the protruding upper part 72 are optional features.

FIGS. 26A-26C and 27A-27B illustrate alternative embodiments of the second mechanical locking device 10′. Here, the second mechanical locking device 10′ is still configured to be assembled by the vertical assembly but without having any displaceable locking tongue.

Instead of an arrangement with a displaceable locking tongue, as illustrated in FIGS. 23-24 and explained above, the second mechanical locking device 10′ is provided with cooperating locking chamfers 75, 76 for locking the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the vertical direction wherein the locking chamfers 75, 76 each is provided with a tilted surface.

The first chamfer 75 is arranged in an outer surface, preferably an outermost surface of the upper edge portion 6b of the fourth edge 2d in which the first chamfer 75 is provided. The tilted surface of the first locking chamfer 75 is preferably tilted down and in towards the rest of the building panel 1′.

The second chamfer 76 is arranged in an outer surface, preferably and outermost surface, of the upper edge portion 5b of the third edge 2c in which the second chamfer 76 is provided, or even arranged in an outermost surface of the third edge 2c in which it is provided. The tilted surface of the second locking chamfer 76 is preferably tilted down and out from the rest of the building panel 1.

The two locking chamfers 75, 76 are configured to cooperate in the assembled position between the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′, and preferably also be in contact with each other during the assembled position in order to create a tight locking of the two adjacent building panels 1, 1′.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 26A-26C, the upper locking surfaces 64, 80 arranged in the uppermost part of the upper edge portion 5b, 6b of each edge 2c, 2d are not completely vertical, as mostly illustrated and described above, but may be arranged at an angle ρ in relation to the horizontal plane. The angle ρ may be between 90° and 110°, or between 90° and 100°. The two corresponding upper locking surfaces 64, 80 are preferably substantially parallel to each other.

Further, the locking surface 53 of the locking element 51, which is configured to cooperate, and preferably be in contact, with the corresponding locking surface 69 arranged in the locking groove 67 are arranged at a different angle compared to previously described embodiments. The locking surface 53 of the locking element 51 is arranged with an angle θ in relation to the plane extending parallel to the front surface 7a of the building panel 1, in the illustrated examples parallel to the horizontal plane. The angle θ may be between 90° and 1050 or between about 90° and 100°. The corresponding locking surface 69 in the locking groove 67 is preferably substantially parallel to the locking surface 53 of the locking element 51.

The two locking surfaces 53, 69 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels 1, 1′ in at least the horizontal direction.

In order to facilitate the assembly of such mechanical locking device 10′ it may be preferred that the elongated part 54 of the locking strip 50 is able to flex in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the elongated part 54, or in the vertical direction. A flexible locking strip 50 facilitates the assembly as the building panel 1 is pushed down in the vertical direction once the building panel 1 being assembled reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 26B. The flexible locking strip 50 may further be configured to create a pretension in the locking surfaces 53, 69 of the second mechanical locking device 10′ such that the edges 2c, 2d of two adjacent building panels 1, 1′ are in contact with each other, in the assembled position. The pretension may be created by the two locking surfaces 53, 69 of respective locking element 51 and locking groove 67, which are in the assembled position in contact with each other.

The embodiment of the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B further comprises, arranged above the locking chamfer 75 in the fourth edge 2d a ledge 61. An upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 is preferably planar and preferably extends in the horizontal direction. The ledge 61 is preferably integrally formed in the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1 and extends out from the fourth edge 2d of the building panel 1. The upper surface 62 is configured and shaped to cooperate with a lower surface 73 of a protruding upper part 72 arranged in the upper edge portion 5b of the third edge 2c of the adjacent building panel 1, above the locking chamfer 76. The upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 and the lower surface 73 of the protruding upper part 72 are together configured to lock the adjacent building panels in at least the vertical direction. The upper surface 62 of the ledge 61 and the lower surface 73 of the protruding upper part 72 are together further configured to create a tight seal TS such that any liquid, e.g. water, is prevented, or at least obstructed, from penetrating further into the building panel 1, 1′, in the assembled position.

The ledge 61 and the protruding upper part 72 are optional features.

The embodiments of the second mechanical locking device 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 23A-27B are suitable for short edges of the building panels 1, 1′, 1″.

Item Section

1. A set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising similar or essentially identical building panels wherein each building panel (1, 1′, 1″) comprises a first mechanical locking device (10) configured to horizontally and vertically lock a first edge (2a, 2c) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to a second edge (2b, 2d) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein upper edge portions (3b, 4b, 5b, 6b) of the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) are joined in a joint seam (JS) in an assembled position,

- wherein the first mechanical locking device (10) comprises,
- at one of the second edge (2b) or fourth edge (2d) a locking tongue (40) which is configured to extend at least partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in a direction parallel to a front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), and
- at one of the first edge (2a) or third edge (2c) a tongue groove (24) which is configured to extend at least partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in a direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″) and configured to receive the locking tongue (40) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″),
- wherein the locking tongue (40) comprises an impact surface (42) extending at an acute angle (φ) in relation to the horizontal plane,
- wherein the tongue groove (24) comprises an impact surface (27) extending at an acute angle (γ) in relation to the horizontal plane, and
- wherein the impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is configured to cooperate with the impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) in the assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

2. The set of building panels according to item 1, wherein the impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) and/or the impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) is arranged at an acute angle (γ, φ) of between 20° and 60°, or between 30° and 55°, or between 40° and 50°.

3. The set of building panels according to item 1 or 2, wherein the impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged essentially parallel to the impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40).

4. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the locking tongue (40) further comprises a locking surface (41) extending between the impact surface (42) and an outermost portion of the locking tongue (40), wherein the tongue groove (24) further comprises a locking surface (25) extending between the impact surface (27) and an innermost portion of the tongue groove (24), and wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is configured to cooperate with the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40) in an assembled position to lock the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in the vertical direction.

5. The set of building panels according to item 4, wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) and/or the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40) is arranged at an acute angle (χ, λ) of between 0° and 20°, or between 5° and 15° or about 10°.

6. The set of building panels according to item 4 or 5, wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged essentially parallel to the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40).

7. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the mechanical locking device (10) further comprises, at one of the second edge (2b) or fourth edge (2d) a locking strip (15) extending outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in a direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″),

- wherein the locking strip (15) comprises, at its outermost portion, a locking element (16) extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip (15),
- wherein the locking element (16) is configured to cooperate with a locking groove (32) arranged in one of the first edge (2a) or third edge (2c), such that adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) are locked in a horizontal direction in an assembled position,
- wherein the locking element (16) comprises an impact surface (22) extending from an outer surface (20b) of the locking element (16) in a direction towards a back surface (7b) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), at an acute angle ((3) in relation to the horizontal plane,
- wherein the locking groove (32) comprises an impact surface (38) extending from an inner surface (36b) of the locking groove (32) in a direction towards the back surface (7b) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), at an acute angle (ϕ) in relation to the horizontal plane, and configured to cooperate with the impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) in an assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

8. The set of building panels according to item 7, wherein the impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) and/or the impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32) is arranged at the acute angle (β, ϕ) of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

9. The set of building panels according to item 7 or 8, wherein the impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) is arranged essentially parallel to the impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32).

10. The set of building panels according to item 7 or 8, wherein the impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) is arranged non-parallel to the impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32).

11. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the first edge (2a) and the second edge (2b) of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device (10) by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion.

12. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising a second mechanical locking device (10′) configured to horizontally and vertically lock a third edge (2a, 2c) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to a fourth edge (2b, 2d) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″).

13. The set of building panels according to item 12, wherein the second mechanical locking device (10′) differs from the first mechanical locking device (10).

14. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the first edge (2a) and the second edge (2b) are the short edges of building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

15. The set of building panels according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the building panel has a thickness of between 3 and 8 mm.

16. A set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising similar or essentially identical building panels, wherein each building panel (1, 1′, 1″) comprises a first edge (2a), a second edge (2b), a third edge (2c), and a fourth edge (2d) and comprises a first mechanical locking device (10) configured to horizontally and vertically lock at least one of the first edge (2a) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to the second edge (2b) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″) or the third edge (2c) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to the fourth edge (2d) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein upper edge portions (3b, 4b, 5b, 6b) of the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) are joined in a joint seam (JS) in an assembled position,

- wherein the first mechanical locking device (10) comprises:
- at at least one of the first edge (2a) or the third edge (2c), a locking tongue (40) which is configured to extend at least partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS), relative to the first edge (2a) and/or the third edge (2c), in a direction parallel to a front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″);
- at at least one of the second edge (2b) or the fourth edge (2d), a tongue groove (24) which is configured to extend at least partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in the direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″) and configured to receive the locking tongue (40) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to lock the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in a vertical direction in the assembled position; and
- at at least one of the second edge (2b) or the fourth edge (2d), a locking strip (15) extending outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in the direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein the locking strip (15) comprises, at its outermost portion, a locking element (16) extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip (15), the locking element (16) being configured to cooperate with a locking groove (32) arranged in one of the first edge (2a) or third edge (2c) to lock the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in a horizontal direction in the assembled position,
- wherein the locking tongue (40) comprises an upper impact surface (42) extending at an acute angle (φ) in relation to a horizontal plane,
- wherein the tongue groove (24) comprises an upper impact surface (27) extending at an acute angle (γ) in relation to the horizontal plane, and
- wherein the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is configured to cooperate with the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) in the assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in the vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

17. A set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising similar or essentially identical building panels, wherein each building panel (1, 1′, 1″) comprises a first edge (2a), a second edge (2b), a third edge (2c), and a fourth edge (2d) and comprises a first mechanical locking device (10) configured to horizontally and vertically lock the first edge (2a) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to the second edge (2b) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″) and/or the third edge (2c) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to the fourth edge (2d) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein upper edge portions (3b, 4b, 5b, 6b) of the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) are joined in a joint seam (JS) in an assembled position,

- wherein the first mechanical locking device (10) comprises:
- at the first edge (2a) and/or the third edge (2c), a locking tongue (40) which is configured to extend at least partly outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS), relative to the first edge (2a) and/or the third edge (2c), in a direction parallel to a front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″),
- at the second edge (2b) and/or the fourth edge (2d), a tongue groove (24) which is configured to extend at least partly inwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in the direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″) and configured to receive the locking tongue (40) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to lock adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in a vertical direction in the assembled position, and
- at the second edge (2b) and/or the fourth edge (2d), a locking strip (15) extending outwardly of the plane of the joint seam (JS) in the direction parallel to the front surface (7a) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), wherein the locking strip (15) comprises, at its outermost portion, a locking element (16) extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the locking strip (15), the locking element (16) being configured to cooperate with a locking groove (32) arranged in one of the first edge (2a) or third edge (2c) to lock adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in a horizontal direction in the assembled position,
- wherein the locking tongue (40) comprises an upper impact surface (42) extending at an acute angle (φ) in relation to a horizontal plane,
- wherein the tongue groove (24) comprises an upper impact surface (27) extending at an acute angle (γ) in relation to the horizontal plane, and
- wherein the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is configured to cooperate with the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) in the assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in the vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

18. The set of building panels according to item 16 or 17, wherein the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged at an acute angle (γ, φ) of between 20° and 60°, or between 30° and 55°, or between 40° and 50°.

19. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-18, wherein the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) is arranged at an acute angle (γ, φ) of between 20° and 60°, or between 30° and 55°, or between 40° and 50°.

20. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-19, wherein the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged essentially parallel to the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40).

21. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-20, wherein the locking tongue (40) further comprises a locking surface (41) extending between the upper impact surface (42) and an outermost portion of the locking tongue (40), wherein the tongue groove (24) further comprises a locking surface (25) extending between the upper impact surface (27) and an innermost portion of the tongue groove (24), and wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is configured to cooperate with the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40) in the assembled position to lock the adjacent building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in the vertical direction.

22. The set of building panels according to item 21, wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged at an acute angle (χ, λ) of between 0° and 20°, or between 5° and 150 or about 10°.

23. The set of building panels according to item 21 or 22, wherein the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40) is arranged at an acute angle (χ, λ) of between 0° and 20°, or between 5° and 15° or about 10°.

24. The set of building panels according to any one of items 21-23, wherein the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged essentially parallel to the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40).

25. The set of building panels according to any one of items 21-24, the locking surface (25) of the tongue groove (24) is arranged at an acute angle (χ, λ) which differs from the acute angle (γ, φ) of at least one of the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24).

26. The set of building panels according to any one of items 21-25, wherein the locking surface (41) of the locking tongue (40) is arranged at an acute angle (χ, λ) which differs from the acute angle (γ, φ) of the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40).

27. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-26, wherein the locking element (16) further comprises a lower impact surface (22) extending from an outer surface (20b) of the locking element (16) in a direction towards a back surface (7b) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), at an acute angle (β) in relation to the horizontal plane,

- wherein the locking groove (32) further comprises a lower impact surface (38) extending from an inner surface (36b) of the locking groove (32) in a direction towards the back surface (7b) of the building panel (1, 1′, 1″), at an acute angle (ϕ) in relation to the horizontal plane, and configured to cooperate with the lower impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) in the assembled position, when the force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to the at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

28. The set of building panels according to item 27, wherein the lower impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) is arranged at the acute angle (β, ϕ) of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

29. The set of building panels according to item 27 or 28, wherein the lower impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32) is arranged at the acute angle (β, ϕ) of between 40° and 70° in relation to the horizontal plane.

30. The set of building panels according to any one of items 27-29, wherein the lower impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) is arranged essentially parallel to the lower impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32).

31. The set of building panels according any one of items 27-29, wherein the lower impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) is arranged non-parallel to the lower impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32).

32. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-31, wherein the first edge (2a) and the second edge (2b) of the building panels are assembled with the first mechanical locking device (10) by a pivoting motion or a snapping motion.

33. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-32, further comprising a second mechanical locking device (10′) configured to horizontally and vertically lock a third edge (2a, 2c) of a building panel (1, 1′, 1″) to a fourth edge (2b, 2d) of an adjacent building panel (1, 1′, 1″).

34. The set of building panels according to item 33, wherein the second mechanical locking device (10′) differs from the first mechanical locking device (10).

35. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-34, wherein the first edge (2a) and the second edge (2b) are the short edges of building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

36. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-35, wherein the building panel (1, 1′, 1″) has a thickness of between 3 and 8 mm.

37. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-36, wherein the upper impact surface (27) of the tongue groove (24) and the upper impact surface (42) of the locking tongue (40) are spaced in the assembled position of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in a relaxed state, when the force is not applied to the at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

38. The set of building panels according to any one of items 16-37, wherein the upper impact surface (38) of the locking groove (32) and the upper impact surface (22) of the locking element (16) are spaced in the assembled position of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″) in the relaxed state, when the force is not applied to the at least one of the building panels (1, 1′, 1″).

MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE FOR BUILDING PANELS

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)