Patent Grant
11168482
The present application is a 371 of International application PCT/EP2018/082383, filed Nov. 23, 2018, which claims priority of EP 17203608.9, filed Nov. 24, 2017, the priority of these applications is hereby claimed and these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention concerns a panel comprising a panel core, a panel top surface, a lower panel surface and at least one first edge pair of complementary positively locking holding profiles at mutually opposite panel edges, wherein one of the holding profiles has a locking groove with a distally projecting upper groove wall and a lower groove wall which projects distally further than the upper groove wall, and comprising a holding bar which projects at the free end of the lower groove wall in the direction of the panel top surface and has a free upper bar end and at least one undercut holding surface, wherein said holding surface is directed towards the panel core and delimits in the lower groove wall a recess which is behind the holding bar, wherein the complementary holding profile is provided with a locking tongue which has at least one undercut contact surface which is directed towards the panel core and in the assembled condition co-operates with the holding surface of the holding bar, wherein the locking tongue has a tongue underside and a tongue top side of which the tongue top side has a distal end and a proximal end and is straight or curved and is arranged inclinedly relative to the perpendicular on the panel top surface so that the distal end is further away from the panel top surface and the proximal end reaches closer to the panel top surface, wherein in the assembled state there is a play which includes a vertical play and a horizontal play so that the holding profiles are movable perpendicularly to the panel top surface and are movable in a direction which is perpendicular to the panel edges and at the same time parallel to the panel top surface, wherein an inside of the upper groove wall is of a straight or curved shape matching the tongue top side and relative to the perpendicular to the panel surface has an angle of inclination which is such that the inclined tongue top side and the inside of the upper groove wall are in surface contact in the mutually displaced state.
A state of the art of the general kind set forth is known from DE 10 2014 114 250 A1. That proposes a panel which is provided with a tongue top side inclined out of the perpendicular and in the assembled state has a play within the positively locking locking means. Because of the play interengagement and locking is somewhat simpler than in the case of panels which have the positively locking means without play. Because of the play the panel is also suitable for a floatingly laid floor. In regard to floating laying account is to be taken of the fact that the panels are constantly subjected to a variation in the ambient conditions like a change in temperature and air humidity. Such changes in ambient conditions lead to shrinkage or expansion effects of the panels, which can be compensated by the play within the assembled locking means. That also applies to panels intended as wall cladding/wall covering. The term horizontal play relates to a horizontal application of the panels for a floor. The play referred to as the horizontal play may no longer be horizontally oriented in the case of a wall covering, but it is also advantageous here because it can compensate for shrinkage or expansion effects on the panels.
In practice the panel known from DE 10 2014 114 250 A1 is preferably used for thin floor or wall coverings, in which case the technology is turning away from a panel core of HDF or MDF as is usual in laminate panels. Instead the panel core for a thin panel is made in practice from a plastic material or a composite consisting of a plastic reinforced with fibres and/or containing other fillers.
In general the locking means have to be manufactured exactly so that they fit together and they must also retain their dimensional stability. In that respect the material of the panel core is exposed and unprotected on the positively locking means. The thinner the panels are, the more difficult it is to ensure dimensional stability. Just minor defects can mean that the locking means no longer fit together.
Because panels with positively locking means are delicate they have to be carefully handled as soon as they are removed from their packaging. In rough operating conditions on a building site there is always a risk of damaging the locking means.
As mentioned the known panel is preferably made with a panel core of plastic and generally is of a smaller overall thickness than for example usual laminate panels which have a panel core of MDF or HDF.
The known panel with panel core of plastic is also produced in a large format, for example in the format measuring 40×80 cm or even 40×120 cm. In that case the thinnest panels at the present time are produced in such a way that their overall thickness is only 3.2 mm. What is problematical is handling of such large panels because there is a long lever if the workman lifts the panel from the support surface at one end and the locking means is to be brought into positively locking engagement at the other end, in which case the support surface can be both a floor and also a wall. Joining the small positively locking means together by interengagement is difficult. They can assume a tilted position relative to each other, which is difficult for the layer/workman to see and is scarcely perceptible. That can lead to fractures on the locking means. If in contrast the panel is very small, for example 10×30 cm then handling is much easier because the workman can grip the panel with the hands much closer to the locking means and can see and feel them. The risk of damage to the locking means is then slight.
The object of the invention is to develop the known panel in such a way that it is less at risk of suffering damage, more specifically even when the panel is of a large format and/or is of a small overall thickness.
According to the invention the object is attained in that an edge break is provided between the free upper bar end of the holding bar and its lower holding surface, wherein the edge break forms a free surface which has a distal upper end and a proximal end and is of a straight or curved shape, and wherein the free surface has an angle of inclination β relative to the perpendicular on the panel top surface, with the proviso that in a joining step the tongue underside of the locking tongue can be placed on the holding bar of the locking groove and then the tongue top side is slidable against the inside of the upper groove wall and that at the end of said joining step the distal end of the tongue top side contacts the inside of the upper groove wall in the region of the panel core.
The new panel which has a tongue top side inclined from the perpendicular and in the assembled state has a play within the positively locking means has the advantage that it can be locked almost horizontally, that is to say lying in the panel plane.
For that purpose the locking means are of such a configuration that the tongue underside of a new panel can be laid on the holding bar of a lying panel and the holding profiles are then movable towards each other by displacement of the panel in a direction parallel to the panel plane, in which case the tongue top side is movable closer and closer to the inside of the upper groove wall and is finally overlapped by the inside of the upper groove wall without necessarily already coming into contact therewith.
If a new panel is to be locked to a previous panel which is already on a support surface (floor or wall) then the new panel can be laid or moved into position such that its tongue underside rests on the holding bar of the previous panel. In that case the new panel can be deflected somewhat towards the opposite panel edge and a deflected part can also lie on the support surface. The flexural deflection of the new panel is slight, and is correspondingly less, the larger the format of the new panel, that is to say the further the mutually opposite holding profiles are spaced away from each other. The overlap of the tongue top side by the inside of the upper groove wall is not substantially impaired by slight flexing of the new panel.
The novel configuration is highly desirable for panels of small overall thickness and for large-format panels because, for the locking action, it is no longer necessary to fit the new panel in an inclined relationship, as the state of the art in DE 10 2014 114 250 A1 provides (for example
The novel panel is suitable for floating laying of floors, that is to say without bonding to the underlying surface, lying loosely thereon. In that case shrinkage and expansion of the panels, that can occur in practice, are compensated by the incorporated play.
On the other hand the panel is also highly advantageous if a floor or a wall covering is to be glued to the support surface for same. The joining operation which can be particularly easily implemented with the panel proposed here also favours that kind of laying because a panel which is to be locked can be laid only with the tongue underside on the holding bar of the previous panel and the lower panel surface can be laid overall on a support surface provided with adhesive. The further joining operation can then take place by sliding the panel towards the previous panel, in which case, as described above, the tongue underside of the locking tongue is pushed over the holding bar, then the free surface slides down and finally the tongue underside passes into the recess in the lower groove wall, where it rests on the contact surface thereof.
The configuration of the proposed panel self-evidently also makes it possible for a new such panel to be lifted a little and fitted inclinedly at a shallow angle if that is wanted. It is however in no way necessary to lift it high for the purposes of inclined fitment. Even when the panel is lifted inclinedly the locking tongue is brought into engagement with the locking groove in a more careful fashion. In addition the workman requires much less force for making a floor. That on the one hand is because he does not have to lift the panel so high and on the other hand because the operation of threading or joining the panels together takes place more quickly. In addition thereto, when dealing with a large-format panel, if it has to be lifted high it is more difficult to fit the locking tongue into the locking groove. The workman needs more time for that. He suffers fatigue if each panel has to be held up for a longer period of time and carefully and laboriously threaded into place.
In regard to the aspect whereby a panel is alternatively of such a configuration that it has to be lifted/angled in order to be able to connect the locking groove and the locking tongue together in positively locking relationship, that aspect is expressly viewed as an independent invention. That provides that the locking groove has a minimal opening between the distal end of the upper groove wall and the free surface, wherein the locking tongue does not pass through said minimal opening in a position in which its tongue top side bears in surface contact against the inside of the upper groove wall and wherein however at the same time the locking tongue is of such a configuration that it is of a smaller configuration for passing through the opening, which however passes through the minimal opening of the locking groove only when the panel is lifted/angled through an angle with γ the locking tongue.
All features which are described hereinafter and which relate to the first-mentioned structure involving horizontal lockability of the panel edges are hereby also proposed for combination with the structure which, for locking the panel edges, requires lifting/angling of a panel relative to the other panel.
Support plates of HDF or MDF or OSB plates can also be used as the starting material for the new panel. It can however also be for example a support plate comprising a wood-plastic composite, referred to as a wood particle composite (WPC) or a mineral composite, referred to as a mineral particle composite (MPC). The plastic used, whether pure or processed with said additives, can be a thermoplastic elastomeric or thermosetting plastic. For a support plate comprising an MPC, for example a composition of the MPC including talcum and polypropylene is highly suitable. It is further possible to use recycling material comprising the above-mentioned plastic examples.
Desirably provided at the front distal end of the locking tongue, that is to say at the tongue tip, there is a rounded configuration extending between the tongue top side and the tongue underside. Alternatively it is possible, instead of the rounded configuration, to provide a flattened surface or a surface with a preferably convex curvature.
Desirably the configuration is such that provided between the tongue underside and the undercut contact surface is an edge break which in relation to the edge break of the holding bar is of a cross-section which is at least 50% smaller. Such an edge break on the locking tongue protects the edge from damage. It has proven itself for that edge break to be relatively small because then more space remains for the undercut contact surface. The contact surface should be capable of extending as far as possible in the direction of the lower panel surface for, the larger the contact surface is, the more effective it is in opposing spreading movement of the panels in the panel plane and perpendicularly to the panel edges.
It is also possible to dispense with an edge break on the locking tongue in order thereby to maximise the height of the contact surface.
On the other hand the edge break can also have the same purpose as the free surface of the holding bar, namely providing space so that the locking tongue which is pushed over the holding bar can then go into a downward movement. The desired space can be provided by material being removed only on the holding bar or only on the locking tongue or by it being divided in the desired relationship with material being removed at both locations to produce edge breaks.
A further advantage is that the height of the free surface is ≥ the height of the holding surface of the holding bar. The larger the free surface, the more easily is it generally speaking possible to assemble the holding profiles.
Preferably a distal end of the tongue top side in the assembled state is on a level between the upper free bar end of the holding bar and a proximal end of the free surface or is above the free bar end by an amount corresponding to the height of the free surface. The sliding surface and the sliding zone are provided for the relative movement of the assembled panel edges within the limits of the horizontal play.
Desirably the tongue underside has a sliding surface which is arranged parallel to the panel top surface and in the assembled state is supported on a sliding zone in the recess of the upper groove wall, the sliding zone being arranged in turn parallel to the panel top surface.
It is helpful if the holding bar forms a contact surface on which the tongue underside can be placed at least during the joining operation and the locking tongue has a recess which is open towards the lower panel surface and has a bottom surface. In that way the holding bar in the assembled state of the locked panel edges has space on the recess of the locking tongue
It is further advantageous if the contact surface of the holding bar and the base surface of the recess are in mutually parallel and contacting relationship in the assembled state so that within the existing play they act as sliding surfaces parallel to the panel top surface.
An improvement provides that the maximum vertical play Q, when the undercut holding surface of the locking groove and the undercut contact surface of the locking tongue are in contact, is in a ratio Q/S relative to the height S of the holding surface, that is in the range of 0.5-2.0, and preferably the ratio Q/S is in the range of 0.8-1.2. In that respect the height S of the holding surface is defined as the spacing of the upper end of the holding surface perpendicularly to the plane of the contact surface of the lower groove wall or the sliding zone. With a ratio ≥1.0 the locking tongue can be inserted without resistance into the locking groove until the tongue underside comes into contact with the support surface of the lower groove wall. If in contrast a ratio Q/S is selected, which is <1.0, then a certain elastic deformation of the holding profiles is required to assemble them. That can be achieved by region-wise compression and/or by region-wise bending, for example directed downwardly bending of the lower groove wall. Compression can preferably be effected at a rear region of the tongue underside, which during the joining movement comes into contact with the free surface.
Preferably the angle of inclination α of the inside of the upper groove wall relative to the perpendicular L on the panel top surface is in the range of 30° to 60°. Particularly preferably the angle of inclination α is 45°. It has been found that then the locking action can be easily produced and the positively locking engagement implemented achieves good strength.
Handling of the panel can be improved if the free surface of the holding bar is inclined through a free angle β relative to the perpendicular on the panel top surface and the free angle β is ≥ the angle of inclination α of the inside of the upper groove wall. This provides that there is a wedge-shaped narrowing opening for the locking groove, which simplifies introduction of the locking tongue.
Desirably the free angle β is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 times the angle of inclination α. Preferably the free angle β is in the range of 1.1 to 1.3 times the angle of inclination α. It is alternatively also possible for the angle of inclination 3 to be < than the angle of inclination α, for example in the range of 0.7 to 1.0 times the angle of inclination α. In that way it is possible to achieve effects, for example the need for a certain degree of elastic deformation during the joining operation.
A second distal holding surface directed towards the panel core can be provided on the holding bar and the locking tongue in matching relationship therewith can have a proximal second contact surface. In the case of uneven support surface which has high and low locations it can happen that the assembled holding profiles are disposed at a high point in the support surface or at a low point therein. In that case two interlocked panels no longer form a flat surface. Instead, between the surface of the one panel and the surface of the other panel there is an angle which is >180 when a high spot on the support surface is involved and an angle of <180° when it is a low spot on the support surface. The proposed configuration of the panel with two holding surfaces on the holding bar and with two contact surfaces co-operating therewith on the locking tongue provides a remedy because a pair of holding surface/contact surface always remains in contact while the other pair of holding surface/contact surface can somewhat lose contact. The positively locking action however still remains effective.
The second holding surface of the holding bar is desirably arranged at the distal end of the free surface.
The panel top surface can have an edge break at least on the side of the locking groove or on the side of the locking tongue. It will be appreciated that both sides, locking groove and locking tongue, may also have an edge break.
It is advantageous if the panel is quadrangular and has a second edge pair which is provided at mutually opposite panel edges with complementary holding profiles, said holding profiles being identical to the holding profiles of the first edge pair.
In addition there is provided a method of laying and locking panels which has an edge pair with complementary holding profiles according to the invention, wherein the tongue underside of a new panel is laid on the holding bar of a panel which is already lying on a support surface, then the new panel is displaced lying in the panel plane perpendicularly to the panel edge against the lying panel until the tongue underside of the new panel has moved beyond the holding bar of the lying panel and moves downwardly into the recess behind the holding bar.
Furthermore there is proposed a method of laying and locking quadrangular panels having two identical edge pairs. In that case a new quadrangular panel of said type having two identical edge pairs is locked in a second panel row with panels of an existing first panel row and at the same time locked to a panel already present in the second row by the new panel being placed with a tongue underside of a locking tongue on the holding bars of the panels of the first panel row and with the tongue underside of its adjacent locking tongue on the holding bar of the panel already present in the second row, then the new panel is displaced in a diagonal direction whereby its two adjacent locking tongues are simultaneously brought into engagement, namely the locking tongue with the locking groove of the panels in the first panel row and the other locking tongue with the locking groove of the panel already present in the second row, wherein the tongue undersides of the two adjacent locking tongues of the new panel have moved beyond the holding bars of the laid panel and move downwardly into the respective recess behind the holding bar. In that way two panel edges of the new panel are virtually simultaneously locked. Its panel edges can naturally be of differing lengths. The result of this can be that locking of the one panel edge of the new panel is finished earlier and the locking edge of its other panel edge is finished somewhat later. At least it is possible to achieve time overlapping of the locking operations for the two panel edges of the new panel.
The proposed panel can be used to produce a covering surface in a herringbone laying pattern. For that purpose two different types of panel are required, a type A and a type B. The two panel types A and B have an edge pair of an identical configuration, that is to say the locking groove of type A is arranged on the same panel edge as in the case of panel type B and likewise the locking tongue of type A is arranged on the same panel edge as in the case of panel type B. However, the other edge pair is side-reversed in type B relative to type A, that is to say that panel edge which in type A is provided with the locking tongue has the locking groove in type B and vice-versa. In the present example both types have a pair of long panel edges and a pair of short panel edges. The long panel edges are of an identical configuration in type A as in type B. The short panel edges differ. At that panel edge at which type A has the locking tongue type B has the locking groove. Where type A has the locking groove type B in turn has the locking tongue.
In production of the panels type A and B the holding profiles of the long edges are firstly milled. Then the panels are further transported within the production installation to mill the short edges, in which case half of the panels of a batch have to be turned through 180° prior to the milling operation to produce the short edges on that part of the panels in side-reversed relationship. That laying pattern means that long panel edges and short panel edges can be locked together. Different edge pairs, for example a long edge and a short edge therefore have to be milled at least in mutually compatible relationship. In the simplest situation the long edges and the short edges can be milled with the same or identical tools. In that way it is possible to produce a herringbone laying pattern. What is particular therein is that, in spite of the special laying pattern, the panels are lockable in positively locking relationship on all sides, wherein a locking action is achieved in the panel plane (horizontally), more particularly perpendicularly to the locked edges but also a locking action in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane (vertically). In the case of a rectangular or square panel the horizontal and vertical locking effect is therefore possible at both edge pairs.
The invention is illustrated by way of example hereinafter in a drawing and described in detail by means of a number of embodiments by way of example.
In practice, if the panels are for example of a rectangular format, it is entirely usual for a panel which is excessively long at the end of a row of panels to be cut off to shorten it to the required length. In general a new row of panels can be begun with the cut-off remaining portion. Complementary holding profiles of a cut-off panel fit together and can be locked together, as illustrated in the following examples.
A holding profile 6 is provided with a locking groove 8 and the holding profile 7 complementary thereto has a locking tongue 9. The locking groove has an upper groove wall 10 and a lower groove wall 11 which projects distally further from the panel core 3 than the upper groove wall. Provided distally, that is to say at the free end of the lower groove wall, is a holding bar 12 which in turn projects in the direction of the panel top surface 4 and has a free upper bar end 12a and a holding surface 12b, the holding surface being directed towards the panel core 3. Provided behind that holding surface, that is to say towards the panel core, is a recess 11a in the lower groove wall, which has a contact surface 11b arranged parallel to the panel top surface 4 for the locking tongue 9. The recess 11a is delimited outwardly by the holding bar 12 and by the holding surface 12b thereof. A radius 13 is provided between the bar end 12a and the outwardly facing side of the holding bar 12.
The upper groove wall 10 has an inside 10a which is arranged inclinedly and more specifically it is arranged inclinedly relative to the perpendicular L to the panel top surface 4. It has an angle of inclination α so that a distal end 10b of the inside extends to the panel top surface 4 and the proximal end 10c of the inside is further away from the panel top surface and is oriented close to a central plane of the panel core 3. In this arrangement the central plane of the panel core can also be exceeded by a little.
It serves overall to constitute the strength of the locking action if substantial surface areas of the holding profiles like the tongue top side and the inside of the upper groove wall, in relation to the panel thickness, extend into a central panel thickness region or respectively extend close to the region on both sides of the central plane of the panel core 3 or pass through that central plane. This preferably also applies to the holding surface 12b of the holding bar which in accordance with the invention extends at least close to the central plane of the panel core and is arranged in a central panel thickness region.
The locking tongue 9 has a tongue underside 9a arranged parallel to the panel top surface 4′. Proximally associated with the locking tongue is a downwardly open recess 14 which in the assembled state of the panel edges 2/2′ provides space for the holding bar 12. The locking tongue is further provided with an undercut contact surface 15 which in the assembled state co-operates with the holding surface 12b of the holding bar and it has a tongue top side 16 inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the panel top surface 4′, wherein the angle of inclination is as great as the angle of inclination α of the inside 10a of the upper groove wall.
In
The joining movement continues by the tongue underside 9a passing the free surface 12d and moving further down into the recess 11a in the lower groove wall 11 as shown in
The holding profiles can assume intermediate positions relative to each other. One intermediate position is shown in
In the foregoing embodiment by way of example the vertical play Q in the ratio to the height S of the holding surface Q/S=1.1. That ratio in effect creates an opening which is wider at the top and becomes narrower downwardly towards the lower groove wall. The locking tongue is thereby guided in the narrowing opening during the joining movement.
Two assembled panels ideally assume a position relative to each other, in which the panel top surface 4 of the one panel and the panel top surface 4′ of the other panel include an angle of 180°, they then lie exactly in one plane. It can however occur if the support surface is uneven that the panel top surfaces 4/4′ include an angle <180° or >180°, in which case the deviations from 180° can be about ±3°.
In the assembled state as shown in
In the first embodiment it is possible to dispense with a marked edge break between the tongue underside 9a and the contact surface 15 of the locking tongue. Instead an almost right-angled corner is formed. At the same time a right angle is also provided between the contact surface 11b of the lower groove wall 11 and the holding surface 12b. In practice that right angle of the lower groove wall will have a very small radius because the tools for producing that geometry do not have any sharp angles and such one-piece corners can be produced/milled only with minimal radii/edge breaks. So that the contact surface 15 and the holding surface 12b fit together the corner at the tongue underside 9a is also minimally rounded off or has a small bevel.
The free surface is of a height T which in the present embodiment is greater than the height S of the holding surface. In that arrangement a proximal end of the free surface coincides with an upper end 12e of the holding surface 12b. The term ‘height S’ is used to mean the spacing measured from the upper end 12e of the holding surface 12b to perpendicularly to the level of the contact surface lib of the lower groove wall 11.
The tongue top side 16 has a distal end 16a which in the assembled state of
The angle of inclination α of the inside of the upper groove wall in the present embodiment is 45° relative to the perpendicular L on the panel top surface 4.
The free angle β of the free surface of the holding bar in the present embodiment is 50° relative to the perpendicular L on the panel top surface 4.
A second embodiment is shown by means of
The second aspect which is different from the embodiment of previous Figure group 1 is the ratio of the holding bar 12 to the downwardly open recess 14 in the locking tongue 9. It is provided here that the free end 12a of the holding bar forms a contact surface 12f which contacts the recess 14 at the bottom surface 14a and is supported there when the panels are assembled. In a movement within the limits of the horizontal play P/P′ the bottom surface 14a of the recess 14 then slides on the contact surface 12f. That gives more stability if the panel is loaded from above on the panel top surface 4′.
In the position shown in
A third embodiment is shown in
A fourth embodiment is shown in
The embodiment of Figure group 4 differs by a second holding surface 23 provided on the holding bar 12 of the lower groove wall 11 and a second contact surface 24 provided in matching relationship on the locking tongue 9. Two pairs of holding surface/contact surface are therefore operative. That duplication of the holding surface/contact surface overall improves the action of the locking arrangement in the assembled state. In the illustrated embodiment the second holding surface 23 starts at the upper end of the free surface 12d and ends at the free bar end 12a at the level of the contact surface 12f of the holding bar. The second contact surface 24 of the locking tongue is arranged proximally relative to the first contact surface 15 and in the assembled state fits together with the second holding surface 23 of the holding bar.
The configuration with the duplicated holding surfaces (12b/23) and contact surfaces (15/24) also has an advantage if the support surface U is uneven, that is to say if it involves a wavy configuration. The term wavy configuration is used to mean a moderate rise/fall in the support surface, of the order of magnitude of a maximum of ±3°. If two interlocked panels are laid and locked on such a wavy support surface then that no longer forms a flat floor surface. An angle of >180° is then formed between the panel top surface of the one panel and the panel top surface of the other panel if the holding profiles are at a raised point on the support surface. If they are at a low point on the support surface then an angle of <180° is formed between the two panel top surfaces. The proposed configuration of Figure group 4 gives the advantage that a respective one of the pairs of holding surface/contact surface remains in contact if the panel top surfaces of the locked panels are in a position of <180° or >180° relative to each other. A pair of holding surface/contact surface always remains in good contact with each other while the contact of the other pair of holding surface/contact surface is lost, in which case the degree of the loss of contact between holding surface/contact surface is however only tenths of a millimeter or indeed fractions of a tenth.
A fifth embodiment is again based on the embodiment of Figure group 2. As in that previous embodiment here too provided at the panel top surface 4 on that side of the locking groove 9 is an edge break 14, at the upper groove wall 10. The edge break is in the form of a bevel 18a. In addition in the assembled state there is contact between that downwardly open recess 14 associated with the locking tongue 9 and a contact surface 12f at the bar end 12a of the holding bar. The holding bar 12 projects into the recess 14 and is supported on the bottom surface 14a thereof.
The particularity of the fifth embodiment lies in the configuration of the tongue top side 16 which has a concave curvature 25 while the inside 10a of the upper groove wall 10 has a matching convex curvature 26. In the position shown in
The joining operation is shown beginning with
A sixth embodiment is also based on Figure group 2. Like that, at the panel top surface 4 on each side of the locking groove 8 it has a bevel 18a so that a V-shaped joint gap 19 is formed in the assembled state. In addition as a common aspect there is a downwardly open recess 14 in the locking tongue 9, which in the assembled state bears in identical fashion as in
Figure group 7 shows an embodiment which once again is based on the embodiment of Figure group 2 because here too a bevel 18a is provided at the panel top surface 4 on that side of the locking groove 8 so that in the assembled state a V-shaped joint gap 19 is formed and because in common with
In the present embodiment the holding bar 12 of the lower groove wall 11 is of a new configuration. More specifically, it is also provided with an edge break at its outside that is remote from the recess 11a. That edge break is of such a configuration that it serves as an inclined run-on surface 29 for the locking tongue 9, as indicated in
An eighth embodiment is shown in
A new panel 32 is to be connected in the second row of panels. For that purpose it has to be locked with panels 33 and 34 of the first row D1 and panels 35 of the second row D2. In accordance with the method described here the new panel 32 is placed on the support surface U. Next the new panel is moved in the direction of the arrow V (diagonally). In so doing it approaches the locking grooves of the panels 33/34 of the first row. At the same time it approaches the locking groove of the panel 35. At both sides to be locked of the new panel 32 its locking tongues 32a and 32b bear against run-on surfaces 35b or 33b/34b which are respectively provided externally on the holding bars of the adjacent panels 33, 34 and 35. In the further course of the movement in the direction of the arrow V the tongue undersides pass on to the holding bars or on to the contact surfaces thereof and then the tongue undersides slide down along the free surfaces and finally move down into the recess in the lower groove wall. That takes place both at the panels 33, 34 of the first row D1 and also at the panel 35 of the second row D2.
It will be appreciated that the above-described method step can be carried out in precisely the same way if the panels are to be glued to the support surface. When the new panel 32 is set down an adhesive has to be previously applied. The adhesive can be applied to the support surface and/or to the lower panel surface. It must have a sufficient pot life to be able to carry out all laying steps before it sets. After setting/bonding it produces a bonded join to the support surface U.
Locking of the two participating locking tongues 32a, 32b of the new panel is effected almost at the same time. However by virtue of the flexibility of the panel it can happen that locking of the locking tongue of the new panel to the locking groove of the panel or panels which have already been laid begins in that corner of the new panel, into which the arrow V is pointing, and, beginning in that panel corner, creation of the locking effect is progressively effected at both panel edges in the manner of a zip fastener. In that case it may be that one panel edge of the new panel is locked more quickly than the other; that for example when the panel edges are of differing lengths.
Alternatively it is possible to carry out another locking method which is required for those embodiments of the panel, which do not have any run-on surface externally on the holding bar so that the locking tongue cannot be moved automatically upwardly there by way of a run-on surface. Instead the new panel is set down in such a way that its locking tongues come to lie directly on the holding bars of the adjacent panels, as shown in
In the
In comparison with Figure group 8 the locking groove is of a greater radius at its groove bottom. The distal end 16a of the straight portion of the tongue top side 16 is at a somewhat higher level than the contact surface 12f of the holding bar 12 or the bar end 12a. It has the advantage that the risk of cracking or splitting can be somewhat reduced in the region of the enlarged radius which forms the bottom of the locking groove.
An enlarged radius at the groove bottom is advantageous not only for the present embodiment but is a desirable option for all previous embodiments.
If the distal end 16a of the straight portion of the tongue top side 16 lies over the bar end 12a, as in
If the projection 31 is moved to maximum depth into the notch 30 then that side of the notch which is closer to the panel surface is in positively locking contact with a top side of the projection. In that case some clearance can be provided between the free end of the projection and the bottom of the notch and thus a free space can be formed. The free space serves for reliably implementing the positively locking engagement and in addition any dirt particles can be received there.
In production of the panels type A and B the holding profiles of the long edges are firstly milled. Then the panels are further transported within the production installation to mill the short edges, in which case half of the panels of a batch have to be turned through 180° prior to the milling operation to produce the short edges on that part of the panels in side-reversed relationship. That laying pattern means that long panel edges and short panel edges can be locked together. Different edge pairs, for example a long edge and a short edge therefore have to be mutually compatible. In that way it is possible to produce a herringbone laying pattern. What is particular therein is that the panels are lockable in positively locking relationship on all sides, wherein a locking action is achieved in the panel plane (horizontally), more particularly perpendicularly to the locked edges but also a locking action in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane (vertically). In the case of a rectangular or square panel the horizontal and vertical locking effect is therefore possible at both edge pairs.
The herringbone laying pattern can then be implemented with the panel types A and B produced in that way.
By virtue of the advantageous handleability of the positively locking holding profiles of the panel according to the invention locking of the panels together is very simple even when two panel types are involved and they are assembled to form a floor covering in the illustrated herringbone pattern.
A ninth embodiment of the panel according to the invention is shown in
The recess 14 is provided with a surface 40 curved in a concave configuration. The curvature of the surface 40 matches the radius 13 on the holding bar 12 and can bear snugly against same, as can be seen from
Referring to
In the locked state there is a certain play, more specifically both in the horizontal and also in the vertical direction.
In
As shown in
In
Following
The locking groove has an opening 41 with a minimal opening dimension M. The locking tongue cannot fit through the opening because the extent of the locking tongue is too great for that as long as the two panels are oriented parallel to each other.
In this embodiment however the locking tongue is of a particular configuration. Its extent which has to pass through the opening is more specifically smaller when the panel provided with the locking tongue is lifted/angled through an angle γ. In the lifted/angled position the locking tongue 9 passes through the opening 41. No deformation or expansion of the opening is required for that.
By virtue of the proposed configuration it is advantageously possible for the panel edge 2′ to be fitted inclinedly or angled through the certain angle γ relative to the complementary panel edge 2 in order in that way to lock it in positively locking relationship to that complementary panel edge.
Preferably, in the example shown in
The geometry of the panel edges shown in
The embodiment of
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17203608 | Nov 2017 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/082383 | 11/23/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/101928 | 5/31/2019 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4426820 | Terbrack | Jan 1984 | A |
| 7617651 | Grafenauer | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 8720150 | Hannig | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8833028 | Whispell | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 9695851 | Hannig | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9874028 | Boucke | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| 10508457 | Hannig | Dec 2019 | B2 |
| 10711466 | Hannig | Jul 2020 | B2 |
| 20040035077 | Martensson | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040128934 | Hecht | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20070193178 | Groeke | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20090133353 | Pervan | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20100154343 | Dammers | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100293879 | Pervan | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20110167744 | Whispell | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20120017534 | Oh | Jan 2012 | A1 |
| 20120066996 | Konstanczak | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20130067840 | Martensson | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130276398 | Hannig | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 101910528 | Dec 2010 | CN |
| 102009019492 | Nov 2010 | DE |
| 202014008510 | Dec 2014 | DE |
| 102014114250 | Mar 2016 | DE |
| 202016105668 | Nov 2016 | DE |
| 2516618 | May 2014 | RU |
| 2015135533 | Sep 2015 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Russian Search Report, dated Nov. 11, 2020, 2 Pages. |
| Chinese Office Action dated May 31, 2021, 9 Pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200378136 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
