Patent Application
20250154775
The present application claims the benefit of Swedish application no. 2351286-6, filed on Nov. 10, 2023, and the benefit of Swedish application no. 2351287-4, filed on Nov. 10, 2023. The entire contents of each of Swedish application no. 2351286-6 and Swedish application no. 2351287-4 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The disclosure relates to a set of building panels, such as floor panels or wall panels, comprising a locking device. The locking device comprises a protrusion integrally formed with a panel in the set, extending at least partially upwards, and being configured to cooperate with a cavity in an adjacent panel for vertical locking. A core of the panels comprises a polymer-based material, such as a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting resin.
WO 2019/175695 A1 discloses a method for producing a profiled strip using thermoforming. The method comprises supplying a panel-shaped profiled section made of plastic, sawing the profiled section produced to the desired length, performing one or several milling operations to produce at least one foldable flexible projecting element on a first end side of the sawed profiled section, heating the produced projecting element and subsequently bending it at a desired angle to form a bent locking element. The locking element may be used with a large number of base materials from which the profiled strip is made, preferably PVC or polyolefins, such as PE or PP. Moreover, the locking element can be used with profiled strips of reduced thicknesses. Additionally, it is possible to produce complicated connecting systems by means of the method of thermoforming.
WO 2019/142161 A1 and WO 2019/141954 A1 disclose similar methods.
However, the locking configurations of the panels may be even further improved, especially, but not exclusively, by utilizing the method of thermoforming and similar techniques.
An object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a set of panels comprising an upwardly extending protrusion integrally formed with a panel in the set which may provide stronger vertical locking, preferably while reducing cupping effects.
Another object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a set of panels comprising such a protrusion with an improved sealing capability.
Yet another object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a set of panels comprising such a protrusion that may be produced in a more material saving manner, preferably by means of thermoforming.
These and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by the various aspects, embodiments and examples described below.
In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a set of building panels, such as floor panels, comprising a first panel and a second panel and a locking device for locking a first edge portion of the first panel to a second edge portion of the second panel to obtain an assembled state of the first and second panels. A core of the first and second panels comprises a polymer-based material. The locking device comprises a locking element extending upwards from a lower strip provided in the first edge portion, and a locking groove arranged in the second edge portion, wherein the locking groove is open downwards. The locking element and the locking groove are configured to cooperate for horizontal locking of the first and second edge portions. The locking device further comprises a cavity arranged in the first edge portion and a displaceable, such as pivotable and/or bendable, protrusion arranged in the second edge portion, wherein the cavity is open horizontally outwards with respect to the first panel. The protrusion and the cavity are configured to cooperate for vertical locking of the first and second edge portions. The protrusion extends at least partially upwards and is integrally formed with the second edge portion.
The assembled state (or a disassembled state) of the first and second panels may include vertical and horizontal locking (or unlocking) of the first and second edge portions.
The protrusion may extend upwards, and preferably also horizontally in a direction away from the second edge portion.
By being integrally formed with the second edge portion, the protrusion may be formed in a single piece with the second edge portion, preferably with the core.
During locking, the protrusion may be displaced, such as pivoted and/or bent, inwards in a first stage of the locking by cooperation with the first edge portion, and the protrusion may then be displaced, such as pivoted and/or bent, outwards in a second stage of the locking when the cooperation with the first edge portion is reduced or eliminated, preferably by means of an intrinsic biasing force of the protrusion.
Preferably, the first and second edge portion are short edge portions. In some embodiments, however, the first and second edge portions may be long edge portions.
Generally herein, cooperating surfaces, members, or elements, etc., may cooperate by direct engagement or indirectly. Examples of such cooperating surfaces or elements include the locking surfaces of the protrusion and cavity, overlapping cooperating surfaces of a shelf portion and a lap portion, the upper portions of the first and second edge portions, cooperating surfaces of a locking element and a locking groove or locking member, a tongue and a tongue groove, a supplementary tongue and supplementary tongue groove, etc. In any embodiment described herein, there may be a sealing agent, such as a wax or an adhesive, provided between the cooperating surfaces, thereby providing examples of an indirect engagement.
In the assembled state, the protrusion may extend at least partially horizontally inwardly of a vertical plane with respect to the second panel, wherein the vertical plane extends between upper portions, such as uppermost portions, of the first and second edge portions. Thereby, the vertical locking of the panels may be arranged inside of the vertical plane, for example by means of a shelf portion and a lap portion (see below). Also, the protrusion may be produced in a more material saving manner, especially when it is formed by thermoforming by bending or shaping of a protruding lip, since a smaller horizontal extension of the protruding lip may be needed. Additionally, a risk of damaging the protrusion during transport, such as when the panels are arranged in a package, may decrease.
In some embodiments, a length of the protrusion from its inner portion does not exceed a horizontal distance from the inner portion of the protrusion to a vertical plane extending along an uppermost portion of the second edge portion. For example, the inner portion may be an innermost portion of the protrusion. By means of this embodiment, the protrusion may be produced in an even more material saving manner. Indeed, with reference to the previous paragraph, an even smaller extension of the protruding lip may be needed.
The protrusion may extend, in a direction along the second edge portion, outwards of an upper portion of a fourth edge portion of the second panel. The fourth edge portion may be configured to be locked to a third edge portion of a third panel. For example, the third and fourth edge portions may be long edge portions. By means of this embodiment, an improved seal may be provided at a first corner portion between the second and fourth edge portions of the second panel.
The protrusion may lock against the cavity by pretension. Thereby, higher tolerances of the cavity may be accepted, and a more failsafe locking device may be provided.
The protrusion may have a uniform thickness. Thereby, lower tolerances during production of the protrusion, such as by machining, may be obtained.
A length of the protrusion may be smaller than five times, such as smaller than four times, a minimal thickness of the protrusion. Such a smaller length may contribute to a more rigid protrusion and, hence a higher locking strength.
A tip of the protrusion may be arranged at a distance from a front side of the second panel. The distance may exceed a quarter, such as exceeding a third, of a thickness, preferably a maximal thickness, of the second panel. Thereby, the vertical locking configuration may be arranged at a vertically lower position. Moreover, the upper portions of the edge portions may become thicker and, consequently, the joint of the first and second edge portions may become stronger, e.g., during load. Additionally, cupping effects at the joint may become reduced.
Upper portions of the first and second edge portions may comprise a shelf portion and a lap portion, respectively, configured to cooperate with each other at overlapping cooperating surfaces. Preferably, the cavity extends below the shelf portion. By means of the shelf portion and lap portion, a better seal in the joint may be provided. Preferably, the overlapping cooperating surface of the shelf portion is provided in an upper section of the shelf portion, and the overlapping cooperating surface of the lap portion is provided in a lower section of the lap portion. For example, the overlapping cooperating surfaces may extend essentially horizontally, such as essentially in parallel with a main plane of the first and/or second panel extending along a front side and/or a rear side of the first and/or second panel.
Upper portions of the first and second edge portions may comprise joining surfaces which are inclined with respect to a normal of a main plane extending along a front side and/or a rear side of the first and/or second panel. By means of the inclined joining surfaces, an improved guiding of the first and second panels may be provided during their assembly.
The protrusion may be displaceable, such as pivotable and/or bendable, into a recess of the second edge portion, and the protrusion may contact a base edge portion of the second edge portion along a contacting section in the assembled state, preferably also in a disassembled state. Preferably, the base edge portion is arranged below or at a bottom portion of the recess. By means of the contacting section, the protrusion may become more rigid and/or may become more less prone to damage, such as breaking, during assembly.
The protrusion may be displaceable, such as pivotable and/or bendable, into a recess of the second edge portion, wherein the recess comprises a protuberant inner wall. By means of the protuberant inner wall, a force from an inward displacement of the protrusion during locking may become distributed over a larger area. Thereby, a risk of breaking, such as cracking, the protrusion may be reduced, or even entirely prevented. Moreover, the protuberant inner wall may allow for a contacting configuration between the protrusion and the base edge portion. The inner wall may be convex.
The protrusion may be thermoformed. The protrusion may be thermoformed by forming a protruding lip, applying heat, such that the protruding lip becomes pliable, and bending or shaping the protruding lip upwards around an axis for forming the protrusion. The contacting section may be formed by thermoforming.
The first and second edge portions may be configured to be locked to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the first and second panels against each other. Preferably, the relative essentially vertical displacement comprises a folding displacement, or equivalently, scissor displacement (so-called fold down).
The first and second edge portions may be configured to be unlocked from each other by angling the first and second panels relative to each other. This also allows for an improved assembly of the panels, since they may be reassembled more easily.
A horizontal locking surface of the locking element may be inclined against a main plane extending along a front side and/or a rear side of the first panel by a locking angle, which preferably is less than 80°. In some embodiments, the locking angle may be 35°-80°, preferably 60°-80°, more preferably 65°-75°. A horizontal locking surface of the locking groove may also be inclined against a main plane extending along a front side and/or a rear side of the second panel by a locking angle, which preferably is the same as the locking angle of the horizontal locking surface of the locking element. By means of the inclined horizontal locking surface(s), the first and second edge portions may be unlocked from each other by angling.
The core of the first and second panels may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, PVC. For example, the core of the first and second panels may comprise 20-40 wt % of a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, and 50-80 wt % of an inorganic filler.
For example, each panel in the set may be a 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 some embodiments, the core of the first and second panels may comprise a thermosetting resin, such as a melamine-formaldehyde, MF, resin, or urea-formaldehyde, UF, resin.
Generally, all terms used herein, such as in the claims, are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Reference to one or a plurality of “at least one element”, etc., may shortly be referred to as “the element(s)”.
The disclosure will in the following be described in connection to exemplary embodiments and in greater detail with reference to the appended exemplary drawings, wherein:
In the following, various embodiments of a set of building panels, often abbreviated herein as “panels”, such as floor panels, will be described with reference to, e.g.,
The first 1a and second 2b edge portions are configured to be locked to each other by a relative essentially vertical displacement of the first 1 and second 2 panels against each other. Examples of such locking are shown in, e.g.,
The relative essentially vertical displacement preferably comprises a folding displacement, or equivalently, scissor displacement (so-called fold down), whereby the second edge portion 2b is gradually vertically displaced towards the first edge portion 1a along a longitudinal extension of the edge portions. Thereby, the first and second edge portions may be locally interlocked in a first side section 34 of the edge portions, while the second edge portion may be arranged at an angle with respect to the first edge portion in a second side section 35, cf.
The panels 1, 2 in the set may be rectangular. Preferably, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions are short edge portions. It is clear that the panels 1, 2 may further comprise opposing edge portions 1b, 2a, which preferably are short edge portions, as shown in, e.g.,
The set may comprise additional panels, such as a plurality of panels. For example, and as illustrated in, e.g.,
It is emphasized that embodiments in which the opposing edge portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are long edge portions and the opposing edge portions 1c, 2c, 1d, 2d are short edge portions are included herein mutatis mutandis. In yet some embodiments, the panels may be square.
In non-limiting examples, a panel thickness T, such as a maximal panel thickness, of any panel 1, 2, 1′ herein may be 3.0-10 mm, preferably 4.0-6.0 mm, for example, 5 mm. Preferably, the panel thickness T is determined without the inclusion of an underlay member, such as a foam layer.
The panels 1, 2, 1′ herein may be building panels, such as floor panels or wall panels, and may be configured to be arranged on, or connected to, a substructure, such as a subfloor 40. In preferred embodiments, the panels are floor panels configured to be arranged on and along a subfloor 40, preferably in a floating manner. The horizontal directions X, Y may extend in parallel with the substructure, such as the subfloor 40, and the vertical direction Z may extend perpendicularly thereto, see, e.g.,
A core 20 of the first 1 and second 2 panels, preferably of all panels in the set, may comprise a polymer-based material.
In some embodiments, the core 20 may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, polyester, polyethylene, PE, polypropylene, PP, polystyrene, PS, thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU, or polyethylene terephthalate, PET, polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, PC, polyvinyl butyral, PVB, polybutylene terephthalate, PBT, or a combination thereof, and a filler, preferably an inorganic filler. In preferred embodiments, the core may comprise 20-40 wt % of a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, and 50-80 wt % of an inorganic filler, such as calcium carbonate, CaCO3, limestone, talc, fly ash, barium sulphate, BaSO4, magnesium oxide, MgO, or a stone material, such as stone powder. A degree of plasticizer in the core 20 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 %, for example comprising no plasticizer. Generally herein, the core 20 may be dense or, alternatively, foamed. In any embodiment herein, the core 20 and/or the panel 1, 2 per se, may have an E modulus (preferably Young's modulus), of 2-12 GPa, such as 4-9 GPa or 3-7 GPa.
In some embodiments, the core 20 is dense, thereby not being foamed, and comprises PVC and a mineral filler. For example, the panels 1, 2 may be SPC or WPC panels. In some embodiments, the core 20 is foamed, e.g., by means of a foaming agent, and comprises PVC and a filler. For example, the panels 1, 2 may be foamed SPC or WPC panels.
Also other types of fillers are conceivable herein, such as an organic filler, e.g., a wood material, such as wood fibres or dust, a bamboo material or rice husks.
In some embodiments, the core 20 of the panels 1, 2 may comprise a thermosetting resin, such as a MF or UF resin.
Any panel 1, 2 herein may comprise a top layer 21, such as a print layer 21a and/or a wear layer 21b, applied, such as bonded, to the core 20, see, e.g.,
By means of the locking device, the panels 1, 2 may be assembled to each other to obtain an assembled state in which the first edge portion 1a of the first panel 1 and the second edge portion 2b of the second panel 2 are horizontally and vertically locked to each other.
The locking device comprises a locking element 3 extending upwards from a lower strip 5 provided in the first edge portion 1a, and a locking groove 4 arranged in the second edge portion 2b and being open downwards. The lower strip 4 may protrude horizontally outwards from a lower portion of the first edge portion 1a. The locking element 3 and the locking groove 4 are configured to cooperate, such as engage, for horizontal locking of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions, preferably at horizontal locking surfaces 3a, 4a. Preferably, an inner surface of the locking element 3 and an outer surface of the locking groove 4 may comprise the horizontal locking surfaces 3a, 4a.
The horizontal locking surface 3a of the locking element 3 may be inclined against the main plane M1 by a locking angle α, which preferably is less than 80°. The locking angle & may be specified as a deviation from a horizontal direction, preferably the second horizontal direction Y. The locking groove 4 may also comprise an inclined horizontal locking surface 4a, preferably being inclined against the main plane M2 by a locking angle β, which may be the same as for the horizontal locking surface 3a. In preferred embodiments, the locking angle α, β for the horizontal locking surface 3a and/or 4a may be 35°-80°, preferably 60°-80°, more preferably 65°-75°.
The locking device further comprises a cavity 6 arranged in the first edge portion 1a and a displaceable protrusion 7 arranged in the second edge portion 2b. The protrusion may be formed in the core 20. Preferably, the protrusion 7 is displaceable by pivoting and/or bending of at least a section of the protrusion, such as the entire protrusion. The protrusion 7 may be pivotable around at least one axis A, A′ arranged along the second edge portion 2b, for example arranged along an inner portion 7b and/or an outer portion 7e of the protrusion 7. Alternatively, or additionally, at least a section of the protrusion 7, such as the entire protrusion, may be bendable along its length, such as from the inner portion 7b to the outer portion 7e. Preferably, the displaceability, such as pivotability and/or bendability, may be implemented by means of a flexibility of the protrusion 7. The cavity 6 is open horizontally outwards with respect to the first panel 1. Moreover, the protrusion 7 extends at least partially upwards and is integrally formed with the second edge portion 2b, such as with the core 20 of the second panel 2. The protrusion 7 may extend upwards along the vertical direction Z and horizontally in a direction away from the second edge portion 2b along the second horizontal direction Y. The protrusion 7 and the cavity 6 are configured to cooperate, such as engage, for vertical locking of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions, preferably at vertical locking surfaces 6a, 7a. Preferably, an upper surface of the cavity 6 and a tip 7c of the protrusion 7 may comprise the vertical horizontal locking surfaces 6a, 7a. The vertical locking surface 6a and/or 7a may be disposed at a locking angle ϕ with respect to the main plane M1 and/or M2. For example, the locking angle ϕ may be specified as a deviation from a horizontal direction, preferably the second horizontal direction Y. The locking angle ϕ may be 10°-60°, preferably 25°-50°, more preferably 30°-40°, for example about 35°.
In an assembled state and/or in a disassembled state of the second panel 2, the protrusion 7 may extend along a protrusion direction PD, which is provided at an angle λ with respect to a direction along the main plane M2, preferably extending in parallel with the second horizontal direction Y. For example, 40°≤λ≤80°, such as 50°≤λ≤70°.
Optionally, the locking device further comprises a locking member 22 extending downwards from an upper strip 23 provided in the second edge portion 2b, and an upper strip wall 5a arranged horizontally inside of the locking element 3 with respect to the first panel 1, see, e.g.,
However, it is emphasized that in some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g.,
An upper portion 11 of the first edge portion 1a may be configured to cooperate, such as engage, with an upper portion 12 of the second edge portion 2b in the assembled state. The upper portions 11, 12 may lock the edge portions 1a, 2b in a single horizontal direction. For example, the upper portions 11, 12 may comprise joining surfaces 18, 19 extending substantially vertically (see, e.g.,
A vertical plane V1, V2 may extend between the upper portions 11, 12 in the assembled state, such as along the joining surfaces 18, 19 and/or along their uppermost portions 11a, 12a. Preferably, the uppermost portions 11a, 12a also are outer portions, such as outermost portions, of the edge portions 1a, 2b with respect to the respective panel 1, 2. For example, the vertical plane V2 may extend along an outermost portion 18a of the joining surface 18. The upper portions 11, 12 may cooperate at least along these uppermost portions, such as along essentially the entire joining surfaces 18, 19. In the assembled state, the second horizontal direction Y may be perpendicular to the vertical plane V1 and/or V2. For example, a horizontal distance between V1 and V2 may be 0-1.0 mm, such as 0.1-0.9 mm or 0.1-0.5 mm.
The upper portion 11 may in some embodiments comprise a shelf portion 8 and the upper portion 12 may comprise a lap portion 9, see, e.g.,
In the assembled state, the vertical plane V1 may extend between the uppermost portions 11a, 12a of the first 1a and second 2b edge portions. The vertical plane V2 may extend along a horizontally innermost section 8b of the shelf portion 8 and/or along an outermost, lower section 9b of the lap portion 9.
The protrusion 7 may be displaceable, such as pivotable and/or bendable, into a recess 16 of the second edge portion 2b, which preferably is arranged under the lap portion 9.
The protrusion 7 may lock against the cavity 6 by pretension. For example, as shown in
It is emphasized that the overlapping upper portions 11, 12 are optional and that the upper portions 11, 12 in some embodiments may extend essentially vertically, see, e.g.,
As shown in, e.g.,
An outermost portion of the tip 7c may be arranged at a horizontal distance HD from an uppermost 12a of the second edge portion 2b. For example, the horizontal distance HD in the assembled state may be larger than or equal to the horizontal distance HD in the disassembled state of the second panel 2. In non-limiting examples, a difference between the horizontal distance HD in the assembled state compared to the horizontal distance HD in the disassembled state may be 0.01-0.20 mm, such as 0.01-0.15 mm or 0.03-0.10 mm.
In some embodiments, the length L of the protrusion 7 from its inner portion 7b to the tip 7c does not exceed, i.e., is smaller than or equal to, a horizontal distance D from the inner portion 7b to the vertical plane V1, see, e.g.,
Generally herein, the protrusion 7 may have a uniform thickness TP. However, as shown in
As illustrated in, for example,
It is understood that any, some, or all of the locking element 3, locking groove 4, lower strip 5, cavity 6, protrusion 7, shelf portion 8, lap portion 9, locking member 22, upper strip 23, etc., may extend along the first 1a and second 2b edge portions, e.g., along the first horizontal direction X, such as along substantially their entirety, cf.
In preferred embodiments, the protrusion 7 disclosed herein may be thermoformed, preferably by heating and bending or shaping a protruding lip 7d. An embodiment of such a process is illustrated in
First, the protruding lip 7d is formed in the second edge portion 2b, preferably by mechanical machining. The protruding lip 7d may extend outwards from the second edge portion 2b along a lip direction LD, which preferably extends along the main plane M2, e.g., extending in parallel with the second horizontal direction Y.
Thereafter heat, for example hot air or infrared radiation, is applied, such that the protruding lip 7d becomes pliable. For example, when the core material comprises PVC and a mineral filler, the protruding lip may be heated to a temperature of 40-220° C., such as 75-180° C., for example by a hot air device emitting a stream of hot air at a temperature exceeding 300° C. or even exceeding 400° C., such as 400-600° C.
Finally, the protruding lip 7d is bent upwards, such as around an axis A, for forming the protrusion 7, for example by means of a pressure member 50. Preferably, the protruding lip 7d is gradually bent along the second edge portion 2b, e.g., along the axis A. For example, the pressure member 50 may comprise a longitudinally extending bevel 51 which may implement the gradual bending. For example, the protruding lip may be gradually bent for 0.1-10 seconds, such as 0.3-2 seconds. Moreover, pressure may preferably be applied at an upper portion of the protruding lip 7d. The protrusion 7 may thereby extend along a protrusion direction PD, which is provided at an angle λ with respect to the lip direction LD. For example, 40°≤λ≤80°, such as 50°≤λ≤70°.
Other ways of forming the protrusion 7 is described, e.g., in WO 2019/141954 A1, such as in
It is stressed that, in some embodiments, for example in
In some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g.,
It is noted that the length L of the protrusion 7 from its inner portion 7b may include the extension E of the contacting section 17.
The recess 16 may comprise a protuberant inner wall 16a, which preferably is convex. For example, the base edge portion 15 may be provided in the protuberant inner wall 16a, such that the protrusion 7 may be in contact therewith.
The contact between the protrusion 7 and the base edge portion 15 along the contacting section 17 may be accomplished by thermoforming, for example in accordance with any of the processes described herein.
The contacting section 17 described herein is optional. Indeed, it is emphasized that in some embodiments, there is no contacting section 17 at the base edge portion 15. The protrusion 7 may be spaced from the base edge portion 15 by a space S as shown in
The third 1c, 2c and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions may comprise a locking device configured to be joined to adjacent fourth 1d, 2d and third 1c, 2c, 1c′ edge portions, respectively, preferably by angling, cf.
Optionally, the locking device may further comprise a supplementary tongue 32 and supplementary tongue groove 33 in the third 1c, 2c, 1c′ and fourth 1d, 2d edge portion, respectively, for vertical locking. The shelf portion 8 and the supplementary tongue 32 preferably are continuously joined to each other in a third corner portion 26c arranged between the first 1a, 2a and third 1c, 2c edge portions, cf.
The protrusion 7 may extend along substantially the entire second edge portion 1b, 2b, preferably between a first corner portion 26a arranged between the second 1b, 2b and fourth 1d, 2d edge portions and a second corner portion 26b arranged between the second 1b, 2b and third 1c, 2c edge portions.
By having the shelf portion 8, and a protrusion 7, as shown in, e.g.,
It is noted that generally herein, liquid, such as water, may be collected in the recess 16, and may be adapted to flow down to the third edge portion 1c, 2c to which the fourth edge portion 1d, 2d is locked, for example flowing down to the lower strip 28, see, e.g.,
First, the second panel 2 is displaced against the first panel 1 by an essentially vertical displacement, as detailed above. The protrusion 7 may be in an outer starting position. Thereafter, or concurrently, the protrusion 7 is displaced, such as pivoted and/or bent, inwards in a first stage of the locking by cooperation with the first edge portion 1a, such as with the shelf portion 8 and/or with the upper portion 11, such as the uppermost portion 11a. The protrusion 7 is then displaced, such as pivoted and/or bent, outwards in a second stage of the locking when the cooperation with the first edge portion, such as with the shelf portion 8 and/or with the upper portion 11, is reduced or eliminated. The displacement outwards may be caused by an intrinsic biasing force of the protrusion. The protrusion 7 may then assume an outer locking position, which may be substantially the same as the starting position or may at least be partially displaced towards it. Preferably, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions are locked to each other by means of a clicking or snapping engagement, e.g., whereby the protrusion 7 clicks or snaps into engagement with the cavity 6.
Optionally, the tip 7c of the protrusion 7 in any embodiment herein may comprise a chamfer 7f, see, e.g.,
In some embodiments herein, the second panel 2 may comprise a calibration groove 36, preferably provided horizontally inwards of the locking groove 4 with respect to the second panel 2. Such a calibration groove may provide an easier assembly of panels having varying thicknesses. The calibration groove 36 may be provided in the rear side 2f and may be open towards the locking groove 4. Moreover, it may extend along the second edge portion 2b, e.g., along the first horizontal direction X, such as along substantially its entirety. Preferably, the second edge portion 2b is resilient such that it may be bent downwards towards the subfloor 40. A, preferably maximal, depth DG of the calibrating groove 36 may be less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm, such as being 0.05-0.2 mm.
In some embodiments, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions may be configured to be unlocked from each other by angling the first 1 and second 2 panels relative to each other, as shown in
Alternatively, or additionally, the first 1a and second 2b edge portions may be configured to be unlocked from each other by means of a separate tool 25, such as an elongated rod, interacting with the locking device, see
It is emphasized that any extension or angle herein, such as any of the vertical distance CV1 or CV2, horizontal distance D, depth DG, extension E, distance H, horizontal distance HD, length L, distance OC1 or OC2, thickness T, thickness TP, any of the angles δ, γ, λ, θ, or any of the locking angles α, β or ϕ, may be determined by the following measuring method. First, the second panel 2 is cut, for example sawed, in a direction along the third 2c and fourth 2d edge portions, such as along the second horizontal direction Y, preferably in the middle region between the third 2c and fourth 2d edge portions, see the broken line C in
A level of water resistance of samples of a set of building panels in the form of SPC panels, each comprising a core comprising PVC and chalk, and a wear layer arranged on the core was tested. The panels comprised a shelf portion and a lap portion with a geometry and dimensions as depicted in
Aspects of the disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the disclosure. In particular, it is understood that embodiments without a shelf portion 8 also are included as embodiments herein, and may, for example, be combined with any of the embodiments of the protrusion 7, such as the contacting section 17, length L, extension E, horizontal distance HD, or the unlocking by the separate tool 25, or embodiments of other parts of the locking device, such as the inclined horizontal locking surfaces 3a, 4a, etc., described herein.
Further aspects of the disclosure are provided below. Embodiments, examples etc. of these aspects are largely analogous to the embodiments, examples, etc. as described above, whereby reference is made to the above for a detailed description.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2351286-6 | Nov 2023 | SE | national |
| 2351287-4 | Nov 2023 | SE | national |
