Set of panels

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11814850
  • Patent Number
    11,814,850
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 21, 2020
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 14, 2023
    6 months ago
Abstract
A set of panels including a first panel and a second panel. A first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement of the second edge relative the first edge. The first edge includes a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking in a horizontal and in the vertical direction. The first edge includes a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. An upper part of the first edge includes a first guiding surface and a lower edge of the lower lip includes a second guiding surface. An upper part of the locking element includes a third guiding surface and a lower edge of the locking groove includes a fourth guiding surface.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relates to panels, such as floorboards, which are configured to be locked together by a vertical displacement.


BACKGROUND

Panels are known that are configured to be assembled by a vertical displacement and to be locked together in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction. Such panels are disclosed in, e.g., WO2014/182215. A tongue and groove connection locks a first edge of a first panel to a second edge of the second panel. The first and the second edge furthermore comprise a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove for locking in the vertical and the horizontal direction.


Embodiments of the present invention address a need to provide an easier assembling and/or an increased locking strength of the panels.


SUMMARY

It is an object of at least certain embodiments of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and known art.


A further object of at least certain embodiments of the present invention is to facilitate assembling of panels configured to be assembled by a vertical displacement and locked together in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.


Another object of at least certain embodiment of the present invention is to increase the locking strength by preventing or at least decreasing damage of edges of the panels, particularly parts of the edges that have a locking function. The locking strength may also be increased by an improved configuration of locking surfaces at the edges of the panels.


At least some of these and other objects and advantages that may be apparent from the description have been achieved by an aspect of the invention comprising a set of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement of the second edge relative the first edge. The first edge comprises a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking in a horizontal and in the vertical direction. The first edge comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. An upper part of the first edge comprises a first guiding surface and a lower edge of a lower lip of the tongue groove comprises a second guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement. An upper part of the locking element comprises a third guiding surface and a lower edge of the locking groove comprises a fourth guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement. A tip of the tongue comprises a fifth guiding surface and a tip of the lower lip of the tongue groove comprises a sixth guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement.


The three pairs of guiding surface may have the advantage that damages of particularly the tongue may be prevented during the vertical displacement.


The tongue at the first edge, at the same edge as the locking element, may provide an improved guiding and at the same time an improved configuration for the cooperation with the tongue groove.


The third and the fourth guiding surfaces and fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces, respectively, may be configure cooperate at the same time during the vertical displacement.


The first and the second guiding surfaces may be configured to cooperate at a first guiding position, during the vertical displacement, before a second guiding position comprising the guiding by the third and the fourth guiding surfaces. This may have the advantage that the second edge is in a correct position relative the first edge when edges are guided by the third and the fourth guiding surfaces and fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces. This second guiding position may occur at the same time as a bending of the locking strip and/or a compressing of parts of the first and the second edge in order to displace the first and the second edge to a locked position. The bending and the compression involve a stress of the first and the second edges. A correct position may decrease the stress.


The fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces may be essentially parallel, preferably parallel and/or essentially vertical, preferably vertical.


The first guiding surface may be positioned above the fifth guiding surface.


The second guiding surface may be positioned below the fifth guiding surface.


An upper lip of the tongue groove may be configured to overlap the first guiding surface in a locked position of the first and the second edge.


A lower surface of the upper lip may be configured cooperate with the first guiding surface for restraining penetration of moisture and/or dirt between the first and the second edge in the locked position.


The first guiding surface may be a bevel or a rounding of the uppermost part of the first edge.


The first guiding surface may be adjacent, preferably transition into, the fifth guiding surface. A close positioning of the first guiding surface and the fifth guiding surface may provide room for a larger guiding surface that may improve the guiding.


A locking strip may protrude from the first edge under the tongue, wherein the locking strip comprises the locking element.


A first locking surface of the locking element may be configured to cooperate with a second locking surface of the locking groove for locking in the vertical and the horizontal direction, wherein a first angle between the first locking surface and an upper surface of the first panel is preferably within the range of about 45° to about 85°, preferably within the range of about 60° to about 85° or preferably about 80°.


The tip of the tongue may have a blunt shape which may improve the strength of the tip.


The tip of the lower lip of the tongue groove may have a blunt shape which may improve the strength of the tip.


The first edge and the second edge are preferably produced by mechanically cutting, such as milling.


The locking surfaces and the guiding surface may comprise a material of the core of the first panel and/or the second panel.


The first panel and the second panel may be resilient panels. The resilient panels may comprise a core comprising thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be foamed.


The thermoplastic material may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof. The core may be formed of several layers.


The first panel and the second panel may comprise a decorative layer, such as a decorative foil comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the decorative layer may be or comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof. The decorative foil is preferably printed, for example by direct printing, rotogravure, or digital printing.


The firs panel and the second panel may comprise a wear layer such as a film or foil. The wear layer may comprise thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof.


Embodiments of the invention may be particularly advantageous for panels comprising guiding surfaces with higher friction and a tongue comprising a less elastic thermoplastic material.


The first and the second panel may comprise a wood-based core, such as HDF, MDF or plywood.


The first guiding surface preferably extends through the decorative layer and/or the wear layer and a part of the first guiding surface comprises material of the core.


The first panel and the second panel may be configured to be disassembled by downwardly rotating the first and/or the second panel.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the invention are capable of, will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which



FIGS. 1A-1B show known panels configured to be locked together.



FIGS. 2A-2C show an embodiment of an assembling of an embodiment of a set of panels according to the invention.



FIGS. 3A-3C show an embodiment of an assembling of an embodiment of a set of panels according to the invention.



FIGS. 4A-4B show enlargements of edges of the panels shown in FIG. 2A-2C according to an embodiment of the invention.



FIGS. 4C-4D show enlargements of an embodiment of tongue and the lower lip, respectively.



FIGS. 5A-5B show embodiments of an edge of a panel according to an embodiment of the invention.



FIGS. 6A-6B show embodiments of a set of panels according to embodiments of the invention.



FIGS. 7A-7B show embodiments of a set of panels according to embodiments of the invention.



FIG. 7C shows an enlargement of an embodiment of the locking surface of the tongue and of an embodiment of the locking surface of the tongue groove.



FIGS. 8A-8C show an embodiment of a set of panels according to an embodiment of the invention.





DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention 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 invention 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 invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.


A known set of panels, such as floorboards, are shown in FIG. 1A-1B. The set comprising a first panel 51 and a second panel 52. A first edge of the first panel is configured to be locked to a second edge of the second panel. The first edge and the second edge is assembled by a relative vertical displacement 50. The first edge comprising a tongue groove 56 and the second edge comprises a tongue 53 which are configured for locking the first edge to the second edge in a vertical direction. The first edge comprises a protruding locking strip with locking element 55 which is configured to cooperate with a locking groove 58 at the second edge for locking in a horizontal direction and the vertical direction.


An embodiment of the invention is shown during assembling in FIG. 2A-2C. The embodiment comprises a set of panels comprising a first panel 1 and a second panel 2, wherein a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement 10 of the second edge relative the first edge. An enlargement of the first edge is shown in FIG. 4A and an enlargement of the second edge is shown in FIG. 4B.


The first panel and the second panel may have a thickness in the range of about 3 mm to about 12 mm.


The first edge comprises a locking element 5 configured to cooperate with a locking groove 4 at the second edge for locking in a horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The first edge comprises a tongue 3 configured to cooperate with a tongue groove 6 at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. The tongue groove 6 has an upper lip 7 and a lower lip 42. An upper part of the first edge comprises a first guiding surface 11 and a lower edge of the lower lip 42 comprises a second guiding surface 21, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement. An upper part of the locking element comprises a third guiding surface 12 and a lower edge of the locking groove comprises a fourth guiding surface 22, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement. A tip of the tongue comprises a fifth guiding surface 13 and a tip of a lower lip 42 of the tongue groove 6 comprises a sixth guiding surface 23, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement. This embodiment of the invention may be easier to install compared to the known set of panels due to the guiding surfaces. An improved guiding may be critical for assembling panels having surfaces with a high friction and particularly if the panel edges comprise a less elastic material. Without the improved guiding such panels may be difficult to assemble or the panels or part of the panel, e.g., the tongue may break during the assembling.


A first guiding position is shown in FIG. 2A comprising the cooperation between the first guiding surface 11 and the second guiding surface 21.


A second guiding position is shown in FIG. 2B comprising the cooperation between the third guiding surface 12 and the fourth guiding surface 22, and the cooperation between the fifth guiding surface 13 the sixth guiding surface 23.


As is shown in FIG. 2A-2B the embodiment comprises three pairs of guiding surfaces, a first pair comprising the first guiding surface 11 and the second guiding surface 21, a second pair comprising the third guiding surface 12 and the fourth guiding surface 22, and a third pair comprising the fifth guiding surface 13 the sixth guiding surface 23.


The third guiding surface 12 and the fourth guiding surface 22 may be roundings. This embodiment may be advantageous for thinner panels with a thickness of about 3 mm to about 8 mm. The roundings may have a radius which is in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.3 mm. The radius may be in the range of about 5% to about 10% of the thickness of the panels.


The second edge may be provided with a calibrating groove 25 adjacent said locking groove 4. The calibrating groove may compensate for floorboards having different thickness, especially any difference in thickness at the edges of the floorboards. The calibrating groove allows that the second edge may be pushed towards a sub-floor on which the floorboards are arranged. The shown calibrating groove is of a rectangular shape, however the calibrating groove may have other shapes such as a bevel.


A locked position of the first edge and the second edge is shown in FIG. 2C.


A vertical locking both at the tongue and the tongue groove and at the locking element and the locking groove may be an advantage, especially for panels with a locking in a resilient material. The double vertical locking may decrease the risk of unlocking and a separation of the first and the second edges.


The tongue 3 may comprise a locking surface 33 at a lower side and the tongue groove may comprise a locking surface 34 at an upper side of the lower lip 42.


The locking surface 33 of the tongue 3 may be parallel or essentially parallel to the locking surface 34 of the tongue groove.


The tongue 3 at the first edge, at the same edge as the locking element, provides an improved guiding. Furthermore, the locking surfaces 33,34 at the tongue 3 and the lower lip 42 may be larger and at a more advantageous locking angle of the locking surfaces which may increase the locking strength as compared to known locking systems.


The third and the fourth guiding surfaces 12, 22 and fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces 13,23, respectively, are configure cooperate at the same time during the vertical displacement.


The first and the second guiding surfaces 11,21 are configured to cooperate before the third and the fourth guiding surfaces 12,22 during the vertical displacement.


The fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces 13,23 may be essentially parallel to each other, and preferably extend essentially vertical or may be within a range of about 1° to about 5°, or about 2° to the vertical direction.


The first guiding surface 11 is positioned above the fifth guiding surface 13.


The second guiding surface 21 is positioned below the sixth guiding surface 23.


An upper lip 7 of the tongue groove is configured to overlap the first guiding surface 11 in a locked position of the first and the second edge. A lower surface 24 of the upper lip 7 may be configured cooperate with the first guiding surface 11 for restraining penetration of moisture and/or dirt between the first and the second edge in the locked position.


The first guiding surface 11 may be a bevel or a rounding of the uppermost part of the first edge. The first guiding surface 11 may be adjacent, preferably transitions into, the fifth guiding surface 13.


A locking strip 8 protrudes from the first edge under the tongue 3 and the locking strip comprises the locking element 5.


A first locking surface 31 of the locking element 5 is configured to cooperate with a second locking surface 32 of the locking groove 4 for locking in the vertical and the horizontal direction.


A curved surface 49 which is between the first locking surface and an upper surface of the locking strip may be configured to cooperate in the locked position with the fourth guiding surface 22. This may further increase the locking strength in the horizontal direction.


A first locking angle 43 which is between the first locking surface 31 and an upper surface of the first panel may be within the range of about 45° to about 85°, preferably within the range of about 60° to about 85°, or preferably about 80°.


A second locking angle 40 which is between the second locking surface 32 and an upper surface of the second panel may be within the range of about 45° to about 85°, preferably within the range of about 60° to about 85°, or preferably about 80°, and may be essentially equal to the first locking angle 43.


An embodiment of the invention comprises a first locking angle 43 which is larger than the second locking angle, such as about 1-2° larger. This may have the effect that a greater part of a pulling load is applied on curved surface cooperating with fourth guiding surface 22, and that a greater locking strength is obtained.


The locking element may have a first side, an opposite second side and an upper side. The first side is closer to the tongue 3 than the second side. The first locking surface is preferably at the first side. There may be a space between the second side and the locking groove 4. There may be a space between the upper side and the locking groove 4.


The tip of the tongue 3 may have a blunt shape which may improve the strength of the tip and improve the guiding. Each angle between adjacent surfaces, at the tip of the tongue, is preferably more than 90°.



FIG. 4C shows an embodiment of the tongue comprising a first tongue angle 91 between the first guiding surface 11 and the fifth guiding surface 13 and a second tongue angle 92 between the fifth guiding surface 13 and the locking surface 33 of the tongue. The first tongue angle 91 may be about 170° or in the range of about 160° to about 175°. The second tongue angle 92 may be about 125° or in the range of about 100° to about 145°, for example in the range of about 110° to about 145°.


A guiding angle between the first guiding surface 11 and the vertical direction may be about 10° or in the range of about 5° to about 20°.


The tip of the lower lip 42 of the tongue groove 6 may have a blunt shape which may improve the strength of the tip and improve the guiding. Each angle between adjacent surfaces, at the tip of the lower lip 42, is preferably more than 90°.



FIG. 4D shows an embodiment of the lower lip 42 comprising a first lip angle 93 between the locking surface 34 of the lower lip 42 and the sixth guiding surface 23 and a second lip angle 94 between the sixth guiding surface 23 and the second guiding surface 21. The first lip angle 93 may be about 125° or in the range of about 100° to about 145°, for example in the range of about 110° to about 145°. The second lip angle 94 may be about 170° or in the range of about 160° to about 175°.



FIG. 7C shows an embodiment of the locking surface 33 of the tongue 3 and the locking surface 34 of the tongue groove at the lower lip 42. Said locking surfaces 33,34 are poisoned at a distinguishing angle 97 to each other in the locked position. An advantage may be that locking surface 33 of the tongue may cooperate with the locking surface 34 of the tongue groove even if the locking surfaces are positioned incorrect due to production tolerances and/or dust or other particle between surfaces of the first edge and the second edge. In a locked position with an incorrect positioned locking surface, of the tongue and/or of the tongue groove, the locking strip may stay downwardly bent.


The distinguishing angle 97 between the locking surface 33 of the tongue 3 and the locking surface 34 of the tongue groove may be about 10°, or in the range of about 5° to about 15°.


A first locking surface angle 99 is between the locking surface of the tongue and an upper surface of the first panel. A second locking surface angle 98 is between the locking surface 34 of the tongue groove and an upper surface of the second panel 2. The first locking surface angle 99 is preferably larger than the second surface angle 98.


The first locking surface angle 99 may be about 35° or in the range of about 10° to about 45°, or preferably in the range of about 20° to about 40°.


The second locking surface angle 98 may be about 25° or in the range of about 10° to about 45°, or preferably in the range of about 20° to about 40°.


An upper surface 36 of the locking strip may be configured to cooperate in a locked position with a lower surface 35 of the second edge.


The upper surface 36 of the locking strip may be essentially parallel to an upper surface of the first panel.


The upper surface 36 of the locking strip is preferably parallel to lower surface 35 of the second edge.


The first panel 1 and the second panel 2 may be configured to be disassembled by downwardly rotating 70 the first and/or the second panel, see FIG. 2C.


A lower side of the locking strip may comprise a space 41, such as a recess or bevel, under the locking element to facilitate bending of the locking strip during the assembling.


The first edge may comprise a lower groove 9 below the tongue 3. The lower lip 42 may be configured to be inserted into the lower groove 9 during the vertical displacement.


The assembling may comprise a displacement in the horizontal direction.


The firs edge and the second edge may be short edges of the first and the second panel.


The assembling may also comprise an angling motion along a long side of the first and or the second panel.


An embodiment of the set of panels is shown during assembling in FIG. 3A-3C. The third and the fourth guiding surfaces 12, 22 are in this embodiment bevels comprising an essentially flat surface. This embodiment may be advantageous for thicker panels and/or panels comprising a wood based core, such as HDF, MDF or plywood. The thicker panels may have a thickness in the range of about 7 mm to about 12 mm.



FIG. 5A-5B show embodiments of the first edge comprising a locking strip with a larger space 41. The first edge has a first distance 47 between a bottom surface 45 of the lower groove 9 and an outer surface 44 of the locking strip 8. The space 41 extends from outer surface 44 towards the bottom surface 45 by a second distance 46. The second distance may be within the range of about 1/10 to about equal the first distance, preferably about 1/10 to about ½ of the first distance, or more preferably 1/10 to about ⅓ of the first distance. The space 41 may have a height of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 1 mm.


The space in the embodiment in FIG. 5A is a recess under the locking strip and the space in FIG. 5B is a groove in the locking strip 8. These embodiments may be advantageous for panels with a larger thickness.


The embodiments described above may be resilient panels. The resilient panels may comprise a core comprising thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be foamed.


The thermoplastic material may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof. The core may be formed of several layers.


The embodiments described above may comprise a decorative layer, such as a decorative foil comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the decorative layer may be or comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof. The decorative foil is preferably printed, for example by direct printing, rotogravure, or digital printing.


The embodiments described above may comprise a wear layer such as a film or foil. The wear layer may comprise thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof.


The embodiments described above may comprise a wood base core, such as HDF, MDF or plywood.



FIG. 6A shows that the first panel and the second panel may each comprise an upper layer 61, such as a decorative layer and/or wear layer. The first guiding surface 11 preferably extends through the upper layer 61 and a part of the first guiding surface comprises material of the core.



FIG. 6B shows that the first panel and the second panel may each comprise one or more enforcement layers 62 comprising, e.g., glass fiber. The enforcement layers 62 are preferably positioned outside the third and the fourth guiding surfaces 12, 22 and fifth and the sixth guiding surfaces 13,23. Enforcement layers at these guiding surfaces may increase the friction forces during assembling of the first panel and the second panel.



FIG. 7A shows that the second edge of the second panel 2 may comprise a second groove 71 adjacent the second locking surface 32. This groove 71 may facilitate disassembling by downwardly rotating 70 the first and/or the second panel



FIG. 7B shows that the first edge of the first panel 2 may comprise a first groove 72 adjacent the first locking surface 31. This groove 72 may facilitate disassembling by downwardly rotating 70 the first and/or the second panel


The first edge with the first groove 72 may be combined with the second edge with the second groove 71.


An embodiment of the first edge and the second edge is shown in FIG. 8A-8B. The embodiment includes a locking strip 8 which comprises a notch 82, adjacent the lower groove 9, which is configured to cooperate with a protrusion 81 at lower surface of the second edge and adjacent the lower lip. An advantage with the notch 82 and the protrusion 81 may be that the horizontal strength is further increased.


The notch 82 may comprise a notch surface 84 which may configured to cooperate for locking in the horizontal direction with a protrusion surface 83 of the protrusion 81. The notch surface 84 and the protrusion surface 83 are preferably parallel and arranged at angle 86 which is within the range of about 45° to about 90° to the upper surface of the first panel 1


The notch surface and the protrusion surface may be configured to be positioned at a distance 85 from each other, such as about 0.01 mm to about 0.1 mm, or about 0.05 mm, in the locked position. An advantage with the distance may be that assembling of the first panel and the second panel is facilitated.


In a further embodiment (not shown) the locking strip comprises the protrusion and the lower surface of the second edge comprises the notch.

Claims
  • 1. A set of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel, wherein a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement of the second edge relative the first edge, wherein the first edge comprises a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction,wherein the first edge comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the second edge for locking in the vertical direction,wherein the tongue groove has an upper lip and a lower lip,wherein an upper part of the first edge comprises a first guiding surface and a lower edge of the lower lip comprises a second guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement,wherein an upper part of the locking element comprises a third guiding surface and a lower edge of the locking groove comprises a fourth guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement,wherein a tip of the tongue comprises a fifth guiding surface and a tip of a lower lip of the tongue groove comprises a sixth guiding surface, which are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement,wherein the first guiding surface is a bevel or a rounding of an uppermost part of the first edge, which is adjacent to an upper surface of the first panel, andwherein a part of the first guiding surface comprises material of a core of the first panel.
  • 2. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first guiding surface extends through a decorative layer and/or a wear layer.
  • 3. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third and fourth guiding surfaces and fifth and sixth guiding surfaces, respectively, are configured to cooperate at the same time during the vertical displacement.
  • 4. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second guiding surfaces are configured to cooperate before the third and fourth guiding surfaces are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement.
  • 5. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fifth and sixth guiding surfaces are essentially parallel to each other.
  • 6. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first guiding surface is positioned above the fifth guiding surface.
  • 7. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second guiding surface is positioned below the sixth guiding surface.
  • 8. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper lip of the tongue groove is configured to overlap the first guiding surface in a locked position of the first and second edges.
  • 9. The set of panels as claimed in claim 8, wherein a lower surface of the upper lip is configured to cooperate with the first guiding surface for restraining penetration of moisture and/or dirt between the first and second edges in the locked position.
  • 10. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first guiding surface is adjacent the fifth guiding surface.
  • 11. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking strip protrudes from the first edge under the tongue, wherein the locking strip comprises the locking element.
  • 12. The set of panels as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first locking surface of the locking element is configured to cooperate with a second locking surface of the locking groove for locking in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, wherein a first locking angle between the first locking surface and an upper surface of the first panel is within the range of about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees.
  • 13. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip of the tongue has a blunt shape, wherein each angle between adjacent surfaces at the tip of the tongue is more than 90 degrees.
  • 14. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip of the lower lip of the tongue groove has a blunt shape, wherein each angle between adjacent surfaces at the tip of the lip is more than 90 degrees.
  • 15. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue comprises a locking surface at a lower side, wherein a second tongue angle between the fifth guiding surface and the locking surface of the tongue is in a range of about 100 degrees to about 145 degrees.
  • 16. The set of panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue groove comprises a locking surface at an upper side of the lower lip, wherein a first lip angle between the locking surface of the lower lip and the sixth guiding surface is in a range of about 100 degrees to about 145 degrees.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
1651290-7 Sep 2016 SE national
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/366,173, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/404,617, filed on Jan. 12, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,287,777, which claims the benefit of Swedish Application No. 1651290-7, filed on Sep. 30, 2016. The entire contents of each of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/366,173, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/404,617, and Swedish Application No. 1651290-7 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (506)
Number Name Date Kind
1787027 Wasleff Dec 1930 A
3120083 Dahlberg et al. Feb 1964 A
3247638 Gay et al. Apr 1966 A
3538665 Gohner Nov 1970 A
3694983 Couquet Oct 1972 A
3720027 Christensen Mar 1973 A
3742669 Mansfeld Jul 1973 A
3760547 Brenneman Sep 1973 A
3857749 Yoshida Dec 1974 A
3919820 Green Nov 1975 A
4113399 Hansen, Sr. et al. Sep 1978 A
4172169 Mawson et al. Oct 1979 A
4176210 Skinner Nov 1979 A
4180615 Bettoli Dec 1979 A
4187131 Shortway et al. Feb 1980 A
4196554 Anderson et al. Apr 1980 A
4313866 Renshaw Feb 1982 A
4333987 Kwart et al. Jun 1982 A
4393187 Boba et al. Jul 1983 A
4423178 Renshaw Dec 1983 A
4426820 Terbrack et al. Jan 1984 A
4489115 Layman et al. Dec 1984 A
4507188 Chu Mar 1985 A
4512131 Laramore Apr 1985 A
4599841 Haid Jul 1986 A
4614680 Fry et al. Sep 1986 A
4772500 Stroppiana Sep 1988 A
4785065 Uhl et al. Nov 1988 A
4807412 Frederiksen Feb 1989 A
5007222 Raymond Apr 1991 A
5112671 Diamond et al. May 1992 A
5148850 Urbanick Sep 1992 A
5162141 Davey et al. Nov 1992 A
5182892 Chase Feb 1993 A
5344700 McGath et al. Sep 1994 A
5380794 Schaefer et al. Jan 1995 A
5441677 Phillips, Sr. Aug 1995 A
5458953 Wang et al. Oct 1995 A
5465546 Buse Nov 1995 A
5548937 Shimonohara Aug 1996 A
5618602 Nelson Apr 1997 A
5630304 Austin May 1997 A
5670237 Shultz et al. Sep 1997 A
5694730 Del Rincon et al. Dec 1997 A
5797237 Finkell, Jr. Aug 1998 A
5950389 Porter Sep 1999 A
6006486 Moriau et al. Dec 1999 A
6052960 Yonemura Apr 2000 A
6065262 Motta May 2000 A
6101778 Martensson Aug 2000 A
6139945 Krejchi et al. Oct 2000 A
6173548 Hamar et al. Jan 2001 B1
6182410 Pervan Feb 2001 B1
6209278 Tychsen Apr 2001 B1
6216409 Roy et al. Apr 2001 B1
6233899 Mellert et al. May 2001 B1
6291078 Chen et al. Sep 2001 B1
6324809 Nelson Dec 2001 B1
6332733 Hamberger et al. Dec 2001 B1
6345481 Nelson Feb 2002 B1
6363677 Chen Apr 2002 B1
6455127 Valtanen Sep 2002 B1
6490836 Moriau et al. Dec 2002 B1
6505452 Hannig Jan 2003 B1
6536178 Palsson et al. Mar 2003 B1
6546691 Leopolder Apr 2003 B2
6553724 Bigler Apr 2003 B1
6558070 Valtanen May 2003 B1
6617009 Chen et al. Sep 2003 B1
6647690 Martensson Nov 2003 B1
6672030 Schulte Jan 2004 B2
6675545 Chen et al. Jan 2004 B2
6729091 Martensson May 2004 B1
6761008 Chen et al. Jul 2004 B2
6763643 Martensson Jul 2004 B1
6766622 Theirs Jul 2004 B1
6769218 Pervan Aug 2004 B2
6769219 Schwitte et al. Aug 2004 B2
6772568 Thiers Aug 2004 B2
6790512 MacQueen et al. Sep 2004 B2
6804926 Eisermann Oct 2004 B1
6851241 Pervan Feb 2005 B2
6854235 Martensson Feb 2005 B2
6862857 Tychsen Mar 2005 B2
6865855 Knauseder Mar 2005 B2
6874292 Moriau Apr 2005 B2
6880307 Schwitte Apr 2005 B2
6895881 Whitaker May 2005 B1
6928779 Moriau et al. Aug 2005 B2
6986934 Chen et al. Jan 2006 B2
7051486 Pervan May 2006 B2
7090430 Fletcher Aug 2006 B1
7121058 Palsson et al. Oct 2006 B2
7155871 Stone et al. Jan 2007 B1
7169460 Chen et al. Jan 2007 B1
7171791 Pervan Feb 2007 B2
7211310 Chen et al. May 2007 B2
7251916 Konzelmann et al. Aug 2007 B2
7275350 Pervan et al. Oct 2007 B2
7337588 Moebus Mar 2008 B1
7377081 Ruhdorfer May 2008 B2
7398625 Pervan Jul 2008 B2
7419717 Chen et al. Sep 2008 B2
7451578 Hannig Nov 2008 B2
7454875 Pervan et al. Nov 2008 B2
7484337 Hecht Feb 2009 B2
7552568 Palsson et al. Jun 2009 B2
7568322 Pervan et al. Aug 2009 B2
7584583 Bergelin et al. Sep 2009 B2
7603826 Moebus Oct 2009 B1
7607271 Griffin et al. Oct 2009 B2
7614197 Nelson Nov 2009 B2
7617645 Moriau et al. Nov 2009 B2
7621094 Moriau et al. Nov 2009 B2
7634886 Moriau et al. Dec 2009 B2
7634887 Moriau et al. Dec 2009 B2
7637066 Moriau et al. Dec 2009 B2
7640708 Moriau et al. Jan 2010 B2
7644555 Moriau et al. Jan 2010 B2
7644557 Moriau et al. Jan 2010 B2
7647743 Moriau et al. Jan 2010 B2
7650728 Moriau et al. Jan 2010 B2
7654054 Moriau et al. Feb 2010 B2
7658048 Moriau et al. Feb 2010 B2
7677001 Pervan Mar 2010 B2
7678215 Martin Mar 2010 B2
7716896 Pervan May 2010 B2
7739849 Pervan Jun 2010 B2
7763345 Chen et al. Jul 2010 B2
7779597 Thiers et al. Aug 2010 B2
7802415 Pervan Sep 2010 B2
7841144 Pervan Nov 2010 B2
7841150 Pervan Nov 2010 B2
7856784 Martensson Dec 2010 B2
7856789 Eisermann Dec 2010 B2
7861482 Pervan Jan 2011 B2
7866110 Pervan Jan 2011 B2
7886497 Pervan et al. Feb 2011 B2
7896571 Hannig et al. Mar 2011 B1
7930862 Bergelin et al. Apr 2011 B2
7958689 Lei Jun 2011 B2
7980043 Moebus Jul 2011 B2
7984600 Alford et al. Jul 2011 B2
8006460 Chen et al. Aug 2011 B2
8021741 Chen et al. Sep 2011 B2
8028486 Pervan Oct 2011 B2
8037656 Liu Oct 2011 B2
8038363 Hannig Oct 2011 B2
8042311 Pervan et al. Oct 2011 B2
8071193 Windmöller Dec 2011 B2
8091238 Hannig et al. Jan 2012 B2
8099924 Braun Jan 2012 B2
8112891 Pervan Feb 2012 B2
8132384 Hannig Mar 2012 B2
8166718 Liu May 2012 B2
8191333 Braun Jun 2012 B2
8196366 Thiers Jun 2012 B2
8215078 Pervan Jul 2012 B2
8234829 Thiers et al. Aug 2012 B2
8245478 Bergelin et al. Aug 2012 B2
8281549 Du Oct 2012 B2
8293058 Pervan et al. Oct 2012 B2
8353140 Pervan et al. Jan 2013 B2
8356452 Thiers et al. Jan 2013 B2
8365499 Nilsson et al. Feb 2013 B2
8375672 Hannig Feb 2013 B2
8375674 Braun Feb 2013 B2
8480841 Pervan et al. Jul 2013 B2
8484924 Braun Jul 2013 B2
8490361 Curry et al. Jul 2013 B2
8499521 Pervan et al. Aug 2013 B2
8511031 Bergelin et al. Aug 2013 B2
8544231 Hannig Oct 2013 B2
8544232 Wybo et al. Oct 2013 B2
8544234 Pervan et al. Oct 2013 B2
8584423 Pervan et al. Nov 2013 B2
8613826 Pervan et al. Dec 2013 B2
8658274 Chen et al. Feb 2014 B2
8707651 Stockl Apr 2014 B2
8720149 Bossuyt May 2014 B2
8726604 Hannig May 2014 B2
8745952 Perra et al. Jun 2014 B2
8756899 Nilsson et al. Jun 2014 B2
8763340 Pervan et al. Jul 2014 B2
8800150 Pervan Aug 2014 B2
8806832 Kell Aug 2014 B2
8833028 Whispell et al. Sep 2014 B2
8834992 Chen et al. Sep 2014 B2
8952078 Gould Feb 2015 B2
8966853 Hannig Mar 2015 B2
8978336 Perra Mar 2015 B2
9103126 Kell Aug 2015 B2
9212492 Pervan et al. Dec 2015 B2
9217250 Perra Dec 2015 B2
9222267 Bergelin et al. Dec 2015 B2
9228360 Schneider Jan 2016 B2
9249581 Nilsson et al. Feb 2016 B2
9260870 Vermeulen et al. Feb 2016 B2
9296191 Pervan et al. Mar 2016 B2
9314936 Pervan Apr 2016 B2
9371653 Liu Jun 2016 B2
9410328 Pervan Aug 2016 B2
9528278 Cappelle Dec 2016 B2
9650792 Ramachandra May 2017 B2
9695600 Vandervoorde Jul 2017 B2
9695601 Whispell et al. Jul 2017 B2
9695851 Hanning Jul 2017 B2
9714515 Pervan Jul 2017 B2
9745758 Baert et al. Aug 2017 B2
9765530 Bergelin et al. Sep 2017 B2
9777487 Pervan et al. Oct 2017 B2
9803374 Pervan Oct 2017 B2
9816270 Pervan et al. Nov 2017 B2
9874035 Wagner Jan 2018 B2
9885186 Liu Feb 2018 B2
9885187 Kell Feb 2018 B2
10000935 Kell Jun 2018 B2
10047527 Nilsson et al. Aug 2018 B2
10059084 Lundblad et al. Aug 2018 B2
10113318 Cappelle Oct 2018 B2
10137659 Pervan Nov 2018 B2
10214917 Pervan et al. Feb 2019 B2
10287777 Boo et al. May 2019 B2
10301830 Boo May 2019 B2
10316526 Kell Jun 2019 B2
10344379 Pervan Jul 2019 B2
10407919 Boo Sep 2019 B2
10450760 Bergelin et al. Oct 2019 B2
10486399 Chen et al. Nov 2019 B2
10493731 Lundblad et al. Dec 2019 B2
10526793 Nilsson et al. Jan 2020 B2
10704269 Whispell et al. Jul 2020 B2
10780676 Lundblad et al. Sep 2020 B2
10808410 Boo et al. Oct 2020 B2
10837181 Josefsson et al. Nov 2020 B2
10844612 Boo Nov 2020 B2
10851549 Boo Dec 2020 B2
10865571 Kell Dec 2020 B2
10975580 Pervan et al. Apr 2021 B2
10982449 Kell Apr 2021 B2
11066836 Bergelin et al. Jul 2021 B2
20010021431 Chen Sep 2001 A1
20020007606 Kettler Jan 2002 A1
20020007608 Pervan Jan 2002 A1
20020007609 Pervan Jan 2002 A1
20020031646 Chen Mar 2002 A1
20020069611 Leopolder Jun 2002 A1
20020092263 Schulte Jul 2002 A1
20020142135 Chen et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020152707 Martensson Oct 2002 A1
20020170258 Schwitte et al. Nov 2002 A1
20020178674 Pervan Dec 2002 A1
20020178681 Zancai Dec 2002 A1
20020189183 Ricciardelli Dec 2002 A1
20030009971 Palmberg Jan 2003 A1
20030024199 Pervan Feb 2003 A1
20030024200 Moriau et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030037504 Schwitte et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030041545 Stanchfield Mar 2003 A1
20030101674 Pervan et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030101681 Tychsen Jun 2003 A1
20030110720 Berard et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030180091 Stridsman Sep 2003 A1
20030188504 Eisermann Oct 2003 A1
20030196405 Pervan Oct 2003 A1
20030224147 Maine et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040031225 Fowler Feb 2004 A1
20040031227 Knauseder Feb 2004 A1
20040060255 Knauseder Apr 2004 A1
20040068954 Martensson Apr 2004 A1
20040128934 Hecht Jul 2004 A1
20040137180 Sjoberg et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040139678 Pervan Jul 2004 A1
20040177584 Pervan Sep 2004 A1
20040182036 Sjoberg et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040206036 Pervan Oct 2004 A1
20040211143 Hannig Oct 2004 A1
20040211144 Stanchfield Oct 2004 A1
20040219339 Dempsey et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040241374 Thiers Dec 2004 A1
20040255538 Ruhdorfer Dec 2004 A1
20040255541 Thiers et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040261348 Vulin Dec 2004 A1
20050003160 Chen et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050028474 Kim Feb 2005 A1
20050112320 Wright May 2005 A1
20050138881 Pervan Jun 2005 A1
20050144881 Tate et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050166514 Pervan Aug 2005 A1
20050176321 Crette et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050021081 Pervan Sep 2005 A1
20050193677 Vogel Sep 2005 A1
20050208255 Pervan Sep 2005 A1
20050221073 Liou Oct 2005 A1
20050235593 Hecht Oct 2005 A1
20050247000 Zhu Nov 2005 A1
20050250921 Qiu et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050252130 Martensson Nov 2005 A1
20050268570 Pervan Dec 2005 A2
20060010820 Schwitte Jan 2006 A1
20060032168 Thiers et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060032175 Chen et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060053724 Braun et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060070333 Pervan Apr 2006 A1
20060101769 Pervan et al. May 2006 A1
20060154015 Miller et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060156666 Caufield Jul 2006 A1
20060174974 Brannstrom et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060225377 Moriau et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060236642 Pervan Oct 2006 A1
20060248830 Moriau et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060248831 Moriau et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060260252 Brice Nov 2006 A1
20060260254 Pervan Nov 2006 A1
20070006543 Engstrom Jan 2007 A1
20070011981 Eiserman Jan 2007 A1
20070022694 Chen et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070028547 Grafenauer et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070094986 Moriau et al. May 2007 A1
20070094987 Moriau et al. May 2007 A1
20070130872 Goodwin Jun 2007 A1
20070151189 Yang Jul 2007 A1
20070151191 August Jul 2007 A1
20070154840 Thies et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070175148 Bergelin et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175156 Pervan et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070184230 Verrue et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070193178 Groeke et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070196624 Chen et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070218252 Donald Sep 2007 A1
20070275207 Higgins et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080000182 Pervan Jan 2008 A1
20080000183 Bergelin et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080000186 Pervan et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080000188 Pervan Jan 2008 A1
20080010931 Pervan et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080010937 Pervan Jan 2008 A1
20080028707 Pervan Feb 2008 A1
20080028713 Pervan Feb 2008 A1
20080029490 Martin, Jr. et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080034701 Pervan Feb 2008 A1
20080034708 Pervan Feb 2008 A1
20080041007 Pervan Feb 2008 A1
20080053028 Moriau et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080060309 Moriau et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080060310 Moriau et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080092473 Heyns Apr 2008 A1
20080104921 Pervan et al. May 2008 A1
20080110125 Pervan May 2008 A1
20080134607 Pervan Jun 2008 A1
20080134613 Pervan Jun 2008 A1
20080134614 Pervan Jun 2008 A1
20080138560 Windmöller Jun 2008 A1
20080141610 Thiers Jun 2008 A1
20080148674 Thiers et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080153609 Kotler Jun 2008 A1
20080172971 Pervan Jul 2008 A1
20080184646 Alford Aug 2008 A1
20080241440 Bauer Oct 2008 A1
20080256890 Pervan Oct 2008 A1
20080311355 Chen et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090031662 Chen et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090038253 Martensson Feb 2009 A1
20090049787 Hannig Feb 2009 A1
20090110888 Wuest et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090133353 Pervan et al. May 2009 A1
20090151290 Liu Jun 2009 A1
20090159156 Walker Jun 2009 A1
20090186710 Joseph Jul 2009 A1
20090193748 Boo Aug 2009 A1
20090217611 Schrader Sep 2009 A1
20090223162 Chen et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090226662 Dyczko-Riglin et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090235604 Cheng et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090249733 Moebus Oct 2009 A1
20090260313 Segaert Oct 2009 A1
20090272058 Duselis et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090320402 Schacht et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100011695 Cheng Jan 2010 A1
20100018149 Thiers Jan 2010 A1
20100031594 Liu Feb 2010 A1
20100043333 Hannig et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100058702 Lei Mar 2010 A1
20100260962 Chen et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100293879 Pervan et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100300029 Braun et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100319293 Dammers et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110001420 Tchakarov et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110008567 Weeks et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110030303 Pervan et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110041996 Pervan Feb 2011 A1
20110056167 Nilsson et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110094178 Braun Apr 2011 A1
20110131901 Pervan et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110131909 Hannig Jun 2011 A1
20110138722 Hannig Jun 2011 A1
20110146177 Hannig Jun 2011 A1
20110154763 Bergelin et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110167744 Whispell et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110173914 Engstrom Jul 2011 A1
20110247285 Wybo Oct 2011 A1
20110247748 Pervan et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110258959 Braun Oct 2011 A1
20110296780 Windmöller Dec 2011 A1
20120003439 Chen et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120017534 Oh Jan 2012 A1
20120040149 Chen et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120066996 Konstanczak Mar 2012 A1
20120067461 Braun Mar 2012 A1
20120124932 Schulte et al. May 2012 A1
20120137617 Pervan Jun 2012 A1
20120174519 Schulte Jul 2012 A1
20120174521 Schulte Jul 2012 A1
20120180416 Perra et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120192521 Schulte Aug 2012 A1
20120216472 Martensson Aug 2012 A1
20120266555 Cappelle Oct 2012 A1
20120276369 Jing et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120279154 Bergelin et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120304581 Kim Dec 2012 A1
20130008118 Baert et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130014890 Pervan et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130025964 Ramachandra et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130042563 Pervan et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130042565 Pervan et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130047536 Pervan Feb 2013 A1
20130097959 Michel Apr 2013 A1
20130111758 Nilsson et al. May 2013 A1
20130152492 Whitaker Jun 2013 A1
20130160391 Pervan et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130174507 Oehrlein Jul 2013 A1
20130212971 Cordeiro Aug 2013 A1
20130243996 Hannig Sep 2013 A1
20130269863 Pervan et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130283719 Döhring et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130298487 Bergelin et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130305650 Liu Nov 2013 A1
20130309441 Hannig Nov 2013 A1
20130333182 Pervan et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140007539 Pervan et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140033633 Kell Feb 2014 A1
20140033635 Pervan et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140069043 Pervan Mar 2014 A1
20140069044 Wallin Mar 2014 A1
20140115994 Pervan May 2014 A1
20140186104 Hamberger Jul 2014 A1
20140215946 Roy et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140237924 Nilsson et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140283466 Boo Sep 2014 A1
20140283477 Hannig Sep 2014 A1
20140290173 Hamberger Oct 2014 A1
20140318061 Pervan Oct 2014 A1
20140325930 Schneider Nov 2014 A1
20140352248 Whispell et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140356594 Chen et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140366476 Pervan Dec 2014 A1
20140366477 Kell Dec 2014 A1
20150114552 Cernohous et al. Apr 2015 A1
20150225964 Chen et al. Aug 2015 A1
20150252573 Devos Sep 2015 A1
20150330088 Derelöv Nov 2015 A1
20150368910 Kell Dec 2015 A1
20160016390 Lundblad et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160016391 Lundblad et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160047129 Bowers Feb 2016 A1
20160052245 Chen et al. Feb 2016 A1
20160069089 Bergelin et al. Mar 2016 A1
20160076260 Pervan et al. Mar 2016 A1
20160108624 Nilsson et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160115695 Devos Apr 2016 A1
20160138274 Anspach et al. May 2016 A1
20160186318 Pervan et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160194883 Pervan Jul 2016 A1
20160194885 Whispell et al. Jul 2016 A1
20160201324 Håkansson et al. Jul 2016 A1
20160265234 Pervan Sep 2016 A1
20160333595 Cappelle Nov 2016 A1
20160375674 Schulte Dec 2016 A1
20170030088 Simoens Feb 2017 A1
20170037642 Boo Feb 2017 A1
20170037645 Pervan Feb 2017 A1
20170175400 Joseffson et al. Jun 2017 A1
20170241136 Kell Aug 2017 A1
20170350140 Bergelin et al. Dec 2017 A1
20170362834 Pervan et al. Dec 2017 A1
20170370109 Devos Dec 2017 A1
20180010342 Van Hooydonck Jan 2018 A1
20180094441 Boo et al. Apr 2018 A1
20180313093 Nilsson et al. Nov 2018 A1
20190017278 De Rick et al. Jan 2019 A1
20190091977 Lundblad et al. Mar 2019 A1
20190136545 De Rick et al. May 2019 A1
20190211569 Boo et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190249444 Kell Aug 2019 A1
20190277041 Pervan et al. Sep 2019 A1
20190394314 Pervan et al. Dec 2019 A1
20200056379 Boo Feb 2020 A1
20200063441 Boo Feb 2020 A1
20200180282 Lundblad et al. Jun 2020 A1
20200208409 Kell Jul 2020 A1
20200248462 Bergelin et al. Aug 2020 A1
20200362567 Nilsson et al. Nov 2020 A1
20200407981 Boo et al. Dec 2020 A1
20210115680 Whispell et al. Apr 2021 A1
20210214953 Kell Jul 2021 A1
20210230881 Boo Jul 2021 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (94)
Number Date Country
2 251 762 May 1974 DE
202 07 844 Aug 2002 DE
20 2005 004 537 Jun 2005 DE
198 54 475 Jun 2006 DE
10 2005 061 099 Mar 2007 DE
10 2006 024 184 Nov 2007 DE
20 2008 011 589 Nov 2008 DE
20 2008 012 001 Nov 2008 DE
20 2004 021 867 Dec 2011 DE
20 2016 102 034 May 2016 DE
1 045 083 Oct 2000 EP
1 045 083 Oct 2002 EP
1 308 577 May 2003 EP
1 350 904 Oct 2003 EP
1 350 904 Oct 2003 EP
1 420 125 May 2004 EP
1 585 875 Oct 2005 EP
1 585 875 Oct 2006 EP
1 570 143 May 2007 EP
2 339 092 Jun 2011 EP
2 615 221 Jul 2013 EP
1 293 043 Apr 1962 FR
1 430 423 Mar 1976 GB
S60-255843 Dec 1985 JP
H07-180333 Jul 1995 JP
H07-300979 Nov 1995 JP
H08-74405 Mar 1996 JP
1996-0005785 Jul 1996 KR
10-2008-0096189 Oct 2008 KR
10-0870496 Nov 2008 KR
WO 9426999 Nov 1994 WO
WO 0066856 Nov 2000 WO
WO 0144669 Jun 2001 WO
WO 0144669 Jun 2001 WO
WO 0148332 Jul 2001 WO
WO 0166877 Sep 2001 WO
WO 0175247 Oct 2001 WO
WO 0177461 Oct 2001 WO
WO 0188306 Nov 2001 WO
WO 03012224 Feb 2003 WO
WO 2004011740 Feb 2004 WO
WO 2004016877 Feb 2004 WO
WO 2005068747 Jul 2005 WO
WO 2005088029 Sep 2005 WO
WO 2005098163 Oct 2005 WO
WO 2006032378 Mar 2006 WO
WO 2006043893 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2006104436 Oct 2006 WO
WO 2006123988 Nov 2006 WO
WO 20061 33690 Dec 2006 WO
WO 2007015669 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007015669 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007016978 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007020088 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007079845 Jul 2007 WO
WO 2007118352 Oct 2007 WO
WO 2008008016 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008008824 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008068245 Jun 2008 WO
WO 2008116623 Oct 2008 WO
WO 2008133377 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2009061279 May 2009 WO
WO 2009071822 Jun 2009 WO
WO 2009071822 Jun 2009 WO
WO 2010015516 Feb 2010 WO
WO 2010015516 Feb 2010 WO
WO 2010072357 Jul 2010 WO
WO 2010072357 Jul 2010 WO
WO 2010081532 Jul 2010 WO
WO 2010086084 Aug 2010 WO
WO 2010114236 Oct 2010 WO
WO 2010128043 Nov 2010 WO
WO 2011012104 Feb 2011 WO
WO 2011012104 Feb 2011 WO
WO 2011028171 Mar 2011 WO
WO 2011038709 Apr 2011 WO
WO 2012084604 Jun 2012 WO
WO 2012101171 Aug 2012 WO
WO 2012126046 Sep 2012 WO
WO 2012136021 Oct 2012 WO
WO 2013017575 Feb 2013 WO
WO 2013026559 Feb 2013 WO
WO 2013044758 Apr 2013 WO
WO 2013151493 Oct 2013 WO
WO 2014007738 Jan 2014 WO
WO 2014043756 Mar 2014 WO
WO 2014182215 Nov 2014 WO
WO 2014209213 Dec 2014 WO
WO 2015104680 Jul 2015 WO
WO 2015174914 Nov 2015 WO
WO 2016029255 Mar 2016 WO
WO 2017101910 Jun 2017 WO
WO 2017115202 Jul 2017 WO
WO 2017187298 Nov 2017 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (11)
Entry
U.S. Appl. No. 16/713,431, Mats Nilsson and Per Nygren, filed Dec. 13, 2019, (Cited herein as US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0362567 A1 of Nov. 19, 2020).
U.S. Appl. No. 16/887,559, John M Whispell and Hao A Chen, filed May 29, 2020, (Cited herein as US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0115680 A1 of Apr. 22, 2021).
U.S. Appl. No. 17/017,085, Christian Boo, Marcus Nilsson Ståhl and Anders Nilsson, filed Sep. 10, 2020, (Cited herein as US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0407981 A1 of Dec. 31, 2020).
U.S. Appl. No. 17/067,989, Christian Boo, filed Oct. 12, 2020, (Cited herein as US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0230881 A1 of Jul. 29, 2021).
U.S. Appl. No. 17/094,226, Richard William Kell, filed Nov. 10, 2020, (Cited herein as US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0214953 A1 of Jul. 15, 2021).
International Search Report issued in PCT/SE2017/050030, dated May 18, 2017, Patent-och registreringsverket, Stockholm, SE, 4 pages.
Extended European Search Report dated Jun. 8, 2020 in EP 17856900.0, European Patent Office, Munich, DE, 10 pages.
Pervan, Darko (Author)/Valinge Innovation, Technical Disclosure entitled “VA073a Zip Loc,” Sep. 13, 2011, IP.com No. IPCOM000210869D, IP.com PriorArtDatabase, 36 pages.
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC dated Oct. 13, 2017 in EP Patent Application No. 14 794 996.0, EPO, Munich, DE, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/694,843, filed Mar. 15, 2022, Mats Nilsson and Per Nygren.
Nilsson et al., U.S. Appl. No. 17/694,843 entitled “Resilient Floor”, filed Mar. 15, 2022.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20210207385 A1 Jul 2021 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 16366173 Mar 2019 US
Child 17076445 US
Parent 15404617 Jan 2017 US
Child 16366173 US