EP3080365B1 - Panel having a locking element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a covering of mechanically interconnectable panels. Wall, ceiling and floor coverings, such as prefinished parquet, real wood floors or laminate flooring, consist of several rows of predominantly rectangular panels in their configuration.

Conventionally, the panels have on a longitudinal side and on a head side continuous grooves and on the respective opposite longitudinal side or head side continuous springs, which are adapted to the grooves form-fitting manner. By connecting tongue and groove the panels are laid, the panels of the second adjacent rows are offset from one another.

It is known to form mechanical locking means on the grooves and springs, which engage with one another in a floor covering adjacent panels in latching engagement. As a result, a joint formation in the laid floor covering by expansion or shrinkage operations should be avoided. Adjacent to the tongue and groove of the panels are mating locking elements in the form of recesses, recesses or projections to hold bonded floor panels in the assembled position glueless. In general, the panels are rotated along their longitudinal sides into each other or clicked and then moved laterally, so that locking strips on the head sides engage. In order to facilitate this, light hammer blows can be applied from the opposite side of the head with the aid of an impact pad. There is a risk that damage to the floor panels may occur even during the most careful work.

Such mechanical locking means are made WO2009139687A1 or EP1650375A1 known.

There are also solutions in which the abutting head sides are interconnected by a displaceable in their longitudinal direction locking spring. This eliminates the manual hammering by means of a hammer. The locking springs are pre-assembled, eliminating the need for subsequent insertion. When locking the held in a guide groove of a panel locking spring moves into engagement with a locking groove of the other panel.

So that the displaceability of the locking spring is even possible, it must be kept with a certain amount of play. At the same time, it must fit into the correspondingly aligned opposite locking groove of the complementarily shaped end face of the adjacent further panel intervene. This overall clearance is preferably to be kept as low as possible so that there is no height offset in the area of the butt joint of two panels. But even when extending and engaging in the locking groove is to ensure that on the one hand, the movement of the locking spring is not hindered. For example, a friction action between the locking spring and locking groove when extending the locking spring should be reduced or avoided altogether, to ensure that the locking spring extends as intended. On the other hand, the play in the end position of the locking spring should be as minimal as possible, so that the respective adjacent panels are connected without height offset.

This is where the present invention and her the object of demonstrating a covering of mechanically interconnectable panels, in which the height offset in the area of the butt joint is minimal and at the same time better secure locking can be ensured. This object is achieved by claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and show further embodiments of the invention. The description, in particular in connection with the figures, additionally characterizes and specifies the invention.

The invention relates to a covering of mechanically connectable with each other in a laying plane panels. The inventive idea is applicable to all floor systems in which a plurality of panels are mechanically connectable to a covering, such as those with a visible topping and an underlying support is arranged, such as real wood coverings and laminate, such as carriers with painted surfaces as a topping such as linoleum, cork on carrier plates, etc. The cover layer may in particular consist of a decorative paper with overlay, which determines the appearance of the element plate. A floor covering may thus be a parquet floor, a finished parquet floor, a real wood floor or a laminate floor.

The panels connectable to a covering have the following characteristics. Adjacent first and second panels have mutually largely complementary, mutually facing end faces, for example on the narrow sides and / or on the long sides. "Face" means both from the support surface and the visible surface (optionally Begehfläche) facing away, provided for the contact contact with the adjacent panel surface. In the end face of the first panel opens a guide groove and in the end face of the second panel opens a Verrieglungsnut. The panel typically has a relatively small thickness of 8 mm to 10 mm.

In the guide groove of the first panel a displaceable relative to the guide groove locking spring is arranged, which is adapted to engage in connecting the adjacent panels in the locking groove of the adjacent panel to take a locking position to set the panels in the direction perpendicular to the laying plane. The locking spring is preferably designed as a flat strip to stress in the comparatively thin end face little space. The material for the locking spring may be both a wood material, that is, it may be wood or a material containing wood fibers, or a material that is made of wood as a base material, such as liquid wood.

Metal and metal alloys are also suitable for the springs as well as composites. The use of bimetallic or mixed plastics is just as possible as the use of materials based on thermoplastic or duoplastic plastics. The spring can also consist of a fiber-reinforced plastic. For example, the locking spring is produced by injection molding. The locking spring extends for example over more than 60%, preferably over more than 80%, of the extent of the associated edge of the panel.

The locking position in the sense of the invention causes, as already mentioned, that the two panels are fixed relative to each other at least in the direction perpendicular to the laying plane except for a possibly unavoidable game. For example, a guide groove is incorporated in one of the two opposite end faces of the narrow sides of the first panel, in which the locking spring is inserted. The locking spring is movably mounted in the guide spring. The direction of movement of the locking spring has at least one vector component which is parallel to the laying plane. For example, the direction of movement is parallel to the laying plane.

According to the direction of movement is inclined to the laying plane, preferably, the direction of movement is inclined upwards, so chosen so that the locking spring approaches in the movement in the locking position of the visible surface of the lining. Beispielswese is the angle between the direction of movement and laying plane in the range of 5 ° to 15 °, more preferably in the range of 9 ° to 13 °, most preferably in the range 10 ° to 12 °.

According to the invention, a lower cheek of the locking groove is formed such that it has an outer contact edge for lateral contact of the locking spring in its locking position and a respect to the Berührkante inner, a clearance to the locking spring in the locking position compliant section. The term "lower cheek" means the cheek of the locking groove next to the bearing surface of the pad. "outer edge of contact" means an upstream portion of the cheek, which is followed by an "inner" so behind the Berührkante lying section, as long as the course of the cheek of Nutmündung pursued in the direction of the groove bottom. The term "contact edge" is intended to imply only that contact between the cheek and locking spring is desired. The contact edge thus defines the region of the cheek, which reaches at least the highest approximation between the cheek and locking spring in its locking position. According to the invention, however, it is preferable to achieve a touch.

Due to the embodiment of the invention, on the one hand, the friction is minimized compared to an extended contact surface between the locking spring and locking groove. The pre-storage according to the invention of the contact edge, which is offset, for example, immediately below the abutting edge of the two connected panels to a maximum of 2 mm from the vertical projection of the abutting edge, ensures that the negative effect of the possible bending of the locking spring due to the system-related game in the Guide groove is minimized to the height offset, provided that the contact edge essentially determines the height orientation. In other words, the inventive design reduces the friction and thus ensures a reliable locking, at the same time the precision of the mutual alignment of the first and second panel is improved or at least not endangered.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the locking spring touches the locking groove in its locking position at other locations. For example, the contact takes place at the upper, ie adjacent to the visible surface next cheek and / or in the region of the groove bottom. The contact takes place, for example, in the form of a vertical impact, that is to say largely without influencing the orientation of the locking spring in the generally clearance-like receptacle in the guide groove. According to a further embodiment it is provided that takes place only at the contact edge between the locking spring and the locking groove in the locking position of the locking spring.
In one embodiment of the invention, the front Berührkante and the inner clear distance between the two locking partners of locking spring and Locking groove achieved in that the lower cheek and the cheek-facing surface of the locking spring are flat and the two planes defined by the surfaces are inclined to each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the covering according to the invention, the locking spring has a bevel on its front edge facing in the locking position of the lower cheek of the locking groove. This can be prepared by a relatively simple processing step, the inner clear distance between the locking spring and the locking groove or optionally increased by this measure. In addition, this embodiment ensures that the contact between contact edge and locking spring is made comparatively late, for example, only when reaching the locking position. As a result, the friction during the locking movement of the locking spring is prevented.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the contact edge is formed as extending along the groove elevation of the cheek in this.

According to a further embodiment, the locking groove widens toward its groove mouth in order to minimize touch or friction during "retraction" of the locking spring.

Preferably, the upper cheek of the locking groove defines a plane inclined to the laying plane to avoid contact between the upper cheek of the locking groove and the upper flank of the locking spring.

To completely avoid a height offset between the first and second panels is according to another embodiment, the contact edge in the plane defined by the lower cheek of the guide plane.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lying behind the Berührkante, a clear distance to the locking spring in the locking position compliant portion is at least partially below the plane defined by the lower cheek of the guide groove to minimize friction even when due to the game easily angled in the guide groove locking spring ,
Preferably, the lying behind the Berührkante, a clear distance to the locking spring in the locking position compliant portion is concavely curved.

According to a preferred embodiment, a locking strip which engages under the adjacent panel and which is suitable for securing adjacent panels against tensile loads in a laying plane is also provided on one of the mutually complementary end faces. For example, the locking bar is formed on the first panel. In addition to the spring, the panel holding the locking spring thus has a locking strip which engages under the adjacent panel and which is suitable for securing adjacent panels against tensile stress in a laying plane. The locking strips thus serve to couple the panels in the laying plane, while the locking springs prevent the panels from displacing relative to one another in the vertical direction perpendicular to the laying plane.

Preferably, the attacked by the locking bar panel is supported on the locking bar.

To ensure a slight displacement of the locking spring, the clear width of the guide groove, in which the locking spring is displaceable, at the narrowest point more than 1.05 times, preferably 1.1 times the maximum strength of the locking spring.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the latching or connection of the first and second panels to the edges provided with the locking spring or locking groove only takes place when a further, third panel with the preceding panel row on the edge perpendicular thereto with the row in Engaged while pushing with its spring projecting from the guide end of the locking spring into the groove, wherein a displacement of the locking spring is effected in the locking position.

Preferably, means for resilient bias of the locking spring are provided in the locking position. For example, the means for elastic bias are formed integrally with the locking spring. It can be provided on the locking spring elastically resilient projections. The means are based for example on the bottom of the guide from. It is advantageous if the locking spring is biased in the locking position, so that it urges in the installed position horizontally or at least with a horizontal component of movement in the locking groove. As a result, the panels are held automatically on impact.

Preferably, the locking spring on its upper side, i. the visible surface of the lining facing side, a front bevel, so that when connecting, for example when swinging down or purely transversely lowering the second panel and the ramp-like emergence on the resulting by the bevel oblique surface of the locking spring, the locking spring can be urged out of the locking position then lock with the locking groove.

According to a preferred embodiment, apart from contact by the contact edge and the vertical impact in the region of the bottom of the locking groove, no other contact is provided between the locking groove and the locking spring.

Figur 1

eine Anordnung von drei Paneelen;

Figur 2

eine vertikale Schnittansicht durch die Stirnflächen zweier verbundener Paneele in einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführung;

Figur 3

eine vertikale Schnittansicht durch die Stirnflächen zweier verbundener Paneele in einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführung;

Figur 4

eine vertikale Schnittansicht durch die Stirnflächen zweier verbundener Paneele in einer dritten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführung; und

Figur 5

eine horizontale Schnittansicht durch das Paneel 1 aus Figur 1.

According to a further embodiment, however, it can be provided that the transition from the inner, a clearance to the locking spring in their locking position compliant portion of the locking groove towards the bottom, ie the lowest point of the locking groove is formed so that instead of a vertical impact the locking spring For example, the transition area is defined by a chamfer of the cheek or the floor or it is concavely curved. The purpose of such a ramp is that the locking spring is urged upon contact of the transition region against its upper cheek of the guide groove and thus the play of the locking spring, which would be present in the free locking spring, is reduced in the locking position. A height offset between the two panels can thus be prevented.
The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. They show schematically:

FIG. 1

an arrangement of three panels;

FIG. 2

a vertical sectional view through the end faces of two connected panels in a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3

a vertical sectional view through the end faces of two connected panels in a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4

a vertical sectional view through the end faces of two connected panels in a third embodiment according to the invention; and

FIG. 5

a horizontal sectional view through the panel 1 from FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view three laminate panels 1, 2, 3 according to the invention which are of identical construction. The panel 1 has a top 4 and a bottom 5, wherein the underside of the support serves on a flat surface. A circumferential edge is composed of two first end faces 6, 6 'on the narrow sides of the panel 1 and two second end faces 7, 7' on the long sides together. Due to the elongated shape, the narrow sides of the panel 1 are shorter than the long sides. Due to the identical design, the panels 2, 3 are provided with corresponding matching reference numerals. The panels 1, 2, 3 are configured on the end faces 6, 6 'and 7, 7' in each case largely complementary and interacting in order to be able to be connected to one another and, after the connection of the panels 1, 2, 3, to a common, continuous floor surface 4 train.

In the embodiment shown, the end faces 6, 6 'of the narrow sides according to one of the sectional views of FIGS. 2 to 4 shown embodiments, while the end faces 7, 7 'may be formed arbitrarily. In FIG. 4 the panels 1 and 2 are shown in the connected state, this state is achieved by lowering the panel 2 on the locking bar 21 of the panel 1, both panels 1 and 2 when resting with its bottom 5 on a flat, not shown, a common ground form walk-visible surface 4, since they abut each other on impact 12. The locking bar 21 essentially serves to hold the two panels 1, 2 in the direction parallel to the loading area 4.

In the end face 6 of the first panel 1, a guide groove 20 is incorporated, which opens into the end face 6. The along the narrow side of the panel 1 extending guide groove 20 serves to accommodate and movable mounting a locking spring 10. The locking spring 10 acts in the, in the FIGS. 2 to 4 shown locking position with an introduced in the end face 6 'of the second panel 2 locking groove 11 of the second panel 2 together such that the panels are fixed in a vertical, ie perpendicular to the surface 4 Begehfläche. The locking spring 10 is biased by an arranged between the bottom of the guide groove 20 and the locking spring elastic biasing means 22 in the direction of the mouth of the guide groove 20 in the locking position.

For easy movement of the flat strip-shaped locking spring 10, this is added with clearance between the parallel cheeks of the guide groove 20. The locking spring 10 has on its upper side a front bevel 23 so that upon assembly of the panels 1, 2, the second panel 2 runs on the chamfer 23 of the locking spring 10 and for the purpose of later snapping into the locking groove 11 a dipping movement into the guide groove 20 easier effect. The guide groove 20 is aligned so that the movement of the locking spring 10 is not parallel to the visible surface 4 but in a direction which is angled by about 12 ° to this plane upwards. The locking groove 11, which opens in the end face 6 'of the second panel 2, is designed so that it widens in the direction of the mouth.

While the upper cheek of the locking groove 11 with the located in the locking position locking spring 10 has no contact, limited in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 the bottom 15 by vertical impact the movement of the locking spring 10, whereas the lower cheek only in the region of the contact edge 13 has a contact with the lower edge of the locking spring 10 in its locking position. In the embodiments of the FIGS. 2 to 4 The convexly shaped contact edge projects beyond the plane 17 defined and partially imagined by the lower cheek of the guide groove 18, the extent of the transfer being different. Regarding the horizontal orientation of the contact edge 13, this is offset by a maximum of D = 2 mm to the abutting edge 12 with respect to the second panel 2 inwards. At the contact edge 13, inwardly towards the bottom of the locking groove 11, a concave portion 14 connects, which maintains a clearance to the lower edge of the locking spring 10.

The embodiment of the FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment of the FIG. 3 in that the underside of the locking spring 10 is made flat, whereas the locking spring of the embodiment of the FIG. 3 has a chamfer. By the chamfer 24 not only the clear distance to the lower cheek of the locking groove 11 in the section 14 is increased, but also ensures that only when reaching the locking position, the contact edge 13, the locking spring 10 touches.

In the FIG. 4 The embodiment shown again comprises the unfastened locking spring 10 FIG. 2 on. The under cheek of the locking groove 11 has, in contrast to the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 a plane inclined to the lower flank of the locking spring 10, which on the one hand forms the contact edge 13 at the front and the section 14 spaced from the locking spring in the rear region. Thus, these can be produced by simple processing steps. In a not shown Embodiment, this embodiment of the lower cheek of the locking groove 11 is combined with a chamfered at the lower, front edge locking spring 10, as in FIG. 3 is shown.

During the embodiments of the FIGS. 2 to 4 the feature is common that the locking spring 10 spaced portion 14 is at least partially disposed below the plane defined by the lower cheek 18 of the guide groove 20 level 17, the embodiment differs FIG. 4 from the other in that no vertical impact of the locking spring 10 in the bottom of the locking groove is achieved, but the locking spring 10 runs on an inclined ramp in the region of the transition between the locking base 15 and section 14, whereby the locking spring 10 due to the playful recording of the locking groove 20th tilted in this, and thus a possible height offset due to the game between the panels 1 and 2 is reduced.

FIG. 5 is a view of a horizontal, ie made parallel to the Begehfläche cut through the panel 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the end face 6 'of the narrow side according to the in the sectional view of FIGS. 2 to 4 embodiments shown, while the end faces 7, 7 'of the long sides are provided with locking means, which are formed according to the connection and locking principle, in which the panels are brought into mutually angled state in engagement then by pivoting down in a common plane with each other lock. As FIG. 5 shows, in the end face 6 of the first panel 1, a guide groove 20 is incorporated, which opens into the end face 6. The along the narrow side of the panel 1 over a substantial part of this page, for example over more than 80% whose extension extending guide groove 20 serves to accommodate and movable mounting of the plastic injection molded locking spring 10 for elastic bias of the locking spring 10 in the locked position are boom 22, 22 'formed on the locking spring 10, with which the locking spring 10 is elastically supported in the direction of locking position at the bottom of the guide groove 22. These arms 22, 22 'have with their free end in the direction of the next adjacent transverse to the associated narrow side edge 7 and 7' of the longitudinal side.

Claims (12)

1. Covering consisting of panels (1, 2, 3) which can be mechanically connected to one another in a laying plane (5), having the following features:

   a) adjacent first (1) and second (2) panels have end faces (6, 6') which are complementary to one another and which face one another; wherein a guide groove (20) opens in the end face (6) of the first panel (1), and a locking groove (11) opens in the end face (6') of the second panel (2),

   b) a relatively displaceable locking tongue (10) is arranged in the guide groove (20) of the first panel (1) and is suitable, upon connection of the adjacent panels (1, 2), for engaging in the locking groove (11) of the adjacent second panel (2) in order to assume a locking position and thus to fix the first (1) and second (2) panel relative to one another at least perpendicular to the laying plane (5);

   c) a lower cheek of the locking groove (11) is formed in such a way that it has an outer contact edge (13) for laterally contacting the locking tongue (10) in its locking position and a portion (14) which is inward with respect to the contact edge (13) and which maintains a clear spacing from the locking tongue (10) in its locking position,

   characterized in that a movement direction of the locking tongue (10) is at an inclination with respect to the laying plane (5), and in that, in the locking position, the contact edge (13) is situated above the plane (17) defined by a lower cheek (18) of the guide groove (20).
2. Covering according to Claim 1, wherein the locking tongue (10) has a bevel (24) at its front edge which faces the lower cheek of the locking groove (11) in the locking position.
3. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact edge (13) is formed as an elevation, which extends along the locking groove (11), of the lower cheek of the locking groove (11).
4. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a maximum elevation of the contact edge (13) extends, below an abutting edge (12) in a visible face (4) of the two connected panels (1, 2), so as to be offset inwards by a maximum of 2 mm from the perpendicular projection of the abutting edge (12) with respect to the second panel (2).
5. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking groove (11) widens towards its groove mouth.
6. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion (14), which is situated behind the contact edge (13) and which maintains a clear spacing from the locking tongue in its locking position, is situated at least partially below the plane (17) defined by the lower cheek (18) of the guide groove (20).
7. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion (14), which is situated behind the contact edge (13) and which maintains a clear spacing from the locking tongue (10) in its locking position, is concavely curved.
8. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper cheek of the locking groove (11) defines a plane which is at an inclination with respect to the laying plane (5).
9. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein furthermore a locking strip (21), which engages below the adjacent panel and which is suitable for securing adjacent panels against tensile loads in a laying plane (5), is provided on one of the end faces (6, 6') which are complementary to one another.
10. Covering according to the preceding claim, wherein the panel (2) below which the locking strip (21) engages is supported on the locking strip (21).
11. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clear width of the guide groove (20) in which the locking tongue (10) is displaceable is wider at the narrowest point than 1.05 times, preferably 1.1 times, the maximum thickness of the locking tongue (10).
12. Covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein means (22) for elastically preloading the locking tongue (10) into the locking position are provided.

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