BE1024819B1 - Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint - Google Patents

Abstract

Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint (4) between two sections (3) of a floating floor covering (1), characterized in that the expansion profile (6) comprises resilient material (7) which in the installed state of such an expansion profile (6) part of the upper surface (8) of the relevant expansion profile (6). The invention further relates to an expansion profile (6) which comprises resilient material (7), wherein this resilient material (7) is designed in one piece with one or more rigid sections (21) of the expansion profile

Description

(30) Priority data:

(73) Holder (s):

UNILIN BVBA 8710, WIELSBEKE Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

COEMANS Wouter 3910 NEERPELT Belgium

MEERSSEMAN Laurent 8500 COURTRAI Belgium

NAEYAERT Christophe 8490 JABBEKE Belgium (54) Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint (57) Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint (4) between two parts (3) of a floating floor covering (1), characterized in that the expansion profile (6) resilient material (7) which, in the installed state of such expansion profile (6), forms part of the top surface (8) of the respective expansion profile (6). The invention furthermore relates to an expansion profile (6) comprising resilient material (7), this resilient material (7) being formed in one piece with one or more rigid parts (21) of the expansion profile

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy

Publication number: 1024819 Filing number: BE2016 / 5918

Intellectual Property Office

International classification: E04B 1/68 E04F 19/06 Date of issue: 13/07/2018

The Minister of Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;

Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;

In view of the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 12/12/2016.

Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.

Decision:

Article 1

UNILIN BVBA, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710 WIELSBEKE Belgium;

represented by

SCHACHT Benny, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710, WIELSBEKE;

VAN HOOYDONCK Guy, Ooigemstraat 3, 8710, WIELSBEKE;

a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint.

INVENTOR (S):

COEMANS Wouter, Rikkaartstraat 1A, 3910, NEERPELT;

MEERSSEMAN Laurent, Beeklaan 33, 8500, KORTRIJK;

NAEYAERT Christophe, Wetstraat 3A, 8490, JABBEKE;

PRIORITY:

BREAKDOWN:

Split from basic application: Filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the Merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).

Brussels, 13/07/2018,

With special authorization:

BE2016 / 5918

Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint.

This invention relates to an expansion profile for covering an expansion joint, more particularly for covering an expansion joint between two parts of a floating floor covering.

In particular, the invention is intended to be used in combination with floating floor coverings composed of several panels or strips, for example of multiple laminate panels, panels for ready-to-lay parquet, fmeer parquet or solid parquet, vinyl panels such as LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), panels from compact laminate and the like. However, this does not exclude that it can also be used in combination with other floor coverings.

When installing floating installed floor coverings, in many cases measures need to be taken to finish the edges. Such additional edges to be finished can occur at the end of the floor covering, for example against a wall, at a transition to another type of floor covering, or when an expansion joint is provided between two floor coverings, which may or may not be of different nature, with which among other things is meant of different material or of different thickness.

It is known that for this purpose use can be made of a finishing profile which allows to cover the relevant edge or transition and, in this way, in most cases provide a more aesthetic transition. Such a finishing profile is usually mounted on a holder. The holder usually consists of a rail-shaped profile that can preferably be fixed to the surface, for example by means of adhesives, screws, nails, or simply by installing this profile partly under the floor covering. The container usually also includes a mounting portion for attaching a finishing profile to the container. The holder can be continuous or interrupted, provided there is sufficient fastening for the finishing profile.

BE2016 / 5918

Such a finishing profile is usually designed as a multi-piece or other decorative strip or the like, which can be pressed into the rail-shaped profile. It is further known that such a finishing profile can be in the form of an end profile, transition profile as well as expansion profile or a combination thereof. End profiles usually serve for finishing against a wall, transition profiles for the transition from one type of floor covering to another type, and expansion profiles for bridging or covering an expansion joint between two parts of a floor covering.

The finishing profiles known from WO 2006/074824 and WO 00/14351 are generally T-shaped and thus show a well-known design. The finishing profile has a flange-shaped projection on one or both transverse sides, which is intended to overlap with the floor covering to be finished. The top of the finishing profile is here at a level which extends considerably above the general floor surface. This is detrimental to the appearance of the floor, can lead to premature wear of the finishing profile, and also means an increased tripping hazard.

From US 2011/056169, EP 1 801 314, EP 2 063 047 and EP 2 439 355, finishing profiles are known which allow to finish an expansion joint without the finishing profile protruding above the general level of the floor surface. For this purpose, use is always made of two profile sections which move over each other in the transverse direction of the expansion joint. In the examples of these documents, such movement always requires a level difference or a gap in the surface of the profile itself. Such level differences or gaps can lead to contamination and are disturbing in the floor surface. Moreover, the construction of the finishing profiles known from these documents is very complex. They are composed of different components.

The present invention contemplates in the first plate an alternative finishing option for a floor covering, in particular for the

BE2016 / 5918 expansion joints thereof, according to various preferred embodiments offering a solution to the Problems with the prior art profiles.

To this end, the invention relates, according to its first independent aspect, to an expansion profile for covering an expansion joint between two parts of a floating floor covering, characterized in that the expansion profile comprises resilient material which, in the installed state of such an expansion profile, comprises a part of the top surface of the respective expansion profile. Preferably, the resilient material allows at least a compression and / or extension of the expansion profile in the transverse direction of the expansion joint. Due to the resilient material, sufficient freedom of movement of the floating floor parts can be ensured without cracks or level differences on the surface being necessary.

Preferably, the aforementioned resilient material is at least in the plane of the floor covering, or approximately in the plane of the floor covering, and / or the expansion profile is free of portions overlapping the edges of the floating floor parts. In other words, it is preferably a so-called “flush” profile. This ensures that the risk of tripping is minimized and that a pleasant appearance from the floor is obtained.

In cases where the resilient material, or the surface of the expansion profile, is nevertheless above the global surface of the floor covering, the height difference obtained, namely the height difference between the highest point of the expansion profile and the global floor area, is preferably limited to 2 millimeters or less. In such a case, a slight overlap with the edges of the floor parts can be obtained in such a way that any impure cutting line can be hidden.

Preferably, the aforementioned resilient material extends transversely of the aforementioned expansion joint at least over half the width of the

BE2016 / 5918 expansion joint. In this way, a sufficient freedom of movement of the adjacent floor parts can be obtained with a limited width of the expansion joint.

According to the most preferred embodiment, the said resilient material forms a profile or is part of a profile extending transversely of the said expansion joint at least over the full width of the expansion joint, i.e. at least from the edge of the one section to the edge of the other part of the floating floor covering. In this way it is ensured that no gaps can form on the surface of the expansion profile, and by extension of the floor.

Preferably, the aforementioned resilient material has a direct or indirect connection to both parts of the floating floor covering. An indirect connection can be obtained, for example, over a part of the expansion profile, which may or may not be implemented separately.

Preferably, the aforementioned connection allows mutual displacement of the aforementioned parts of the floating floor covering in the longitudinal direction of the aforementioned expansion joint. This can be achieved, for example, when the connection is realized by means of a tongue-groove connection, wherein the tooth can move through the groove in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint, but in which a movement of the tooth in the transverse direction of the expansion joint is hindered by a groove lip or part thereof.

Preferably, the aforementioned resilient material is connected in the transverse direction of the expansion joint with no play and / or crevice to the aforementioned parts of the floating floor covering.

The resilient material preferably forms part of a profile obtained by means of a coextrusion technique. In such a case, the resilient material is preferably made in one piece with a material part that is less resilient

BE2016 / 5918. Preferably, said connection to the floating floor parts is achieved by means of this less resilient material part. This less resilient material part may or may not be directly connected to the relevant floor part. A connection over a more rigid material section can be performed more reliably and accurately. In addition, expansion profiles can be achieved with a less complex assembly. It is noted here that expansion profiles in which resilient material is formed in one piece with one or more rigid parts of a profile, form the subject of an independent second aspect of the invention, as further defined hereinafter. According to this second aspect, it is then not necessary for the resilient material to form a part of the top surface of the respective expansion profile.

The aforementioned resilient material and any further parts of a profile formed in one piece therewith can form the essence or the complete expansion profile. In other words, in such a case, the expansion profile is designed as a one-piece profile.

According to the most preferred embodiment, the expansion profile further comprises one or more fastening parts at least for fastening the aforementioned resilient material. Such attachment portions may either cooperate directly with the resilient material or cooperate with a portion of the profile associated with this resilient material, for example, with a more rigid material portion of a profile comprising the resilient material. The cooperation, or attachment, can be performed by means of a mechanical tongue-and-groove connection. Preferably, this mechanical tongue groove connection allows longitudinal movement of the expansion joint. Preferably, the expansion profile comprises two fixing parts, namely one at the edge of each floating floor part, each of these fixing parts then preferably being directly connected to the adjacent part of the floor. This mounting is preferably rigid, namely without freedom of movement in any direction.

BE2016 / 5918

There are various possibilities for the resilient material for a practical implementation of the present invention. It is preferably a plastic. These may be, for example, polyurethane, soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitryl butadiene styrene), rubber or the like. Where fastening parts are used, these are preferably made of a hard plastic, such as hard PVC, HOPE (high-density polyethylene) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or of metal, such as aluminum or galvanized steel.

For the same purpose as in the first aspect, the present invention, according to the above-announced independent second aspect, further comprises an expansion profile for covering an expansion joint between two parts of a floating floor covering, characterized in that the expansion profile comprises resilient material, being resilient material is in one piece with one or more rigid, or less resilient, parts of the expansion profile. The resilient material preferably forms part of a profile obtained by means of a coextrusion technique, this profile comprising the aforementioned one or more rigid parts. Preferably it concerns a coextrusion of mutually different plastic materials, for example of polyurethane-based plastic for the resilient part, and of PVC or ABS-based plastic for one or more of the more rigid parts.

The expansion profile of the first and / or the second aspect is preferably intended to be installed floating. This means that the expansion profile in the floor installation is free from fixations with the substrate or subfloor. In other words, the expansion profile can move over the subfloor or subfloor. Preferably, the expansion profile is attached to one or both floating floor parts that flank this expansion profile. The expansion profile can thus move along with the floating floor parts insofar as they both move in the same degree and in the same direction, for example due to differences in relative humidity or temperature. Moreover, due to the presence of the resilient material, the expansion profile can absorb any differences in the movement of the adjacent floating floor parts. The attachment of the expansion profile to the

BE2016 / 5918 concerning the floor part is preferably carried out by means of an adhesive connection on the underside of the relevant floor part. For this purpose, the expansion profile preferably has one or more flange parts, each of which extends below the relevant part of the floating floor covering and is fixed against the underside of the adjacent floor panels.

For the resilient material, in the context of the invention, a material is used which permits a compression or stretching of 0.5 millimeters per centimeter or more. It goes without saying that, where rigid sections are involved, in these rigid sections a material is used which is less resilient and, for example, if this material would already allow an extension or compression, this permissible deformation is less than 0.5 millimeters per centimeter, or even less than 0.1 millimeters per centimeter.

With the insight to better demonstrate the features of the invention, a few preferred embodiments have been described herein, as examples without any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top view of a floating floor covering in which an expansion profile has been applied with the features of, inter alia, the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a larger cross-section along the line Π-ΙΙ shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 5 show in a similar manner Variants, among others Figure 5 being an example of an expansion profile with the features of the second aspect of the invention; and

Figure 6 shows the expansion profile from Figure 5 in an unassembled state.

Figure 1 shows a floating floor covering 1. The floor covering 1 consists of elongated rectangular floor panels 2 and has two floor parts 3 which are separated by an expansion joint 4. In this case, the expansion joint 4 extends

BE2016 / 5918 according to the direction of the short sides 5 of the floor panels 2. According to a variant not shown here, the expansion joint 4 can extend according to the direction of the long sides of the floor panels 2.

Figure 2 shows that the expansion joint 4 is finished with an expansion profile 6, including the features of the first aspect of the present invention. To this end, the expansion profile 6 comprises resilient material 7 which, in the installed state, forms part of the top surface 8. In this case, the resilient material 7 is in the plane 9 of the floor covering 1. The expansion profile 6 is free from parts which would overlap with the edges 10 of the floating floor parts 3. In other words, this is about a “flush” expansion profile 6.

The resilient material 7 extends, in transverse direction D of the expansion joint 4, i.e. in the plane of Figure 2, at least over half the width B of the expansion joint 4. The resilient material 7 forms part of a profile 11 which extends transversely across the full width B of the expansion joint 4, namely from the edge 10 of one part 3 to the edge 10 of the other part 3 of the floating floor covering 1 The floor surface 9, including the expansion profile 6, is free from gaps.

In the example, the resilient material 7, in particular the profile 11 of which it forms a part, is indirectly connected to both parts 3 of the floating floor covering 1. This connection is, in the example, obtained, inter alia, on separately designed fixing parts 12 and a mutual displacement of the respective floor parts 3 in the longitudinal direction L of the expansion joint 4. This freedom of movement is obtained here because the connection is realized by means of a tongue-groove connection 13, wherein the tooth 14 in the longitudinal direction L of the expansion joint 4 the groove 15 can move. Movement of the tooth 14 in the transverse direction D of the expansion joint 4 is hindered by a locking part 16, in this case in the form of a groove lip. The connection of the resilient material 7 with the respective floor parts 3 is, in this case, transversely dappless and playless. The aforementioned separately executed sections 12

BE2016 / 5918 have a flange section 17 which extends under the respective floor sections 3 and is attached to the underside 18 of the adjacent floor panels 2 by means of an adhesive connection 19.

The aforementioned profile 11 has been obtained by means of coextrusion, the resilient material part 7 being extruded in one piece with the more rigid parts 20, the more rigid parts 20 providing the connection with the connecting parts 12.

It is clear that Figure 2 is also an example of the second aspect of the invention mentioned in the introduction.

In the example, the connecting parts 12 consist of individual profiles obtained, for example, by extrusion of aluminum, or by roll-forming sheet metal.

Figure 2 furthermore clearly shows that the floating floor parts 3 are installed on a subfloor 21.

Figure 2 further shows in dashed line 22 that, in cases where the expansion profile 6 would be used to finish an expansion joint 4 parallel to the long edges of the floor panels 2, preferably some parts of existing coupling profiles 23 projecting beyond the edge 10 be removed. The example shown in dashed line 22 concerns the use of coupling profiles 23 as known from WO 97/47834. Such coupling profiles 23 mainly consist of a tongue-in-groove connection, in which the groove can in certain cases have a protruding lower lip. In this case, both the protruding part of the tooth and the protruding part of the lower lip are removed.

Figure 3 shows a variant in which the fixing parts 12 extend to the top surface 8 of the expansion profile 6. In the example, the

BE2016 / 5918 fastening parts 12 overlap 24 with the adjacent floor panels 2, such that any impure cutting line can be masked.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the resilient material 7, instead of being compressed or stretched, is bent in an opening provided for this purpose. Depending on the expansion or contraction of the floor parts 3, the reduced or enlarged width B of the expansion joint 4 are covered by a width-adjusted portion of the resilient material 7.

Since the mounting portion 12 shown on the right in Figure 4 is constructed in one piece with the more resilient material 7, Figure 4 also concerns an example of the second aspect of the invention. Preferably, this mounting portion 12 and the resilient material 7 are coextruded from different plastic materials.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the expansion profile 6 of figure 5 has the special feature that it has an overlap 24 on the edge 10 of only one floor part 3.

The expansion profile 6 furthermore shows a connection of the resilient material 7 to the connecting part 12, which is shown on the left by means of a double tooth 14 and groove 15. Both teeth 14 and grooves 15 have locking parts 16. In this case the connection is with play designed in the sense that both connecting parts 12, or floor parts 3, in transverse direction D, can move away from each other without being hindered thereby, until the locking parts 16 come into operation. The floor parts 3, or connecting parts 12, can also move towards each other. In such a case, the flexible lip 26 offers a certain resistance. The tension built up in the lip 26 aids in the return to the original state. However, such a lip 26 is not necessary.

Figure 5 shows another example of an expansion profile or expansion profile 6 with the features of the second aspect of the invention. Here it exists

BE2016 / 5918 expansion profile 6 from a one-piece profile 11 comprising resilient material 7 and several more rigid parts 21. In the example, the rigid sections 21 form both flange sections 17 which are attached to the underside 18 of the adjacent floor panels 2 by means of an adhesive joint 19, and superimposed surface sections 27. The resilient material 7 which is located under the surface 8 of the expansion profile 6 there is the only connection between the two more rigid parts 21.

Figure 6 shows a disassembled state of the expansion profile 6 of figure 5. In the shown state the expansion profile 6 can be extruded smoothly, namely without the risk that both rigid parts 21 merge into each other during the liquid phase of the extrusion.

The expansion profiles 6 of Figures 3 to 5 have the property that they protrude slightly above the overall floor surface 9. However, the height difference H between the top surface 8 of the expansion profile 6 and the overall floor surface 9 remains smaller than 2 millimeters.

The top surface 8 of the expansion profiles 6 of the invention, for instance as in the figures, can of course be provided in full or in part with a color, preferably when matching the decor of the floating floor covering 1.

In the examples, the expansion profile 6 is always installed floating. This means that it lies freely on the substrate 27. The expansion profile 6 is in each case only attached via the flange sections 17 on the underside 18 of the adjacent floor panels 2 of the respective floating floor section 3.

The present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments described in the figures, but such expansion profiles can be realized according to different variants without departing from the scope of the invention.

BE2016 / 5918

Claims (14)

Conclusions: Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint (4) between two parts (3) of a floating floor covering (1), characterized in that the expansion profile (6) comprises resilient material (7) which, in the installed state of such an expansion profile ( 6) forms a part of the top surface (8) of the respective expansion profile (6). Expansion profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the said resilient material (7) is at least in the plane (9) of the floor covering (1). Expansion profile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resilient material (7) in transverse direction (D) of said expansion joint (4) is at least half the width (B) of the expansion joint (4). extends. Expansion profile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resilient material (7) forms a profile (11) or forms part of a profile (11) transversely (D) of said expansion joint (4) extends over the full width (B) of the expansion joint (4). Expansion profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said resilient material (7) has a direct or indirect connection (13) with both parts (3) of the floating floor covering (1). Expansion profile according to claim 5, characterized in that said connection (13) permits mutual displacement of said parts (3) of the floating floor covering (1) in the longitudinal direction (L) of said expansion joint (4). BE2016 / 5918 Expansion profile according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the said resilient material (7) in the transverse direction (D) of the expansion joint (4) is connected with the above-mentioned parts (3) of the floating floor covering (1) without play. Expansion profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient material (7) forms part of a profile (11) obtained by means of a coextrusion technique. Expansion profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion profile (6) further comprises one or more fastening parts (12) at least for the aforementioned resilient material (7). Expansion profile according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the expansion profile (6) is designed as a one-piece profile. Expansion profile for covering an expansion joint (4) between two parts (3) of a floating floor covering (1), characterized in that the expansion profile (6) comprises resilient material (7), this resilient material (7) in one piece is designed with one or more rigid parts (21) of the expansion profile (6). Expansion profile according to claim 11, characterized in that the resilient material (7) forms part of a profile (11) obtained by means of a coextrusion technique, said profile (11) comprising the aforementioned one or more rigid parts (21) includes. Expansion profile according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the expansion profile (6) further has the features of any one of claims 1 to 9. BE2016 / 5918 Expansion profile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion profile (6) is intended to be installed floating. BE2016 / 5918 17 13 BE2016 / 5918