CA2453311A1 - Floor covering - Google Patents
Floor covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2453311A1 CA2453311A1 CA002453311A CA2453311A CA2453311A1 CA 2453311 A1 CA2453311 A1 CA 2453311A1 CA 002453311 A CA002453311 A CA 002453311A CA 2453311 A CA2453311 A CA 2453311A CA 2453311 A1 CA2453311 A1 CA 2453311A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- floor covering
- panels
- tongue
- coupling means
- lip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract 60
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract 60
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract 60
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000011094 fiberboard Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims 1
Landscapes
- Floor Finish (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns a floor covering consisting of hard panels (2) which are provided, at least on two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), with coupling means (7) made in one piece with the panels (2), whereby these coupling means (7) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges (3-4, 5-6) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1). These coupling means (7) comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9). The lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9) is longer than the lip (10) on the top side. The edge (5) which is provided with the tongue (8) is made flexible.
Claims (36)
1. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) arc provided, at least on two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), with coupling means (7) made in one piece with the panels (2), so that several of such panels (2) can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means (7) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as, well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges (3-4, 5-6) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1), whereby the above-mentioned coupling means (7) comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9) and whereby the lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9) is longer than the lip (10) on the top side, characterized in that the edge (5) which is provided with the tongue (8), is made flexible.
2. Floor covering according to claim 1, characterized in that the lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9) is made rigid.
3. Floor covering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the tongue (8) is made flexible.
4. Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the tongue (8) is situated on a part (16) which is connected to the actual panel (2) via a flexible zone (17) in the shape of a local constriction.
5. Floor covering according to claim 4, characterized in that the flexible zone (17) has a thickness (D1), according to the direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), which is smaller than half the thickness of the panels (2).
6. Floor covering according to claim. 4 or 5, characterized in that the flexible zone (17) has a thickness (D1), according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), which is smaller than 2/3 of the thickness (D2) of the pert (16) upon which the tongue (8) is situated.
7. Floor covering according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the panels (2) are made of fiberboard, of the type MDF or HDF, and in that the flexible zone (17) has a thickness (D1) of less than 3 mm, and better still of less than 2 mm.
8. Floor covering according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the flexible zone (17) is situated on the top side (18) of the panel (2).
9. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) are provided, at least on two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), with coupling means (7), so that several of such panels (2) can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means (7) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges (3-4, 5-6) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1), whereby the above-mentioned coupling means (7) comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9) and whereby the lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9), hereafter called the lower lip (11), is longer than the lip (10) on the top side, hereafter called the upper lip 10, characterized in that the coupling means (7) consist at least of first coupling parts, formed of contact surfaces (19-20) working in conjunction with one another, on the top side of the tongue (8) and the bottom side of the upper lip (10) respectively; second coupling parts formed of contact surfaces (21-22), on the top side of the lower lip (11) and an opposite part of the other panel (2) respectively; and third coupling parts providing for the horizontal interlocking, which are situated on the lower lip (11), yet further than the free end (12) of the upper lip (10), whereby these third coupling parts are situated between the first and second ones.
10. Floor covering according to claim 9, characterized in that the third coupling parts consist of an inwardly directed contact surface (14) provided near the free end of the lower lip (11), on this lip (11), and a contact surface (15) working in conjunction with it which is formed on the other panel (2).
11. Floor covering according to claim 10, characterized in that the second coupling parts consist of a contact surface (21) formed in the top side of the free end of the lower lip (11), as well as a contact surface (22) working in conjunction with it on the bottom side of the other panel (2).
12. Floor covering according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a free space (23) is provided under the tongue (8) extending as of the tip (24) of the tongue (8) up to the third coupling parts (14-15).
13. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), so that several of such panels can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2), as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove and whereby the lip which is situated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called the lower lip (11); is longer than the lip on the top side, hereafter called the upper lip (10), characterized in that the coupling means consist at least of first coupling parts formed of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, on the top side of the tongue (8) and the bottom side of the upper lip (10) respectively; second coupling parts formed of contact surfaces, on the top side of the lower lip (11) and an opposite part of the other panel respectively;
and third coupling parts which provide for the horizontal interlocking situated on the lower lip, yet further than the free end of the upper lip, whereby the second coupling parts are situated between the first and the third ones, and whereby these second coupling parts consist of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another and defining a local contact zone situated in the middle or practically in the middle between the tip (24) of the tongue (8) and the third coupling parts.
and third coupling parts which provide for the horizontal interlocking situated on the lower lip, yet further than the free end of the upper lip, whereby the second coupling parts are situated between the first and the third ones, and whereby these second coupling parts consist of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another and defining a local contact zone situated in the middle or practically in the middle between the tip (24) of the tongue (8) and the third coupling parts.
14. Floor covering according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower lip (11) has a protuberance (30) on the contact zone (29).
15. Floor covering consisting of hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9), characterized in that the lip situated on the top side of the groove (9) hereafter called the upper lip (10), is longer than she lip situated on the bottom side of the groove (9), hereafter called the lower lip (11), and in that the above-mentioned coupling means contain coupling parts which provide for the interlocking in the horizontal direction, whereby these coupling parts consist at least of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, provided on the bottom side of the upper lip (10), outside the distal end of the lower lip, and on the opposite part of the edge of the other panel respectively.
16.Floor covering according to claim 15, characterized in that the tongue (8) has one end (34) which has been made thinner.
17. Floor covering according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that there is a free space (35) between the free end (36) of the lower lip (11) and the opposite part (37) under the tongue (8) of the other panel (2).
18. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1), whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9), characterized in that the lip situated on the top side of the groove (9) hereater called the upper lip (10), is longer than the lip situated on the bottom side of the groove (9), hereafter called the lower lip (11), and in that the above-mentioned coupling means contain coupling parts which provide for the interlocking in the horizontal directions, and whereby these coupling means make it possible for said panels (2) to be mutually disconnected by rotating them with their bottom sides down and towards one another.
19. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) ara provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels (2), as a result of which several of such panels (2) can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove, characterized in that the interlocking in the horizontal direction is formed of coupling parts in the shape of a local protrusion (39) in the top side of the above-mentioned tongue (8), which meshes in a recess in the lip (10) bordering the top side of the groove (9).
20. Floor covering according to claim 19, characterized in that the top side of the tongue (8), with the exception of the local protrusion (39), is mainly parallel to the surface of the floor covering (1).
21. Floor covering according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the bottom side of the tongue (8) is mainly formed of a smoothly bent surface which reaches up to the top side of the tongue (8).
22. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels (2), as a result of which several of such panels (2) can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby:
-the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (0), whereby this groove (9) is bordered on the bottom side, the top side respectively, by a lip, hereafter called the lower lip (11) and the upper lip (10) respectively, whereby the distal end (12) of the upper lip (10) defines a vertical plane hereafter called plane VI;
- the lower lip (11) is longer than the upper lip (10);
- there is an interlocking part (13) on the part of the lower lip (11) which extends past the free end of the upper lip (10), with a contact surface which, when coupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is provided on the other panel, whereby these contact surfaces form a contact zone when coupled, whose center defines a vertical plane, hereafter called plane V2;
- before the above-mentioned interlocking part (13), in the direction of the groove (9), is formed a space (14) in the lower lip (11) which is open on the top side;
- in the coupled situation, there is a contact zone in the cross section in which the top side of the tongue~
(8) makes contact with the bottom side of the upper lip (10), whereby the point (C3) of this contact zone which is situated most inwardly defines a first vertical plane, hereafter called plane V3, the most outwardly situated point (C4) of this contact zone defines a second vertical plane, hereafter called plane V4, and both planes V3 and V4 define a vertical plane situated right in between, hereafter called plane V5;
- the top side of the interlocking part (13) defined a horizontal level, hereafter called level N1;
- the bottom side of the part (16) upon which the tongue (8) is provided and which extends from the tip (24) of the tongue (8) to the interlocking zone, defines a horizontal level, hereafter called level N2;
- the levels N1 and N2 define a horizontal level situated right in between hereafter called level N3;
- the average height of the contact zone between the top side of the tongue (8) and the bottom side of the upper lip (10) define a horizontal level, hereafter called level N4;
- the distance between the planes V1 and V2 is at least half of the distance between the levels N3 and N4, characterized in that the floor covering further provides at least in the combination of the following characteristics:
that the panels (2), and basically also the above-mentioned lips (10-11), are made of fiberboard of the type MDF or HDF;
- that the coupling means (43) are made such that the panels (2) can be assembled by pushing them towards one another; and - that the above-mentioned space (14) extends to beneath the upper lip 10, such that this space (44) is in conformity with at least one of the following two characteristics:
a) that the part of this, space (44) which is situated under the level N3 extends inwardly to at least past the plane VI;
b) that the part of this space (44) which is situated under the level N1 extends inwardly to at least past the plane V5.
-the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (0), whereby this groove (9) is bordered on the bottom side, the top side respectively, by a lip, hereafter called the lower lip (11) and the upper lip (10) respectively, whereby the distal end (12) of the upper lip (10) defines a vertical plane hereafter called plane VI;
- the lower lip (11) is longer than the upper lip (10);
- there is an interlocking part (13) on the part of the lower lip (11) which extends past the free end of the upper lip (10), with a contact surface which, when coupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is provided on the other panel, whereby these contact surfaces form a contact zone when coupled, whose center defines a vertical plane, hereafter called plane V2;
- before the above-mentioned interlocking part (13), in the direction of the groove (9), is formed a space (14) in the lower lip (11) which is open on the top side;
- in the coupled situation, there is a contact zone in the cross section in which the top side of the tongue~
(8) makes contact with the bottom side of the upper lip (10), whereby the point (C3) of this contact zone which is situated most inwardly defines a first vertical plane, hereafter called plane V3, the most outwardly situated point (C4) of this contact zone defines a second vertical plane, hereafter called plane V4, and both planes V3 and V4 define a vertical plane situated right in between, hereafter called plane V5;
- the top side of the interlocking part (13) defined a horizontal level, hereafter called level N1;
- the bottom side of the part (16) upon which the tongue (8) is provided and which extends from the tip (24) of the tongue (8) to the interlocking zone, defines a horizontal level, hereafter called level N2;
- the levels N1 and N2 define a horizontal level situated right in between hereafter called level N3;
- the average height of the contact zone between the top side of the tongue (8) and the bottom side of the upper lip (10) define a horizontal level, hereafter called level N4;
- the distance between the planes V1 and V2 is at least half of the distance between the levels N3 and N4, characterized in that the floor covering further provides at least in the combination of the following characteristics:
that the panels (2), and basically also the above-mentioned lips (10-11), are made of fiberboard of the type MDF or HDF;
- that the coupling means (43) are made such that the panels (2) can be assembled by pushing them towards one another; and - that the above-mentioned space (14) extends to beneath the upper lip 10, such that this space (44) is in conformity with at least one of the following two characteristics:
a) that the part of this, space (44) which is situated under the level N3 extends inwardly to at least past the plane VI;
b) that the part of this space (44) which is situated under the level N1 extends inwardly to at least past the plane V5.
23. Floor covering according to claim 22, characterized in that the distance between the levels N1 and N2 is smaller than 1/3 of the distance between the levels N2 and N4.
24. Floor covering according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the intersection (P4) between the plane V4 and the bottom side of the tongue (8) is situated beneath level N1, and better still beneath level N3.
25. Floor covering according to any of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the section (P5) between the plane V5 and the bottom side of the tongue (8) is situated beneath level N1, and better still beneath level N3.
26.Floor covering according to any of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the section (P3) between the plane V3 and the bottom side of the tongue (8) is situated beneath level N1, and beater still beneath level N3.
27.Floor covering according to any of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the part of the above-mentioned space (44) situated under the plane N3 extends at least inwardly up to the vertical plane (V6) which is determined by the tip (24) of the tongue (8).
28. Floor covering according to any of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that panels (2) are rectangular and in that coupling means are formed on both pairs of edges (3-4, 5-6) which allow for an interlocking both in the horizontal and vertical direction, whereby said coupling means (43) are formed as described above on at least one pair of these edges (3-4, 5-6), and whereby, at least on two edges (4, 6) standing at right angles, use is made of a groove (9) which is bordered by an upper lip (10, 10A) and a lower lip (11, 11A) respectively, whereby the lower lip (11, 11A) each time extends further than the upper lip (10, 10), such that two of such longer lips meet in at least one uncle (45) of the panel (2), whereby at least the above-mentioned space (44) continues up to the end of the panel (2) in said angle (45), in other words extends through the far end of the lip (11A) standing at right angles.
29. Floor covering consisting of hard panels (2), whereby these panels (2) are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels, as a result of which several of such panels (2) can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction (RI) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1), and whereby:
- the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9), whereby this groove (9) is bordered by a lip on the bottom side, the top side respectively, hereafter called the lower lip (11) and the upper lip (10) respectively;
the lower lip (11) is longer than the upper lip (10) ;
- there is an interlocking part on the part of the lower lip (11) which extends past the free end (12) of the upper lip (10), with a contact surface which, when coupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is provided on the other panel (2) - before the above-mentioned interlocking part, in the direction of the groove (9), is formed a space in the lower lip (11) which is open on the top side;
characterized in the the coupling means are made such that the panels (2) can be assembled by pushing them towards one another, and in that in the bottom side of the part onto which the tongue (8) is provided, and which extends from the tip (24) of the tongue (8) up to the interlocking zone, is provided an excavation, such that this excavation co-operates with the interlocking part in a position in which the tongue (8) is situated in front of the groove (9).
- the above-mentioned coupling means comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9), whereby this groove (9) is bordered by a lip on the bottom side, the top side respectively, hereafter called the lower lip (11) and the upper lip (10) respectively;
the lower lip (11) is longer than the upper lip (10) ;
- there is an interlocking part on the part of the lower lip (11) which extends past the free end (12) of the upper lip (10), with a contact surface which, when coupled, works in conjunction with a contact surface which is provided on the other panel (2) - before the above-mentioned interlocking part, in the direction of the groove (9), is formed a space in the lower lip (11) which is open on the top side;
characterized in the the coupling means are made such that the panels (2) can be assembled by pushing them towards one another, and in that in the bottom side of the part onto which the tongue (8) is provided, and which extends from the tip (24) of the tongue (8) up to the interlocking zone, is provided an excavation, such that this excavation co-operates with the interlocking part in a position in which the tongue (8) is situated in front of the groove (9).
30. Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling means are made such that the panels (2) can be assembled by means of a mainly horizontal movement.
31. Floor covering according to claim 30, characterized in that the tongue (8) and the groove (9) are made such that when two such panels (2) are freely pushed towards one another, over a base or such, the tongue (8) automatically ends up in the groove (9).
32. Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in treat the panels (2) are rectangular and in that they are provided with coupling means on four edges which allow for a vertical and a horizontal interlocking, whereby at least two opposite edges are provided with coupling means, as described in any of the preceding claims.
33.Floor covering according to claim 32, characterized in that the panels (2) are longitudinal, and in that the coupling means described in any of claims 1 to 21, are provided at least on the short sides.
34.Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned coupling means, described in any of claims 1 to 21, are made such that they can be turned in and/or out of one another by means of a movement of rotation.
35. Floor covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in teat the coupling means (7, 25, 26, 31, 43) comprise coupling parts which provide for the interlocking in the horizontal direction (R2), by means of contact surfaces (14-15) which work in conjunction with one another, characterized in that these contact surfaces (14-35) extend in a direction (B1) which is tangential or almost tangential to a circle (C), whose center is situated on a point of rotation around which the panels (2) can be turned apart.
36.Floor covering according to claim 35, characterized in that the contact surfaces (14-15) deviate slightly from the above-mentioned tangential direction (B2) and are directed inwardly, such that a snap-in effect is created when the panels are rotated into one another, whereby the above-mentioned direction (B1 of the contact surfaces (14-15) deviates 30° at the most from the above-mentioned tangential direction (B2).
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002580830A CA2580830C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
| CA2580837A CA2580837C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
| CA2580835A CA2580835C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE2000/0397 | 2000-06-20 | ||
| BE2000/0397A BE1013569A3 (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2000-06-20 | Floor covering. |
| CA002412641A CA2412641C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002412641A Division CA2412641C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
Related Child Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2580837A Division CA2580837C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
| CA002580830A Division CA2580830C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
| CA2580835A Division CA2580835C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2453311A1 true CA2453311A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 |
| CA2453311C CA2453311C (en) | 2010-11-23 |
Family
ID=31994791
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2453311A Expired - Lifetime CA2453311C (en) | 2000-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | Floor covering |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2453311C (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-06-20 CA CA2453311A patent/CA2453311C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2453311C (en) | 2010-11-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2412641C (en) | Floor covering | |
| AU2001279677A1 (en) | Floor covering | |
| CA2453311A1 (en) | Floor covering | |
| CA2580837A1 (en) | Floor covering | |
| KR101754112B1 (en) | Clip for Upper Plate Side Edge Coupling of Wood Deck | |
| AU2006213930A1 (en) | Floor covering |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20210621 |