DE20321616U1 - Floor panels, floor systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor comprising rectangular floorboards (1) having a surface of a laminate for forming a patterned floating floor, the floorboards (1) being formed around opposite long edges (4a, 4b) with integrated first and second connecting means around a floorboard with a second floor panel (1 ') to lock, are provided
such that upper edge regions of the floorboard (1) and the second floorboard (1 ') together in a connected state define a vertical plane (VP),
wherein the first connecting means comprises an upwardly projecting locking member on a long side cooperating with a locking groove on the other long side of the second floor panel to position the floor panel (1) and the second floor panel (1 ') in a horizontal plane (D2) to lock perpendicular to the vertical plane (VP), and
wherein the second connection means comprises a spring and a groove for locking the floorboard (1) and the second floorboard (1 ') in a vertical direction (D1) perpendicular to a main plane of the floorboard (1).

Description

Field of the invention

The This invention relates generally to the field of floorboards. The invention relates to floor panels that are mechanically can be connected in different patterns so so similar to a traditional floor covering to be, which consists of blocks. The invention is specific suitable for use in a floating floor covering, which consists of floorboards that have a surface from a laminate, and by means of mechanical locking systems, which are integrated into the floor panel to be connected can, for example, the species that are not complete are made from the core of the floorboard. The invention but can also be used with other similar floorboards become, for example, a surface layer Have wood or plastic and those by means of optional mechanical Connection systems are connected floating.

Field of application of the invention

The The present invention is especially for use in a floating Laminate floor with mechanical connection systems suitable. These Types of flooring usually consist of from a surface layer of a laminate, a core and a leveling layer and are as rectangular floorboards shaped, which are intended to be mechanically interconnected to become, d. H. without adhesive along both the long sides as well as the short sides, vertical and horizontal.

The following description of the prior art, the Problems of known systems and the tasks and features of The invention will therefore, as non-limiting examples, directed to the entire field of application. However, it should be highlighted Be that invention on optional floorboards can be used, which are intended in different Patterns, connected by means of a mechanical connection system to become. Accordingly, the invention can also be applied to a homogeneous, wooden floor covering and a wood covering that consists of several layers of a floor covering with a core of wood fibers or plastic, and with a surface, which is printed or made of plastic, cork, needle felt, and the like Material exists, be applicable.

background

parquet floor was originally by laying blocks a suitable shape and size in different Pattern and bond it with adhesive to the subfloor laid. Then the floor was usually sanded off, for a uniform floor surface and was, for example, using varnish or varnish or oil finished. Traditional parquet blocks according to this technology have no locking means, as they are fixed by gluing to the subfloor. The main disadvantage such a floor covering is the one that he very much difficult to install. The main advantage is that that Absence of locking means also laying of allows complicated and attractive patterns.

According to one Other known methods are the blocks with a Groove formed along all edges around the block. If the Blocks are then laid by gluing to the subfloor, Springs are inserted into the grooves in the positions where required is used. This leads to a floor, in which the blocks are vertically relative to each other through the Feather in the grooves of two adjoining blocks engages, locks. The surface becomes smooth and the blocks can therefore with a finished, lacquered Surface to be delivered. The horizontal connection is obtained by nailing or sticking to the subfloor.

traditional Parquet blocks are rectangular and usually have a size of about 7 x 40 cm. The advantage of the above floor covering is the one that the blocks can be laid in attractive patterns, for example, in parallel rows, with the short sides being relative in a diamond pattern or in one Herringbone pattern in which the blocks with the long one Side connected on the short side. The disadvantage of such In addition, flooring is the one that the laying and the production are complicated and expensive. One such flooring may not be relative to the subfloor move. When the blocks are shrinking or due to changes the relative humidity (RH), unwanted arise Connection column between the blocks.

To solve these problems, the floating wooden floor covering was first developed. Such a floor covering consists of much larger floor panels with a width of for example 20 cm and a length of 120-240 cm. The surface consists of a pattern of parquet blocks connected in parallel rows. Such floor panels facilitate installation, since a plurality of blocks can be connected simultaneously. The main disadvantage is that it is not possible to have advanced patterns to build. Later, the floating laminate floor covering, which was basically a copy of the floating wood flooring, was developed, except that the decorative surface layer consisted of a printed and impregnated sheet of paper laminated to a wood fiber core. Such a floorboard was less expensive than a wooden floor and had a surface with higher wear and impact resistance. Floating floorboards of this type are connected only at their joint edges, ie without gluing, on an existing subfloor, which need not be very smooth or flat. Any irregularities are eliminated by means of a backing material in the form of, for example, a resin fiberboard, cork or foam. You can therefore move freely on the subsoil. In the case of changes in relative humidity, the entire floor swells and shrinks. The advantage of a floating floor covering with a surface of, for example, wood or laminate is that the connections between the floorboards are tight and the change in size occurs hidden under the base panels. Such floorboards have a much larger surface area than the blocks, allowing faster laying and efficient production. Traditionally, such floating laminate and wood flooring has been bonded by means of bonded tongue and groove joints (ie, joints with a spring on a floorboard and a tongue groove on the adjacent floorboard) on the long side and the short side. When laying, the plates are brought together horizontally, a protruding spring along the connecting edge of a floorboard is inserted into a spring groove along the connecting edge of an adjacent plate. The same procedure is used on the long side and the short side, and the plates are laid in accordance with regulations in parallel rows, with the long side against the long side and the short side against the short side.

additionally to such a traditional, floating floor covering, which is connected by means of glued tongue and groove joints are Floor panels have been developed in recent years, which do not require the use of an adhesive, but instead thereof mechanically connected by means of mechanical locking systems. These systems contain locking devices that keep the panels horizontal and lock vertically. The mechanical locking systems can in one part with the floorboard, z. B. by editing a part of the core of the floorboard, by machining of a part of the core of the plate. Alternatively you can Parts of the locking system made of a separate material which is integrated with the floorboard, d. H. with the floorboard in the making of it in the Factory is connected. The floorboards are going through different combinations of angling, a snap and inserting along the connecting edge in the locked one Position connected, d. H. connected or locked together. The floorboards are connected consecutively, d. H. the previous floor panel will be with another floor panel connected to a long side and a short side, if one new floor panel connected to the previous panel becomes.

The Main advantages of floating floor coverings with mechanical locking systems are those that they even easier and faster and with great accuracy by different combinations of angling inwards and / or snap can be moved. In contrast They can easily be glued to soiled floors taken out and used again in another place become.

Definition of some expressions

In the text below, the visible surface of the built-in floorboard is referred to as the "front" while the opposite side of the floorboard, which faces the subfloor, is referred to as the "back". The plate-shaped starting material used in the production is called a "core". When the core is coated with a surface layer close to the front side and generally with a leveling layer close to the backside, it forms a semi-finished product called a "floorboard" or "floor element" in the case where the semi-finished product in a subsequent operation into a plurality of floor panels, as mentioned above, is divided. When the floorboards are machined along their edges so as to obtain their final shape with the connection system, they are referred to as "floorboards". By "surface layer" is meant all layers applied to the core near the front and typically covering the entire front of the floorboard. By "decorative surface layer" is meant a layer which is primarily intended to give the floor its decorative appearance. "Hardcoat" refers to a layer that is primarily adapted to improve the durability of the front. By "laminate flooring" is meant a floorboard having a surface layer of a thermosetting laminate having one or more layers of paper impregnated with a thermosetting resin. The hard-wearing layer of the laminate floor covering basically exists from a transparent paper layer to which alumina is added, impregnated with a melamine resin. The decorative layer consists of a melamine-impregnated decorative paper foil.

The outer ones Parts of the floorboard at the edge of the floorboard between the front and the back are referred to as a "connecting edge". As a rule, the connecting edge has several "connecting surfaces", vertical, horizontal, angled, rounded, chamfered, etc., can be. These connection surfaces are on different materials, for example laminate, Fiberboard, wood, plastic, metal (especially aluminum) or Sealing material. With "connection" or "locking system" are cooperative Connecting means meant that the floorboards vertical and / or connect horizontally. With "mechanical locking system" It is meant that the compound is horizontally parallel without adhesive to the surface and vertically perpendicular to the surface can take place. Mechanical locking systems can in many cases also be connected by means of adhesives. By "integrated" is meant that the locking system in one Part with the floorboard or a separate material, that is connected to the floorboard in the factory, can be made. With "floating floor" is meant a floor covering with floorboards, which are connected only to their respective connecting edges and consequently not glued to the subfloor. In the case of a movement due to moisture, the compound remains tight. A movement due of moisture takes place in the outer areas of the floor along the walls under the Base plates are hidden, instead. With "parquet block" is one rectangular floorboard meant the shape of a traditional parquet blocks or strips. The most common Format is about 40 x 7 cm. Indeed The parquet block can also be a length of 15-80 cm and have a width of 4-10 cm. With "floor unit" Several floorboards are meant that are connected and which form part of the floor covering. With "length" and "width" of the floorboard are generally the length and the width of the front meant.

Technology according to the state of Technology and problems of it

The Size of a floorboard refers to a substantial amount on the material of the floorboard, Editing the edges, the type of locking system and the installation of floorboards.

It is generally an advantage, a solid floorboard Produce wood in a small size because defects, such as cracks, branches, etc., cut out could be, and the raw wood material could be used more efficiently.

It is however an advantage most other types of floorboards, especially laminate flooring, in large Produce sizes as this is better use of raw material and lower production costs. This is special then to prefer if the floorboards are made of large ones Floorboards with an artificial surface, which is printed, for example, are produced. In such a Case, it is of course an advantage, the saw cuts to reduce as much as possible.

The Machining the joint edges to floorboards forming is an expensive process for all types of flooring materials. It It is known that a floor made of large-sized Signs with a few connections is a significant cost advantage owns a floor, which consists of many small sized panels exists. It is also known that small Sizes of the floor panels disadvantages would cause a floor, especially at a floor where the floorboards are rectangular and are narrow, so that consequently a large amount results in connections on the long sides of the narrow panels.

It is known that small-sized floor panels would be more expensive with mechanical locking systems to make them as similar panels with traditional ones Spring and groove systems. It is also known that mechanical locking systems, the one locking with high quality under angling allow, due to the larger amount on material required to lock the locking system form, are generally more expensive and more complicated to manufacture, as the more compact snap systems. Mechanical locking systems of some kind on the long sides of a rectangular panel are generally more expensive to manufacture than any type of mechanical Locking system on the short sides.

Generally could be a floor made up of large panels exists to be installed faster than a floor, which consists of small floorboards.

The WO01 / 66877 discloses a system for creating a patterned floor covering consisting of laminate floorboards. Two embodiments are disclosed: a first ( 4a . 4b ) using an integrated locking system and a second ( 5 and 6 ), which uses a separate connection profile becomes. The floor panels are locked by only a vertical, non-releasable snap. In the first integrated embodiment, two different types of floorboards, called "Male" and "Female", are required. An installation with a vertical snap is complicated and therefore represents a significant risk that the edges or part of the locking system will be damaged during locking or unlocking. Furthermore, the WO01 / 66877 on floorboards that are 1200 mm by 200 mm in size.

The WO00 / 20705 discloses a system for locking laminate flooring panels together by means of a separate connection profile which is then joined to the floorboards when installed. The connecting profile is adapted for locking the floor panels by only a non-releasable snap together. A specific task of WO00 / 20705 is that of reducing the amount of material waste associated with the manufacture of the floorboards, and particularly in connection with forming the mechanical interlocking system.

The DE 197 18 319 C2 discloses a solid wood parquet strip having a locking system along its long and short edges to lock the parquet strip to other parquet strips when laid. However, gluing the parquet strips is necessary and the purpose of the mechanical interlock is to hold the floorboards together while the glue cures. The mechanical lock is provided only in a horizontal direction. The parquet strips are stated to have a length of 250-1000 mm and a width of 45-80 mm.

In order to facilitate the understanding and description of the present invention as well as the knowledge of the problems behind the invention, a more detailed description of these specific size-related features and prior art technique will now be given with reference to FIGS 1 - 3 in the accompanying drawings.

The main part of all floating laminate floors ( 1a ) consists of rectangular floor panels 1' with a length 4a of about 120 cm and a width 5a of about 20 cm. By means of modern printing technology, the laminate floor covering can be made to be, in terms of appearance, a very true copy of various natural materials, such as wood and stone. The most common pattern is an imitation of a parquet flooring made of blocks 40 consists. These blocks usually have a width of about 7 cm and a length of 20-40 cm. As a latch, the floorboard includes three rows of parallel blocks whose short sides are offset relative to one another. This means that at least one block 41 on the short side 5a . 5b the floorboard will be shorter than the other two blocks. When the floorboards are connected ( 1b ), the result will be an unnatural appearance compared to a real, traditional parquet floor consisting of blocks of equal length whose short sides are offset. The same applies to a floating wooden floor covering.

Another problem that causes an unnatural appearance relates to the manufacturing technology. This is in 2 shown. A laminate floor covering is made by a printed, decorative paper foil which is impregnated with melamine resin and laminated to a wood fiber core to form a floor element 2 is formed. The floor element 2 will then, in, for example, some ten floorboards 3 sawed, along their edges to floor panels 1 to be edited. Editing along the edges is done by keeping the long sides 4a . 4b the boards first in a machine 101 be processed, after which they move to another machine 105 that handles the short pages. In combination with impregnation, the decorative paper swells in an uncontrolled manner. The swelling and manufacturing tolerances associated with lamination, sawing and edging along the edges result in the position of the blocks and different floorboards deviating from the desired position. If two floorboards with their short sides are connected to each other, the blocks can 41a . 41b be offset laterally and their length can vary significantly ( 1c ). All of these circumstances cause great manufacturing problems in connection with the manufacture of a laminate floor covering with a 3-block parquet pattern.

To solve these problems, a number of expensive methods have been used to control the manufacturing process when making a laminate floor covering. The most common method is that the production is controlled using advanced cameras that automatically measure and position the semi-finished products during the manufacturing process. Different patterns are also formed by special displacements of the blocks so that the position of defects is obscured as much as possible. In a wooden floor covering, blocks of varying length and parallel displacement are used to conceal the cut blocks on the short side. All procedures after The prior art lead to an unsatisfactory result. A floating floor covering could reach a larger market if natural parquet patterns could be delivered in combination with rational production and rational laying.

The 3a - 3d Examples of mechanical locking systems used in a floating floor covering. All of these systems produce a waste W. This waste arises in conjunction with sawing (SB) and in conjunction with mechanical machining of the mechanical fasteners. To minimize this waste W, the manufacturer seeks to make the floorboards as large as possible and with as few connections as possible. Therefore, the floorboards should be wide and long. Narrow floorboards contain many joints per square meter of floor area. Such narrow laminate floorboards having a width and a length corresponding to a traditional parquet block are not known. The narrowest laminate floorboards have a width exceeding 15 cm and a length exceeding 100 cm. 3e represents a connection by an inward bend and 3f connects by snapping two adjacent pages together 1 . 1' of two floor panels.

Summary of the invention

 A Object of the present invention is floorboards to create that mechanically to a floating floor covering with a natural parquet pattern that, in terms of the appearance corresponds to traditional parquet blocks, can be connected. Another task is suitable connection systems and laying patterns for these To create floorboards.

The invention is based on a first realization that modern production technology and mechanical connection systems in combination with special laying methods make it possible to connect very small floorboards quickly and with extremely high accuracy. A surprising result is that a floor covering consisting of small floorboards can be installed almost as quickly with the same quality as a traditional floor covering consisting of much larger floorboards. It is also possible to achieve an installation that is faster and gives a better result than large floorboards with mechanical connection systems. The reason is that it has been discovered that small floorboards are easier to handle, that the frictional surfaces along the long sides of the connection areas will be smaller, facilitating a shift, and finally that snap-in of the short side can take place with less force because the parts that are bent in connection with the snap, are smaller and lower resistance. An additional advantage is that the short side of narrow floorboards could be made with a locking system that only locks horizontally and does not require vertical snap-in. Such a locking system could be, for example, by removing the spring 22 on the short side of a rectangular floorboard with a locking system similar to 3b be executed. The narrow, short sides ( 5a . 5b ) of the two locked floorboards are nonetheless in the desired, vertical position by the locked, long sides ( 4a . 4b ) in a floor where the floorboards are installed in parallel rows with staggered short sides (see 9 . 4a - 4d ), being held. Such a floor could be very easily installed, since the installation requires only angling of the long sides. Floor panels could be made with an angled locking system on the long side and without any locking system on the short side. The short sides could be held together by the friction of the long sides or by gluing and / or pinning the floorboards to the subfloor. Such narrow short sides could be installed faster than wide short sides and yet with the same quality. Conversely, wider short sides without a vertical locking system would increase the risk of the short sides warping, creating an uneven floor.

The invention is based on a second and very surprising finding that the manufacturing costs for small floorboards with mechanical connection systems need not necessarily be higher than for large floorboards. Small floorboards certainly contain significantly more joints per square meter of floor than large floorboards, and the machining costs as well as the amount of waste are great when using the prior art mechanical connection systems. However, these problems can be largely avoided when the floorboards are manufactured and when the connection systems are made according to the invention. Small floorboards mean that a larger amount of unprocessed wood material can be used, as it is easier to make small blocks without knots and defects than is the case in the manufacture of large boards. The format of the floorboard and its location in the floor can also be used in order to form, in a cost effective manner, the decorative appearance of a floor made by sawing a floor element, for example a laminate floor. By sawing, for example, a floor element in the format of 2.1 x 2.6, with a printed veneer pattern, several hundred floorboards can be made. Such small floorboards, which may take the form of a parquet block, may be connected in different patterns with different installation directions. Then a parquet pattern of blocks can be made that can not be made using today's techniques. The problems of swelling the decorative paper can be eliminated, and accurate positioning and pattern alignment associated with sawing are not necessary. This reduces the manufacturing costs. If the floorboards are narrow, any angular errors between the long side and the short side will be less visible in narrow floorboards than in wide floorboards.

The Invention is based on a third finding that it is possible is and even beneficial in a floating floor covering is, small floorboards with a format corresponding to, for example, to use traditional blocks. One Such a floating floor will become much more Joints as a traditional floor covering that consists of large plates. The size Reduced amount of compounds per unit area the movement of the floor along the walls, because every connection has a certain degree of flexibility has. For example, a laminate floor covering moves approximately 1 mm per meter, if the relative humidity varies over the year. For example, if the floorboards have a width of 66 mm, every meter will contain 15 joints. A Shrinkage then becomes a maximum connection gap between two adjacent upper edges of two floorboards of 0.06 mm, provided that the floor, due to a load, is prevented from moving. Such a Connecting gap is invisible. The connection gap should be on be adapted to the floor type. In laminate floors could have a connection gap of 0.01-0.1 or be a little bit bigger. In a massive Wooden floor, made of oak, could be a connecting nip in the order of 0.1-0.2 mm available be. It can be an advantage if such a connection gap with a chamfer on the upper, adjoining edges, combined which, in dry conditions, could be the opening covered. A floating floor covering made of small floorboards Consequently, it can be used in larger rooms especially if they are using a locking system are made, that at least a certain horizontal movement along and / or to the connecting edges in a locking position will allow. Such a floor will actually become behave like a semi-floating floor, both the movement of the entire floor as well as the movement within the locking system exploits changes to counteract in the humidity. The invention is based on a fourth realization that narrow floorboards are bent much less than wide floorboards, if the RH varies. This leads to a more level floor and a simpler installation.

The Invention is based on a fifth finding that a Flooring consisting of many, small floorboards exists, provides better possibilities, a high laying quality to reach with invisible connecting columns. A laminate and wooden flooring may, due to an uneven Moisture ratio in the plate, bent laterally be. Such a "banana shape" can be visible connection column cause. If the length of the plates is reduced, to Example from 1200 mm to 400 mm, the connecting gap becomes essential be reduced. Narrow plates are also easier to bend, and in practice the mechanical locking system will become automatic contract the plates and completely change the banana shape remove.

The Invention is based on a sixth recognition that the moisture problems, often when gluing wood blocks to a cement floor arise, can be solved by the wood block, which is so connected in a floating way, the one Moisture barrier made of plastic between the wooden floor and the Concrete or cement can be arranged.

The The invention is further based on a seventh finding that very suitable method for generating a natural Parquet pattern, which consists of wooden blocks that are parallel are shifted, the one is that the floorboards narrow with a width and typically also with a length be made according to a parquet block.

The invention is based on an eighth realization that it is possible to provide a flooring system consisting, for example, of small floorboards preferably of the same width and preferably of different lengths, the length being a multiple of the width, and wherein the Floor panels of the floor system have mirror-inverted, mechanical locking systems. Such a floor system allows laying in all fort gradual patterns that can be achieved with traditional parquet blocks. Laying can be done much faster and with better accuracy. Such a floor system can also produce advanced patterns with a surface layer which in traditional usage can only be used in a few variations. A surface layer of needled felt or linoleum may, for example, be glued to an HDF board. When such floor elements are manufactured in different color variations and machined into a floor system according to the invention, joining the different floorboards in different colors can lead to widely varying and progressive patterns which can not be achieved with an original surface layer.

After all The invention is based on the recognition that a short page a narrow floorboard must be able to do the same Strain like a much longer, shorter side of a traditional one Floating floor to hold. The reason for that is the one that has a point load on an individual row can be the same. For example, a short side of 85 mm a floor according to the invention in be able to withstand the same load as a short side of 200 mm of a traditional floor. The short Side should suitably have a strength that a tensile load of 100 kg or more withstands. Connection systems under a downward bending of the short side, a displacement along the connecting edge and a downward angling The long side can be relocated, especially for suitable for narrow plates. The reason for this is the one that a connection system that is connected by angling stronger can be executed as a connection system through a snap action is connected. The floorboards according to Invention can connect systems on the long side and the short side, which has a downside Angling can be connected.

As a result, the above means that, according to the invention, it is possible to have small floorboards with one Format according to traditional parquet blocks too create that, in a surprising way and contrary to what is considered possible today has been to help increase the benefits of a floating floor covering to reach. These benefits greatly exceed those known power parts.

The Principles of the invention as described above can also be applied to floor systems, the other Have formats as traditional parquet blocks. For example, you can Stone replicas in the formats 200 x 400 mm, 200 x 600 mm, etc., with mirror image reversed connection systems, the be connected by angling and / or a snap action can be produced. These formats can in advanced patterns, as indicated above, with the long side against the long side, the short side against the short side, or the long side against the short side, connected become.

These Tasks are completely or partially covered by floorboards, Floor systems and blocks of floorboards, as listed in the independent claim is solved. The dependent claims and the description defines embodiments of the invention.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rectangular floor panel providing a patterned floating floor, the floor panel being provided with integral connection means at least along opposing long edges for locking the floor panel to a second floor panel upper edge portions of the floor panel and the second floor panel in a connected state together form a vertical plane. The connection means are arranged to lock the floorboard and the second floorboard together in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical plane, and the connection means are arranged to lock the floorboard and the second floorboard together in a vertical direction perpendicular to a main plane of the floorboard. The floorboard is characterized in that a long edge of the floorboard has a length of not more than 80 cm, and a short edge of the floorboard ( 1 ) has a length of not more than 10 cm.

One Flooring made of such small floor tiles is an improved imitation of a classically patterned Parquet floor coverings result, since the connections with the parquet blocks will agree and no Pattern offsets or "extra" connections show how this through the familiar parquet and the well-known Laminate flooring panels is shown. As a result, compared to known parquet floorboards, the problem is that two adjoining floor panels are not one another matching patterns have to be eliminated. Due to the integrated, mechanical locking system are the floor panels easier than floorboards for a classic To install parquet floor covering.

According to one Embodiment, the connecting device adapted so be around the floorboard and the second floorboard at least by means of an inward angling, thereby the upper joint edges contact each other to lock. The ability of the connecting devices to connect through to allow an angling operation is advantageous because a connection system that is connected by angling becomes stronger as a connection system connected by a snap action is, can be made and easier to install than this is.

According to one In another embodiment, the connection means be adapted to the floor plate and the second Floor plate by means of an upward angle, away from an underbody, release. Such releasing and Unlocking the floorboards makes laying easier an adjustment, replacement and reuse of the floorboards.

According to one Another embodiment, the second floor panel be substantially identical to the floorboard. Consequently, must only one type of floorboard can be made to to get the floor covering.

According to one Another embodiment, the floor plate have a surface layer that is a thermosetting Resin. By providing the floorboard with a Such a laminate surface, it is possible whose Abrasion resistance compared with the wood surface of the Stripes for a traditionally patterned parquet floor to increase.

According to one Another embodiment, the floorboard a Have surface layer, the wood or wood veneer includes. A surface layer of wood or wood veneer gives the appearance and appearance of a real wooden parquet floor, at the same time the cost compared with traditional parquet floors be reduced. So can the core of the floorboard can from any known core material, such as wood shingles (Slates), HDF, MDF, chipboard, plywood, etc. exist.

According to one In another embodiment, the connecting means from a separate part projecting from the connecting edge and mechanically connected to a core of the floorboard is. Such a separate part may be used instead Remove material from the edge of the floorboard, which consequently reduces the amount of waste material.

According to one In another embodiment, the surface of the Floor plate according to a decoration and shape to a traditional parquet block with a length of 30-80 cm and a width of 5-10 cm.

According to one In another embodiment, the connection edges, the one another in pairs on the long edges of the floorboards opposite, a protruding locking element, which is integrated with the floorboard, and where the opposite, second edge region in the same Pair a locking groove for receiving the locking element an adjacent floor panel.

According to one Another embodiment may be a long edge of the floorboard have a length exceeding 15 cm, and one short edge of the floorboard has a length, which exceeds 4 cm.

According to one second aspect of the invention is a patterned floating floor created its pattern by appropriate shaping of floor panels created the patterned floating floor form. The floor is characterized by the fact that the patterned floating floor the above described Includes floorboards.

According to one third aspect of the invention is a block of floorboards created with which a floating floor is created. The block of floorboards is characterized by that the block comprises at least two floorboards, as described above, and that these at least two floorboards are arranged so that at least a short edge of a first the at least two floors slab at least one short edge of a second of the at least two floorboards is aligned.

Various variants of the invention are feasible. The floorboards can be provided with all the prior art mechanical connection systems. Special floorboards may be made which, for example, consist of 9 floorboards according to the invention connected in three rows displaced parallel to each other. The short sides are therefore not straight, but consist of shifted rows. Such floorboards may be laid by a combination of downward bending of the long side, lateral shifting and snap-fastening of the short side. The other embodiments may also ver by a downward directed angling the short side, a lateral displacement and a downward angle be laid. Finally, different combinations of snap-in or insertion along the connecting edge of one long side or one short side, one lateral shift, and one snap of another long side or a short side may also be used.

According to one fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention appropriate flooring systems are created that out Floorboards with the same width but different Lengths exist that can be many times the width. According to one embodiment, the Floor panels mirrored connection systems, which can be connected by angling inwards. They can be laid in many different patterns where long pages are connected with short sides. According to one other design can use four different types of Floor panels may be present that are different from each other the length and / or orientation of the locking system (normal - mirrored) differ.

The Invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings which, by way of example, Embodiments of the invention, corresponding to the different Aspects, explain.

Brief description of the drawings

The 1a C represent floor panels of the prior art.

2 Figure 3 illustrates the manufacture of a laminate floor covering according to a prior art technique.

3a -F illustrate examples of known mechanical locking systems.

4a -E represent a floor covering according to the invention.

5a Figure-d illustrate a connection system according to the embodiment of the invention.

6a -D represent a laying method.

7a -E represent a laying method.

9a -F illustrate a floor system according to the invention.

10 represents a laying of floorboards.

11a - 16e illustrate examples of different patterns according to the invention.

17a - 17c Examples of floor system floor systems according to the invention are in formats and laying patterns suitable for replicating a stone floor.

Description of embodiments the invention

The 4a -C make floorboards 1 . 1' whose long sides 4a . 4b and short pages 5a . 5b provided with mechanical locking systems. The vertical locking means may, for example, a spring groove 23 and a spring 22 (please refer 5a ) exhibit. The horizontal locking means can locking elements 8th have, which with locking grooves 14 interact. All floorboards are rectangular and have a width corresponding to a traditional parquet block. As a result, the width is about one third of a traditional laminate floorboard. In 4a The surface of the floorboard is in the shape of a parquet block. In 4b the surface has a decorative surface layer, which consists of two parquet blocks, and in 4c The surface layer consists of three parquet blocks. The surface layer may be laminate, wood, plastic, linoleum, cork, various fiber materials such as needled felt and the like. The surface can also be printed and / or painted.

4d shows that such floorboards, which may thus consist of one block or several blocks, can be connected to a floor covering which forms a brick joint pattern in a natural way. All blocks, except those on the outer areas of the floorboard, can be of full length. If the floorboard consists of more than one block ( 4b , c), a certain pattern alignment must take place during manufacture. On the other hand, if the floor panel is a single block, then it is too 4a , such a pattern alignment is not necessary. The floorboard can be made by sawing a floor element that has only one pattern, which is, for example, veneer with varying shades so as to reproduce wooden blocks made of different wood joints of the same type of wood. In the floor covering according to 4d the blocks are shifted a distance corresponding to half their length. 4e represents an example of a shift by one third of the length.

The 5a -D show that the waste can be reduced to essentially the amount of waste produced in connection with a saw, if that Connection system with a separate strip 6 is formed, which mechanically by a spring 38 that with the feather groove 36 cooperates, is attached. Fastening can be achieved by snapping into the connecting edge of the floorboard 1 take place in such a way that the upper lip 20 and the lower lip 21 up and down, respectively, be bent when the strip 6 to the feather groove 36 the floorboard 1 is used. The locking element 37 acts with the locking groove 39 together. A joining of the strip 6 with the feather groove 36 can take place in many alternate ways. For example, the locking groove 39 in the lower lip 21 be formed and the locking element 37 can be in the lower, front part of the strip 6 be formed so as to be with the locking groove 39 co. A joining of the strip 6 with the connecting edge of the floorboard can also by an inward angling of the strip 6 or by snapping the strip 6 take place in any upward, angled position. This locking system allows cost-effective production of narrow floorboards without much waste. 5a provides an example of a laminate floorboard 1 . 1' with a wood fiber core 30 and a surface layer 31 of laminate. In this embodiment, the separate strip 6 made of wood fibers. The material of the wood fiber based strip 6 For example, solid wood, plywood, particleboard, a fiberboard such as MDF, HDF, a compact laminate made from wood fibers impregnated with thermosetting resin, or similar materials could be. The 5a FIGS. 1A, B illustrate a locking system that can be locked by an inward angling and snapping, and 5c , d represent a locking system that can be locked by snapping. The projecting area P2 of the strip 6 which extends beyond the upper part of the joint edges may in this embodiment be equal to or greater than the thickness T of the floor. This facilitates locking with angling around the upper part of the joint edges. A locking system that is designed to permit locking and unlocking by angling and that consists of a separate strip is particularly preferred on the long side of a narrow floorboard.

The 6a - 6d represent a laying process. The floor panels are rectangular and can be mechanically interconnected. The laying operation begins, for example, with a first row R1 joined by, for example, the short sides of the floorboards which are angled towards each other. The first row, which may actually be an optional row in the floor, includes a floorboard G1, referred to as the first panel. A second floorboard G2, in a second row R2 ( 6a ) is disposed at an angle A to the first floorboard G1, and is in contact with the connecting edge of the first floorboard G1 with its upper connecting edge. 6b shows that the laying can be facilitated when a wedge-shaped tool WT is used as a support. A new floorboard G3 in a second row R2 is then locked together with its short side against the short side of the second floorboard G2 in the second row. This connection of the short sides may take place by insertion along the short side joining edge, by inward angling or snapping against the short side joining edge. During inward angling, and preferably also during snapping, this connection is made in such a manner that the upper joint edge of the new floorboard G3 is positioned a distance from the upper joint edge of the first floorboard G1. This is not necessary during insertion along the short side joining edge since the new plate G3 can be used to contact the first plate. The new plate G3 may also be first connected to the first G1 by a snap action, after which it is laterally displaced along the long side so that the short side is snapped against the short side of the second floorboard G3. Then, both the new floor panel G3 and the second floor panel G2 are laterally displaced along the long side thereof parallel to the first floor panel G1 (FIG. 6c ). The first lateral displacement may be substantially equal to the length 4a be the floorboard. Another, new floorboard G3 'can then be added accordingly 6d get connected. When essentially the entire row R2 has been filled, all the foot panels are angled downwards and locked. Essentially the entire laying can take place in this way.

The 7a - 7e show the same laying, seen from above. When a new plate G3, G3 'and G3''is displaced after angling, the second row R2 grows. This laying can be repeated until the second floor panel G2 matches the outer part of the floor, as appropriate 7d , reached. The main advantage is that the entire row R2 can be laid without having to move a floor layer along the floor rows. Due to the weight and flexibility of the floorboards, different upwardly angled floorboards will assume different angles. You can easily in a half-locked Slip condition. This is in 5b shown. The locking means 22 . 23 and 8th . 14 are not fully locked, and this reduces friction, while at the same time the plates 1 . 1' be prevented from sliding away as the locking element 8th partially in the locking groove 14 is used.

This Method of laying is especially good for small ones Floorboards suitable, but can also be used for larger ones to be used. The laying process makes it possible to automate a misplacement. Another advantage is the one that this laying method is an automated laying with a Installation device allows. floorboards can be laid using a suitable device which, for example, consists of the following parts and works as follows. The device has a storage part, a number of new floorboards G3, G3 ', etc., contains. These floorboards are, for example, stacked on top of each other. It has a first insertion device, the first the new plate G3, at an angle to the first Plate G1, in the first row R1 inserts. The insertion movement takes place along the short sides so that the short sides the second plate G2 and the new plate G3 mechanically locked become. The device further comprises a second insertion device on, the two interconnected plates laterally parallel moves to the first row R1. If the device from the first Row R1 is moved out, all the plates are not yet one Position reached parallel to the subfloor, finally bent down to the subfloor.

The 9a - 9e Figure 3 illustrates a floor system consisting of two different panel formats with mirror inverted mechanical locking systems that can be connected by inward angling on the long sides and the short sides.

9a FIG. 12 illustrates a locking system which, in this embodiment, is integrally formed in a part with the core of the floorboard and which is designed so that a long side can connect with a short side. The vertical lock is by a spring 22 and a groove 23 receive. The horizontal latch comes with a strip and a locking element 8th on one of the floorboards 1 that with a locking groove 12 on the other floorboard 1' cooperates. It is advantageous if the locking system on the long side is substantially identical to that on the short side. In this embodiment, the locking system is identical. However, it should be noted that the invention is also applied to floorboards having different locking systems and / or locking systems containing separate or different materials than the core. Such differences may exist between different floorboards and / or the long side and the short side. The locking system can be connected by inward angling. In this embodiment, the locking system withstands a high tensile load corresponding to approximately 100 kg in a locking system having an extension along the connecting edge of 100 mm. The locking element 8th has a substantial extent vertical VT and horizontal HT. In this embodiment, the vertical extent VT is 0.1 times the floor thickness T and the horizontal extent HT is 0.3 times the floor thickness T.

9b puts a floor plate 41A which has a width 1 M and a length 6 M, which corresponds to 6 times the width. It may be an advantage if the dimensional accuracy is less than 0.1 mm, and may even be within the tolerance of 0.05 mm or less. With modern machines it is possible to achieve tolerances of 0.02 mm. 9c puts an identical floorboard 41B dar, with the difference that the locking system is reversed mirror image. 41A and 41B have short sides with the same spring side 22 and the groove side 23 , The long side of the floorboard 41A has a spring side 22 on the side where the floor plate 42B has a groove side. As a result, the locking systems are reversed mirror images.

One such flooring system allows laying in advanced patterns, since long pages with short sides can be connected and the direction of a misplacing can be varied. The module system with the length of exactly a multiple of the width increases the possibilities of one Variation.

The 9d and 9e For example, corresponding floor panels of 9 M in length, which in this embodiment, for example, correspond to 9 times the width of 1 M, may be used. Further, if the flooring system consists of panels of different lengths, even more advanced patterns can be achieved.

It will be understood that a number of variations are feasible within the scope of the above principles. 9f makes two short pages 5a and 5b of the two adjacent edges of the floorboards. In this embodiment, only one horizontal latch is made of a strip 6 , a locking element 8th and a locking groove 12 exists, exists. Such Floorboards could be a locking system on long sides, as in 5a and they could be installed in parallel rows. If the floorboards have a mirror-inverted locking system, as described above, they could be installed in a herringbone pattern with the long side on the short side. Floorboards can also be made in many varying lengths and widths. The floor system consists of three floorboards or more of different sizes, and the floorboards can have the same widths but random lengths. Some floorboards may have the width dimension 1 M and others may have 2 M or more. Also, the floorboards do not have to have parallel sides. For example, the short sides may be at an angle of 45 degrees to the long sides. Such manufacture can be carried out rationally in a machine with two chains, where the cams and the chains are shifted so that the plates guide the milling tools at an angle of e.g. B. 45 degrees will happen. Also, other optional angles can be formed in this manner.

10 presents examples, such as floorboards 41A by inward bending of the long side against the short side, with an already laid floorboard 42B , can be connected. According to the invention, the long sides of the floorboards become 41A connected by inward angling. Such a floorboard, referred to as a second floorboard 41A , is in the initial phase of laying in an upwardly angled position relative to a first previously laid floorboard 426 in the first row. A short side of this second floorboard 41A is in contact with the long side of the already laid, first floorboard 42B , It is an advantage if a carrier WT is used to hold these and the already laid floorboards in the second row in an upwardly angled, angled position. A new floor plate 41A ' is with its long side against the second floorboard 41A in the second row, perpendicular to the first, laid floorboard 41B is lying, bent. The new floorboard 41A that with the second floorboard 41A is then slid along the connecting edge in the locked position until its upper, short side edge is in contact with the long side edge of the first plate 42B arrives. Subsequently, the entire second row of floorboards 41A . 41A ' bent down to the subfloor. If a suitable laying order is used, advanced patterns can be laid using this angle-angle method. The connection system achieves great strength and large floors can be laid between floor sections without extension joints.

11a shows how flooring panels 41A and 42A different lengths to a floor unit FU in a floor system can be combined so that all rows will be of the same length and the entire floor unit FU will have a locking system on all sides.

The 11b and 11c show how the length of the floor unit FU can be varied by combining the panels of different lengths. The length of the floor unit can be changed in increments equal to half the length of the shortest panel. The width can be determined by the number of rows, corresponding to 11c , be varied.

12a shows that the floor unit FU can be adjusted to the size of the room so that a decorative frame of sawn slabs 41a can be formed, which can be used to make the final adaptation of the floor to the size of the room. In order to create the decorative pattern, floor panels are used with mirror-inverted locking systems 41A and 41B used. 01 - 04 indicate a laying order that can be used to join the floorboards using the Angle Angle method. After installation of the floor unit FU in parallel rows with plates of different lengths is a mirror image inverted plate 41B with the short sides of the floor unit 02 connected. This plate has a length which, in these alternatives, corresponds to the width of the six floorboards. Then the vertical rows 03 connected by the angle-angle method and finally laying the floor with the horizontal rows 04 , which are also locked in the same way, ended.

Of course, this and other patterns may also be combined by the combination of angling, shifting, and snapping, or just snapping, shifting, and snapping. Also, insertion along the connecting edge can be used. A locking system on short sides without a spring, as in 9f is shown, allows installation under only angling the long sides.

12b shows a variant that, in this embodiment, a plurality of mirror images inverted plates 41B having. Laying may be done in the same manner as above, for example according to the laying order 01 - 09 , be made.

A condition for the above laying of the floor to make it with high quality without large, visible connecting gaps is that the floorboards are manufactured with a large dimensional accuracy. It is advantageous if each compound can be given a certain degree of flexibility so that the manufacturing tolerances are compensated. A play P is between the locking surfaces of the locking element 8th and the locking groove 12 from Z. B. 0.05 mm, as in 9a and 9f is shown in this context advantageous. Such a game P does not cause a visible connection gap. A chamfering 133 upper joint edge may also be used to cover a joint gap, and also to remove parts of the hard surface layer, so that the upper joint edges will be more flexible and can be compressed.

13a represents another pattern according to the angle-angle method in the order 01 - 07 can be moved. The pattern can be created with only one type of panels that need not have mirrored reverse connection systems.

The 14a -B depict a diamond pattern with offset diamonds that can be laid by first joining floorboards with two floor units FU1 and FU2. Then, these two floor units are connected to each other by, for example, an inward angling.

The 15a C represent alternative patterns that can be created with a floor system and laying methods as described above.

The 16a -B represent herringbone patterns, which can be joined by angling the long sides inward and snapping the short sides against the long sides. Laying can be done in many different ways, for example with just angling the long sides. In 16 is the floor with both the groove side 23 as well as the spring side 22 laid in the laying direction ID. It will be even more appropriate when laying with only the groove side 23 in the laying direction, corresponding to 16b , takes place.

The 16c -E represent herringbone pattern with two and three blocks.

The 17a Figure 5c shows how the corresponding patterns can be formed with floorboards having a format representing, for example, a stone. The floorboards have a decorative groove DG on a long side and a short side which, for example, is covered by a part of the outer decorative layer which is removed so that other parts of the surface layer underlying the decorative layer or the core , are positioned, visible, manufactured.

17c shows how mirror-inverted floorboards can be connected in advanced patterns, wherein the decorative groove can be joined after installing frames of the floorboards.

It It should be noted that the invention also applies to smaller plates, blocks or stripes as those described above can. Such strips can, for example, a width of 2 cm and a length of 10 cm. The invention Can also be used, very narrow floorboards 1 cm or less, for example, which can be used to different floor units to connect, or which could be used as decoration.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 01/66877 [0018, 0018]
• WO 00/20705 [0019, 0019]
• DE 19718319 C2 [0020]

Claims (6)

Floor, the rectangular floorboards ( 1 ) having a surface of a laminate for forming a patterned, floating floor, said floor panels ( 1 ), along opposite, long edges ( 4a . 4b ), with integrated first and second connecting devices, around a floor panel with a second floor panel ( 1' ) are locked, so that upper edge portions of the floor plate ( 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ), in a connected condition, together define a vertical plane (VP), the first connection means having an upwardly projecting locking member on a long side cooperating with a locking groove on the other long side of the second floor panel to grip the floor panel (4). 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ) in a horizontal plane (D2), perpendicular to the vertical plane (VP) to lock, and wherein the second connecting means a spring and a groove for locking the floorboard (VP) ( 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ) in a vertical direction (D1), perpendicular to a main plane of the floorboards ( 1 ), characterized in that a long edge ( 4a . 4b ) the floorboards has a length not exceeding 80 cm and a short edge ( 5a . 5b ) of the floorboard ( 1 ) has a length not exceeding 10 cm, and the short side has a locking system which locks only horizontally. Floor according to claim 1, characterized that the connecting means for locking the floorboard and the second floor panel at least by means of a Angling inward, are suitable, creating upper joint edges get in touch with each other. Floor according to claim 2, characterized that the connecting means for releasing the floorboard and the second floor panel by means of angling upwards, away from a subfloor, are suitable. Floor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second floor panel ( 1' ) substantially identical to the floor panel ( 1 ). Floor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel has a surface layer ( 31 ) having a thermosetting resin. Rectangular floor panel for providing a patterned, floating floor with a surface of a laminate according to claim 1, wherein the floor panel along opposite, long edges ( 4a . 4b ), with integrated first and second connecting devices, around a floor panel with a second floor panel ( 1' ), so that the upper edge regions of the floorboard ( 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ), in a connected condition, together define a vertical plane (VP), the first connection means having an upwardly projecting locking member on a long side cooperating with a locking groove on the other long side of the second floor panel to grip the floor panel (4). 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ) in a horizontal plane (D2), perpendicular to the vertical plane (VP) to lock, and wherein the second connecting means a spring and a groove for locking the floorboard (VP) ( 1 ) and the second floorboard ( 1' ) in a vertical direction (D1), perpendicular to a main plane of the floorboards ( 1 ), characterized in that a long edge ( 4a . 4b ) of the floorboards has a length not exceeding 80 cm, and a short edge ( 5a . 5b ) of the floorboard ( 1 ) has a length not exceeding 10 cm, and the short side has a locking system which locks only horizontally.