EA044721B1 - FLOOR PANEL FOR FORMING FLOORING - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, more particularly for forming a floor covering that can be installed on an underlying surface.

In particular, the invention relates to floor panels that can be connected to each other by means of mechanical connecting parts.

The aim of the invention is that the floor covering with such floor panels can be installed easily, however, so that at the same time sufficient strength is also ensured in the floor covering, more specifically, sufficiently strong connections can be realized between the floor panels, for example in combination with production methods, which contain production costs.

First of all, the invention relates to floor panels that can be installed using a so-called folding method in order to meet the required requirements for simple installation. In this case, the fact is that two of the edges, in the case of elongated floor panels, generally short edges, must be able to be connected to each other by lowering, as a result of which a vertical locking must be achieved. Good vertical locking can be achieved by means of individual elastic locking strips. However, they are expensive to implement and provide. In order to eliminate these costs, one-piece or essentially one-piece connection profiles can be used. However, it is known that such connecting parts, made in one piece, generally provide a less stable connection; either the joint is too tight and the floor panels cannot be joined together, or can only be joined together without damaging them, or the joint provides too little resistance against separation. It appears that the quality of the connection is extremely dependent on the configuration of the parts and the materials used.

The present invention is now directed to a number of combinations of characteristics by which significant improvements can be achieved with solid joint floor panels and, in particular, with integral vertically acting joint parts, such as the use of certain design features and/or material characteristics, and/ or designs of connecting parts. These combinations form the basis of many independent aspects of the invention, which in turn can be combined optionally, for example, all possible combinations, as long as such combinations are not inconsistent with each other. Combinations of two of the many aspects imply that each time all the characteristics of each of the combined aspects are combined. It is clearly emphasized here that all mathematical combinations are possible among the ten aspects listed below, as long as the resulting combination does not contain any contradictory characteristics. Thus, this statement thus also creates the source of the capabilities of the claimed subject matter. In fact, it is the case that the good performance of the resulting compounds lies in the interaction of well-formed parts, and that by combining the parts of combinations from two or more aspects, each time an even more specific combination of characteristics is obtained, which then implies further improvement.

The invention, in other words, the inventive character of each of the following aspects, thus essentially lies in the combinational effect, respectively, of the claimed combination of measures. The inventor was able to state that well-defined combinations lead to better one-piece joints that can be used in floor panels that can be installed in accordance with the folding principle, whereby it is not always possible to give specific explanations for this. Thus, the advantages achieved by the connections generally consist of an improved floor panel with an improved connecting means, which combines the advantage of simple manufacturing by using connecting parts that are easy to manufacture, namely because they do not use separate connecting parts, an advantage in that the floor panels can preferably be installed according to a user-friendly folding principle, as well as the advantage of offering a relatively strong connection. Here the invention mainly provides well-defined characteristics at the edges of the floor panels where the connection is realized by lowering, and, mainly, the combinations of characteristics that are applied at these edges are particularly specific and contribute to the desired effect. The inventor has also discovered that certain coupling configurations, in combination with well-defined materials, are advantageous.

Thus, this led to the aspects of the invention described below.

According to a first aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

- 1 044721 connecting parts contain a horizontally acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact zone, having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the following combination of features is additionally present on the second pair of edges:

the tangent line which is formed by the first and third locking part is steeper relative to the plane of the floor panel than the tangent line which is formed by the second and fourth locking part, or in other words, the angle of the first mentioned tangent line with the horizontal is greater than the angle of the second tangent lines with horizontal lines;

the difference in size between both said angles is at least 5° and preferably at least 10°;

on the male part, at a height less than the second contact area, a contact surface is provided which, in the connected state, together with the contact surface on the female part of the then connected floor panel, forms a support point which limits the movement of the male part in the downward direction;

on the distal side of its distal end, the lower hook-shaped part is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts.

The combination formed according to this first aspect provides floor panels that, in connected conditions, provide a connection at a second pair of opposite edges, of the type in which the connecting parts can be connected to each other by lowering and in which

- 2 044721 for this type of connecting parts, as a result of the selected combination of characteristics, a good compromise can be obtained between, on the one hand, the fact that the connection provides a sufficiently large fixation in the vertical direction, and on the other hand, the fact that the connecting parts can still be connected to each other quite smoothly.

According to a second independent aspect, the invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting parts are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said second contact zone, while having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the second pair of edges also shows the following characteristic:

the second locking part has a contact surface, which in a downward direction, by means of bending, is combined into a lower distal surface, this distal surface in a downward direction continuing further in the distal direction, more specifically, being made inclined in a downward direction.

Since the distal surface in the downward direction is further extended in the distal direction, additional fixation is created in the vertical direction. This is especially useful when using flexible floor panels and/or floor panels that will expand to a relatively greater extent due to temperature changes, such as synthetic-based floor panels such as LVT floor panels. In this case, the risk is high that the edges will move upward and the connecting parts will repel each other. By means of this second aspect, the connecting parts will be pushed less smoothly completely away from each other. In reality, distortion may occur at the edges, but once the floor panels are compressed again, the connecting parts will fit together nicely again. For other floor panels, the joint is also useful.

Said underlying distal surface is preferably substantially flat.

Additionally, it is also preferred that said underlying distal surface forms an angle, or, when viewed on average, forms an angle with the horizontal, which is greater than 75°, and even better than 80°, and even better is between 83 and 88°.

In the most preferred embodiment of the floor panel of the second aspect, this is also characterized in that below the contact surface of the fourth locking part, there is a lower proximal surface on the female part, which surface, in the connected state of two such floor panels, operates in combination with the above-mentioned located below the distal surface, or at least will work in conjunction with it, as the male portion moves from the female portion in an upward direction.

According to a third independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting parts are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, when connected, form two such floor panels

- 4 044721 said first contact zone, wherein they have contact surfaces which, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact zone, having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas with the characteristic that the second pair of edges also shows the following characteristic:

on the proximal side of the female part, above the second contact area, a proximal surface is provided which is internally inclined in an upward direction relative to the recess of the female part.

The proximal surface mentioned in relation to the third aspect is preferably substantially flat and preferably extends to the top surface of the floor panel, either to a flat top surface or up to the top surface of a chamfer that is present on the floor panel.

Preferably, such a floor panel, which is implemented according to the third aspect, is further characterized in that said proximal surface forms an angle with the horizontal that is greater than 75° and better than 80° and better yet is between 83 and 88°.

It is also preferable that above the contact surface of the second locking part there is an overlying distal surface in the male part which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, operates in combination with the above-mentioned proximal surface, or in any case at least will operate in combination with it when the male part moves from the female part in the upward direction. It is clear that this creates additional vertical locking.

The male portion may be dovetailed to form a local locking portion thereon midway through the distal side of the dovetail.

According to a fourth independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking portion, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact area, and have contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the second pair of edges also shows the following characteristic:

two contact surfaces of the second contact area, including possible extensions thereof, visible in cross-section, extend both to the left and to the right of the corresponding closing surface, the closing surface being defined as a vertical plane through the upper edges of the connected floor panels, or at least a place, where the floor panels meet each other at the top.

More specifically, it is preferable that in the connected state, effective contact between the second contact surface and the fourth contact surface occurs on both one side and the other side of said vertical surface.

This positioning of the second contact area on opposite sides of the closing surface allows the respective connecting parts to be smoothly brought into a connected state, primarily by means of the so-called folding technique, while maintaining relatively good upward locking against release.

According to a fifth independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering;

wherein the floor panel comprises a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

- 6 044721 a vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said first contact zone, and have contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact zone, having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the following combination of features is additionally present on the second pair of edges:

on the male part, at a height less than the second contact area, a contact surface is provided which, in the connected state, together with the contact surface on the then connected floor panel, forms a support point which limits the movement of the male part in a downward direction;

the connecting portions on the second pair of edges also exhibit one of the following three characteristics, or any combination of two or three of these characteristics:

on the distal side of its distal end, the lower hook-shaped part is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts;

contact surfaces forming said support point are located on the lower side of the male part, and on the upper side of the protrusion of the lower hook-shaped part, respectively, wherein in the connected state, distal from this support point, there is a remaining space between the lower side of the male part and the upper side of said of the protrusion, this preferably lower integral portion of the male part, is located distally from said reference point, this space being preferably formed because the portion of the upper side of the protrusion is located deeper than the reference point, and/or where this space is visible in the section of the corresponding the edge preferably extends over a distance that is at least 1/3 of the width of the male portion;

on the underside of the protrusion of the lower hook-shaped portion there is a recess which extends to the distal end of the protrusion and which allows the protrusion to bend in a downward direction.

The configuration according to the fifth aspect allows the connecting parts to be precisely positioned with each other.

According to a sixth independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

- 7 044721 the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said second contact zone, while having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the following combination of characteristics is additionally present on the second pair of edges:

the contact surfaces of the second and fourth locking parts and possible extensions of these surfaces are made flat or substantially flat;

the contact surfaces of the second and fourth locking parts and, more specifically, the tangent line formed by them form an angle with the horizontal that is greater than 70°, and even better, greater than 75°, but preferably less than 85°;

the contact surfaces of the second and fourth locking portions, and possible extensions of these surfaces in an upward direction, each terminate at locations that are lower than the top surface of the floor panels;

starting from the upper ends of the contact surfaces of the second and fourth locking part and from the possible extensions of these surfaces, up to the upper surface of the floor panel, lateral edge portions are formed which extend more directly upward than said contact surfaces and are preferably vertical or approximately vertical;

At the lower edges of the male portion there are guide surfaces, such as inclined portions or rounded portions, which are configured such that the male portion is automatically guided into the female portion as it is lowered.

The embodiment according to the sixth aspect allows that, as seen in the cross-section, the contact surfaces in the second contact area can be implemented so that they can work together with each other over a relatively large distance, which results in good mutual support. The sixth aspect also allows the contact surfaces of the second contact area to be able to engage each other with little force, which is particularly useful if special other measures are not provided for this purpose.

According to a seventh independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking portion, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact area, and have contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the following characteristic is additionally present on the second pair of edges:

the protrusion of the lower hook-shaped portion, visible in a section transverse to the corresponding edge, is characterized by a first longitudinal portion, which is a portion extending from the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion to the point where the upwardly directed locking element begins, and a second longitudinal portion, which is formed as the most distal 75 % of the first longitudinal portion, wherein the protrusion is reduced in thickness by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10% and even better by at least 30% within said second longitudinal portion, while preferably the distal side of the distal the end of the lower hook-shaped part is free from vertically acting locking parts.

Here, the above-mentioned seventh aspect primarily promotes suitable flexibility in the protrusion of the lower hook portion.

According to an eighth independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking portion, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact area, and have contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side;

and also said two tangent lines are inclined upward towards each other from their respective contact areas, with the characteristic that the second pair of edges further represents the following combination of characteristics:

on the underside of the lower hook-shaped part there is a notch that extends from a certain place on the lower side to the end of the lower hook-shaped part;

and also visible in cross-section, said location is located proximally from the upwardly directed locking element, and preferably at a horizontal distance therefrom which is more than 1/10 of the total thickness of the floor panel.

The eighth aspect also promotes suitable flexibility in the protrusion of the lower hook portion.

According to a ninth independent aspect of the invention, it relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and

- 10 044721 the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form the said first contact zone, while having contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking portion, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact area, and have contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are upward inclined towards each other from the respective contact zones;

with the characteristic that the floor panel contains a prefabricated underlay which consists of at least two underlay layers, each of which has a well-defined thickness, namely a first underlay layer based on a synthetic material, and a second underlay layer preferably located directly above wherein the second substrate layer has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm; wherein the substrate assembly also exhibits one of the following characteristics or any combination of these characteristics:

the density of the first substrate layer is different from the density of the second substrate layer, and preferably, the second substrate layer has a higher density than the first substrate layer;

the first backing layer is foamed and preferably of the closed cell type, and even more preferably of so-called rigid foam, and preferably the second backing layer is non-foamed, or less foamed, than the first backing layer;

the first substrate layer is extruded into a plate shape or molded by a process of spraying and compacting the sprayed material into a plate;

the second substrate layer consists of an extruded layer or a layer that is formed through a process of spraying and compacting the sprayed material;

two layers of substrate are glued to each other or, alternatively, combined in the same manufacturing process; this latter, for example, by mutual direct adhesion between the substrate materials or, for example, by their formation from one composite mass with at least two layers;

at least one of the aforementioned contact zones, and preferably both, are located at least partially, and preferably entirely, in the first substrate layer.

The ninth aspect is to provide an optimized floor panel, as herein, it starts with a well defined base material, namely a composite underlay, as defined in

- 11 044721 above, showing that the corresponding connecting parts of the second pair of edges will thus exhibit their best advantages when applied to such a substrate.

According to a tenth independent aspect, the invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising a first pair of opposing edges as well as a second pair of opposing edges;

wherein the first pair of opposite edges includes connecting parts that allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and also the connecting parts are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement;

wherein the second pair of opposite edges also includes connecting parts on both edges, which allow two such floor panels to be manually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges;

the connecting parts also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion that is located on one of said two edges, and a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion that is located on the opposite edge, the lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a protrusion with an upwardly directed locking element which in its proximal direction forms a female part in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part consists of a protrusion with a downwardly directed locking element forming a male part;

the connecting portions are configured such that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at their respective edges by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts which, by means of respective contact surfaces, form at least a first contact area and a second contact area, which are located on opposite sides of the male part and the female part;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts include a first locking part and a second locking part on respective opposite sides of the male part, and a third locking part and a fourth locking part on corresponding opposite sides of the female part;

the first and third locking parts, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said first contact zone, and have contact surfaces that, in the connected state, form at least one inclined tangent line;

the second and fourth locking part, in the connected state of two such floor panels, form said second contact zone, having contact surfaces which, in the connected state, also form at least one inclined tangent line;

said male portion has a distal side and a proximal side, the second locking portion being located on the distal side; and also said two tangent lines are upward inclined towards each other from the respective contact zones;

characterized in that the upward locking element, the downward locking element and the corresponding contact surfaces of the first contact area are configured such that the upward locking element with its corresponding contact surface, in the connected state, assumes a slightly inclined position relative to the position that the contact surface accepts in a free state; and that both contact surfaces of the first contact zone in the unconnected state are mutually oriented, deviating in such a way that in the connected state a less deviating or non-deviating orientation in mutual relation is obtained. This has the advantage that the contact surfaces in the connected state are better adapted to each other and achieve better vertical locking.

- 12 044721

More specifically, the relationship between the required pressing force to realize the connection and the quality of the required locking has a favorable influence.

According to preferred embodiments, the floor panel of the tenth aspect is characterized in that the contact surfaces of the first contact area, in a connected state, coincide with each other, or approximately coincide with each other; and/or that said contact surfaces, when in their free state, their contours are presented above each other, approach each other in a downward direction or, in other words, provide a reduction in overlap in a downward direction; and/or that said contact surfaces are substantially flat and that, when in their free state, their contours are presented one above the other, the corresponding contact surfaces show an angle difference of 2 to 10°; and/or that the tangent line formed by said second contact zone forms an angle with the horizontal that is less than 65°, and even better less than 60°, and even better even less than 55°, and even better, from 45 to 52°, or alternatively, is 45° or even less than 45°.

The last mentioned angle values for the tangent line of the second contact area can also be applied in embodiments according to other aspects, since in accordance with such aspect it does not contradict the already stated angle values.

A floor panel according to any of the above-mentioned aspects herein may further be characterized in accordance with the invention in that it further has one or more of the following characteristics, or any combination of these characteristics in mutual relation, and/or in combination with any characteristics of the aspects already explained, for example, since such a combination does not contain contradictory characteristics:

the floor panel, as such, combines two or more combinations of features of the above-mentioned independent claims and possible dependent claims thereon, each combination being subjected to which does not involve conflicting features;

the connecting parts are implemented in such a way on the floor panel that the floor panels can be installed according to the folding principle;

the floor panel is oblong, rectangular, and the first pair of opposite edges defines the long sides of the floor panel, while the second pair of opposite edges defines the short sides of the floor panel;

the connecting portions on the second pair of edges can be connected to each other through a downward snapping motion;

The connecting parts on the first and/or second pair of edges are produced substantially as profiled parts in the floor panel material, preferably substantially or entirely by machining, preferably by one or more milling operations, for example by milling cutters which are active at different working angles;

the connecting parts on the first and/or second pair of edges are made in the form of minute profiled parts that can be milled by means of a milling cutter with an axis of rotation, which during milling is located externally to the floor panels;

the above-mentioned male part is divided or not divided;

on the second pair of edges, only one male part is applied, regardless of whether it is divided or not;

in the above-mentioned male part, there is only one vertically acting locking part which forms a tangent line of less than 70° with the horizontal, while another, one or more vertically acting locking parts with a tangent line of 70° or more may actually be present;

the contact surfaces of the second and/or fourth locking part, and preferably both, are respectively made flat;

the contact surfaces of the second and/or fourth locking part, and preferably both, are made respectively curved; here, the contact surface of the fourth locking part is preferably convex, while the contact surface of the second locking part is flat or curved, and preferably is concave;

the lower hook-shaped portion, and more particularly its protrusion, is resiliently bendable and/or deformable;

at the bottom of the protrusion there is a recess, preferably configured in such a way that the upwardly directed locking element is elastically tiltable;

in the connected state, a downward supporting point is provided on the male part;

there is space at the bottom of the male part;

the recess and/or reference point and/or space mentioned in the previous paragraphs of this listing are configured as already explained in the previously described independent aspects;

- 13 044721 in the connected state, a space is present behind the distal end of the lower hook-shaped part;

in the connected state, the space is above the upwardly directed locking element, and the space is preferably made continuous with the space mentioned in the previous paragraph;

the previously mentioned tangent line angle in the first contact zone is preferably greater than 75° and more particularly between 77 and 85°, and even better approximately 80°;

the previously mentioned tangent line angle in the first contact zone is less than 90°, and preferably less than 87°, and even better is less than 85°;

the previously mentioned tangent line angle in the second contact zone is more than 45° and possibly more than 50° or even more than 55° and possibly on the order of 60°; by means of an angle of more than 45°, it is achieved that the panels can be connected to each other quite smoothly, even if relatively large contact surfaces are used;

the previously mentioned tangent line angle of the second contact area is less than 75° degrees, and even better less than 70 degrees, and even better less than 65°, and even better less than 55°, and even better, from 45 to 52°, and , alternatively, even 45° or less than 45°; by choosing the size of this angle quite small, it may happen that the contact surfaces are somewhat more difficult to move one after the other during lowering; however, the advantage is that better resistance to vertical release is created; contrary to the values indicated in the previous paragraph, the inventor has unexpectedly discovered that even an angle less than 55°, for example 45° or even less, still remains workable and leads to unexpectedly good results in the claimed configurations;

two contact surfaces of the second contact area, including possible extensions thereof, visible in cross-section, extend both to the left and to the right of the corresponding closing surface, the closing surface being defined as a vertical plane through the upper edges of the connected floor panels, or at least a place, where the floor panels meet together at the top;

the central point of the second contact zone is located higher than the central point of the first contact zone;

the second contact zone is a local contact zone, by which is meant that it does not extend over the entire height of the male part; more specifically, this contact area is located with its upper end at a distance from the upper side of the floor panel and is located with its lower end at a distance above the lower end of the male part; Even more specifically, it is preferable that the second contact area, visible in height, is between 1/4 and 3/4 of the total height of the male part, in other words, the vertical height measured between the bottom point of the male part and the top side of the floor panel;

the connecting portions on the first pair of edges and/or on the second pair of edges are made entirely in one piece from a floor panel material and, more particularly, from a backing forming part of the floor panel;

above said second contact area, the distal end of the upper hook-shaped element is completely free from downwardly acting support points, or, in any case, at least free from support points which, in the connected state, form tangent lines forming an angle with the horizontal that is less than 45°;

On the male and/or female part, inclined and/or rounded portions are formed, which are configured in such a way that the male part, during its lowering, is automatically guided into the female part, this happening during connection in accordance with the folding principle and/or during connection through plane-parallel lowering;

the connecting parts in the first pair and/or the second pair of edges are configured in such a way that, in the connected state, there is a so-called pre-tension that pushes the respective floor panels at the respective edges towards each other, this being preferably done by applying overlapping contours, and when in this case, pretension is the result of deformation, either elastic bending, or elastic compression, or a combination of both;

the connecting portions on the second pair of edges are free of hook-and-loop fasteners and/or adhesive connections;

the floor panel is chamfered on the first and/or second pair of edges;

the floor panel has a top layer and/or a decorative layer that extends in one piece from the horizontal top surface of the floor panel to the chamfers;

chamfers are formed by stamping;

the floor panel has a top layer with decor;

floor panels contain a substrate, which may or may not consist of multiple parts, and may or may not consist of a plurality of layers of the substrate, the substrate or, in the case of multiple layers,

- 14 044721 at least one of the substrate layers consists of a material having one or more or any combination of the following characteristics, so long as such combination is not inconsistent:

synthetic-based material, foamed or not, resilient or hard, with or without plasticizer, and whether or not filled with wood or bamboo-based material, for example in the form of fibers, dust or sawdust and/or filled with other substances, e.g. chalk, lime, talc, soil fillers based on stone species;

a synthetic material which is a foam with fine pores such that the majority of the synthetic material contains pores and/or gas inclusions having dimensions of less than 1 mm, and preferably less than 0.1 mm, and even better less than 0.01 mm;

a synthetic material which is obtained by extruding a synthetic material starting material into a platelet material, wherein in a preferred embodiment the material is foamed, which in turn is preferably of fine pores such that most a material based on a synthetic material contains pores and/or gas inclusions having dimensions of less than 1 mm, and preferably less than 0.1 mm, and even better less than 0.01 mm;

synthetic material which is produced by casting a synthetic material, whether or not combined with other materials, through a process of spreading and compacting it under pressure and possibly increased temperature, into the form of a plate material, wherein preferably implementation, the resulting material is foamed, which in turn is preferred, with small pores, which are such that most of the synthetic material contains pores and/or gas inclusions having dimensions of less than 1 mm, and preferably less than 0 .1 mm, and even better less than 0.01 mm;

a synthetic material consisting of or based on, or containing one of the following materials: PP, PUR, PET, PVC, PIR (polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyisocyanurate) or other suitable synthetic materials;

material based on synthetic materials with plasticizers;

wood material, for example MDF, fibreboard, prefabricated wood panels, more particularly so-called engineered wood panels, possibly with adapted cores or end strips;

The floor panel is manufactured as one of the following types:

like laminated floor panel;

as the so-called elastic floor panel;

LVT panel or CVT panel or comparable panel based on a synthetic material other than vinyl;

a floor panel with a first synthetic material, preferably a foam backing layer, over it, preferably a thinner second layer of backing or vinyl or other synthetic material;

as a floor panel with a solid synthetic backing.

Further characteristics will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying claims.

Preferred as well as deviating embodiments are described in the accompanying dependent claims.

In order to better present the properties of the invention, hereinafter, by way of example and without any limitation, certain preferred embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically and in perspective represents a section of a floor covering which consists of floor panels according to the invention;

fig. 2 represents on a larger scale the area designated F2 in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a top view showing the floor panel of the floor covering of FIG. 1 and 2;

fig. 4 and 5, on a larger scale, represent sections along lines IV-IV and V-V, respectively, of FIG. 3;

fig. 6 shows the connecting parts which are visible in FIG. 4, on a larger scale in a connected state;

fig. 7 shows on an even larger scale the outlines of the connecting parts of FIG. 6, however, with the original contours of the connecting parts in the unloaded state drawn one above the other, and in a position in which the contours on the closing surface are located opposite each other;

fig. 8-10 represent three more embodiments of the invention;

fig. 11 and 12 represent another embodiment of the invention;

- 15 044721 fig. 13-17 represent other excellent embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the invention relates to floor panels 1 for forming a floor covering, the floor panels 1 comprising a first pair of opposing edges 2-3 as well as a second pair of opposing edges 4-5.

The presented floor panels 1 are configured in such a way at their edges that they can be mutually connected in accordance with the so-called folding principle, which is a principle known as such, and which consists in that such floor panels 1 can be connected to each other on the first pair of edges 2-3 by a pivoting motion R, and can be connected to each other on a second pair of edges 4-5 by lowering M, the lowering of M being the result of the pivoting motion R and thus essentially being realized simultaneously. Here, the floor panels 1 are also configured in this way at their edges 2-3 and 4-5, which ultimately results in locking in the vertical direction V as well as the horizontal direction H, the latter being perpendicular to the respective edges.

As shown in FIG. 3-6, such a floor panel 1 is provided for the purpose with connecting parts 6-7 on the first pair of edges 2-3, while on the second pair of edges connecting parts 8-9 are provided, the connecting parts being described in more detail with respect to FIG. 4-6.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the connecting parts 6-7 of the first pair of edges 2-3 show at least the following main characteristics:

the connecting parts 6-7 contain a horizontally operating locking system HL, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, locks in the plane of the floor panels 1 and perpendicular to the corresponding edges 2-3;

the connecting parts 6-7 also comprise a vertically acting locking system VL, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, performs locking across the plane of the floor panels, in other words, in the vertical direction;

the connecting parts 6-7 are essentially made of the material of the floor panel 1 itself; and also the connecting parts 6-7 are configured in such a way that two of such floor panels 1 can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotation movement R.

As can be seen in FIG. 4 and 6, the connecting parts 8-9 of the second pair of edges 4-5 show at least the following main characteristics:

the connecting parts 8-9 contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, locks in the plane of the floor panels 1 and perpendicular to the corresponding edges 4-5;

the connecting parts 8-9 also contain a vertically operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, locks across the plane of the floor panels 1;

the connecting parts 8-9 are essentially made of the material of the floor panel 1 itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges 4-5 is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part 10, which is located on one of the two edges, in this case edge 4, and also a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped part 11, which is located on the opposite edge 5, the lower hook-shaped part 10 consisting of a protrusion 12 with an upwardly directed locking element 13, which in its proximal direction forms a female part 14 in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped part 11 consists of a protrusion 15 with a downwardly directed locking element 16 , forming the male part 17;

the connecting parts 8-9 are configured such that two of such floor panels 1 can be connected to each other at their respective edges 4-5 by lowering M of one floor panel in relation to the other;

a vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts 18, 19, 20, 21, which, by means of corresponding contact surfaces 22, 23, 24, 25, form at least a first contact area C1 and a second contact area C2, which are located on opposite sides male part 17 and female part 14;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts comprise a first locking part 18 and a second locking part 19 on respective opposite sides 26-27 of the male part 17, and a third locking part 20 and a fourth locking part 21 on respective opposite sides 28-29 of the female part 14, in other words , on the sides located on opposite sides of the recess forming the female part;

the first and third locking parts 18-20, respectively, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, form the said first contact area C1, and have contact surfaces 22, 24, respectively, which in the connected state form at least one inclined tangent line T1;

the second and fourth locking parts 19, 21, respectively, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, form the said second contact area C2, while having contact surfaces 23, 25, respectively, which in the connected state also form at least one

- 16 044721 inclined tangent line T2;

said male portion 17 has a distal side 27 and a proximal side 26, with a second locking portion 10 located on the distal side 27; and also the mentioned two tangent lines T1-T2 are upwardly inclined towards each other from the corresponding contact zones C1-C2.

An embodiment of edges 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 4 and 6 corresponds to the first aspect of the invention and is thus, as presented, characterized in that on this second pair of edges 4-5 the following combination of features is additionally present:

the tangent line T1, which is formed by the first and third locking portion 18, 20, respectively, is steeper relative to the plane of the floor panel 1, thus the global plane along which the floor panel continues, or, in the normal use position, thus the horizontal plane than the tangent line T2 which is formed by the second and fourth locking portion 19, 21, respectively, or in other words, the angle A1 of the first mentioned tangent line T1 with the horizontal is greater than the angle A2 of the said second tangent line T2 with the horizontal;

the difference in size between the two mentioned angles A1 and A2, thus the difference in their absolute value, is at least 5° and preferably at least 10°;

On the male part 17, at a height lower than the second contact area C2, a contact surface 30 is provided which, when connected together with the contact surface 31 on the female part 14 of the then connected floor panel, forms a support point 32 which limits the movement of the male part 17 in downward direction;

on the distal side 33 of its distal end 34, the lower hook-shaped part 10 is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts.

It should be noted that the connecting parts at the edges 2-3 and/or 4-5 are preferably configured in such a way that, in the connected state, a so-called pre-tension is realized, which pushes the connected floor panels 1 towards each other, preferably with their upper edges in towards each other and against each other. It will be understood that the so-called pre-tensioning characteristic can be used in all embodiments of the floor panels according to the invention, as described herein above or below. Such pre-tensioning can be achieved in a variety of ways and is preferably based on a tensile force which, in the connected state, is generated by elastic bending and/or compression, whereby a retracting force is created to ensure that the floor panels are pressed against each other. In fig. 6 illustrates in dotted line an embodiment in which such elastic bending takes place in the lower projection, where the curved projection is designated 12A. Such a bend can be achieved by implementing the connecting parts 8 and 9, in effect, with somewhat overlapping contours, or in other words, cross-sectional profile, for example by using contours 8A and 9A, for example, shown as a thin solid line in FIG. 7. The contours 8A and 9A represent the shape of the respective connecting parts in an open and unloaded state, the contours being opposite each other at the top. As can be seen, the contours 8A and 9A are formed in such a way that the overlap then exists at the height of the first and third locking portions 18, 20, respectively, the overlap, in the connected state, will result, for example, in elastic bending of the lower projection, as indicated by 12A in fig. 6.

Enlarged view in Fig. 7 also illustrates schematically the specific features of the independent second, third and fourth aspects of the invention set forth in the preamble. Thus, these three aspects are explained below by means of FIGS. 7.

The second and third aspects relate to the embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 7 with a dotted line, as will be explained below.

The floor panel according to the second aspect shows the same basic characteristics at the edges 2-3 and 4-5 as defined here above. Additionally, the second pair of edges 4-5 further exhibits the following characteristic:

the second locking part 19, thus of the male part 17, has a contact surface 23, which in a downward direction, by means of a bend 35, is combined into a lower distal surface 36, this distal surface 36 continuing in a downward direction even further in the distal direction, more Specifically, it is made inclined in a downward direction.

In other words, this means that at the bottom of the bend 35 there is a region with a surface 36, this region manifesting itself in a downward direction as a distal nose-shaped region in the male part. It will be appreciated that the bend 35 can be formed by a sharp bend point as well as a rounded bend point. Intermediate surfaces may also be provided.

The aforementioned lower distal surface 36 is preferably substantially flat.

It is also preferred that the below-mentioned distal surface 36 form an angle, or, when viewed on average, form an angle with the horizontal, that is greater than 75 degrees, and better yet greater than 80 degrees, and even better is between 83 and 88 degrees, while tilted in the direction as in Fig. 7.

According to a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, below the contact surface 25 of the fourth locking portion 21, there is an underlying proximal surface 37 on the female portion 14, which surface, in the connected state of two such floor panels, operates in combination with the above-mentioned underlying distal surface 36 or will at least operate in conjunction with it when the male portion is moved from the female portion in an upward direction. In fig. 7, surfaces 36 and 37 are shown somewhat separately from each other. However, in order to fulfill the last mentioned characteristic, these surfaces will actually coincide, or approximately coincide, so that the surface 36 in the connected state is opposed to the surface 37, or at least in contact with it at the moment during the upward movement covered part.

The floor panel according to the third aspect shows the same basic characteristics at the edges 2-3 and 4-5 as defined here above. Additionally, the second pair of edges 4-5 further exhibits the following characteristic:

On the proximal side of the female part, above the second contact area C2, there is provided a proximal surface 38, which, relative to the recess of the female part 14, is internally inclined in an upward direction.

In the preferred embodiment of the floor panel of the third aspect, this is further characterized in that said proximal surface 38 is substantially flat and preferably extends to the top surface 39 of the floor panel 1, or to a flat top surface as in FIG. 7, or to the top surface of the chamfer that is present on the floor panel.

According to preferred embodiments of floor panels 1 that are implemented in accordance with the third aspect, such floor panel also exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

said proximal surface 38 forms an angle with the horizontal that is greater than 75° and preferably greater than 80°, and even better between 83 and 88°;

the above-mentioned contact surface of the second locking portion is present above the distal surface 40 in the male portion, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, operates in combination with the above-mentioned proximal surface 38, or in any case will at least operate in combination therewith when the male part moves out of the female part in an upward direction.

In fig. 7, surfaces 38 and 40 are shown somewhat separately from each other. In order to fulfill the above-mentioned characteristic, they will then actually coincide, or approximately coincide, or lie at a distance from each other only as long as the surface 40, while moving the male part upwards, in other words, when pulling the connecting parts upwards from each other friend, will come into contact with surface 38.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the floor panel according to the third aspect, the female portion, so to speak, forms a dovetail with a local locking portion formed thereon halfway along the distal side of the dovetail, either in the form of a recess or, alternatively, in the form of a protrusion. This means, for example, that with reference to FIG. 7, the surfaces 36 and 40 lie substantially or completely in their mutual extension, while the second locking part 19 is located between them. Here it is preferable that the surfaces 37 and 38 are also approximately in their mutual extension and also conform to the corresponding dovetail shape. It is then also preferred that the surfaces 37 and 38, in a connected state, operate in conjunction with, and more specifically contact, the surfaces 36 and 40.

The floor panel according to the fourth aspect shows the same basic characteristics at the edges 23 and 4-5 as defined here above. Additionally, the second pair of edges 4-5 used in the embodiment of FIG. 4 and 6, and one that is presented in more detail in FIG. 7, at least in the embodiment indicated by a thin line, further shows the following characteristic:

two contact surfaces of the second contact area C2, including possible extensions thereof, visible in cross-section, extend both to the left and to the right of the corresponding covering surface S, the covering surface S being formed as a vertical plane through the upper edges 41-42 of the connected floor panels 1, or , at least as the place where the floor panels meet each other at the top, or thus seen from above visually adjacent to each other.

In other words, this means that the covering surface S extends through the contact area C2 or, in any case, at least through the area formed by the contact surfaces, including their extensions.

Preferably, said covering surface intersects the second contact area, possibly including its extension halfway, or approximately halfway, in other words, the middle of the contact area C2, visible in cross-section, is located at or approximately in the covering surface. Additionally, it is also preferable that said intersection be located at a height that is higher than the entire first contact area C1.

An embodiment of the second pair of edges 4-5 shown in FIG. 4 and 6, also meets the conditions set out in the fifth aspect for these edges. As can be seen in FIG. 4 and 6, these edges 4-5, in addition to the main characteristics already mentioned, also show the following characteristics:

on the male part 17 at a height less than the second contact area C2, a contact surface 30 is provided which, in the connected state, together with the contact surface 31 on the then connected floor panel, forms a support point 32 which limits the movement of the male part in the downward direction ;

the connecting portions 8-9 on the second pair of edges 4-5 also exhibit one of the following three characteristics, or any combination of two or three of these characteristics, and in the example, in fact, a combination of all three:

on the distal side 33 of its distal end 34, the lower hook-shaped part 10 is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts.

the contact surfaces 30-31 forming said support point 32 are located on the lower side of the male part, and on the upper side of the protrusion 12 of the lower hook-shaped part 10, respectively, while in the connected state, distal from this support point 32, there is a remaining space 43 between the lower side of the male portion and the upper side of said protrusion, this preferably lower integral portion of the male portion, is located distally from said reference point 32, this space 43 as shown being preferably formed because the portion 44 of the upper side of the protrusion 12 is located deeper than the reference point, and/or where this space 43 visible in the section of the corresponding edge preferably extends beyond the distance D1, which is at least 1/3 of the width W of the male part;

on the underside of the protrusion 12 of the lower hook portion 10 there is a recess which extends to the distal end of the protrusion and which allows the protrusion to bend in a downward direction.

Fig. 8 shows a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 6, where this embodiment applies the characteristics of the first and fifth aspects, but not the characteristics of the second, third and fourth aspects.

In fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a second pair of edges with which, through their use, a floor panel 1 can be realized, which corresponds to the sixth aspect of the invention.

It is clear that the edges 4-5 shown in FIG. 9 contain the main characteristics already mentioned earlier. Also as can be seen, these edges also show the following combination of characteristics required according to the sixth aspect:

the contact surfaces 23-25 of the second and fourth locking parts and possible extensions of these surfaces are made flat or substantially flat;

the contact surfaces 23-25 of the second and fourth locking portions and, more specifically, the tangent line T2 formed by them form an angle A2 with the horizontal that is greater than 70°, or better yet, greater than 75°, but preferably less than 85°;

contact surfaces 23-25 of the second and fourth locking portions and possible extensions of these surfaces in the upward direction, each ending at locations L1 that are located below the upper surface 39 of the floor panels, these locations being coincident or non-coinciding with each other;

Starting from the upper ends of the contact surfaces 23-25 of the second and fourth locking part and from the possible extensions of these surfaces, up to the upper surface 39 of the floor panel, lateral edge portions 46-47 are formed, which extend more directly upward than said contact surfaces 23-25. and are preferably vertical, or approximately vertical;

At the lower edges of the male portion, guide surfaces 48-49 are provided, such as inclined portions or rounded portions, which are configured such that the male portion is automatically guided into the female portion as it is lowered.

As shown in FIG. 9, the floor panel according to the sixth aspect in its preferred embodiment is also characterized in that the upwardly directed locking element 13, which at the same time is configured so that it also functions as a third locking element 20, is elastically tiltable, preferably due to the presence of a recess 45 on the underside of the protrusion of the lower hook-shaped part 10.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1-6 also form an example of the seventh and eighth aspects of the invention. These seventh and eighth aspects defined in the introductory part and, in particular, the specific characteristics required therein for the second pair of edges will be explained in more detail

- 19 044721 with reference to FIG. 6.

As for the seventh aspect, on the second pair of edges, in addition to the main characteristics already mentioned, the following characteristic is also present:

the protrusion 12 of the lower hook-shaped portion 10, visible in a section transverse to the corresponding edge, is characterized by a first longitudinal portion P1, which is a portion extending from the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion 10 to the point where the upwardly directed locking element 13 begins, and a second longitudinal portion P2, which is formed as the most distal 75% of the first longitudinal portion P1, wherein the protrusion is reduced in thickness by at least 5%, and preferably by at least 10%, and even better by at least 30% within said second longitudinal portion P2, while preferably the distal side 33 of the distal end 34 of the lower hook portion 10 is free from vertically acting locking parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the seventh aspect, the floor panel is further characterized in that it also exhibits one of the following characteristics:

the reduction in thickness is realized at least by providing a deeper portion, namely the already mentioned portion 44 on the upper side of the protrusion 12 of the lower hook portion 10;

the thickness reduction is realized at least by providing a recess 45 on the underside of the protrusion 12 of the lower hook portion 10;

The reduction in thickness is realized by at least both measures mentioned in the previous paragraphs, whereby, preferably, in a section and in a direction perpendicular to the respective edge, there is an overlap between the aforementioned deeper portion 44 and the said recess 45.

Additionally, it is also preferable that both angles A1 and A2, for example also used in the example, are greater than 50°.

It should be noted that the eighth aspect also applies in all embodiments of FIGS. 7-10. Option according to FIG. 7, which uses surfaces 36 and 37 represented by a dotted line, further shows the characteristic stated in the introductory part that the female part 14 and the male part 17 on both sides contain portions that are together configured as dovetail-shaped portions, which are preferably located at least partially opposite to each other, in other words, extending at least partially in the same height interval.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it is clear that this embodiment also shows the specific combination of characteristics that is required according to the eighth aspect, namely:

on the lower side of the lower hook-shaped part 10 there is a recess 45, which extends from a certain location L2 on the lower side to the end of the lower hook-shaped part 10; and also visible in cross-section, said location L2 is located proximally from the upwardly directed locking element 13 and preferably at a horizontal distance H1 from it, which is more than 1/10 of the total thickness of the floor panel 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the eighth aspect, the floor panel 1 is preferably, as shown, also characterized in that the recess 45 consists of a recessed portion 50 that is recessed in relation to the effective bottom side of the floor panel, and a transition portion 51 that is located between the effective bottom side and a recessed section 50, and which provides a gradual transition.

In fig. 10 shows a floor panel 1 which is implemented in accordance with the ninth aspect of the invention. At edges 2-3 and 4-5 the floor panel shows the same basic characteristics as already defined here above. Moreover, the floor panel 1 is characterized in that it contains a prefabricated substrate 52, which consists of at least two substrate layers 53-54, each of which has a well-defined thickness TH1, TH2, respectively, namely the first substrate layer 53 based on synthetic material and a second backing layer 54, preferably located directly above, the second backing layer 54 having a thickness TH2 of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm; wherein the substrate assembly also exhibits one of the following characteristics or any combination of these characteristics:

the density of the first substrate layer 53 is different from the density of the second substrate layer 54, and preferably, the second substrate layer 54 has a higher density than the first substrate layer 53;

the first backing layer 53 is foamed and preferably of the closed cell type, and even more preferably so-called rigid foam, and preferably the second backing layer 54 is non-foamed, or less foamed, than the first backing layer 53;

the first substrate layer 53 is extruded into a plate shape or molded by a process of spraying and compacting the sprayed material into a plate;

the second substrate layer 54 is composed of an extruded layer or a layer that is formed through a process of spraying and compacting the sprayed material;

- 20 044721 two substrate layers 53-54 are glued to each other or, alternatively, combined in the same manufacturing process; this latter, for example, by mutual direct adhesion between the substrate materials or, for example, by their formation from one composite mass with at least two layers;

at least one of the aforementioned contact areas C1, C2, and preferably both, are located at least partially, and preferably entirely, in the first substrate layer 53, as is also clearly shown in FIG. 10.

Also, all combinations of two, three, four, five or all six characteristics listed here above are possible according to the ninth aspect, which takes into account all mathematically possible combinations, without thereby excluding certain combinations.

According to preferred embodiments of the floor panel according to the ninth aspect, it further comprises one or more of the features listed here below, all combinations being possible as long as they do not contain conflicting features:

said first substrate layer comprises at least a thermoplastic material;

said first backing layer is made from at least polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene or polyisocyanurate or a combination of the above;

said first backing layer is a filled composite of synthetic material, this filling preferably consisting of one or a combination of the following materials: bamboo, cork and/or wood and, more particularly, one or a combination of the above materials in the form of chips and/or fibers and /or dust or fine powder such as sawdust;

said first substrate layer is foamed;

said first support layer is of a closed-cell type;

said first support layer contains one or more plasticizers;

said first support layer contains fillers such as chalk and/or lime and/or talc;

said first substrate layer is provided with at least one reinforcing layer, preferably made of glass fiber or the like;

said first substrate layer has a thickness of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm and even more preferably at least 5 mm;

the first and/or second layer of the substrate is made water-resistant;

said second backing layer is based on a synthetic material;

said second backing layer comprises at least a thermoplastic material, which is preferably of a soft type;

said second backing layer is made from at least a vinyl base such as polyvinyl chloride, more particularly soft polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, more particularly soft polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyisocyanurate, or combinations of the above;

the second backing layer is substantially composed of one or a combination of the following materials: wood veneer, rubber, linoleum, paper-based or foil-based laminate or, alternatively, any material, in particular cork, bamboo or wood veneer, which is embedded in vinyl or resin ;

said second support layer contains one or more plasticizers;

said second backing layer contains fillers such as chalk and/or lime;

said second backing layer is provided with at least one reinforcing layer, preferably made of glass fiber or the like;

the floor panel comprises a protective layer, which is preferably located immediately below the first backing layer, this protective layer, for example, being made from one or more of the following materials: cork, rubber and/or a soft foam layer;

the floor panel comprises a top layer, whether or not consisting of a plurality of layers, wherein the top layer is preferably located directly above the second backing layer, and/or the second backing layer is provided with a protective layer on the underside of the second backing layer;

the top layer contains at least a decorative layer, preferably in the form of a print, preferably provided on a foil or film;

said top layer comprises at least a translucent or transparent wear layer and/or is provided with hard particles to improve wear resistance, such as corundum;

the floor panel has an overall thickness that is less than 10 mm, better yet around 8 mm or possibly thinner;

said first support layer gradually foams, the degree of foaming increasing in a lower or upper direction.

Fig. 11 and 12 represent a second pair of floor panel edges that are in accordance with the tenth aspect of the invention. In fig. 11 shows the contours of the connecting parts 8-9, these contours being simply represented with their upper edges facing each other, but in a non-connected state. Fig. 12 shows the same edges, but in a connected state.

- 21 044721

As mentioned in the introductory part, the tenth aspect provides a floor panel for forming a floor covering, this floor panel 1 comprising a first pair of opposing edges 2-3 as well as a second pair of opposing edges 4-5 similar to the illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Also according to the tenth aspect, the first pair of opposite edges 2-3 includes connecting parts 6-7, which are, for example, similar to FIG. 5 allow two such floor panels 1 to be connected to each other, and these connecting parts 6-7 have the following characteristics:

the connecting parts 6-7 contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks in the plane of the floor panels and perpendicular to the corresponding edges 2-3;

the connecting parts 6-7 also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels, locks across the plane of the floor panels;

the connecting parts 6-7 are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself; and the connecting parts 6-7 are configured in such a way that two of such panels can be connected to each other at these edges through a rotational movement.

Also according to the tenth aspect, the second pair of opposite edges 4-5 also includes connecting parts 8-9 on both edges, which allow two such floor panels 1 to be mutually connected to each other, and these connecting parts 8-9 exhibit the following characteristics:

the connecting parts 8-9 contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, locks in the plane of the floor panels 1 and perpendicular to the corresponding edges 4-5;

the connecting parts 8-9 also contain a vertically operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1, locks across the plane of the floor panels 1;

the connecting parts 8-9 are essentially made from the material of the floor panel itself;

the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges 4-5 is formed of at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part 10, which is located on one of the two edges 4, as well as a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped part 11, which is located on the opposite edge 5, wherein the lower hook-shaped portion 10 consists of a projection 12 with an upwardly directed locking element 13, which, in its proximal direction, forms a female part 14 in the form of a recess, while the upper hook-shaped portion 11 consists of a projection 15 with a downwardly directed locking element 16 forming a male part 17;

the connecting parts 8-9 are configured such that two of such floor panels 1 can be connected to each other at their respective edges 4-5 by lowering one floor panel in relation to the other;

a vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts 18, 19, 20, 21, which, through corresponding contact surfaces 22, 23, 24, 25, form at least a first contact area C1 and a second contact area C2, which are located on opposite sides the sides of the male part 17 and the female part 14;

the above-mentioned vertically acting locking portions include a first locking portion 18 and a second locking portion 19 on respective opposite sides 26-27 of the male portion 17, and a third locking portion 20 and a fourth locking portion 21 on respective opposite sides 28-29 of the female portion 14;

the first and third locking parts 18, 20, respectively, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1 form the said first contact area C1, while having contact surfaces 22 and 24, which in the connected state form at least one inclined tangent line T1;

the second and fourth locking parts 19, 21, respectively, in the connected state of two such floor panels 1 form the said second contact area C2, while having contact surfaces 23 and 25, which in the connected state also form at least one inclined tangent line T2;

said male portion 17 has a distal side 27 and a proximal side 26, with a second locking portion 19 located on the distal side 27;

and also the mentioned two tangent lines T1-T2 are upwardly inclined towards each other from the corresponding contact zones C1-C2.

According to the tenth aspect, the floor panel is characterized in that the upward locking element 13, the downward locking element 16 and the corresponding contact surfaces of the first contact area C1 are configured such that the upward locking element 13 with its corresponding contact surface, in a connected state, receives several an inclined position relative to the position assumed by this contact surface in a free state; and the fact that both contact surfaces of the first contact zone in a non-connected

- 22 044721 state are mutually oriented, deviating in such a way that in the connected state a less deviating or non-deviating orientation in mutual relation is obtained. This is clearly shown in Fig. 11 and 12. In FIG. 11 clearly shows that the respective contact surfaces in the free state have a mutually deviating orientation, whereas in the connected state in FIG. 12 they have the appropriate orientation and thus coincide with each other.

According to FIG. 11, the above-mentioned contact surfaces, when in their free state their contours are presented one above the other, are inclined towards each other in a downward direction or, in other words, in a downward direction, a reduction in overlap is achieved.

As shown, it is preferable that the contact surfaces are substantially flat and that, when in their free state, the contours of the connecting parts are presented one above the other, the corresponding contact surfaces exhibit an angular difference AD of 2 to 10 degrees.

According to another preferred characteristic of the tenth aspect, the tangent line T2, which is formed by the above-mentioned second contact area C2, forms an angle A2 with the horizontal that is less than 60°, and even better less than 55°, and even better 45 to 52°, or alternatively , is 45°, and alternatively even less than 45°. This small angle provides better grip. In combination with the main characteristic of the tenth aspect, this also provides a synergistic effect. The inventor has in fact discovered that in such connections, which are critical since their connection should not be too complex, but at the same time must also be able to provide sufficient locking, a combination of certain characteristics sometimes gives unexpectedly good results.

The use of such values for angle A2 can also be used in combination with other aspects of the invention as long as it is not controversial.

It is clear that the locking element 13 or at least its corresponding contact surface, according to the tenth aspect, must be tiltable. This inclination can be implemented in any way. Preferably, a recess 45 is provided for this purpose on the underside of the floor panel, but other methods are not excluded. Tilting can also be achieved, for example, as a result of the elasticity of the material.

The tenth aspect generally does not contain any requirements regarding the fact whether the lower hook-shaped portion 10 on the distal side 33 is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts or not. So there are three different possibilities, each of which is interesting. According to the first possibility, of which the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 is an example, the distal side 33 in the connected state is free from any contact with the connected floor panel. This embodiment provides a very smooth connection. According to the second possibility, for which an example is the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, at the height of the distal side 33 and the adjacent side of the connected floor panel, there is a mutual contact 33A in which the respective floor panels become adjacent to each other in a fitting or clamping manner. Here, optionally, additional pressing can be provided by the support portion 33B, which in the connected state presses against the underlying floor and thus creates a force with which the locking element 13 is pressed in the upward direction and/or with which at least prevents the locking element 13 from tilting in the outer direction. According to this second possibility, there is no vertically acting mechanical locking, but in fact a clamp may be created due to friction. The advantage of the second possibility is that the tilting locking element is more or less stuck, with the result that, in the installed state, a higher resistance must be overcome in the first contact area in order to pull the floor panels vertically away from each other. According to a third possibility, an example of which is shown in FIG. 14, at the height of the distal side 33 and the adjacent floor panel, vertically acting locking parts may also be provided which engage with each other and which affect the mechanical locking 33C. This creates additional locking.

It should be noted that the distinctive part of the tenth aspect can also be applied in a broader sense. Thus, the invention provides a departing aspect whereby the distinctive part of the tenth aspect is applied in any so-called latch lock or folding connection, thus with the only requirement that in the first contact area there are inwardly directed contact surfaces which must fulfill the distinctive part of the tenth aspect, while in the place where the second contact zone is usually present, vertical locking is present or not, and in the case of locking it can be either. Fig. 15 and 16 show other examples with a height-locked second contact area. Fig. 17 shows an example where the above-mentioned second contact zone is replaced by a zone in which vertical locking is not present. Fig. 15-17 also show that it is always possible, if desired, to provide an additional vertically acting mechanical lock 33C at the height of the distal side 33.

The floor panels of the invention may also contain one or more of the following:

- 23 044721 signs. These characteristics can be mutually combined by choice, and all possible combinations are taken into account, since they do not contain conflicting characteristics and are therefore possible. Moreover, any of these features or any possible combination of features can be applied to a floor panel of any of the above aspects or combination of aspects, of course, as long as such combination does not contain conflicting characteristics. The following signs are meant:

the connecting parts 6-7 and 8-9 are implemented in such a way on the floor panel 1 that a plurality of such floor panels 1 can be installed in accordance with the folding principle;

the floor panel 1 is oblong, rectangular, and the first pair of opposing edges 2-3 define the long sides of the floor panel 1, while the second pair of opposing edges 4-5 define the short sides of the floor panel 1;

the connecting parts 8-9 on the second pair of edges 4-5 can be connected to each other through a downward snapping movement;

the connecting parts on the first and/or second pair of edges are produced substantially as profiled parts in the floor panel material, preferably substantially or entirely by machining, preferably by one or more milling operations, for example by milling cutters that are active at different working angles, and even more specifically, with cutters whose axis of rotation during use is located externally to the floor panel;

the connecting parts on the first and/or second pair of edges are made in the form of millable profiled parts, which can be milled by means of a milling cutter with an axis of rotation, which during milling is located externally to the floor panels;

the aforementioned male portion 17 is divided or not divided; preferably, the male part is a solid part, which is thus, for example, as in FIG. 4 and 6, is solid between sides 26 and 27 and then does not separate, which provides massive support for the locking parts 18 and 19; Alternatively, the male part is not solid and consists of one or more cavities or recesses, whereby it can, for example, be divided, such presence of cavities or recesses having the advantage that the locking parts 18 and/or 19 can be several more elastically mobile; one or the other option can then be selected depending on the material used and/or the function of the desired locking effect;

on the second pair of edges, only one male part is applied, regardless of whether it is divided or not;

in the above-mentioned male part 17 there is only one vertically acting locking part 19, which in the connected state forms a tangent line T2 less than 70° with the horizontal, while the others, one or more vertically acting parts, can actually be represented, in other words, by one or more locking parts which, when connected, form only a tangent line or tangent lines T1 which forms or forms an angle of 70 degrees or more with the horizontal;

the contact surfaces of the second and/or fourth locking part 19, 21, respectively, and preferably both contact surfaces, are respectively made flat;

the contact surfaces of the second and/or fourth locking part, and preferably both, are made respectively curved; here, the contact surface of the fourth locking part is preferably convex, while the contact surface of the second locking part is flat or curved, and preferably is concave;

the lower hook-shaped portion 10, and more particularly its protrusion 12, is resiliently bendable and/or deformable;

on the lower side of the protrusion there is a recess 45, preferably configured in such a way that the upwardly directed locking element 13 is resiliently tiltable;

in the connected state, a downwardly directed support point 32 is provided on the male portion 17;

there is a space 43 at the bottom of the male part;

the recess 45 and/or the support point 32 and/or the space 43 mentioned in the previous paragraphs are configured as already explained with reference to the drawings;

in the connected state, the space 55 is present behind the distal end of the lower hook-shaped portion 10;

in the connected state, a space 56 is present above the upwardly directed locking element 13, the space being preferably made continuous with the space 55 mentioned in the previous paragraph;

the previously mentioned angle A1 is preferably greater than 75° and more particularly between 77 and 85°, and even better approximately 80°;

the previously mentioned angle A1 is less than 90° and preferably less than 87°, and even better, less than 85°;

- 24 044721 the previously mentioned angle A2 is more than 45°;

the previously mentioned angle A2 is less than 75°, and even better less than 70° and even better less than

65°, and even better less than 55°, and even better is from 45 to 52° and, alternatively, even 45° or according to another alternative less than 45°;

the two contact surfaces of the second contact area C2, including possible extensions thereof, visible in cross-section, extend both to the left and to the right of the corresponding covering surface S, the covering surface S being formed as a vertical plane through the upper edges 41-42 of the connected floor panels, or, at least where the floor panels meet together at the top;

the central point of the second contact zone C2 is located higher than the central point of the first contact zone C1;

the connecting parts on the first pair of edges and/or on the second pair of edges are made entirely of the material of the floor panel 1 and, more particularly, of the substrate forming part of the floor panel;

above said second contact area C2, the distal end of the upper hook-shaped element is completely free from downwardly acting support points, or in any case at least free from support points which, in the connected state, form tangent lines forming an angle with the horizontal that is less than 45°;

On the male and/or female part, inclined and/or rounded portions are formed, which are configured in such a way that the male part, during its lowering, is automatically guided into the female part, this happening during connection in accordance with the folding principle and/or during connection through plane-parallel descent; said guide surfaces 48 and 49 form examples thereof;

the connecting parts in the first pair and/or the second pair of edges are configured in such a way that, in the connected state, there is a so-called pre-tension that pushes the respective floor panels at the respective edges towards each other, this being preferably done by applying overlapping contours, and when in this case, pretension is the result of deformation, either elastic bending, or elastic compression, or a combination of both; an example of this is also described here above in greater detail by means of the curved protrusion 12A in FIG. 6;

the connecting portions on the second pair of edges are free of hook-and-loop fasteners and/or adhesive connections;

the floor panel is provided with curves, such as chamfers, on the first and/or second pair of edges;

the floor panel has a top layer and/or a decorative layer that extends in one piece from the horizontal top surface of the floor panel to the chamfers;

chamfers are formed by stamping;

the floor panel has a decorative top layer, the top layer being indicated in FIG. by reference numeral 57;

the floor panels comprise a backing 52, which may or may not consist of multiple parts, and which may or may not consist of a plurality of backing layers 53-54, the underlay or, in the case of multiple layers, at least one of the backing layers consisting of a material that performs one or several or any combination of the following characteristics, so long as such combination is not inconsistent:

synthetic-based material, foamed or not, resilient or hard, with or without plasticizer, and whether or not filled with wood or bamboo-based material, for example in the form of fibers, dust or sawdust and/or filled with other substances, e.g. chalk, lime, talc, soil fillers based on stone species;

a synthetic material that is foamed with fine pores such that the majority of the synthetic material contains pores and/or gas inclusions having dimensions of less than 1 mm and preferably less than 0.1 mm and even better less than 0.01 mm, by which it is meant that the majority of the volume of the material concerned is therefore free of large pores and/or that on average the pores correspond to the above-mentioned dimensions;

a synthetic material which is obtained by extruding a synthetic material starting material into a platelet material, wherein in a preferred embodiment the material is foamed, which in turn is preferably of fine pores such that most a material based on a synthetic material, as mentioned above, contains pores and/or gas inclusions having dimensions of less than 1 mm and preferably less than 0.1 mm, and even better less than 0.01 mm;

synthetic material material which is produced by casting a synthetic material base material, whether or not combined with other materials, through a process of spreading and compacting it under pressure and possibly increased temperature, into the form of a plate material, preferably Alternatively, the resulting material is foamed, which in turn is preferred, with fine pores, which are such that most of the synthetic material, as mentioned above, contains pores and/or gas inclusions of the size less than 1 mm, and preferably less than 0.1 mm, and even better less than 0.01 mm;

a synthetic material consisting of or based on, or containing one of the following materials: PP, PUR, PET, PVC, PIR or other suitable synthetic materials;

a material based on a synthetic material with plasticizers, the material based on a synthetic material being preferably selected from the materials mentioned in the previous paragraph;

wood material, for example MDF, fibreboard, prefabricated wood panels, more particularly so-called artificial wood panels, possibly with adapted cores or end strips, in which case, in the latter case, preferably the connecting part 6 and/or the connecting part 7 is made in an adapted core or adapted end strip; by adapted it is meant that, in relation to the classic panel, a material adapted for the core or for one or more end strips is used, which is better suited for the implementation of the connecting parts 8 and/or 9, here;

The floor panel is manufactured as one of the following types:

like laminated floor panel;

as the so-called elastic floor panel;

LVT panel or CVT panel or comparable panel based on a synthetic material other than vinyl;

a floor panel with a first synthetic material, preferably a foam backing layer, over it, preferably a thinner second layer of backing or vinyl or other synthetic material;

as a floor panel with a solid synthetic backing.

It should be noted that the aforementioned vertically operating locking system VL and horizontally operating locking system HL of the first pair of edges 2-3 can be implemented in any way. Preferably, however, for this purpose, as shown in FIG. 5, for a vertically operating locking system VL, a tongue 58 and a groove 59 should be used, this groove being preferably defined by a lower lip 60 and an upper lip 61. For a horizontally operating locking system, locking portions 62 and 63 are used, which are provided on the tongue and groove, and which, in connected conditions, engage each other. Here, it is preferable that the lower projection 60 extends distally beyond the upper projection 61, and that the locking portion 63 also exhibits a locking surface that is located beyond the distal end of the upper projection 61.

Additionally, it should be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the fourth locking part 21 is designed as a more or less triangular nose-shaped protruding part in the wall of the female part. It should also be noted here that other forms of locking parts in the second contact area C2 are not excluded. Thus, for example, the corresponding locking parts can be respectively implemented, for example, in the form of a rounded protrusion and a cooperating, preferably also rounded, recess. In fig. 7 schematically illustrates two possible embodiments. According to a first possibility, the locking parts are implemented as rounded parts connected to each other, which are curved towards the male part, more specifically, according to line 65. According to an alternative, they are curved outwards relative to the male part, for example, as indicated by line 66. Since all combinations of characteristics are possible, it is clear that this may further be combined with specific characteristics of the second and/or third and/or fourth aspects.

It should be noted that according to the receding alternative embodiment, the connecting portions on the first pair of edges do not necessarily need to be connected through a pivoting motion, but are indeed configured to at least be connected to each other through a lowering motion. In this case, connecting parts with the same characteristics as those specified in the previous paragraphs for the second pair of edges can also be used on the first pair of edges. The connecting parts on both pairs of edges can then possibly be designed identical to each other. Such a floor panel can be connected by lowering, plane parallel to the floor, to the surrounding floor panels. It should be noted that this is a retreating embodiment, however, that the invention best shows its advantages with floor panels that can be installed according to the folding principle.

According to another, then indeed clearly departing, alternative embodiment, which is preferably actually used in combination with the folding principle, there is no vertical locking in the first contact area, which means that there is no mechanical vertically acting locking and only horizontal locking is present. This means that the contact surfaces in the first contact area C1 are vertical or, as can be seen from the female locking part, inclined from bottom to top in the outer direction. Such a retreat

- 26 044721 can be integrated into each of the above embodiments according to the previous aspects, whereby new aspects are then obtained. Then, at least a number of the resulting combinations remain new and inventive.

According to the invention, the term tangent line can be interpreted in several different ways. In general, a line should be understood as being tangent between two interacting contact surfaces; the place where this tangent line is considered may be random; however, this should generally be considered in the middle position, or therefore the global tangent line should be considered unless otherwise specified. Alternatively, according to this application, the term tangent line can also be replaced by the direction of the interacting contact surfaces, or the average or global direction or global tangent line.

Indented or more specific definitions for the tangent line that may be applied according to the alternatives are the following:

when the second and fourth locking portions form a plurality of tangent lines, for example, since the interacting contact surfaces are not flat, a tangent line from the second contact area that makes the smallest angle with the horizontal is taken;

when the second and fourth locking portions form a plurality of tangent lines, for example, since the interacting contact surfaces are not flat, a tangent line from the second contact area that is determined by the middle of the second contact area is taken;

when the first and third locking portions form a plurality of tangent lines, for example, since the interacting contact surfaces are not flat, a tangent line from the first contact area that makes the largest angle with the horizontal is taken;

when the first and third locking portions form a plurality of tangent lines, for example, since the interacting contact surfaces are not planar, a tangent line from the first contact area, which is determined by the middle of the first contact area, is taken.

Additionally, it should be noted that the terms male distal side and female proximal side typically also include extensions of those sides to the top side of the floor panel.

Linear contact can also be understood from contact surfaces and contact zones; The contact surface or contact zone is basically the place where, under bonded conditions and subject to possible load, actual contact occurs. When talking about extensions of contact surfaces, it is necessary to understand the actual extensions of the surfaces near the specific location where the actual contact exists. In this case, it does not refer to a theoretical, non-existent extension.

Underneath the backing layers located directly above each other, it is possible that there is an adhesive or a thin layer, such as a reinforcing fiber, such as fiberglass or the like, between these layers.

Connecting parts that are substantially made of floor panel material mean that at least their essential components are formed integrally from floor panel material, and that at least all locking parts and locking elements are formed integrally from floor panel material. In other words, this means that separate locking strips such as resiliently bendable locking strips (eg known under the names Multifit, 5G, etc.) are not used. The above does not exclude, for example, that the connecting parts used according to the invention may be provided with a coating or the like. The above also does not exclude the fact that the connecting parts are formed integrally in edge strips, which consist of a specially selected material, and which are used on the edges of the backing of a floor panel, such as those known, for example, from the production of so-called engineered wood panels.

The V and H links represent the vertical and horizontal directions.

According to a certain characteristic, the middle of the contact area C2 is located at a vertical distance VD2 under the top side of the floor panel, which is at least 0.25 and better at least 0.28 and even better at least 0.30 times the total thickness THP of the floor panel . It is dependent that the middle of the contact zone C2 is located at a distance VD1 from the bottom side, which is at least 0.35, and even better at least 0.40 times the thickness of the THP. This is especially useful for thin floor panels of 5mm thickness or less and/or resilient type floor panels, more specifically LVT and the like. This idea can also be applied independently by only using the above-mentioned basic characteristics of edges.

It is clear that with the above term that the tangent lines T1 and T2 are inclined towards each other from their respective contact areas, this means not only that they intersect each other at the intersection in the upward direction, but also that this intersection is located between the vertical through the first contact zone and vertically through the second contact zone. In other words, this means that in the same section, one of the tangent lines from top to bottom is slanted to the left, while the other tangent line is slanted to the right.

-

Claims (25)

It is understood that the invention can be applied to at least oblong rectangular as well as square floor panels, with classic installation patterns as well as special installation patterns such as herringbone. It is understood that when it is stated that the lower hook-shaped part on the distal side of its distal end is free from vertically acting mechanical locking parts, this means that the mechanical parts are not engaged or arranged behind each other, which resists release in the upper direction. Here, frictional contact is possible, at least as illustrated in the respective embodiments, but it is preferable that no contact exists at all. The invention can be applied to relatively thin floor panels to form a floor covering, for example 4 mm or thinner, as well as to thicker floor panels. As may be the case with all embodiments, this always applies to embodiments in which the connecting parts on the second pair of edges in the non-operating position form contours that, when presented to each other, fit to be vertically behind each other in the first and third locking parts and This therefore does not apply to locking parts which must first be brought into position by an actuator such as is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 9,260,870 B2. In other words, the first and third locking portions form contours on their contact surfaces, the contours engaging each other only due to the intrinsic snapping effect of the lower hook portion. In still other words, a lower hook-shaped part is used, from which the upwardly directed locking element 13 performs elastic movement to and from during connection, whereby in particular the female part is first opened in order to subsequently be elastically closed. However, this does not exclude that an additional support portion, for example 33B, can be applied in addition to the locking element 13, which closes by its own elasticity, so as to further counteract, in the final closed state, the elastic reverse movement. This support portion 33B then does not function as an actuator, but only as an additional lock. The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; on the contrary, such floor panels can be implemented in accordance with various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. CLAIM 1. A floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel (1) comprising a first pair of opposing edges (2-3) as well as a second pair of opposing edges (4-5); wherein the first pair of opposite edges (2-3) comprises connecting parts (6-7) which allow two such floor panels (1) to be mutually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts (6-7) show the following characteristics: the connecting parts (6-7) contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks in the plane of the floor panels (1) and perpendicular to the corresponding edges (2-3); the connecting parts (6-7) also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks across the plane of the floor panels; the connecting parts (6-7) are essentially made from the material of the floor panel (1) itself, and the connecting parts (6-7) are configured in such a way that two of such panels (1) can be connected to each other on these edges by means of a turning movement (R); wherein the second pair of opposite edges (4-5) also contains connecting parts (8-9) on both edges, which allow two such floor panels (1) to be mutually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts (8 -9) show the following characteristics: the connecting parts (8-9) contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks in the plane of the floor panels (1) and perpendicular to the corresponding edges (4-5); the connecting parts (8-9) also contain a vertically operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks across the plane of the floor panels; the connecting parts (8-9) are essentially made of the material of the floor panel (1) itself; the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges (4-5) is formed from at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part (10), which is located on one of the two edges (4), as well as a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped part (11) , which is located on the opposite edge (5), and the lower hook-shaped part (10) consists of a protrusion (12) with an upwardly directed locking element (13), which in its proximal region forms a female part (14) in the form of a recess while the upper hook-shaped part (11) consists of a protrusion (15) with a downwardly directed locking element (16) forming a male part (17); the connecting parts (8-9) are configured in such a way that two of such floor panels (1) can be connected to each other at their respective edges (4-5) by lowering (M) one floor panel relative to the other; the horizontally acting locking system comprises horizontally acting locking parts (18, 20), which, through corresponding contact surfaces (22, 24), form at least a first contact area (C1), wherein the horizontally acting locking parts comprise a first locking part (18) on the proximal side of the downwardly directed locking element (16) and a third locking part (20) on the proximal side of the upwardly directed locking element (13); the first and third locking part (18, 20) in the connected state of two such floor panels (1) form the mentioned first contact zone (C1), while having contact surfaces (22, 24), which in the connected state form at least one inclined tangent line (T1); there is horizontal locking, but not vertical locking in the first contact area (C1); the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts (19, 21), which by means of corresponding contact surfaces (23, 25) form at least a second contact zone (C2); the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts comprise a second locking part (19) on a distal side (27) of the male part (17), as well as a fourth locking part (21) on the proximal end of the upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part (10); the second and fourth locking part (19, 21) in the connected state of two such floor panels (1) form the mentioned second contact zone (C2), while having contact surfaces (23, 25), which in the connected state also form at least one inclined tangent line (T2); the lower hook-shaped portion (10) includes, on a distal side (33) of its distal end (34), a locking portion, the locking portion being provided at a proximal end of the male portion (17); wherein in the connected state at their second pair of opposite edges (4, 5) of two such panels, vertically acting locking is provided by engaging a locking portion on the distal side (33) of the distal end (34) of the lower hook-shaped portion (10) with a locking portion on the proximal end male part (17), and on the second pair of edges (4-5) the protrusion (12) of the lower hook-shaped part (10), visible in a section transverse to the corresponding edge, contains a first longitudinal section (P1), which is a section extending from the proximal the end of the lower hook-shaped portion (10) to the point where the upwardly directed closing element (13) begins, and contains a second longitudinal section (P2), which is formed as the most distal 75% of the first longitudinal section (P1), with the protrusion decreasing in thickness at least 5% inside the above-mentioned second longitudinal section (P2). 2. The floor panel according to claim 1, wherein in the connected state at their second pair of opposite edges (4, 5) of two such panels, vertically acting locking is provided by engaging each other with a locking portion on the distal side (33) of the distal end (34 ) a lower hook-shaped part (10) with a locking part at the proximal end of the male part (17). 3. The floor panel according to any one of the previous paragraphs, in which the locking part provided at the proximal end of the male part (17) contains or is provided with a projection. 4. The floor panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking portion on the distal side (33) of the distal end (34) of the lower hook portion (10) comprises or is provided with a recess or undercut. 5. The floor panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the underside of the lower hook portion (10) there is a recess (45) which extends from a certain location (L2) on the underside to the end of the lower hook portion (10). 6. The floor panel according to claim 5, in which, as can be seen in cross-section, said location (L2) is located proximally from the upwardly directed closing element (13). 7. The floor panel according to any one of claims 5, 6, in which the recess (45) consists of a recessed portion (50), which is recessed in relation to the effective lower side of the floor panel, and a transition portion (51), which is located between the effective lower side side and a recessed portion (50) and which provides a gradual transition. 8. The floor panel according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the recess (45) allows the protrusion of the lower hook-shaped part to bend in a downward direction. 9. The floor panel according to any of the previous paragraphs, wherein the second pair of edges also shows the following characteristic: - 29 044721 on the male part (17) at a height lower than the second contact area (C2), a contact surface (30) is provided, which, in a connected state, together with the contact surface (31) on the then connected floor panel (1) forms a supporting point (32), which limits the movement of the male part in the downward direction; contact surfaces (30-31) forming said support point (32) are located on the lower side of the male part, and on the upper side of the protrusion (12) of the lower hook-shaped part (10), respectively, while in a connected state, distal from this support point (32), there is a space (43) between the lower side of the male part and the upper side of the said protrusion, this space (43) being formed because the portion (44) of the upper side of the protrusion (12) is located deeper than the reference point. 10. The floor panel according to any of the previous claims, wherein the second locking part (19) contains or consists of a recess on the distal side (27) of the male part (17). 11. The floor panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fourth locking portion (21) comprises or consists of a projection at the proximal end of the upwardly directed lower hook portion (10). 12. The floor panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upward closing element (13), the downward closing element (16) and the corresponding contact surfaces of the first contact area (C1) are configured such that the upward closing element (13) with its corresponding contact surface in the connected state assumes a slightly inclined position relative to the position that this contact surface assumes in the free state; and that both contact surfaces of the first contact zone in the unconnected state are mutually oriented, deviating in such a way that in the connected state a less deviating or non-deviating orientation in mutual relation is obtained. 13. The floor panel according to claim 12, wherein the contact surfaces of the first contact area in the connected state coincide with each other or approximately coincide with each other. 14. The floor panel according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said contact surfaces, when in their free state, their contours are presented one above the other, fit together in a downward direction or, in other words, provide a reduction in overlap in a downward direction. 15. The floor panel according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said contact surfaces are substantially flat and when in their free state the contours of the connecting parts are presented one above the other, the corresponding contact surfaces show an angular difference of 2 to 10° . 16. The floor panel of any of the preceding paragraphs, which is a laminated floor panel containing one or more wood-based materials, MDF, fiberboard, prefabricated wood panels or engineered wood. 17. The floor panel according to any of the previous paragraphs, which contains a rigid substrate based on synthetic material. 18. The floor panel according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the tangent line (T2), which is defined by the second contact area (C2), forms an angle (A2) with the horizontal that is less than 45°. 19. The floor panel according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the tangent line (T1), which is formed by the first and third closing parts (18, 20), is steeper relative to the plane of the floor panel (1) than the tangent line (T2), which formed by the second and fourth closing portions (19, 21), or in other words, the angle (A1) of the first mentioned tangent line (T1) with the horizontal is greater than the angle (A2) of the second tangent line (T2) with the horizontal. 20. Floor panel according to claim 19, wherein the difference between both said angles (A1-A2) is at least 5°. 21. The floor panel according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the tangent line (T1) of the first contact zone (C1) has an angle (A1) with a horizontal direction of more than 75°. 22. The floor panel according to any one of the previous paragraphs, which is rectangular, the connecting parts being configured so that the floor panels can be installed in the floor covering by a folding installation method. 23. The floor panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein rounded portions are formed on the male and female portions, which are configured in such a way that the male portion, during its lowering, is automatically guided into the female portion, this occurring during connection in accordance with the folding principle or during connection via plane-parallel lowering. 24. A floor panel for forming a floor covering, the floor panel (1) comprising a first pair of opposing edges (2-3) as well as a second pair of opposing edges (4-5); wherein the first pair of opposite edges (2-3) contains connecting parts (6-7), which allow two such floor panels (1) to be mutually connected to each other, and at the same time - 30 044721 the mentioned connecting parts (6-7) show the following characteristics: the connecting parts (6-7) contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks in the plane of the floor panels (1) and perpendicular to the corresponding edges (2-3); the connecting parts (6-7) also contain a vertically acting locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks across the plane of the floor panels; the connecting parts (6-7) are essentially made of the material of the floor panel (1) itself; and also the connecting parts (6-7) are configured in such a way that two of such panels (1) can be connected to each other at these edges by means of a rotary movement (R); wherein the second pair of opposite edges (4-5) also contains connecting parts (8-9) on both edges, which allow two such floor panels (1) to be mutually connected to each other, and wherein said connecting parts (8 -9) show the following characteristics: the connecting parts (8-9) contain a horizontally operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks in the plane of the floor panels (1) and perpendicular to the corresponding edges (4-5); the connecting parts (8-9) also contain a vertically operating locking system, which, in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), locks across the plane of the floor panels; the connecting parts (8-9) are essentially made of the material of the floor panel (1) itself; the horizontally acting locking system of the second pair of edges (4-5) is formed from at least an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part (10), which is located on one of the two edges (4), as well as a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped part (11) , which is located on the opposite edge (5), and the lower hook-shaped part (10) consists of a protrusion (12) with an upwardly directed locking element (13), which in its proximal region forms a female part (14) in the form of a recess, while the upper the hook-shaped part (11) consists of a protrusion (15) with a downwardly directed locking element (16) forming a male part (17); the connecting parts (8-9) are configured in such a way that two of such floor panels (1) can be connected to each other at their respective edges (4-5) by lowering (M) one floor panel relative to the other; the horizontally acting locking system comprises horizontally acting locking parts (18, 20), which, through corresponding contact surfaces (22, 24), form at least a first contact area (C1), wherein the horizontally acting locking parts comprise a first locking part (18) on the proximal side of the downwardly directed locking element (16) and a third locking part (20) on the proximal side of the upwardly directed locking element (13); the first and third locking part (18, 20), in the connected state of two such floor panels (1), form the mentioned first contact zone (C1), while having contact surfaces (22, 24), which in the connected state form at least one inclined tangent line (T1); there is horizontal locking, but not vertical locking in the first contact area (C1); the vertically acting locking system comprises vertically acting locking parts (19, 21), which by means of corresponding contact surfaces (23, 25) form at least a second contact zone (C2); the above-mentioned vertically acting locking parts comprise a second locking part (19) on a distal side (27) of the male part (17), as well as a fourth locking part (21) on the proximal end of the upwardly directed lower hook-shaped part (10); the second and fourth locking part (19, 21) in the connected state of two such floor panels (1) form the mentioned second contact zone (C2), while having contact surfaces (23, 25), which in the connected state also form at least one inclined tangent line (T2); the lower hook-shaped part (10) contains on the distal side (33) of its distal end (34) a locking part, and the locking part is provided on the proximal end of the male part (17); wherein in the connected state at their second pair of opposite edges (4, 5) of two such panels, vertically acting locking is provided by engaging a locking portion on the distal side (33) of the distal end (34) of the lower hook-shaped portion (10) with a locking portion on the proximal end male part (17); wherein the tangent line (T1), which is formed by the first and third closing parts (18, 20), is steeper relative to the plane of the floor panel (1) than the tangent line (T2), which is formed by the second and fourth closing parts (19, 21) , or in other words, the angle (A1) of the first mentioned tangent line (T1) with the horizontal is greater than the angle (A2) of the second tangent line (T2) with the horizontal. 25. The floor panel according to claim 24, in which, in the connected state, on their second pair of opposite -