EP1170438A1 - Parquet or floor element - Google Patents

Abstract

The lath (1) has on each of its lateral edges (12,13) a fitting section which engages a complementary section on the opposite edge of an adjacent lath. The section comprises a tongue (2,3) and a groove (4,5) parallel to the large, contiguous faces (10,11) so that they are adjoined by a common facet (6,7).

Description

The present invention relates to a parquet or floor slat.

Traditional parquet slats have two edges opposite one of which has a tongue and the other a groove, which are intended to the connection by interlocking of two adjacent slats during the assembly of the parquet.

To make a floating parquet, we use wooden slats laminated, and the slats are glued to each other at the joint tongue / groove.

The laminated wooden slats are usually formed of several layers, an upper layer - or facing - made of noble wood, for example in oak, an intermediate layer - or core - for example in coniferous or agglomerated, and a lower layer - or facing -, by example in softwood.

A floor does not have noble wood siding. It is made of simple plywood slats, and its surface is covered with a protective material and / or decorative. In the present description and for the sake of clarity, we will use conventionally the term "parquet" as well to designate a real parquet only to designate a simple floor.

The connection, by tongue and groove glued, of two adjacent slats is relatively fragile.

There are inevitably internal tensions within the prosecution, due to dimensional variations of the wood at ambient humidity. These efforts of tension, which can be very important if the parquet has a large surface act in the plane of the parquet, transversely to the slats. They tend to spread each other the different slats, and it happens that the connection between the tongue and the groove comes off, which causes a rupture of the assembly.

This phenomenon of detachment or dislocation, located in the tongue-groove area, is further increased if we are dealing with floating parquet on resilient underlay, that is to say a parquet whose slats are placed not on joists but on a flexible underlay, for example of material foam.

In this case, in fact, when the parquet is subject to distribution non uniform weight, because each slat has a certain freedom of movement in vertical direction, there is a "wobbling" effect corresponding to a couple of forces whose axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the lath. This torque must be absorbed by the adjacent slat, at the connection groove / tongue, which is also a cause of rupture of this connection.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a slat of parquet which, while being simple in design and cost acceptable, allows to solve the problems which have just been mentioned.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a type of batten to obtain a perfectly flat parquet.

Another object of the invention is to give the bonding area of two adjacent slats perfect symmetry with regard to the distribution of forces applying to parquet, to allow if necessary - in particular in case of a surface of large parquet, subject to high stresses - effective consolidation, by pointing using so-called "man-headed" points, with central positioning of each point in the connection zone.

Advantageously, an additional objective of the invention is to allow machining of each of the two edges of the batten by means of a single and same cutter, of adequate shape, the machining of each edge being done simply after turning the batten

Like traditional slats, the parquet slat which is the subject of the present invention has a profile on each of its side edges socket intended to engage in a complementary profile provided on the opposite edge of an adjacent slat.

This parquet slat, which one could call "hermaphrodite", is remarkable in that said profile comprises a tongue and a parallel groove with large and contiguous faces, so that they are contiguous by a facet common.

• le profil de l'un de ses chants comporte, du haut vers le bas, une première facette verticale, une languette, une rainure, et une seconde facette verticale coplanaire à la première, lesdites languette et rainure étant orientées horizontalement, et présentant des sections droites rectangulaires ou carrées ainsi dimensionnées que la section de la languette correspond, au jeu d'emboítement près, à celle de la rainure, cette languette et cette rainure étant contiguës et attenantes par une facette horizontale commune ;
• le profil de son autre chant possède une forme analogue, mais inversée par rapport à celle du chant précité.

Its large faces being assumed to be horizontal:

• the profile of one of its edges comprises, from top to bottom, a first vertical facet, a tongue, a groove, and a second vertical facet coplanar with the first, said tongue and groove being oriented horizontally, and having sections rectangular or square straight lines so dimensioned that the section of the tongue corresponds, apart from the interlocking clearance, to that of the groove, this tongue and this groove being contiguous and adjoining by a common horizontal facet;
• the profile of his other song has a similar shape, but reversed compared to that of the above song.

We understand that thanks to this arrangement we obtain after interlocking a significantly larger contact surface - approximately double - compared to conventional slats.

In addition, on each side of the slat this common facet represents a support surface and, if necessary, gluing, which is continuous over a width relatively large (double that of a traditional tongue), which significantly improves the alignment of two adjacent slats and, correspondingly their flatness, as well as the quality of the bond and its resistance to efforts transverse tear-off (in the floor plan).

There is thus a perfect symmetry of the connection, because the length of the tongue is equal (to the insertion clearance close) to the depth of the groove in which it accommodates, which gives the assembly a solidity of assembly optimal.

This bonding strength can be further improved, if necessary, by pointing using so-called "man-headed" points, that is to say with little head bulky, the stem of which can sink into the interstitial space between the two upper faces of each slat.

It should be noted that such consolidation is only possible with complementary profiles of the genus "hermaphrodite" in accordance with the invention, but not with slats, one of the sides of which has simply adapted tabs to fit into grooves on the same level, as described by example in document FR-2 618 826.

In addition, with hermaphrodite, but not symmetrical profiles, as described for example in DE-U-298 03 708, which associate a tongue upper small size strongly bevelled to a relatively lower groove deep, on the one hand there is no optimal symmetrical distribution of the moments of force between two adjacent slats, on the other hand - in case of pointing - the resistance of the material of the slat is much weaker on one side than on the other. In addition, this kind of asymmetrical profile cannot be cut using a tool unique, in this case a strawberry, acting successively against each edge.

According to a possible additional characteristic of the invention, the batten presents on each of its end edges, profiles similar to those of side edges.

We thus find the same quality of connection of the slats with regard to of their end-to-end assembly.

In one possible embodiment, for making a resilient parquet, the parquet slat is provided on its underside with a lining in flexible and elastically deformable material.

Preferably, the underside of the slat, to which is fixed, by example by gluing, the elastic lining, alternates indentations and reliefs.

In one possible embodiment, these engage in protrusions and cutouts of complementary shape made in the top of the garnish.

In another embodiment, the filling is a layer of constant thickness

This crenellated shape ensures a good mutual connection of the slat and of the filling, while allowing a gradual increase in hardness crushing of the parquet according to the load.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the description and attached drawings which show, by way of example not limiting, preferred embodiments.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale, par le plan vertical référencé I-I sur la figure 2, d'une latte de parquet conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue, à échelle plus petite, de la même latte coupée par le plan horizontal II-II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale, d'un assemblage de plusieurs lattes adjacentes ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de détail montrant la liaison par emboítement de deux lattes voisines ;
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent, en coupe transversale, deux variantes de latte, à garniture élastique ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, montrant les profils des chants complémentaires des lattes à faces légèrement inclinées, favorisant leur liaison mutuelle ;
• La figure 8 illustre une consolidation de la liaison par pointe à tête d'homme ;
• La figure 9 représente schématiquement, en coupe axiale, une fraise adaptée pour réaliser le profil de chacun des chants d'une latte de parquet conforme à l'invention.

In the drawings:

• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view, through the vertical plane referenced II in Figure 2, of a parquet strip according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view, on a smaller scale, of the same slat cut by the horizontal plane II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly of several adjacent slats;
• Figure 4 is a detail view showing the interlocking connection of two adjacent slats;
• Figures 5 and 6 show, in cross section, two variants of batten, with elastic lining;
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the profiles of the complementary edges of the slats with slightly inclined faces, favoring their mutual connection;
• FIG. 8 illustrates a consolidation of the connection by point with a man's head;
• FIG. 9 schematically represents, in axial section, a cutter suitable for producing the profile of each of the edges of a parquet slat according to the invention.

The parquet strip 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is made of wood or similar material, for example multilayer, composed of a core of blockwood, or plywood, covered with a noble and hard wood siding, especially in Oak.

Its upper and lower faces, intended to be placed horizontally when the parquet is laid, bear the references 10 and, respectively 11.

Its side edges are referenced 12, 13, and its end edges, corresponding to the short sides, are referenced 12 ', 13'.

As an indication, the length L of the slat 1 is equal to 2.40 m; its width 1 is between 150 and 250 mm; its thickness E is between 20 and 25mm.

The side edges 12 and 13 have shaped profiles complementary, allowing their nesting one in the other to ensure the connection of two adjacent slats, as illustrated in Figure 3.

The same is true for the 12 'and 13' end edges, whose shapes are identical to those of the side edges 12, and respectively 13.

The large faces 10, 11 being assumed to be horizontal, the profile of the edge 12 has, from top to bottom; a vertical facet 20, a tongue 2, a groove 4, and a vertical facet 40.

The facets 20 and 40 are in the same vertical plane.

The tongue 2 and the groove 4 are oriented horizontally, and have a straight section - in the plane of the drawing sheet, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slat - rectangular or square; their dimensions are such that the section of the tongue corresponds, to the clearance close fitting, to that of the groove.

This means that the length of each tab 2, 3 is very slightly less than the depth of the groove 5, respectively 4, intended for the to receive ; similarly, their thicknesses are equal, with a small clearance necessary to embedding and the presence of a certain thickness of glue.

As will be seen below, with reference to FIG. 7, these profiles advantageously have inclined faces, forming chamfers which promote the nesting of two adjacent profiles.

The profile of the edge 13 has a similar shape, but inverted, by relation to the profile of the song 12.

It comprises, from top to bottom: a vertical facet 50, a groove 5, a tongue 3, and a vertical facet 30, coplanar with facet 50.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the tongue 2 and the groove 4 are contiguous, and adjoined by a common horizontal facet 6. The lower horizontal face of the tongue 2 consequently extends the face top of groove 4.

It is the same for the opposite edge 13, where the tongue 3 is contiguous to the groove 5, and adjoining the latter by the horizontal facet 7; the face horizontal top of the tongue 3 here extends the underside of the groove 5.

Figure 3, which shows an assembly of several juxtaposed slats and placed on a horizontal ground S, allows to understand how the connection is made by interlocking of the slats, the tabs 2, 3 of a slat being housed in the grooves 5 and, respectively, 4 of the adjacent slats.

A similar interlocking is obtained "at the end", at the end of the slats (on their short sides).

Usually, the connection is made by gluing, all of the faces grooves and tongues, being coated with glue before fitting.

Thanks to the particular shape of the profiles, a surface is obtained significant coating. In addition, the horizontal support facets 6 and 7 having on a significant length - double that of the tongues and grooves - there is level an extended continuous bonding area, ensuring an extremely resistant slats between them.

In Figure 4, we deliberately exaggerated the interlocking game between two neighboring slats 1a, 1b.

There are symbolized by arrows i, j ₁ and j ₂ the reaction forces developed by the profile of the slat 1a when the slat 1b is stressed by a wobbling couple symbolized by the arrow F.

It can be seen that the forces i and j ₂ are developed by the bottom of the groove 5a and the edge of the tongue 3a, respectively, with a relatively large lever arm corresponding to the width of the facets 6b, 7a. Added to this is the torque due to j ₁ , the lever arm of which corresponds to the width of the groove Sa.

This high torque, and the cooperation of facets 6a and 7a has the effect of reduce the risk of an angular offset of the two slats, ensuring flatness excellent and durable of all the elements.

The same effect is obtained at the end, by nesting the edges 12 'and 13 '.

It should be noted that this effect goes beyond a simple duplication of the nesting by groove / tongue, which would be encountered by providing on one edges two overlapping grooves, and on the other two overlapping tabs, situation in which the resistance to wobbling would be much less good.

In the variant of FIG. 5, a lining 8 made of flexible material and elastically deformable, for example made of foam rubber, is fixed under the lower face 11 of the batten 1.

The fixing is carried out by gluing.

The face 11 has a crenellated shape, composed of an alternation of grooves 14 and longitudinal bosses 15, for example of trapezoidal shape.

The top of the lining 8 has a complementary shape.

The embodiment of Figure 6 has a slat whose face lower 11 is crenellated, of identical or similar shape to that of FIG. 5.

However, the flexible lining layer 9, which is glued against this face 11 has a constant thickness.

Thus, under the effect of the load, the flexible and elastic material deformable constituting layer 9 can flow partially and gradually in the open grooves 14.

These arrangements have the advantage of giving the slat, when is resting on the floor - and therefore on the parquet - a progressive resistance to crushing, which gives it a moderate flexibility, particularly comfortable, especially for sports floors.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the tongues 2, 3 on the one hand and the grooves 5, 4 on the other hand, do not have a strictly rectangular section; these sections are slightly trapezoidal, forming an angle β with respect to the horizontal (entry chamfer), of low value, of the order of 1 to 2 degrees per example. Furthermore, preferably, the so-called "vertical" "facets 50", 20 and lower 30, 40 are also advantageously slightly inclined by relative to a strictly vertical plane, as can be seen in FIG. 7, of a angle α, the value of which is also of the order of 1 to 2 degrees for example. Their tilt is so oriented that when two adjacent slats are joined, there has no - or practically no - gap visible on the faces 10 and 11.

When laying parquet, in particular a floor intended to be covered by a coating, with an extended surface, it may be interesting to nail the slats between them, to limit as much as possible surface deformations - that is to say in the floor plan.

This is illustrated in Figure 8, which shows a tip 100 called head of man, inserted in the interstice separating two contiguous slats.

The floor is then covered with a coating layer 101, by example in plastic, which covers the head of the points 100.

By simply observing this figure, we understand that this point, although placed in this gap, ensures at best the cohesion of the two slats, without weakening one of the songs to the detriment of the other, thanks to the symmetry of the assembly, which would not be the case with an arrangement according to the DE-U-298 03 708 cited above.

FIG. 9 represents a cutter adapted to cut successively each of the two edges of the same slat, thanks to the arrangement at the same time "hermaphrodite" and symmetrical in their profiles.

This cutter F , cutting edge, is rotated about an axis ZZ ' , for example vertical.

It has the shape of a body of revolution, comprising in particular an annular projection F ₅₄ and a groove F ₃₂ , and whose section corresponds to the profile of the edge of the slat.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to successively cut the two songs of the latte using this cutter in two successive phases. For this, he the material of the slat should be perfectly calibrated in thickness. After cutting a song, just turn the slat 180 degrees around its longitudinal axis, either manually or using automated equipment, to present your another strawberry song.

This type of operation, which can be implemented in particular in certain applications in which parquet is reversible, would not be possible or with non-hermaphrodite edgebars (as disclosed for example in FR-A-2 618 826), nor with slats whose edges, although hermaphrodite, are asymmetrical (as in DE-U-298 03 708).

Claims (6)

Parquet or floor batten (1) having on each of its edges (12; 13) a socket profile intended to engage in a complementary profile provided on the opposite edge (13; 12) of an adjacent batten characterized by the fact that , its large faces (10, 11) being assumed to be horizontal: the profile of one (12) of its edges comprises, from top to bottom, a first vertical facet (20), a tongue (2), a groove (4) and a second vertical facet (40) coplanar with the first, said tongue (2) and groove (4) being oriented horizontally and having straight rectangular or square sections so dimensioned that the section of the tongue (2) corresponds, apart from the interlocking play, to that of the groove (4 ), this tongue (2) and this groove (4) being contiguous and adjoining by a common horizontal facet (6); the profile of its other edge (13) has a similar shape but inverted with respect to that of said edge (12). Lath according to claim 1, characterized in that it has on each of its end edges (12 ';13'), profiles similar to those of the lateral edges (12; 13). Lath according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided, on its lower face (11), with a lining (8; 9) made of flexible and elastically deformable material. Lath according to claim 3, characterized in that said lower face (11) has alternating recesses and reliefs (14, 15). Lath according to claim 4, characterized in that the top of said lining (8) has projections and complementary cutouts of said recesses and reliefs (14, 15). Lath according to claim 4, characterized in that the said lining (8) is a layer of constant thickness.

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