EP1223264B1 - Method for laying floor panels with a rectangular configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method of laying floor panels having circumferential tongues, receiving grooves, locking grooves and locking lips, a first row of floor panels is joined through interlocking engagement of the shorts sides. The connection of the floor panels of each subsequent row of floor panels is implemented through attachment along their shorts sides as well as attachment of their long sides with the long sides of each preceding row of floor panels, by using wedges by which neighboring floor panels can be reliably pushed together in longitudinal and transverse directions, while at least partially engaging, without play, the locking lips with the locking grooves as well as the tongues in the receiving grooves.

Description

In the scope of US-PS 6,023,907 a method for laying in the Configuration of rectangular floor panels has become known. These floor panels each have a first longitudinal side and a 1. narrow side transversely projecting springs and the lateral distance from the Springs bottom side locking grooves. At the other 2nd longitudinal side or on the other 2nd narrow side are fitted to the springs receiving grooves and below the grooves projecting tongues with upwards directed edge-side locking ribs provided. Also the locking ribs are largely conformed to the Rastnuten from its contour.

To lay these floor panels in several parallel rows is first At the edge of a surface to be occupied, a first row of floor panels over its 1. and 2. narrow sides thereby adding that the one bottom side placed floor panel in each of the following floor panel at Longitudinally inclined position with its narrow-side spring in the pushed narrow side receiving groove of the placed floor panel and then under the intervention of the 2nd narrow side of the placed floor panel provided locking rib with the on the 1st narrow side of the floor panel to be joined located latching groove in the plane of the placed floor panel is pivoted downwards. In the stretched position of the floor panels should a movement between the locking rib and the locking groove across the Parting line be present.

Following this, a first floor panel of the second row is over its spring-loaded longitudinal side at one end of the first row in the longitudinal receiving groove located there at least one floor panel inserted at transversely inclined position and simultaneously is another floor panel of the second row in the lateral distance to the pre-installed floor panel with its feathered Narrow side in longitudinally inclined position with the first floor panel joined the second row and then into the inclined plane of the previous one pivoted floor panels of the second row pivoted. Then be both floor panels pivoted further downwards until the locking ribs on the longitudinal sides of the previously laid first row in the locking grooves of the floor panels to intervene in the second row. Also on the long sides should after the joining a movement between the locking ribs and the Rastnuten be present.

All floor panels of the second row as well as all subsequent rows become then laid in the same way.

The main disadvantage of the known method is that at the attachment and pivoting of the floor panels of the second and each following a fitter at least two floor panels simultaneously handle and bring in different angular positions relative to each other got to. A perfect joining is hardly possible. Rather, it is to expect a tilting of the floor panels, with the result that the Locking ribs on the tongues are damaged. This way, no perfect connection of two successive floor panels in a row and / or floor panels arranged in adjacent rows be ensured, unless it will be when laying the floor panels used at least two fitters, but then the production cost noticeably increased. Especially when later loading the tread The joints of the tread can significantly affect the joints and joints Column arise.

Furthermore, when joining the floor panels of the Tread adjacent longitudinal and transverse edges are damaged, causing also the desired appearance of the tread greatly impaired.

The invention is - starting from the prior art - the task underlying a method of laying rectangular in the configuration Floor panels with specially designed circumferential springs and Locking ribs and adapted thereto receiving grooves and locking grooves which, in a simple quick operation, damage the locking ribs and the tread-side longitudinal and transverse edges the floor panels safely avoids.

The solution to this problem consists according to the invention in the characterizing Features of claim 1.

This is when laying the first row with a floor panels to occupying area first a floor panel so in a corner area to occupying surface arranged that the 2nd longitudinal side and the 2nd Narrow side with the grooves and the locking ribs of the to be occupied Face facing. Then another floor panel with its one spring having the first narrow side inclined in the longitudinal direction Location on the 2nd narrow side of the already placed floor panel up to to contact the end face of the first narrow side of the following floor panel with the transverse edge of the placed Bodenpaneels pushed and then under play-free locking of the locking rib of the placed floor panel with the Rastnute the other Bodenpaneels down to the level of the previously placed floor panel pivoted. The remaining floor panels of the first row are joined accordingly.

This way of working can be done simply, quickly and safely by just one mechanic be performed.

Another variant for laying the first row may be that after placing the first floor panel in a corner area of the To be occupied surface each further floor panel by parallel displacement to the previously placed floor panel is added to this. Slip here then the spring on the first narrow side of the further floor panel in the Receiving groove of the 2nd narrow side of the placed floor panel and the Locking rib on the 2nd narrow side of the placed floor panel in the Rastnute on the first narrow side of the further floor panel until the two Floor panels in the first row are aligned in a straight line.

If the first row is completely laid, it will be at the end where laying the first row was started, a first floor panel of the second Row in transversely inclined position with at least one floor panel the first row thereby until the contact of the end face of its 1st longitudinal side with the longitudinal edge on the 2nd longitudinal side of the placed floor panel added that the longitudinal spring of the new floor panel in the longitudinal side Receiving groove of a floor panel of the first row engages. Before that is in the Area of the first floor panel of the second row with a mounting wedge a surface sloping towards the first row, loosely across the first Scheduled. If after joining the first floor panel the second row with floor panels of the first row this first floor panel is lowered in the direction of the mounting wedge, a partial play-free locking of the located on the 2nd longitudinal side of the first row Retaining rib with the Rastnute on the 1st longitudinal side of the first floor panel the second row. Then lies the first floor panel of the second row the mounting wedge, this partial latching of locking rib and Locking groove, to prevent this floor panel in its plane from the first row can be separated. It is tensile with the first row coupled.

Following this, another floor panel of the second row will be added lateral distance to the first row via its spring having 1. Narrow side in the longitudinally inclined position with the on the mounting wedge lying first floor panel of the second row to the contact of the Face of the first narrow side of the following floor panel with the transverse edge joined on the 2nd narrow side of the placed floor panel. Before that is also in the approximately middle section of the further floor panel of the second row a mounting wedge loosely attached transversely to the first row. Is then the other floor panel to rest on the Mounting wedge pivoted down, a complete play-free, However, a sliding Relatiwerlagerung enabling latching of Locking rib and locking groove of these two floor panels of the second row the opposite narrow sides.

In this assembly step, the fitter needs only the floor panel to be attached to handle.

Now it is enough, both locked together floor panels of the second Row under permanent engagement of the longitudinal spring on the first floor panel in the longitudinal receiving groove of at least one Bodenpaneels the Pivoting the first row slightly upwards, that is, the partial Latching between the two rows to pick up the second floor panel the second row without significant effort in the plane push the first floor panel towards the first row, until the longitudinal spring on the second floor panel in the longitudinal receiving groove of a floor panel of the first row sums. Subsequently Both floor panels are lowered onto the mounting wedges, so that now this floor panels over their longitudinal locking grooves with the longitudinal-side locking ribs of the first row locked partially free of play and a transverse shift in their plane relative to the first row is not is possible.

The lateral distance of the second floor panel of the second row to first row at his joining with the first floor panel just needs to be so great that the front of the longitudinal spring on the second floor panel next to the front side of the longitudinal tongue of the first row runs.

The other floor panels of the second row will be the same afterwards laid like the second floor panel.

Once all floor panels of the second row have been laid, the assembly wedges become removed and it will be the entire second row floor panels under final play-free locking of the longitudinal locking ribs with the longitudinal side Latching grooves lowered into the plane of the first row. Both rows are now perfectly coupled tensile and pressure resistant.

In the context of laying the further rows of floor panels on the zu occupying area, the installation steps are repeated, the laying the second series.

In the vorilderten procedure for occupying a given Surface with floor panels will ensure that the entire glue-free Laying measures can be performed without special effort can. Damage to the locking ribs on the tongues or the tread surface side Longitudinal and transverse edges of the floor panels are excluded. It is proceeding successively, so that a single mechanic is sufficient in a short time a visually perfect gap and joint-free To create tread.

According to the features of claim 2, it may depend on be appropriate from the local circumstances that the Floor panels are fixed in position during or after the joining. The position fixation can e.g. done by wedges when the area to be occupied in a room is located. The wedges are then placed in the column between the Walls and the outer peripheral areas occupied by floor panels Area used.

In claim 3 is a mounting wedge for carrying out the invention Process marked. With this mounting wedge is the height at the bottom and its inclination to the horizontal so in the air a locking rib and the depth of a locking groove of a floor panel matched, that each floor panel of a row, which lies on a mounting wedge and with a floor panel of the pre-laid row over one longitudinal spring and a longitudinal receiving groove is joined, also over its longitudinal locking groove with the longitudinal locking rib on one Floor panel of the already laid series locked partially backlash, the means reliable in its level. If then another floor panel in a further row, need after joining the narrow sides of the further floor panel with the preceding Bodenpaneel these two floor panels only slightly upwards from the mounting wedges to be pivoted to the partial latching repealed. The bottom panel of the further row to be added can then along the joined narrow sides led parallel to the first floor panel to be relocated in the direction of the previous series until its longitudinal spring under contact of the end face of the 1st longitudinal side with the Longitudinal edge of a placed floor panel of the first row in the longitudinal side Recording groove of the first row sums up. Then both Floor panels lowered back onto the surfaces of the mounting wedges, so that then all the long side locking ribs play partially in the longitudinal side Rastnuten snap and thereby both floor panels of the other series with are coupled tensile strength of the preceding series.

According to claim 4, the length of a mounting wedge is greater than that Dimensioned width of a floor panel. This facilitates the handling of Mounting wedges, especially when removing after laying a row.

Figur 1

ein Bodenpaneel in der Draufsicht;

Figur 2

in der Draufsicht das Fügen zweier Bodenpaneele gemäß der Figur 1 in einer Ebene;

Figur 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Raumecke zu Beginn der Verlegung einer ersten Reihe Bodenpaneele auf einer Fläche gemäß einer weiteren Variante;

Figur 4

eine Darstellung entsprechend der Figur 3 zu Beginn der Verlegung einer zweiten Reihe Bodenpaneele auf einer Fläche;

Figur 5

eine Darstellung entsprechend der Figur 4 während der Verlegung der zweiten Reihe Bodenpaneele;

Figur 6

eine Darstellung entsprechend den Figuren 3, 4 und 5 nach dem Verlegen mehrerer Reihen Bodenpaneele;

Figur 7

in vergrößertem Maßstab einen Längsschnitt durch die beiden Bodenpaneele der Figur 3 entlang der Linie VII-VII in Richtung der Pfeile Vlla gesehen;

Figur 8

einen Schnitt durch die Darstellung der Figur 4 entlang der Linie VIII-VIII in Richtung der Pfeile VIIIa gesehen und

Figur 9

in vergrößerter Darstellung den Ausschnitt IX der Figur 8.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a floor panel in plan view;

FIG. 2

in the plan view, the joining of two floor panels according to the figure 1 in a plane;

FIG. 3

a perspective view of a room corner at the beginning of laying a first row floor panels on a surface according to another variant;

FIG. 4

a representation according to the figure 3 at the beginning of laying a second row floor panels on a surface;

FIG. 5

a representation according to the figure 4 during the installation of the second row floor panels;

FIG. 6

a representation according to Figures 3, 4 and 5 after laying several rows of floor panels;

FIG. 7

seen in an enlarged scale a longitudinal section through the two floor panels of Figure 3 along the line VII-VII in the direction of the arrows Vlla;

FIG. 8

a section through the illustration of Figure 4 taken along the line VIII-VIII in the direction of arrows VIIIa and seen

FIG. 9

in an enlarged view the detail IX of Figure 8.

In FIG. 1, 1 denotes a rectangular floor panel in the configuration Solid wood or laminate called. The floor panel 1 has at a 1. Longitudinal side 2 a with respect to the end face 3 transversely projecting, continuous spring 4 and on the opposite 2nd longitudinal side 5 a in the end face 6 incorporated receiving groove 7, the contour is largely adapted to the spring 4 (see also Figure 9). The spring 4 has stepped underside inclined surfaces 8, 9, 10.

Further, on the 1st longitudinal side 2 in the lateral distance to the spring 4 a bottom side locking groove 11 is provided, the trapezoidal cross section at least with respect to an inclined support surface 12 to a likewise inclined Counter surface 13 of a triangular locking rib 14 is aligned, which is the edge of a tongue 15 on the 2nd longitudinal side 5. The tongue 15 extends below the receiving groove 7 and faces the End face 6 before (see Figure 9).

Furthermore, the floor panel 1 has on a first narrow side 16 a Spring 17 and a bottom-side locking groove 18 according to the contour of Figure 9 and on the opposite second narrow side 19 adapted to the spring 17 Receiving groove 20 and a tongue 21 with a to the locking groove 18th adapted edge-side locking rib 22, also according to the contour of the figure 9th

The covering of a surface 23 with identical floor panels 1, For example, within a room, will be described below with reference to FIGS 2 to 9 described. Here are, apart from the figures 2 and 7 to 9 the peripheral designs of the floor panels 1 not illustrated in detail. The floor panels mentioned in the description are in this relationship for better understanding with 1a-1d referred to.

When laying a first row 24 floor panels 1, as the figure 3 shows, first a halved floor panel 1a so in a corner of the room be arranged with the surface to be occupied 23 that the 2nd longitudinal side 5 with the locking rib 14 and the second narrow side 19 with the locking rib 22 in to show the room. Between the 1st long side 2 and the adjacent wall 25 and between the separation side 26 of the halved floor panels 1a and the adjacent wall 27 wedges 28 are used.

Subsequently, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, another one is provided Floor panel 1b in the longitudinally inclined position according to the arrow PF with its first narrow side 16 so with the 2nd narrow side 19 of the previous bottom-side placed floor panel 1 a that the spring 17 at the 1. Narrow side 16 in the receiving groove 20 of the second narrow side 19 sums. in this connection is the end face 30 on the first narrow side 16 of the bottom panel 1b at the the tread surface 29 of the bottom panel 1a on the narrow side 19 limiting Transverse edge 31. The inclination of the floor panel 1b to be added to Horizontal is so large that the locking groove 18 to the spring 17 towards limiting Bead 32 can slide over the locking rib 22. Subsequently, will the second floor panel 1b according to the arrow PF1 of Figures 3 and 7 lowered the bottom 33, so that now both on their first narrow side 16 and 2nd narrow side 19 coupled in an extended position floor panels 1a, 1b are located in the same horizontal plane (in FIG. 7 in FIG dash-dotted lines illustrated).

Thereafter, as can be seen for example from Figure 4, also between the 1st longitudinal side 2 of the second floor panel 1b and the wall 25 wedges 28 are used.

The laying of the other floor panels 1 of the first row 24 takes place then, as described above.

But it is also conceivable a laying of the first row 24, as they are from the Figure 2 can be seen.

This is after the placement of a first floor panel 1a in a Corner of the area to be occupied 23 a second floor panel 1b so parallel to the first floor panel 1a in its plane on the floor 33 placed that the spring 17 on the first narrow side 16 of the second floor panel 1b with the receiving groove 20 on the second narrow side 19 of the first Floor panel 1a and the locking groove 18 bottom side of the second floor panel 1b with the locking rib 22 on the second narrow side 19 of the first floor panel 1a are aligned. By parallel displacement of the floor panel to be attached 1b to the placed floor panel 1a according to the arrow PF2 become this then in the longitudinal direction tensile joined together. Also the addition of the further floor panels 1 of the first row 24 takes place, as is the case with reference to FIG. 2 explained.

For laying the second row 34 floor panels 1 on the to be occupied Surface 23 becomes first recognizable from FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9 Assembly wedge 35 so transverse to the first row 24 loosely recognized that the Surface 36 of the mounting wedge 35 to the first row 24 drops out. The inclination can e.g. 1%.

Thereafter, according to Figure 4, a bottom panel 1c inclined in the transverse direction Location with his the spring 4 having 1. Long side 2 according to the arrow PF3 of Figure 9, dash-dotted lines, to the first row 24 set until the end face 3 of the new floor panel 1c under Engaging the spring 4 in the longitudinal receiving groove 7 on the longitudinal edge 37th the bottom panel 1a of the first row 24 abuts. Here is the angle of inclination of the Bodenpaneels1c to be attached so that the underside Locking groove 11 limiting bead 38 readily on the locking ribs 14 of Floor panels 1a, 1b of the first row 24 can slide. Subsequently, will 9, the new floor panel 1c is pivoted downward in accordance with the arrow PF4 of FIG. until the bottom panel 1c on the surface 36 of the mounting wedge 35 is located.

In this context, the height at the bottom of the mounting wedge 35 and its inclination to the horizontal to the height of a locking rib 14 and the depth of a locking groove 11 tuned (again, in particular FIG. 9), that at two above their on the 1st and 2nd long sides 2, 5 provided Spring 4 and receiving groove 7 under Appendix the end face 3 of the Floor panels 1 c on the tread side longitudinal edge 37 of the floor panel 1a and edition of the added floor panel 1 c on the surface 36 of an attached to a placed row 24 mounting wedge 35 joined Floor panels 1a, 1c, the locking rib 14 only with a partial height in the Rastnut 11 summarizes. The support surface 12 of the locking groove 11 and the counter surface 13th on the locking rib 14 slide on each other. In this way it is ensured the added floor panel 1c according to FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9 in FIG his level can not be pulled away from the first row 24.

The next floor panel 1d of the second row 34 becomes longitudinal inclined position according to the illustrations of Figures 5 and 7 so according to the arrow PF with its spring 17 having the first narrow side 16 with the receiving groove 20 having the second narrow side 19 of the previously on the mounting wedge 35 filed floor panel 1c joined that the further floor panel 1d lies at the lateral distance A from the first row 24. If then the bottom panel 1d according to the arrow PF1 of Figures 5 and 7 is pivoted down, it passes under locking of locking rib 22nd and locking groove 18 on the two narrow sides 19, 16 of the floor panels 1c, 1d on the surface 36 of the previously approximately in the middle length range of Floor panel 1d to the first row 24 loosely attached mounting wedge 35th and then lies in a stretched position in a plane with the first floor panel 1 c of the second row 34. This is shown in phantom in FIG Illustrated line.

Subsequently, both floor panels 1c, 1d of the second row 34 are common so far slightly pivoted upwards that the partial latching of the first floor panel 1c with the first row 24 canceled becomes (dash-dotted representation of Figure 9). In this situation then the second floor panel 1d, via the narrow sides 16, 19 between the first Floor panel 1c and the second floor panel 1d out, according to the arrow PF5 of Figure 5 also added to the first row 24 until the End face 3 on the tread surface side longitudinal edge 37 of the first row 24th lies. Then both floor panels 1c, 1d rejoin together lowered down, and to rest on the surfaces 36 of the mounting wedges 35, where again a partially backlash locking the longitudinal side Locking ribs 14 and locking grooves 11 between the two floor panels 1c, 1d of the second row 34 and the floor panels 1a, 1b of FIG first row 24 corresponding to the representations of Figures 8 and 9 takes place.

Is the second row 34 completed, the mounting wedges 35th removed and all floor panels 1 of the second row 34 on the floor 33rd lowered, so that the second row 34 in a plane with the first Row 24 extends.

The laying of all the following rows 39, etc. (Figure 6) to be occupied Surface 23 with floor panels 1 then takes place as based on the installation the second row 34 described.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

floor panel

1a -

floor panel

1b -

floor panel

1c -

floor panel

1d -

floor panel

2 -

1st longitudinal side v. 1, 1a-d

3 -

Face v. 2

4 -

Spring on 2

5 - 2nd longitudinal side v. 1, 1a-d

6 -

Face v. 5

7 -

Pickup groove in 6

8th -

Bevel on 4

9 -

Bevel on 4

10 -

Bevel on 4

11 -

Locking groove on 2

12 -

Face v. 11

13 -

Counter surface v. 12 to 14

14 -

Rastrip on 15

15 -

Tongue on 5

16 -

1. narrow side v. 1, 1a-d

17 -

Spring on 16

18 -

Locking groove on 16

19 -

2nd narrow side v. 1, 1a-d

20 -

Receiving groove at 19

21 -

Tongue on 19

22 -

Bar at 21

23 -

area

24 -

first row with 1a, 1b

25 -

wall

26 -

Separating side v. 1a

27 -

wall

28 -

wedges

29 -

Treads v. 1, 1a-d

30 -

Face on 16

31 -

Transverse edge at 19

32 -

Bead next to 18

33 -

ground

34 -

second row with 1c, 1d

35 -

mounting wedges

36 -

Surfaces v. 35

37 -

Longitudinal edges at 1a, 1b

38 -

Bead next to 11

39 -

Row with 1

A -

distance

PF -

arrow

PF1 -

arrow

PF2 -

arrow

PF3 -

arrow

PF4 -

arrow

PF5 -

arrow

Claims (4)

1. A method of laying floor panels (1) of rectangular configuration, each having at a first longitudinal side (2) and at a first narrow side (16) transversely projecting integrally formed tongues (4, 17) and parallel next to the tongues (4, 17) - separated by triangular beads (38, 32) facing the floor (33) - trapezoidal locking grooves (11, 18) on the floor side, and at the respectively oppositely situated second longitudinal side (5) and second narrow side (19) receiving grooves (7, 20) adapted to the contour of the tongues (4, 17) and integrally formed tongues (15, 21) projecting beneath the receiving grooves (7, 20) with upwardly directed triangular locking ribs (14, 22) on the edge side, characterised by the following assembly steps:

   a) firstly, a first row (24) of floor panels (1) are joined by way of their first and second narrow sides (16, 19) as follows: the floor panel (1b) following upon each floor panel (1a) laid on the floor side is pushed in a longitudinally inclined position relative to the laid floor panel (1a) with its narrow side tongue (17) into the narrow side receiving groove (20) of the laid floor panel (1a), until the end face (30) of the first narrow side (16) of the next floor panel (1b) comes into contact with the transverse edge (31) of the laid floor panel (1a) on the walking surface side, and is then lowered into the plane of the laid floor panel (1a), with clearance-free locking of the narrow side locking rib (22) with the narrow side locking groove (16) and the narrow side tongue (17) with the narrow side receiving groove (20),
   or alternatively
      firstly the floor panels (1a, 1b) of the first row (24) are joined by means of the first and second narrow sides (16, 19) by parallel shifting in the plane of the first floor panel (1a) laid on the floor side,

   b) at least one assembly wedge (35) with its surface (36) sloping down towards the first row (24) is then fitted loosely against one end of the first row (24) transversely thereto,

   c) a floor panel (1c) for a second row (34) in a transversely inclined position is then joined, by its first longitudinal side (2) having the tongue (4), to the second longitudinal side (5) of at least one floor panel (1a) of the first row (24) with engagement of the tongue (4) in the receiving groove (7) of said floor panel (1a) until contact of the end face (3) at the first longitudinal side (2) with the longitudinal edge (37) of a laid floor panel (1a, 1b) and is then lowered, with partial clearance-free locking of the locking rib (14) provided at the second longitudinal side (5) of a floor panel (1a) of the first row (24) with the locking groove (11) on the first longitudinal side (2) of the floor panel (1c) of the second row (34) until contact with the surface (36) of the assembly wedge (35),

   d) at least one other assembly wedge (35) identical to the first assembly wedge (35) is then fitted transversely loosely against the first row (24) at a lateral distance from the first assembly wedge (35) and a second floor panel (1d) of the second row (34) is joined with lateral spacing (A) from the first row (24) in a longitudinally inclined position by way of its first narrow side (16) having the tongue (17) with the second narrow side (19), containing a receiving groove (20), of the already laid floor panel (1c) until contact of the end face (30) of the first narrow side (16) of the following floor panel (1d) with the transverse edge (31) of the laid floor panel (1c), and then the second floor panel (1d) is lowered, with clearance-free locking of the locking rib (22) at the narrow sides (19, 16) and the locking groove (18) and the tongue (17) and the receiving groove (20), downwards into the plane of the floor panel (1c) laid on the first assembly wedge (35), until contact with the surface (36) of the additional assembly wedge (35),

   e) the floor panels (1c, 1d) of the second row (34) joined on the narrow sides are then swung upwards relatively to the assembly wedges (35), the last added floor panel (1d) is joined, with transverse displacement relative to the previously laid floor panel (1c), by way of its first longitudinal side (2) to the second longitudinal side (5) of at least one of the floor panels (1a, 1b) of the first row (24) with engagement of the tongue (4) on the longitudinal side in a receiving groove (7) on the longitudinal side until contact of the end face (3) at the first longitudinal side (2) with the longitudinal edge (37) of a laid floor panel (1a, 1b), and then with partial locking also of the longitudinal side locking rib (14) with the longitudinal side locking groove (11) on the newly joined floor panel (1d), is lowered together with the first floor panel (1c) of the second row (34) on to the surfaces (36) of the assembly wedges (35),

   f) repetition of the assembly steps d) and e) for laying further floor panels (1) of the second row (34),

   g) removal of the assembly wedges (35) and lowering of the floor panels (1c, 1d) of the second row (34) on to the floor (33) with clearance-free locking of the longitudinal side locking ribs (14) and locking grooves (11) and of the tongues (4) and receiving grooves (7),

   h) repetition of assembly steps b) to g) for the floor panels (1) of all the following rows (39 etc).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the floor panels (1) are fixed in position during or after joining.
3. An assembly wedge for performing the method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that its height at the bottom end and its inclination to the horizontal are so adapted to the height of a locking rib (14) on the longitudinal side and the depth of a locking groove (11) on the longitudinal side that in the case of two floor panels (1a, 1b; 1c, 1d) joined by way of their tongue (4) and receiving groove (7) provided at the first and second longitudinal sides (2, 5), with the end faces (3) contacting the longitudinal edges (37) on the walking surface side, and the added floor panel (1c, 1d) resting on the surface (36) of an assembly wedge (35) loosely fitted against a laid row (e.g. 24) the locking rib (14) engages in the locking groove (11) only by a partial height.
4. An assembly wedge according to claim 3, characterised in that the length of an assembly wedge (35) is larger than the width of a floor panel (1).

Images