Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F15/00—Flooring
  • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
  • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
  • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
  • E04F2201/0153—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
  • E04F2201/04—Other details of tongues or grooves
  • E04F2201/041—Tongues or grooves with slits or cuts for expansion or flexibility

Definitions

• the invention relates to panels with coupling means for glue-free connection and a method for laying the panels.
• a panel for example known from EP 090 6994 ' AI, is a generally elongated, thin. Panel that can be connected to other panels laterally, i.e. on the long and short sides, for example using grooves and tongues. Panels connected in this way are used in particular as
• a panel is manufactured, inter alia, by a short-cycle pressing process as follows.
• a carrier plate is placed on a film-like layer impregnated with resin, which is called “backing paper”.
• a further layer impregnated with resin, film-like and provided with a decor is placed thereon.
• Such a layer is known under the name “decorative paper”
• a next layer of corundum and resin-containing film is applied to the decorative layer.
• This layer is known as "overlay”.
• the desired hardness of the surface of a panel is achieved by the overlay.
• the above-mentioned layer system is gripped together at the edge with gripping means and transported to a press.
• the press essentially consists of two plates arranged parallel to each other, heated to approximately 200 ° C.
• the layer system is placed on the lower of the two plates, then the upper one The plate is lowered so that the layer system is pressed together.
• the resins melt due to the heat supplied through the plates.
• the top plate is raised.
• Grippers with suction cups are brought and lowered over the compressed layer system.
• the suction cups are placed on the layer system and suck themselves firmly. With the help of the suction cups that are sucked in, the layer system is raised and transported out of the press. From this layer system, panels are cut using appropriate devices, which are usually approximately 1200 to 1300 mm long, five to twelve millimeters thick and approximately 200 mm wide. Finally, the grooves and tongues are milled, and the tongue and groove are used to connect panels. They then form floor coverings or wall cladding.
• the connected panels are, for example, put together to form a floor covering, which is known under the name laminate floor.
• each spring has at least one continuous nose on an upper and / or lower side.
• Each groove is provided with grooves so that the nose or noses get into the corresponding groove after two panels have been put together. This creates a positive connection between two panels.
• glue is not required to assemble panels into a floor or wall covering. If a panel is connected with its long side offset to a long side of a next panel, it may be necessary or useful to be able to move it laterally after the positive connection. Such a lateral shift is desirable, for example, so as to obtain a smooth lateral edge.
• Locking surface provided on a locking element.
• DE 33 43 601 C2 discloses floor coverings bonded to one another without glue, two connecting edges of panels being locked by means of a tongue which engages in a recess.
• a profile web in the form of a flat profile approach has a locking element at its open end. The locking element is received by a locking groove on the underside of an adjacent panel.
• the panels are joined on their long sides by turning them around the long edge.
• provision is also made to provide a lock on the short transverse sides, in order to prevent the plates from drifting apart when loaded.
• this locking only works in one direction parallel to the floor surface and perpendicular to the short connecting edge.
• the invention has for its object to provide panels that can be stably and quickly connected on all sides with no glue.
• a panel has mechanical coupling means on the side so that panels can be connected to one another without glue.
• a panel according to the claim comprises such means on the longitudinal or transverse sides that two panels can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.
• the joint or edge, which is then formed by the two panels, is called the connecting joint or connecting edge in the following.
• a A positive connection within the meaning of the claim exists if two panels assembled to form a flat surface can only be moved parallel to the connecting joint, but not perpendicularly to them, without force, due to the positive locking within the plane. However, it is still possible to turn a panel around the connection joint, for example, and thus separate two panels from each other. During this movement, a panel leaves the aforementioned level. A shift that does not leave the plane does not take place with such a rotary movement.
• Invention are used when the second panel has to be held in position in order to disengage coupling elements and thus to release them.
• At least one positive connection is preferably as follows.
• a panel has a protruding lip or flank on its underside.
• the lip or flank comprises a first depression, for example in the form of a groove.
• the first recess is openly accessible if the underside of the panel lies on a floor or is leaning against a wall.
• Another panel has a protruding lip or flank on its top.
• a first locking element protrudes, for example in the form of a nose or spring.
• the coupling means mentioned so far in this paragraph are matched to one another such that the first locking element can be brought into the first recess in such a way that a mechanical connection is thereby effected parallel to the surface of the panels and perpendicular to the connecting edge.
• the coupling elements previously mentioned in this paragraph comprise a second recess and a second protruding one
• the second locking element snaps into the second recess when the first locking element is brought into the first recess.
• the coupling elements are designed to be sufficiently elastic to enable them to snap into place. A mechanical connection of the panels perpendicular to the surface of the panels is brought about by the engagement. After snapping in, two panels are glued together without glue in the sense of the invention.
• the aforementioned glue-free connection can be such that a small play of the order of a few 1/100 or a few 1/10 millimeters remains between coupling elements such that two panels are mechanically connected to one another relatively loosely. The game will then make itself felt in the connecting joint.
• the coupling elements are preferably matched to one another in such a way that the panels are firmly connected to one another, without any play remaining.
• Invention has the protruding flank or lip, which is provided on the underside of a panel, a slope that resembles a ramp.
• a slope is provided below the flank or lip, which is provided on the top of a panel, which forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the underside of the associated flank or lip.
• the aforementioned bevels further simplify the connection of two panels.
• the first locking element has one or more incisions or milled grooves at its open end.
• the first locking element can then be slightly compressed at its open end so that the second locking element can be brought into the second recess.
• the aforementioned coupling elements are preferably designed such that the underside of a protruding lip or flank of a panel rests at least at one point on the top of a protruding lip or flank of a further panel when the two panels are connected to one another. Among other things, this ensures a firm glue-free connection between two panels.
• the underside and top side are to be interpreted broadly in this context. It is sufficient if the edition by means of the first Locking element and is provided by means of the first recess.
• the first protruding locking element has the second protruding
• Locking element on the side that forms a recess together with the associated panel.
• coupling elements in the form of protruding locking elements can also be provided, which snap into a recess in a further panel in order to create a mechanical locking perpendicular to the surface of the panels. In this way, the connection can be further strengthened.
• panels can be connected more quickly compared to the prior art, which requires the displacement of two panels already connected to a third panel.
• panels either have coupling elements of the type claimed Coupling elements are provided on all sides on or on one side and are connected via a rotary movement.
• a lowering movement is sufficient to simultaneously connect a panel on two sides with already installed panels.
• the rotary movement is combined with the lowering movement.
• two panels are connected to each other on the long sides by rotating around the common edge. It is also possible to have a third panel on the
• Coupling elements which are connected to one another via a rotary movement are preferably designed as follows.
• a panel has, for example, on the long sides at least one laterally milled groove, which is formed by two flanks or legs. The one
• Flank extends beyond the other, so it is longer than the other.
• Both flanks are preferably rigid, that is to say essentially not elastic.
• a flank is rigid in the sense of the invention if, in contrast to the teaching according to document WO 97/47834, it cannot be bent elastically in such a way that it is possible to join together by pushing two panels together in one plane is. At least one recess is provided in the longer flank.
• a second panel has a tongue on the side which is inserted into the aforementioned groove in order to connect two panels to one another.
• the spring has at least one protruding nose on its lower or upper side, which comes into the aforementioned recess of the flank when the two panels are joined together. The nose then reaches the bottom of the recess.
• the tongue is designed so that on one side (bottom or top), at least in the region of its open end, it is at a distance from the adjacent flank of the groove when the tongue has been brought into the corresponding groove. There is then a gap between the affected top or bottom of the spring and the adjacent flank. This gap extends at least to the open end of the spring so that the open end does not touch the flank.
• the spring is in particular beveled, so that the spring tapers in this area similarly to a tip.
• the affected bottom or top is the side that borders on the flank with the recess. This incline or the space provided makes it possible to detach a panel from another panel without much effort by rotating around the connecting joint of two panels, or vice versa to connect two panels to one another by means of the rotating movement. The tongue is thus rotated into the corresponding groove of an adjacent panel. moves without the flank with the recess having to be strongly bent.
• the geometry according to the invention makes it possible to rigidly design the flanks of the lateral groove in a panel.
• the positive connection between two panels is then particularly stable.
• the nose extends to the bottom of the recess in order to compensate so that the spring in the area of the slope no longer borders on the flank as in the prior art. This is because such a contact surface is required so that one surface of a panel cannot be lowered compared to an adjacent panel surface as a result of a load.
• the nose contacts another side of a side wall of the recess when two panels are joined together. It is the side or wall through which a locking (parallel to the surface of the panels) is brought about between two panels. This contact is necessary so that the panels are firmly connected. In this way it can be ensured that the connecting joint between the two panels then has no gap.
• the recess in the flank of the groove is in particular in the form of a groove which runs parallel to the adjacent connecting joint between two panels.
• a recess can of course also have other shapes.
• the recess could be a
• a gap or play is provided between the side of the spring that has the bevel and the protruding flank. This further facilitates the joining of two panels.
• a gap can be provided since the nose contacts the bottom of the recess and takes over the function of the contact between tongue and groove that is usually provided.
• the gap or play between the tongue and the groove can be limited to a few hundredths of a millimeter, for example 3/100 mm as the preferred lower limit.
• a panel according to the claim thus comprises means on the longitudinal and / or transverse sides such that two panels can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.
• a positive connection in the sense of the claim exists if two panels assembled to form a flat surface can only be moved parallel to the connecting joint, but not perpendicularly to it, due to the positive connection within the plane.
• a panel leaves the aforementioned level and at the same time becomes relative to one laterally adjacent, installed panel raised. A shift that does not leave the plane does not take place with such a rotary movement.
• FIGS. 1 to 5 The invention is illustrated in more detail in the following FIGS. 1 to 5.
• panels 1 and 2 have mechanical coupling means on the side in such a way that
• Panels 1, 2 and 3 can be connected without glue.
• Each panel 1, 2 and 3 comprises such means on the longitudinal or transverse sides that panels can be connected to one another in a positive manner.
• the joint or edge 3 or 20, which is then formed by two panels, is the connecting joint or connecting edge.
• the panels 1, 2 and 3 assembled to form a flat surface can at best still be displaced parallel to the connecting joint 3 or 20, but not perpendicularly to them, without any effort, due to positive locking within the plane.
• force With the parallel displacement relative to the connection joint, force must be applied if a corresponding friction has to be overcome. This is the case with the examples shown. It is possible to raise a panel 2 relative to the panel 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, so that the panel 1 can be detached from the panel 2 using force.
• the panel 1 has a protruding lip or flank 4 on its transverse side and on its underside.
• the lip or flank 4 comprises a first depression in the form of a groove 5.
• the first depression 5 is openly accessible when the underside 6 of the panel 1 lies on a floor or is attached to a wall.
• the further panel 2 has a protruding lip or flank 7 on its upper side.
• a first locking element 8 in the form of a spring protrudes from the underside of this protruding lip or flank.
• Locking elements 8 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the first locking element 8 can be brought into the first recess 5 such that a mechanical connection is thereby effected parallel to the surface 9 of the panels 1 and 2 and perpendicular to the connecting edge 3.
• the protruding flanks 4 and 7 as well as the first depression 5 and the first locking element 8 comprise at least a second depression 10 and a second protruding locking element 11.
• Locking element 11 snaps into the second depression 10 when the first locking element 8 is brought into the first depression 5.
• These coupling elements are designed to be sufficiently elastic to insert the first locking element 8 into the first recess 5 and to engage the second one To enable locking element 11 in the second recess 10 without the coupling elements being damaged.
• a mechanical connection of the panels perpendicular to the surface 9 of the panels 1 and 2 is brought about by the engagement. After latching, the two panels 1 and 2 are glued together without glue in the sense of the invention.
• the first locking element 8 tapers towards its open end (tapers to a point) according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and the first recess 5 points in particular according to FIGS. 1 and 2 a funnel-like inlet.
• the protruding flank or lip 4 which is provided on the underside 6 of the panel 1, has a bevel 12 which is similar to a ramp. Additionally or alternatively, according to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, below the flank or lip 7, which is provided on the top of the panel 2, there is a bevel 13 which is aligned with the bottom of the associated one Flank or lip 7 encloses an angle greater than 90 °.
• the aforementioned bevels 12 and 13 further simplify the connection of the two panels 1 and 2.
• the first locking element 8 according to FIGS. 2 and 4 has an incision 14 at its open end.
• the first locking element 8 can then be slightly compressed at its open end so as to bring the second locking element 11 into the second recess 10.
• the coupling elements according to FIGS. 1 to 4 are designed such that the underside of the protruding lip or flank 7 of the panel 2 rests at least at one point on the top of the protruding lip or flank 4 of the panel 1 when the two panels are connected to one another. This ensures, among other things, the firm glueless connection between the two panels. It is sufficient if the support - as shown in FIG. 3 - is effected exclusively by means of the first locking element 8 and by means of the first recess 8.
• the first protruding locking element 8 has the second protruding locking element 11 on the side which, together with the associated panel 2, forms a recess 15.
• panels can be connected more quickly compared to the prior art, which requires the displacement of two panels already connected to a third panel.
• panels either have coupling elements of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 on all sides or on one side (in particular on the long side) coupling elements are provided, as shown in FIG. 5, which are connected by means of a rotary movement.
• a lowering movement is sufficient to simultaneously connect a panel 2 on two sides to panels that have already been laid.
• the rotary movement between two panels 2 and 3 is quasi combined with the lowering movement between two panels 1 and 2.
• two panels 2 and 3 are connected to one another on the long sides according to FIG.
• Panel 5 shows a section through two panels 2 and 3 which are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner in the sense of the invention.
• Panel 3 has a groove 18 on one long side.
• a spring 19 is provided on one long side of the panel 2.
• the spring 19 has been screwed into the groove 18 and is therefore located in the groove 18.
• the connecting joint 20 served as the axis of rotation during the rotation.
• the connecting joint 20 is the joint that is located between the two panels 2 and 3.
• the long side of the panel 3 has a projecting lower flank 21. This lower flank 21 is rigid on the long side in the sense of
• a groove 22 has been milled substantially vertically from above as a recess.
• the groove 22 extends over the entire longitudinal side of the panel 3.
• Panel 2 has a nose or a protruding locking element 23 below the spring 19. 5 shows the manner in which a nose 23 projects into the groove 22.
• the position of the nose 23 is matched to the groove 22 such that the panel 3 is sealed with the panel 2 on the top 9 of the panels concludes. There is therefore no gap on the surface at the connecting joint 20.
• a gap 24 is provided between the nose 23 and the groove 22.
• the spring 19 has a bevel 25 on its underside.
• the spring 19 thus tapers on this underside.
• the bevel 25 is provided in order to be able to rotate the tongue 19 into the groove 18 without disturbance by a rotary movement without having to bend the rigid leg 21 or the lower rigid flank 21 appreciably downwards.
• the end of the tongue 19 does not protrude completely into the groove 18, so that a gap remains. Problems that can arise from manufacturing inaccuracies are avoided by providing this gap.
• the top of the groove 18 opens out into a slope 26. As a result, a gap between the two panels 2 and 3 also remains at this point. By providing the bevel 26, additional space is provided which is required for the tongue 19 to be screwed into the groove 18.
• the nose 23 extends to the bottom of the groove 22 and serves as a support. In particular, therefore, a gap 27 may remain between the underside of the spring 19 and the wall of the groove 18 located underneath.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=7941529

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Cited By (11)

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• 2000
  • 2000-05-16 DE DE20008708U patent/DE20008708U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 PT PT00940343T patent/PT1282752E/pt unknown
  • 2000-06-07 US US10/276,036 patent/US7603826B1/en active Active
  • 2000-06-07 WO PCT/EP2000/005252 patent/WO2001088306A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2000-06-07 ES ES00940343T patent/ES2225158T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 AU AU55310/00A patent/AU5531000A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-06-07 CN CN00801482A patent/CN1119477C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 DE DE2000508277 patent/DE50008277D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 EP EP00940343A patent/EP1282752B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 AT AT00940343T patent/ATE279613T1/de active
  • 2000-06-07 CN CNB03100685XA patent/CN1313689C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-07 DK DK00940343T patent/DK1282752T3/da active
  • 2000-06-07 PL PL364760A patent/PL200137B1/pl unknown
• 2001
  • 2001-01-08 CN CN01200901U patent/CN2573601Y/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2002
  • 2002-01-04 HK HK02100068.5A patent/HK1038386B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-10-22 NO NO20025063A patent/NO320461B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2009
  • 2009-06-15 US US12/484,276 patent/US7980043B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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