EP1639215B1 - Panels comprising interlocking snap-in profiles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to locking elements that are designed in such a manner that they can adopt an initial position into which the boards are brought by especially lowering them in an exclusively vertical manner. A terminal position is achieved by especially subsequently displacing the panels along the common joint. In this position, the two panels can be interlocked in a manner perpendicular to the panel surface and parallel to the panel surface and at the same time perpendicular to the common connecting joint.

Description

The invention relates to plates with laterally mounted locking elements.

A plate of the type mentioned is from the document EP 090 6994 A1 known as the panel. A panel is a generally elongated, thin plate, which can be connected laterally, so on the longitudinal and transverse sides, for example via grooves and springs with other panels. So interconnected panels are used in particular as a floor covering or wall cladding.

For example, the bonded panels are assembled into a floor covering known as laminate flooring. The panels comprise a carrier plate made of a wood material and a decorative paper on the top, together with a protection against abrasion.

To avoid sticking, is from the document WO 96/27721 a plug-in profile for a panel known, which initially comprises groove and springs in a known manner. In addition, each spring has at least one continuous, protruding locking element on an upper and / or underside. Each groove is provided with grooves so that the protruding locking element passes after the mating of two panels in the corresponding groove. It creates a result of positive connection glueless connection between two panels. The use of glue is not required to assemble panels to a floor or wall covering. Of course, it is still possible and in some cases - as in the present invention - advantageous to glue in addition.

It is from the publication WO 96/27721 It is known to interconnect two panels by translating in a plane or by rotating about the gap between the panels.

There are also known glueless connections, for example, from the publication OS 25 02 992 between two plates, which are caused by a lowering. After lowering, the plates are positively connected with each other.

It was in print DE 201 09 840 U1 proposed by means of a sliding movement along the joint joint caused play-free connection. The perpendicular to the common surface extending vertical locking is effected in a lateral tongue and groove connection by a rotary movement or an elastic yielding of material. The rotational movement requires this permitting shaping of the lateral grooves and springs. When using elastic material results in a lower strength of the compound. Also disadvantageous, especially in terms of manufacturing technology is that a side tongue and groove connection for vertical fixing and a vertically extending tongue and groove connection for fixing parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the joint joint is necessary. The play-free connection by means of displacement is achieved by arcuate, wave-like, serpentine or sawtooth Nutverläufe that are difficult to produce.

The idea of gluelessly connecting two plates by positive engagement has been known for several decades, such as the pamphlets GB 1 430 423 or US 5,295,341 can be seen. Especially in the floor area, the joints between two panels should have no play for visual and hygienic reasons, so that high demands are placed on the manufacturing tolerances. The manufacturing tolerances should currently not exceed 1/10 millimeter. Only in the recent past has it been possible to realize these manufacturing tolerances in practice. For this reason, it has only been possible to successfully sell glueless connectable floor panels for about four years.

Since the panels are made of wood or wood-based material, the material also works after completion of the products. The panels can warp in such a way that laying is virtually impossible.

The invention has for its object to provide improved glueless interconnectable plates.

The object is achieved by means of a plate having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

1. 1. senkrecht zur Plattenoberfläche und
2. 2. parallel zur Plattenoberfläche und zugleich senkrecht zur gemeinsamen Verbindungsfuge

miteinander verbunden sind.A claimed plate comprises laterally mounted locking means, with which two plates can be laterally connected by a form-fitting without glue. A glueless connection between two plates is present, if this by positive locking

1. 1. perpendicular to the plate surface and
2. 2. parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the joint joint

connected to each other.

In contrast to the prior art, the locking elements are such that there is a starting position, in which the plates are to be brought by particular exclusively vertical lowering, in particular by subsequent displacement along the common joint, an end position can be achieved in which a lock the two plates can be effected perpendicular to the plate surface and parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the joint joint.

Optionally, the displacement via an intermediate position, in which the plates or panels are locked at least in one direction with each other by positive locking. At the joint fugue But then there is a game. Due to the game, the plates can be pulled apart a little (according to the size of the game) perpendicular to the joint and then again - perpendicular to the joint - a little pushed towards each other. The locking elements are therefore threaded into each other, so that the connection can be effected more easily and safely because of the successive locking in different directions.

The locking elements are such that only by moving an end position is achieved in which no clearance between the plates or panels is present. In the end position, therefore, the aforementioned shifting due to a game perpendicular to the joint is no longer possible .. The advantage of the game is also that the material can be easier to process or assemble.

Subsequently, two plates or panels are moved and in particular substantially parallel to the common joint until the end position is reached. There is then no more play in the connecting joint. The locking elements are designed according to this purpose.

The invention does not require precise manufacture to provide a glueless connection between two plates, since initially at least in one direction there is a lock in which there is sufficient clearance. Preferably, there is a starting position in which the panels are locked in both directions by positive locking, so already without glue together are connected. In contrast to the prior art, the locking elements are also designed so that disappears by moving the game, which is still present in the intermediate or initial position, between the joints.

In one embodiment, the play-free connection of the plates along the narrow sides has a particularly advantageous effect on the behavior of the floor constructed from the panels according to the invention. This is related to the fact that changes in temperature changes the plate in the longitudinal direction more their dimensions than transverse to it. Therefore, there is a risk here that the joints open on the narrow sides, which affects the appearance and allows the penetration of liquid into the joints. On the long sides, however, known profiles can be used, for example, allow a snap-in or snap-in connection by moving in the plane. When climate change, ie in particular changes in temperature and humidity, it comes to dimensional changes such. Eg shrinkage and swelling. Especially when shrinking the glueless connection is heavily loaded. The panels are generally rectangular, in a ratio (length: width) of 1: 3 to 1:10, preferably in about 1: 8 - 1: 6. The strength with which panels hold each other is directly related to the length of the panels Connection. Therefore, the narrow side is more at risk and stable to perform.

The starting position is therefore particularly easy to achieve according to the invention, since only the panel to be joined has to be lowered down to the other panel in the area of the connecting means. Unlike the publication DE 201 09 840 U1 So is not an initial inversion or the provision of the strength of the compound reducing elastic materials necessary. The achievement of the intermediate position according to the invention is not absolutely necessary. It is also conceivable that during the displacement along the common joint at the same time the aforementioned horizontal and vertical locking takes place. It can preferably undercut wedge surfaces, for. B. similar to a dovetail, are provided. Such an embodiment is too Fig. 5 described.

Thus, in the initial position, a part of the upper panel rests on a part of the lower panel, but can be moved vertically in one direction. In addition, the plates can be moved in all directions in the plane of the plate surface. If the plates are thereby moved along the connecting joint from the starting position to the end position, the effect is that no play occurs in the common joint and the plates are connected to one another perpendicular to the plate surface and parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the common connecting joint.

• die erste Platte mit der zweiten Platte formschlüssig entlang der ersten gemeinsamen Verbindungsfuge sowohl senkrecht zur Plattenoberfläche, als auch parallel zur Plattenoberfläche und zugleich senkrecht zur ersten gemeinsamen Verbindungsfuge verbunden werden kann und
• die erste Platte mit der dritten Platte formschlüssig entlang einer zweiten gemeinsamen Verbindungsfuge zumindest senkrecht zur Plattenoberfläche verbunden werden kann.

The inventive design of the locking means or their interaction is further achieved that by moving the first Plate against the second plate along a first common joint at the same time

• the first plate with the second plate can be positively connected along the first joint joint both perpendicular to the plate surface, as well as parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the first joint connecting joint and
• the first plate can be positively connected to the third plate along a second common joint at least perpendicular to the plate surface.

The compounds mentioned above, for example compounds along the longitudinal and narrow sides of a panel, are usually effected sequentially and independently of each other. For example, the first plate is first connected to the second plate in a form-fitting manner along the first joint connection joint both perpendicular to the plate surface and parallel to the plate surface and at the same time perpendicular to the first common connection joint, and then along the first joint in the direction of the third plate shifted, until at the longitudinal side between the first and third plate another connection is made. As a result, it is neither necessary to turn the plates against each other nor to produce at least parts of the plates made of elastic materials.

The locking according to the invention by means of displacement along the common connecting joint instead of Known latches by clicking or screwing has other advantages. It is at a small thickness, a comparatively very high notch height and an optimal angle (90 ° to the plate surface or dovetail-like) of the side walls feasible without the upsetting shear splitting or bending forces occur.

It will thus realize the desired goals, in particular the reliable glueless connection regardless of manufacturing inaccuracies on the one hand and the avoidance of play in the joint on the other.

With reference to the embodiments described below is explained in particular why the game can be avoided regardless of manufacturing inaccuracies.

In one embodiment of the invention, a plate laterally on a groove and / or a spring. The spring protrudes laterally parallel to the surface of the plate. The groove has been laterally milled in parallel with the surface of the plate, for example. By inserting a spring of a first plate in the aforementioned groove of a second plate, in particular by moving the two plates against each other, the two plates are connected in a known manner so that they are locked to each other perpendicular to the surface due to positive engagement.

The plates have further locking elements, which form the positive connection parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the joint allow. In general, this is a second groove which has been milled in perpendicular to the surface, for example. The second groove may be provided on the underside of a plate or in the former groove. To provide such a groove on the underside of the plate is from the FIGS. 1 the publication WO 94/26999 known.

There is at least one second corresponding protruding locking element in the other plate, which enters the second groove when the plates are locked together. According to the FIGS. 1 the publication WO 94/26999 For this purpose, a protruding over the connecting edge of the associated plate locking strip is provided at the end of the protruding locking element is mounted. If the corresponding projecting locking element arrives in the second groove, then the two plates are then connected to one another by positive locking so that the plates can not be detached from one another by displacement in a plane perpendicular to the common joint. In this starting position, there is the aforementioned game. Such a game is for example in the document WO 94/26999 described and designated in the figure 1a with "Δ". Furthermore, such a game from the FIG. 4 the publication GB 2 256 023 A known.

According to the invention, the second groove or the corresponding lateral boundary has such a course that a displacement of the plates parallel to the joint has the consequence that the one plate at the same time on the other plate is moved to. This is always the case if the course is not parallel to the joint. This movement takes place until the game is no longer available. This is tuned so that the panels are then aligned longitudinally in alignment. To prevent slipping or opening the connection is secured by the longitudinally adjacent panels.

In one embodiment, the mentioned course is realized in that the course of the vertical groove and / or the vertical locking element or its outer lateral boundaries, which may also be the side wall of the second groove or the second locking element at the same time, are wedge-shaped. By this is meant that the distance of the aforementioned elements increases or decreases linearly along the joint. The production of such oblique and hereinafter referred to as wedge-shaped partial surfaces can be prepared for example by an obliquely running cutter. Alternatively, of course, in the kinematic reversal, the plate can be moved during milling. However, the use of an obliquely running milling cutter has the advantage that no additional movement of the plate is necessary, as for example when producing wavy contours DE 201 09 840 U1 ,

The said course is alternatively realized in that the lateral walls of the second groove wave-like, serpentine or sawtooth-like. In this case, the width of the groove can taper. Essential in this embodiment is that the distance between the second groove and the adjacent joint varies. It comes in an embodiment that the FIGS. 1 the publication WO 94/26999 is similar to the distance between the joint and the wall of the groove, which is closer than the other wall of the groove at the joint.

In these embodiments, the panels are first connected so that the protruding locking member (s) enter the second groove at a location close to the joint. If one of the two plates is now parallel to the common joint, which is called joint, moved, the protruding locking element finally reaches into regions of the second groove, which have a greater distance from the connecting joint. The plates therefore move closer to each other almost automatically at the same time, until finally the game is eliminated. The final position has been reached.

When wedge-shaped course it is sufficient to put the plates offset from each other and then move them in the direction of the joint against each other until the plates are aligned. Due to the wedge shape, the plates move almost automatically at the same time to each other until the game is eliminated in the final position. An offset of more than 50% and less than 100%, preferably more than 66% and less than 80% allows easy handling with high closing force. A relatively small offset facilitates the alignment and merging of the Verriegela elements in the starting position. At the same time a large offset is desirable so that the displacement is long and thereby the juxtaposed, in particular wedge-shaped sliding surfaces, the plates can perform with great closing force on the largest possible path to each other. The large closing force ensures a better appearance of the joint and prevents the penetration of dirt and moisture into the core of the board. With optimum connection, therefore, the impregnation and the like of the side edges can be omitted. A long way allows a wedge shape with low angle, whereby larger forces can be achieved. The design specified according to the invention therefore represents a particularly favorable compromise in practice.

In one embodiment, the plates are to be brought from the initial position to the end position exclusively by moving along the diagonal joint. Such a sliding movement requires less skill than known joining techniques in which, for example, the side surfaces must be inserted into one another under manual maintenance of a contact pressure and / or rotated.

In a further embodiment, the contact surfaces of the locking elements, in particular those, which serve as a sliding surface when moving the plates against each other from the output to the end position, perpendicular to the plate surface. The pressurized sliding surfaces can therefore not escape downwards, as is the case with such profiles, which have sloping surfaces at this point. Even higher security against shearing off the surfaces obtained when the sliding surfaces are slightly undercut, such as the type of dovetail, the too Fig. 5 is explained.

In a further advantageous embodiment, which is particularly easy to manufacture, the lower surface of the side-pressing spring with the underside of the vertical locking element forms a flat surface. Of course, the same also applies to the corresponding lateral and vertical grooves which are in contact therewith and which are designed accordingly. In the starting position, therefore, the plates are displaceable both in the direction of the connecting joint, as well as perpendicular thereto, which facilitates handling during installation.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first-mentioned groove comprises a protruding flank or lip. At the end of the protruding flank or lip there is at least one protruding locking element which, when connecting two plates, enters the second groove. By a lowering movement to the said starting position can be provided, in which the two grooves or locking elements are initially performed loosely into each other.

To prefer is usually a substantially rigid protruding lip, since then the lock is particularly stable. This case is shown for example in Figure 18 of the document US 4,426,820 shown. In particular, in this case, the above locking element of a plate outside of first mentioned groove. The lower lip protrudes correspondingly far in comparison to the overlying. The second groove in the other plate then approaches in places as far as the joint, that the one or more protruding locking elements in the second groove by lowering the second groove of a plate in the direction of or the protruding locking elements of the other plate. A locking by positive locking parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the joint is present. Such a lock is not yet available in the vertical direction.

If the sliding movement is then carried out parallel to the connecting joint, the plates approach each other. The first-mentioned laterally projecting spring then enters into the first-mentioned laterally milled-in groove. Only now is also locked vertically. The continuation of the sliding movement finally leads to the fact that no more play in the connection joint exists.

This embodiment is particularly easy to handle. Laying is still easily possible even if several elongated panels are already connected to the narrow sides and they are to be connected together with an already laid row of panels. Here, the invention has significant handling advantages over glueless connectable panels that need to be connected only at the narrow sides, for example, due to rigid protruding lip by a rotary motion before the long sides are connected in the same way by a rotary motion. One Such prior art with these disadvantages is the document US 4,426,820 refer to.

In a further embodiment of the invention, further grooves can branch off from the second groove in the direction of the connecting joint and terminate here. Projecting locking elements can then be pushed from the outside through these branches in the direction of the second groove. If these are at the level of the second groove, the plates are displaced parallel to one another until the said starting position is reached. Another shift parallel to the joint has the consequence that the end position is reached.

This embodiment of the invention is in turn advantageous when a plurality of panels are first connected so as to form a row. For elongated panels, this is the case when first the narrow sides are joined together. The connection on the narrow sides may be a glueless connection according to the prior art. These are preferably those with a protruding lower rigid lip or flank, since such compounds are particularly strong. Also here is the connecting joint relatively short, so that manufacturing inaccuracies are less problematic. The long sides are then connected by moving in a plane. After all, there is a particularly strong, glueless connection. The handling is very simple.

If panels are first connected to one another on the longitudinal sides, then the connections on the narrow sides are configured in particular in such a way that a glueless one Connect by moving in a plane is possible. Such a prior art is for example the patent AT 405 560 B refer to. This prior art discloses a laterally milled groove with two equal length, elastic flanks. The flanks form lateral walls of the groove. On another panel there is a spring on the side. The spring has in particular on the underside a protruding locking element. However, the above locking element may also be present alternatively or additionally at the top of the spring. Corresponding to this protruding locking element there is in the said lateral groove another, second groove which is present in one of the two flanks of the groove. The above locking element engages in the second-mentioned groove when the panels are connected to each other by moving in a plane. Are there two in the spring depending on a protruding locking element on the top and bottom, so there is this corresponding in the lateral groove ever another groove in the upper and in the lower edge.

The further groove, which is located in the flank of the former groove, causes together with the protruding locking element on the top or bottom of the spring, the positive connection parallel to the surface of the panels and perpendicular to the connecting joint. Preferably, such a further or second groove is mounted only in the lower edge. Accordingly, then the above corresponding locking element is provided on the underside of the spring. It has turned out that a protruding locking element at the top of the spring and corresponding groove in thin panels affects the appearance of the panel surface. In fact, it can very easily happen that the protruding locking element causes, for example, due to manufacturing inaccuracies a pressure that causes a kind of dent on the surface. A panel is thin in the sense of the invention, if it is not thicker than 14 mm, in particular if it is not thicker than 10 mm.

The aforementioned connection, which is provided in particular for the narrow sides in an elongate panel, has in another embodiment, a further laterally mounted upper groove on a panel together with a laterally mounted corresponding upper spring on another panel. The upper groove is located above the spring with the protruding locking element. Corresponding to this is the upper spring above the first-mentioned groove. It is therefore a "double tongue and groove" - compound, the two panels perpendicular to the surface by positive locking together. The upper groove or is less deep than the first-mentioned groove, which lies below the upper spring. Correspondingly shorter is the upper spring compared to the spring which lies below the upper groove. This compound has proven to be particularly stable for narrow sides. If the lateral connection additionally glued or factory provided with an adhesive that is activated only during installation or thereafter, for example, by pressure or heat, so is a particularly large contact area available.

If a gluing is provided in the double tongue and groove connection, it is preferable to provide one or more recesses for receiving excess adhesive. The recesses provide cavities within the joint. In particular, such a cavity between the upper tongue and groove connection and the underlying is provided. Moreover, one or each groove is preferably deeper than the corresponding spring so that a cavity remains between the end of the spring and the bottom of the groove. A recess may also have a joint on the underside of the panels below the first groove and the first spring.

In the following, reference will again be made to an embodiment of the connection to which the main claims refer. The second groove is milled from below into a plate. The lateral wall of the second groove, which is located closest to the connecting joint, is preferably at least partially arcuate. The arc then runs so that the "center of the arc" is "obliterated" by the joint and the arch. This means that the projecting coupling element is located in said end position in a region of the second groove, which at least approximates a parallel course of the groove relative to the connecting joint. As a result, an undesired slipping back in the direction of the starting position is counteracted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an adhesive in the region of the end position provided, which connects at least the second groove with the protruding locking element. By the adhesive, the aforementioned unwanted slipping back from the end position in the direction of the starting position is also avoided.

The adhesive is preferably factory-mounted and is activated only by pressure or heat. The adhesive may be encapsulated in the second groove, for example, where the protruding locking element is expected to reach in the end position. As soon as this happens, the capsule is destroyed by the pressure and the elements are glued together. Alternatively, the components of a two-component adhesive may be distributed over protruding locking elements and second grooves. In the final position, the various components mix.

On the one hand the cohesion is improved by the adhesive and on the other hand the connecting joints are protected against penetrating moisture. If the protection against moisture is in the foreground, a water-repellent paste or sticky mass may be provided instead of the adhesive. Such a water-repellent paste or sticky mass is in principle suitable for any glue-free connection in order to prevent the penetration of moisture into the connecting joints and the associated damage.

The contact surface or the walls, which form the contact surface between the above locking element and the groove corresponding thereto, run preferably perpendicular to the surface of the plates. For clarification, the subject of the patent EP 843 763 B1 directed. Here, the contact surface runs obliquely. The oblique course of the contact surface has the disadvantage, in particular in the case of an elastic flank or protruding lip of a groove, that a panel can also slip out again under load. This disadvantage is avoided by the vertical contact surface. The subject of the patent, a sloping contact surface is required to connect two panels without an existing game in the connection joint can. From the publication WO 94/26999 Although a vertical contact surface is known, as can be seen inter alia from FIG. 1a. This prior art discloses the vertical contact surface always but in combination with a game. Without such a game, it would not have been possible to connect two panels to the said vertical contact surfaces. Since, according to the invention, a clearance is initially present at the starting position, two plates or panels can be connected to one another despite a vertical contact surface. An oblique contact surface with the disadvantages mentioned can thus be avoided without having to accept a game in the joint connection for this purpose.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the walls which form the contact surface are even undercut. The contact surface then again has a slope relative to the surface. However, this slope runs inversely compared to the inclined contact surface, which is the subject of the patent EP 843 763 B1 having. Through this reverse skew is effected in the end position such a toothing that alone thereby a glueless connection according to the invention is provided.

• Figur 1: Die Paneele beim Herabsenken des einen Paneels in die Ausgangsstellung,
• Figur 2a- 2c: den Vorgang des Verbindens durch Verschieben,
• Figur 3: Einen aus den erfindungsgemäß gebildeten Fußbodenbelag in der Aufsicht
• Figur 4: einen Querschnitt durch die erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungselemente
• Figur 5: einen Querschnitt durch die erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungselemente in einer alternativen Ausgestaltung
• Figur 6: einen Querschnitt durch die erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungselemente in einer weiteren alternativen Ausgestaltung mit zusätzlicher Feder auf der Unterseite und
• Figur 7 und 8: die Verriegelungselemente aus Fig. 6 mit Bemaßung.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Likewise, according to the invention, the features mentioned above and even further can be used individually or in any desired combinations with one another. The mentioned embodiments are not exhaustive and have exemplary character. It shows

• FIG. 1 : The panels when lowering one panel to the starting position,
• Figure 2a-2c : the process of joining by moving,
• FIG. 3 : One from the inventively formed floor covering in the supervision
• FIG. 4 : a cross section through the locking elements according to the invention
• FIG. 5 a cross section through the locking elements according to the invention in an alternative embodiment
• FIG. 6 a cross section through the locking elements according to the invention in a further alternative Design with additional spring on the bottom and
• FIGS. 7 and 8 : the locking elements off Fig. 6 with dimensioning.

In the Figure 2c Two plates 1 and 2 are shown having laterally mounted locking means. The locking means connect the plates 1 and 2 without glue. By positive engagement, the plates 1 and 2 according to Figure 2c perpendicular to the surface 3 of the plates 1 and 2 and connected or locked parallel to the plate surface 3. In addition, the two plates 1 and 2 are perpendicular to the common joint 4 locked together. A displacement of the plate 1 relative to the plate 2 parallel to the joint 4 is possible in a limited way, as later FIG. 1 is explained ..

In he starting position or intermediate position, a game "Δ" may be present in the common joint 4. Due to the play, the plates can be pulled apart a little (according to the size of the game) perpendicular to the joint 4 and parallel to the surface 3. The locking elements according to FIG. 2b are like that; starting from an initial position by moving in a plane parallel to the connecting joint, an end position is reached at which no play between the plates 1 and 2 or panels is present. The locking elements according to FIG. 2b are furthermore such that, in the initial position shown, the plate 2 can be raised vertically, ie no vertical locking has taken place yet. This is no longer possible in the intermediate position.

FIG. 1 shows two plates according to the invention before they are brought into the starting position. The first plate 1, which has already been laid, has the connecting elements 4, 5, 7, 18 at its right side edge. These essentially comprise a vertical groove 7, which extends perpendicular to the plate surface 3 and is delimited by the lateral wall surfaces 11 and 10. To the left, the hot in the direction of the plate interior, the vertical groove 7 merges into a horizontal lateral groove 5, which thus enables an undercut under the plate surface 3. In this case, therefore, the groove base of the vertical groove 7 together with the lower groove trough of the lateral groove 5 forms a common planar surface 51.

Furthermore, the lateral boundary 11 of the vertical groove 7 at the same time forms the groove bottom of the lateral groove 5. On the other side, the vertical groove 7 is bounded by a lateral wall 10. This wall 10, as well as the corresponding wall 16 of the second plate 2, has the peculiarity that it does not run parallel to the joint 4, which form the visible narrow side of the plates 1 and 2 and by the coincidence of the two perpendicular to the plate surface. 3 the plates formed walls 12 and 13 is defined. The walls 10 and 16 thus have the peculiarity that they are not executed as all other millings 90 ° to the longitudinal edge of the panel.

According to the invention, at a small thickness, a comparatively very high latching height and an optimum angle (90 ° to the plate surface or dovetail-like) of the lateral walls 16, 10 can be realized without upsetting, shearing, splitting or bending forces occurring. The notch height is the height of the contacting walls 16 and 10.
The second plate 2 has corresponding connecting elements 9, 6, 17. From the plate surface 3 performs a vertical locking element 9 down away, which, similar to a spring, can get into the groove 7 of the first plate 1 when the second plate 2 is lowered onto the first plate 1, wherein the two plates in about 1/3 of the joint length 4 overlap. The width of the vertical locking element varies in a wedge shape over the length of the plate. Whose course is adapted to the also wedge-shaped course of the lateral wall 10 of the vertical groove 7 of the first plate 1, so that the respective lateral walls 10 and 16 serve as sliding surfaces when moving the two plates along the common joint 4. The wedge shape allows the compression of the plates with great force.

In order to enable a lowering of the two plates in the starting position, it is necessary that the width of the vertical locking element 9 of the second plate 2 at the rear end of the second plate 2 is smaller than the measured between the side walls 13 and 10 width of the vertical Groove 7 in the front third of the first plate. 1

Also, the second plate 2 has as vertical acting locking element on a parallel to the plate surface 3 acting spring 6. The underside of the lateral spring 6 forms, together with the underside of the vertical locking element 9, a flat lower surface 61. The upper side of the lateral spring 6 is slightly bevelled, just like the upper groove cheek of the lateral groove 5 of the lower plate 1, for insertion of the lateral To facilitate spring 6 in the lateral groove 5. Therefore, lower manufacturing tolerances must be observed. These chamfers are clearer in Fig. 6-8 to recognize. Also manufacturing technology bring these chamfers advantages. The milling spindles can namely be placed at an angle and can thus use the space made free by the chamfers as a movement space. Thus, the walls 10 and 16 are not damaged in the passage, since the milling does not have to take place in the immediate vicinity of the walls 10 and 16.

These chamfers also have the advantage that the lateral end of the lateral spring 6 does not have to contact the lateral wall surface 11 in the groove base, but is wedged like a wedge between the groove cheeks of the lateral groove 5. Due to the thus enlarged contact surface a particularly firm connection is effected.

A second vertical groove 17 extends vertically upwards from the vertical locking element 9 and can receive the second locking element 18 of the lower plate. By providing a variety of Tongue and groove connections are provided more contact surfaces, for example 12, 13, 10, 16, 11, 15, whereby the connection is more stable and in particular the common joint 4 can be closed without play. This is then also safe when working from moments against opening.

The connection is established on the basis of FIGS. 2a to 2c explained. First, the new plate 2 is positioned over the laid plate 1 so that the two overlap by about 1/3 of the plate length. Thereafter, the new plate 2 is lowered so that the vertical spring 9 can be lowered into the corresponding groove 7 ( FIG. 2b ). This is possible despite the lateral tongue and groove connection 5, 6, since the vertical tongue and groove connection 7, 9 is wedge-shaped. The joint connecting joint 4 has at this time still a game "Δ" on.

Well in FIG. 2b the second plate 2 is moved along the common connecting joint 4, wherein the gap is necessarily closed by the wedge-shaped stop surfaces of the vertical tongue and groove joint 9, 7.

In Figure 2c The stop surfaces are now full, ie over their full length together. The two plates are now positively fixed in all axes, with the exception of a backward displacement along the common joint.

FIG. 3 now explains the structure of a floor with the panels of the invention. The already laid Plates are marked 1 'and 2. The connecting joints 4 at the end faces are effected by the lowering and sliding along the joint 4 according to the invention, while the longitudinal joint 4 'can be effected by bringing the plates in the plane, for example by means of a snap-in or snap-in connection.

The newly laid plate 1 will, as under FIG. 2a explained, offset from the laid plate 2 lowered at the short end face, so that the two locking means 9 and 7 of the plates can interlock. While the newly laid plate 1 is moved along the lateral connection joint 4 in the direction of the already laid plates 1 ', the lateral connecting joint 4 closes. At the same time, a snap-in connection is effected virtually on the longitudinal sides 4'. By the displacement process so the front and side locks 4, 4 'are simultaneously effected.

When laying the last layer in the room you will deviate from FIG. 3 Proceed as there is not enough space to move over about 2/3 of the element width. Therefore, first all panels of the last row must first be connected to the end face of a strip and the entire strip then pressed against the already laid floor, so that the provided on the long sides latching can snap. This only 0.5 to 2 cm space required.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of locked in the end position connecting means. In this case, the edge is shown on which the vertical locking element 9 has the maximum width and the likewise wedge-shaped second locking element 18 has the minimum width. The aforementioned elements contact each other along a sliding surface formed by the vertical walls 10 and 16 extending in a wedge shape across the width of the plate. The view shown thus corresponds to the front view of the plates from the FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

As a dotted line, the contour of the non-visible side walls 10 ', 16' is indicated in the rear region of the plate. The distance between the marked wall 10 and the indicated wall 10 'is therefore the maximum possible clearance "Δ" by which the plates can be moved perpendicular to the joint 4. The abutting in the region of the common joint 4 vertical walls 12 and 13 can therefore occupy a maximum of this distance "Δ". The game "Δ" is also 'dimensioned so that it is greater than the length of the vertical connecting element 9 protruding spring 6 to allow lowering of the vertical connecting element 9 in the vertical groove 7 in the starting position. The side-mounted spring is thus shorter than the game, which can occur at the joint joint maximum.

The invention can be carried out as in the scale embodiment, when the length of the lateral spring 6 2 mm, the maximum width of the vertical groove 7 8.7 mm and the minimum width 5.8 mm, giving a clearance of 2.9 mm. The maximum and minimum width of the second vertical locking element is therefore 6.7 mm and 3.8 mm. Therefore, results for the formed from the vertical groove 7 and the vertical second locking member 18 lower lip a free length of 12.5 mm. A spring length of 2 mm of the lateral spring 6 for vertical locking produces a large closing force and secure connection not achieved in known panels.

FIG. 5 corresponds in dimension and designation FIG. 4 however, the vertical side walls 10 and 16 serving as sliding surfaces are undercut like a dovetail, so that a tensile force is exerted on the connection. The two surfaces 10, 16 thus get caught, so that a downward deflection is not possible even with strong bending moments acting on the connection.

Also, the further embodiment FIG. 6 corresponds in dimension and designation FIG. 4 However, in addition to the first plate 1, a further lateral spring 61 is provided for engagement in a further lateral groove 51 in the second plate 2. These correspond in design and function of the above-described lateral horizontal spring 6 and horizontal lateral groove 5 of the corresponding other plates 2.1. The additional tongue-and-groove connection 51, 61 on the underside of the plates prevents the lower groove cheek of the lateral groove 5 from yielding under tensile loading. The locking against height offset thus takes place twice.

In Fig. 6 It can also be seen that the lateral end of the lateral spring 6 does not contact the lateral wall surface 11 in the groove bottom of the groove 5, but is wedged like a wedge between the groove cheeks of the lateral groove 5. Overall, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the joined plates 1, 2 have a substantially point-symmetrical common profile profile, at least in the region of the horizontal springs 6, 61 and grooves 5, 51st

The size of the smallest cross-section, over which the vertical locking element 9 and the vertical second locking element 18 is connected to the upper lip of the second plate 2 and with the lower lip of the first plate 1, determines the overall strength of the compound, in all embodiments. If loaded until the connection breaks, this area is sheared off. Will the cross section in the Fig. 6 represented by a length dimension A, made larger so the connection becomes stronger.

Out FIGS. 7 and 8 the concrete dimension for one follows Fig. 6 made compound. For the dimension A, therefore, a value of 5.25-1 = 4.25 mm or 3.75-1 = 2.75 mm results, depending on the course of the wedge surface 10 and 16 or 10 'and 16'. For the panels and starches specified in accordance with the invention, a value of 2-10 mm, preferably 2.5-7 mm and in particular preferably 2.5-5.5 mm was found for A.

Claims (9)

1. Plates (1, 2) having laterally mounted locking elements, so as to enable two of the plates (1, 2) to become connected to each other laterally and without any glue by form closure,
   characterized in that
   the locking elements (5, 6, 7, 9) are designed such that

   - there is a starting position into which the plates are to be brought exclusively by lowering in the vertical direction wherein a common joint (4) is formed between the plates (1, 2) while creating clearance, and

   - there is an end position where the plates are locked with each other in the vertical direction by form closure and where there is no clearance at the common joint (4) and where the plates are connected to each other without any glue,

   - wherein at least one lateral limitation (10) of a vertical groove (7) of a plate serving as a means of locking and/or a lateral limitation (16) of a vertical spring-like locking element (9) of a plate (1) serving as a means of locking is formed relative to the common joint (4) in a wedge-shaped manner and extends in relation to the common joint (4) such that the distance from the common joint (4) decreases or increases in a linear manner along the joint.
2. The plates according to claim 1, wherein the plates (1, 2) are to be brought from the starting position to the end position by moving along the common joint (4).
3. The plates according to claim 1 or 2 wherein an intermediate position exists where the plates are locked with each other by form closure at least in the vertical direction and where a clearance at the common joint (4) of the two plates (1, 2) exists.
4. The plates according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

   - a plate (1) comprises a vertical groove (7) as locking element which is arranged vertically to the surface (3), and

   - another plate (2) comprises at least one corresponding protruding vertical locking element (9) which enters the vertical groove (7) when the plates are in their starting position, wherein

   the vertical groove (7) and/or a lateral limitation (10) of the vertical groove (7) extends at least partially in such a way which is not parallel to the common joint (4),
   and/or
   the vertical locking element (9) and/or a lateral limitation (16) of the vertical locking element (9) extends at least partially in such a way which is not parallel to the common joint (4).
5. The plates according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plates are laminate panels.
6. The plates according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plates are part of a floor covering.
7. A method for connecting plates (1, 1', 2) having laterally mounted locking elements according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

   - moving the first plate (1) against the second plate (2) along a first common connecting joint (4), wherein at the same time

   - the first plate (1) can be connected to the second plate (2) by form closure along the first common connecting joint (4) both vertically to the plate surface (3) and in parallel direction to the plate surface, and at the same time vertically to the first common connecting joint (4), and

   - the first plate (1) can be connected to the third plate (1') by form closure along a second common connecting joint (4') at least vertically to the plate surface (3).
8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein shifting occurs exclusively in a plane parallel to the plate surface.
9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plates (1, 2) are brought from a starting position to an end position by shifting along the common joint (4).

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