EP1978179B1 - System for connecting and locking two structural panels in particular floor panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has profiles, which correspond to one another at its sides, which are connected with one another. A plastic insert (20) is fastened with a locking projection (7) in one of the profiles. The locking projection works together with a locking recess (15), which is provided in the other profile. The connection and locking of the structural panels takes place both in vertical direction and horizontal direction exclusively by the plastic insert.

Description

The invention relates to a device for connecting and locking two building panels, in particular floor panels, at their longitudinal and / or transverse sides in the horizontal and vertical directions by a substantially vertical joining movement, wherein the device consists of the two building panels to be joined together and a plastic insert the building panels are provided at their sides to be joined with mutually corresponding profiles and the plastic insert is secured in the profiling of the first building board, wherein the plastic insert is provided with a locking projection which cooperates with a provided in the profiling of the second building panel locking recess and the connection and locking two structural panels both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction exclusively by the plastic insert. A device for connecting and locking two building panels is also called system in the following.

Such a system is for example from the DE 102 37 397 known. A similar system is in the EP 1 415 056 B1 disclosed. These systems allow the joining of two floor panels on the transverse sides. On the long sides of the panels are connected by a milled out of the side edges spring-groove profiling. The spring of the new panel to be created is in the groove

inserted a previously laid panel and the newly created panel then swung down to the subfloor.

The WO 00/47841 discloses panels in the side edge tongue and groove profiles are milled. In order to increase the tolerances in the production and so simplify the production and thus reduce manufacturing costs, in the groove of a profile, an elastic spring element can be inserted, which is stretched when joining two panels and so ensures the locking of the two panels ,

From the WO 00/20706 is a system of floor panels known that can be connected to each other via a separate connection profile. This profile is symmetrical and engages in recesses provided for this purpose on the side edges and the underside of the panels.

From the DE 200 08 708 U and the EP 1 350 904 Floor panels are known which can be connected to each other without a separate connecting element. For this purpose, groove and tongue profiles are milled out on the side edges of the panels.

On the transverse side, the known systems allow the simple assembly of the panels by inserting the

Plastic insert spring formed in the vertical direction with a final slight impressions, in which case the locking projection engages in the locking groove. The locking on the transverse side in the horizontal direction is carried out by a hook-shaped profiling of the side edges, which is milled out of the full material. In the vertical direction, the two panels are locked by the plastic insert by the locking projection engages in a locking recess.

In the known system, the locking element is provided with an elastic locking lip. The connection of the plastic element with the profiling of a panel is effected by a web extending in the horizontal direction, which is inserted into a groove introduced horizontally into the side edge. Commercially available floor panels have a thickness of 6 to 12 mm. The groove to be introduced laterally into the profiling of the side edge, in which the plastic insert is fastened, must consequently be milled in a width of 2 to 3 mm and a depth of approximately 5 mm. The 1.5 to 3 mm thick plastic insert must then be inserted into the groove. Both steps must be carried out at high machine speeds, which is not without problems. Due to the strength of the plastic insert, the vertical locking is limited to laminate floors with thicknesses greater than 10 mm, which limits the usability of the locking system.

Based on this problem, the locking system is to be improved.

To solve the problem, the erfindunsgemäße system is characterized in that the plastic insert in cross section is substantially U-shaped and is used with its two free legs connecting legs in a downwardly open, introduced into the profiling first groove, wherein the two free legs Partially supported over its length on the vertical side walls of the groove and then at least one free Leg is provided the outwardly facing locking projection. In the profiling of the second building board, or the profiling on the opposite side edge of the same building board, one of the first groove opposite arranged second, upwardly open groove can be formed, which has the locking recess in at least one side wall. When joining the two building boards, the free leg of the plastic insert springs back until the locking projection comes into coincidence with the locking recess and springs back. In the horizontal direction, the two building panels are locked by the two free legs of the plastic insert and in the vertical direction by the locking projection and the locking recess.

Preferably, on both free legs outwardly facing locking projections and on both side walls of the upwardly open groove depending formed a locking recess. The locking in the vertical direction is thereby improved; The necessary pull-out forces are doubled accordingly.

Preferably, the plastic insert is firmly inserted by positive and / or non-positive fit in the downwardly open groove. It can be clamped, glued or thermo-welded here. It is particularly advantageous that the profiling, which is a shiplap, protects the plastic insert from damage during transport and handling.

In order to optimize the bias of the two free legs of the plastic insert, a reinforcing web may be formed at least between a free leg and the legs connecting the two free legs. One or both free legs may converge toward each other in the direction of their free ends, so that the cross section at the end of the free legs is narrower than at the beginning. Due to its simple geometry, the plastic insert can be produced on an extrusion machine in a continuous process. In order to facilitate the insertion of the plastic insert in the downwardly open groove, this is preferably provided in the transition region from the free legs to the legs connecting them with a chamfer.

The outer side edge of the first profiling and the inner side edge of the second profiling form a contact edge in the case of two interconnected panels. The side edges are machined so that form on both profiles outwardly projecting edges that form the contact surface of the length h ₂ . Below the abutment edge, the side edge jumps back in at least one profiling in order to form a dust bag of length h ₁ can. If the length h _{1 of} the dust pocket formed in two interconnected panels is smaller than the length h _{2 of} the abutment surface, a large joining surface is achievable, so that stresses due to mechanical stress or dimensional changes unavoidable due to the hygroscopic properties of the core material , can be caught well. The length h ₂ of such a joining edge preferably has a length of 2.0 to 2.5 mm in the case of panels with a thickness of approximately 8 to 10 mm.

With the help of a drawing, embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below.

Figur 1

zwei Bauplatten an der Verbindungsstelle in der Teilansicht mit einem ersten Kunststoffeinsatz;

Figur 2

zwei Bauplatten an der Verbindungsstelle in der Teilansicht mit einem zweiten Kunststoffeinsatz;

Figur 3

zwei Bauplatten an der Verbindungsstelle in der Teilansicht mit einem dritten Kunststoffeinsatz;

Figur 4

zwei Bauplatten an der Verbindungsstelle in der Teilansicht mit einem vierten Kunststoffeinsatz;

Figur 5

eine alternative Ausführungsform der Bauplatten nach Figur 1.

It shows:

FIG. 1

two structural panels at the junction in the partial view with a first plastic insert;

FIG. 2

two structural panels at the junction in the partial view with a second plastic insert;

FIG. 3

two structural panels at the junction in the partial view with a third plastic insert;

FIG. 4

two structural panels at the junction in the partial view with a fourth plastic insert;

FIG. 5

an alternative embodiment of the building boards after FIG. 1 ,

The invention will be explained for floor panels, which can be connected to one another via the system according to the invention both on their longitudinal sides and on their transverse sides or even on one side. On the long sides, the panels can also be provided with a conventional tongue-and-groove profiling, which are connected to each other by Einwinkeln and pivoting on the underbody. The joining movement on the transverse side is then carried out substantially in the vertical direction, so that the system is provided with the plastic insert only on the vertical side.

As the drawing shows, the panels 1, 2 are provided at their side edges with mutually corresponding profiles. Although it is spoken here of a first and a second panel, each panel 1, 2, of course, identically profiled and the profiles of opposite side edges correspond to each other. The panel 1 is profiled starting from its underside 11 and the Panel 2 is profiled starting from its top 12. The profiling is step-shaped, so that in the profiling of the first panel 1, a downwardly open groove 9 and in the profiling of the second panel 12, an upwardly open groove 10 is formed. In one or both side walls of the groove 10 undercuts are provided as locking recesses 14, 15. In the downwardly open groove 9 is a cross-sectionally substantially U-shaped plastic insert 20 with its free legs 4, 5 and the free legs 4, 5 connecting horizontally extending legs 3 are used. As FIG. 1 and 2 show, at least between one of the free legs 5 and the leg 3, a reinforcing web 6 may be provided. In the region of their end, the free legs 4, 5 are provided with outwardly facing locking projections 7, 8, which cooperate with the undercut in the side walls of the upwardly open groove locking recesses 14, 15. By the L-shaped profiling of the two side edges is formed in the direction of the top 12, the joint with the length H, the two panels 1, 2 with their vertical side edges 25, 26 form a contact surface of length h ₂ .

As FIG. 1 shows, only one locking projection 7 on a free leg 4 is mandatory to lock the two panels 1, 2 in the vertical direction. The horizontal locking of the two panels 1, 2 is carried out by the two legs 4, 5. To produce a bias in the plastic insert 20 is in the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of a free leg 5 in the direction of its free end tapered inwards and is supported on the corresponding obliquely extending side wall of the upwardly open groove 10 from. The plastic insert 20 is glued into the downwardly open groove 9 of the panel 1, clamped or welded. In the upper area, the two free legs 4, 5 are supported on the side walls of the groove 9. The leg connecting the two free legs 4, 5 3 is located in the groove bottom of the groove 9. Thus, the insertion of the plastic insert 20 is facilitated in the groove 9, this is provided in the transition region of the free legs 4, 5 to the leg 3 with chamfers 16, 17. The step-shaped profiling of the panels 1, 2 is chosen to correspond to each other so that the panels 1, 2 can be supported on the butt joint S via their horizontally extending surfaces 18, 19 each other.

Due to the geometry of the receptacle for the plastic insert 20 is formed after joining the panels 1, 2, a bias, which acts on the underside of the panels 1, 2 in the direction of connection of the two panels 1, 2. At the top of this voltage also presses the two panels 1, 2 together. This guarantees a joint-free laying pattern. For this purpose, the largest inner width b of the groove 10 substantially corresponds to the maximum outer width B of the two free legs 4, 5.

It is particularly advantageous that in this connection system a very simple profile of the two panels 1, 2 is milled for receiving the U-shaped plastic insert 20. In a first step simple Stufenfalze be generated, in which then only the grooves 9, 10 are introduced. The locking recesses 14, 15 for the Verriegetungsvorsprünge 7, 8 can be milled in the run with a rotating tool. Also with regard to the blending the simple Stufenfalzgeometrie is advantageous. In the upper part of the upwardly open groove 10 chamfers 21, 22 are mounted, which facilitate the joining movement. To further simplify the insertion of the plastic insert 20 in the downwardly open groove 9, this is also provided with chamfers 22, 23. Instead bevels 21, 22, 23, 24 and rounding can be provided. Due to the very simple profiling, a large-sized joint edge can be achieved. As FIG. 5 shows, based on the length H in the region of the joining edge, the length h _{2 of} the contact surface of the vertical side edges 25, 26 may be greater than the length h _{1 of} the dust pocket formed underneath 27. Due to the larger joining surfaces of two connected panels 1, 2 can Loads from mechanical stress or by dimensional changes due to hygroscopic properties of the core material are better met. In the case of panels 1, 2 having a thickness of approximately 8 to 10 mm, the joining edge preferably has a length h ₂ of 2.0 to 2.5 mm.

By suitable selection of the plastic profile 20 in shape and material, this is suitable to build up a tension in compression in the region of the free legs 4, 5. In terms of their strength, the legs 4, 5 formed differently be like FIG. 2 shows. About the stiffener 6, the bias between the legs 4, 5 can be varied or adjusted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

paneling

2

paneling

3

leg

4

leg

5

leg

6

web

7

locking projection

8th

locking projection

9

downwardly open groove

10

upwardly open groove

11

bottom

12

top

14

Undercut / Verriegetungsvertiefung

15

Undercut / lock recess

16

chamfer

17

chamfer

18

bearing surface

19

bearing surface

20

Plastic insert

21

chamfer

22

chamfer

23

chamfer

24

chamfer

25

joining edge

26

joining edge

27

dust bag

b

interior width

B

external width

h ₁

length

h ₂

length

H

length

Claims (14)

1. Device for connecting and locking two structural panels (1, 2) on their longitudinal and/or transverse sides in the horizontal and vertical direction by a substantially vertical joining movement, the device consisting of the two structural panels (1, 2) to be connected to one another and a plastics material insert (20), wherein the structural panels (1, 2) are provided, at their sides to be connected to one another, with profiles that correspond to one another and the plastics material insert (20) is fastened in the profile of the first structural panel (1), wherein the plastics material insert (20) is provided with a locking projection (7) which cooperates with a locking indentation (15) provided in the profile of the second structural panel (2) and the connection and locking both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction take place exclusively by means of the plastics material insert, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20) is substantially u-shaped in cross-section and is inserted by the leg (3) connecting its two free legs (4, 5) in a first downwardly open groove (9) built into the profile, the two free legs (4, 5) being partially supported over their length on the vertical side walls of the groove (9) and the outwardly pointing locking projection (7) being provided on at least one free leg (4).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that a second upwardly open groove (10) arranged opposing the first groove (9) is formed in the profile of the second structural panel (2), and at least one side wall of the groove (10) has the locking indentation (14, 15).
3. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterised in that an outwardly pointing locking projection (7, 8) is provided on the two free legs (4, 5) and the two side walls of the upwardly open groove (10) have a locking indentation (14, 15).
4. Device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20) is firmly inserted by positive locking and/or non-positive locking into the first downwardly open groove (9).
5. Device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a reinforcement web (6) is formed at least between one free leg (4, 5) and the leg (3) connecting the two free legs (4, 5).
6. Device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20) is formed as an extrusion profile.
7. Device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20), in the transition region from the free legs (4, 5) to the leg (3) connecting them, in each case has a bevel (16, 17).
8. Structural panel, which is provided to be connected and locked at its longitudinal and/or transverse side in the horizontal and vertical direction to another identically formed structural panel by a substantially vertical joining movement, profiles that correspond with one another being provided on at least two opposing side edges and a plastics material insert (20) being fastened on one side edge in the profile, the plastics material insert (20) being provided with a locking projection (7), and at least one locking indentation (15) being provided in the profile of the opposing side edge, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20) is substantially u-shaped in cross-section and is inserted by the leg (3) connecting its two free legs (4, 5) in a first downwardly open groove (9) built into the first profile, wherein the two free legs (4, 5) are partially supported over their length on the vertical side walls of the groove (9) and the outwardly pointing locking projection (7) is provided on at least one free leg (4), and an upwardly open groove (10) is formed in the second profile and at least one side wall of the upwardly open groove (10) has the at least one locking indentation (14, 15), the width (b) of the upwardly open groove (10) substantially corresponding to the external width (B) of the free legs (4, 5) of the plastics material insert (20), so that two identically formed structural panels (1, 2) can be connected to one another, since the free legs (4, 5) of a first structural panel (1) are pressed into the upwardly open groove (10) of a second structural panel (2).
9. Structural panel according to claim 8, characterised in that the two free legs (4, 5) have an outwardly pointing projection (7, 8) and the two side walls of the upwardly open groove (10) are provided with a locking indentation (14, 15).
10. Structural panel according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that a reinforcement web (6) is formed at least between one free leg (4, 5) and the leg (3) connecting the two free legs (4, 5).
11. Structural panel according to any one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20) is formed as an extrusion profile.
12. Structural panel according to any one or more of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the plastics material insert (20), in the transition region from the free legs (4, 5) to the leg (3) connecting them, in each case has a bevel (16, 17).
13. Structural panel according to any one or more of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the outer side edge of the first profile and/or the inner side edge of the second profile have a projecting region (25, 26) with the length h₂ to form a contact edge of two panels (1, 2) connected to one another and a set-back region with the length h₁ to form a dust pocket (27), and the length h₂ is greater than the length h₁.
14. Structural panel according to claim 13, characterised in that the length h₂ is 2.0 to 2.5 mm.

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