EP2191083B1 - Connection for floor panels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connection for floor panels according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Under the slogan "Glue-free connection" or "Click connection", a large number of solutions are currently being offered which are used in particular for laminate floors made of HDF / MDF or parquet floors.

In the EP 1 024 234 B1 Such a "click-connection" is disclosed in which along the longitudinal and end or transverse edges groove / spring connections for vertical fixation and additional locking elements are provided for horizontal locking. In this known solution, a lower, facing a bearing surface of the floor groove cheek of a panel is extended beyond a vertical parting plane between the panels and carries at its end a locking projection which dips into a corresponding recess on the underside of a spring of the other floor panel. The horizontal locking is carried out without play in this solution, so that even with larger temperature fluctuations only relatively small gaps between the facing edges arise. This known solution can be brought about by the planar sliding of the panels to be laid or by angling one panel with respect to the other panel.

In the EP 0 098 162 B1 a similar solution is shown in which the horizontal locking is carried out, however, with a certain play, so that the panels can still move in the laid state along their adjacent edges.

In the EP 1 250 503 B1 a connection for floor panels is shown in which the two floor panels are connected only by an angle with each other - a planar displacement of the panels for producing the locking engagement is not provided.

In the solution mentioned above, the floor panels along the longitudinal and transverse edges can be connected to each other by the planar succession. However, some customers prefer to connect the panels by angling.

In some solutions, such as in the EP 1 250 503 B1 disclosed solution, this connection is even possible only by angling. In this case, a panel to be laid in an inclined position along the longitudinal edge is attached to an already laid panel so that, for example, the spring of the panel to be laid dips into the groove of the laid panel. Subsequently, we pivoted the panel to be laid down from a slanted position, wherein the groove is completely immersed in the spring and the horizontal locking devices engage each other such that the two panels are locked along the longitudinal edge.

The problem with these solutions is that the lock on the shorter end or transverse edges in the above Einschwenkvorgang is difficult to produce, so that - depending on the constructive solution - along the front edges either no vertical locking or this can be produced only with considerable effort.

To improve the locking at the front or transverse edges so-called push button systems are proposed in which the connection along the shorter edges is made by pivoting down the panel. Such solutions are for example in the DE 201 12 474 U1 or the DE 10 2005 002 297 described.

From the DE 19 962 830 C2 a connection is known in which the horizontal locking takes place via a separate locking pin, which is formed in addition to a conventional tongue and groove connection. Even with a breakage of this locking pin, the relative arrangement of the panels in the vertical direction is ensured in this technically superior solution.

The US 2005/241255 A1 shows floor panels, which are connectable via a horizontal and vertical locking, wherein the vertical locking via a tongue and groove connection and the horizontal locking is done via a hook connection.

In those solutions in which the connection along the transverse edges by planar displacement takes place, the panel to be laid by a Slam block brought into locking engagement with the already laid panel. For this purpose, the two panels must be aligned along their edges and then connected as evenly as possible with the help of the impact block and a hammer. This approach may not be a problem for professional publishers, as the However, in the case of improper handling, it may happen that the floor panels are pointed along the transverse edges to be joined, so that the parting line between the two panels can correspondingly be damaged.

In contrast, the present invention seeks to provide a connection for floor panels, in which the laying is simplified by planar displacement.

This object is achieved by a connection for floor panels with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the floor panels to be joined along two edges have a conventional tongue and groove connection which is provided with a horizontal lock, which can be brought into locking engagement by planar displacement. According to the invention, this connection is made with a guide projection on a panel which dips into a guide recess on the other panel whereby an intermediate position between the two floor panels is predetermined by cooperation of the guide projection and guide recess, in which the locking engagement is not yet established, but a predetermined relative positioning along the edges to be joined (longitudinal edge or transverse edge) is ensured. By this pre-adjustment tilting or displacement of the two panels when hitting or spotting is reliably prevented. The spring does not dive into the groove in the intermediate position, so that the intermediate position can be easily reached.

This pre-adjustment in the vertical direction is simplified when a dipping into the groove end portion of the spring is conical.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a horizontal locking ensuring locking projection on an extended lower cheek of a panel and a locking recess on the spring underside of the adjacent panel is formed.

The preparation of the connection is particularly simple if the locking recess of the horizontal locking is also formed as a guide recess.

In a preferred embodiment, a further improved pre-adjustment is achieved, in which the guide projection is designed to be higher in the vertical direction than the locking projection.

The pre-adjustment is further optimized if the locking surface and a guide surface of the guide projection are approximately parallel, so that in a contact position a defined pre-positioning is ensured.

The floor joint according to the invention can be connected by planar displacement, when the locking projection is below a horizontal plane containing a lower groove surface.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a recess is formed on the underside of the spring, which in the intermediate position overstretches the locking projection on the Nutunterwange, so that the panel to be laid can be lowered slightly deeper, as the locking projection dive into the space created by the recess can. In this way, the guidance of the panel to be laid is simplified when moving from the intermediate position to the locking position. Another advantage of such a variant is that the panel to be laid rests flat on the surface due to the above-described lower position.

It is preferred if the recess is designed as a groove.

In a further variant of the invention, the transition region between the apex of the locking projection and the guide projection is made with a greater thickness than the part of the groove lower cheek disposed beyond the locking projection. The guide projection and the transition region to the locking projection then support the latter, so that an increased pull-out strength is achieved.

Laying tests have shown that in case of improper installation due to improper alignment of the panels, the transverse edge of the already installed panel may be damaged. To avoid this is in a variant of the invention Compound extends the arranged at the transverse edge spring in the region adjacent to the longitudinal edge region in the direction of the longitudinal edge to a stop area, so that the panel to be laid when laying only along this stop area abuts the transverse edge of the already laid panel and damage is prevented when swinging down ,

This stop area is preferably extended only by a few 1/10 millimeters in the longitudinal edge direction, wherein the width of this stop area (in the transverse edge direction) is more than 0.5 cm, preferably about 1 cm (in a standard panel).

The connection is made so that the two panels can be brought by approximately planar displacement from the intermediate position in the locking position.

This approximately in the horizontal direction extending displacement is in one embodiment about one millimeter. However, the displacement can also be set variably.

The attachment of the panels in the intermediate position can be done by a combined vertical and horizontal displacement, during which movement, the two panels are aligned substantially parallel to each other.

According to the invention, it is preferred if the connection is made on the shorter transverse sides of the floor panels. At the longitudinal edges then one of the solutions described above can be used.

The invention can be realized particularly advantageously in floor panels with HDF / MDF core.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

• Figur 1 eine stark vereinfachte Draufsicht auf ein mit einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Verbindung ausgeführten Fußbodenpaneel;
• Figur 2 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A durch eine Querkante des Fußbodenpaneels aus Figur 1;
• Figur 3 einen entsprechenden Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B in Figur 1;
• Figur 4 die Einzelheit X in Figur 1;
• Figur 5 Verlegeschritte zum Verbinden zweier Fußbodenpaneele entlang ihrer Querkanten;
• Figur 6 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Verbindung, wobei zwei miteinander zu verbindende Paneele in Schnitten entlang der Linie A-A bzw. B-B gemäß Figur 1 dargestellt sind und
• Figur 7 die beiden Paneele aus Figur 5 im verriegelten Zustand.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a greatly simplified plan view of a executed with a first embodiment of a compound according to the invention floor panel;
• FIG. 2 a section along the line AA through a transverse edge of the floor panel FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 a corresponding section along the line BB in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 the detail X in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 5 Laying steps for connecting two floor panels along their transverse edges;
• FIG. 6 a further embodiment of a compound according to the invention, wherein two panels to be joined together in sections along the line AA or BB according to FIG. 1 are shown and
• FIG. 7 the two panels off FIG. 5 in the locked state.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a floor panel 1 of a laminate or parquet floor. Such a floor panel 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view with two longitudinal edges 2, 4 and two shorter transverse edges 6, 8. For glueless connection of two floor panels along the longitudinal edge 2 is a spring 12 and along the longitudinal edge 4 a groove 10 with extended lower lip eleventh trained, as they are known for example from the prior art described above.

These tongue and groove joints are designed with horizontal locking systems, as they are known for example from the prior art described above. These locking systems can be engaged with each other either by planar shifting.

At the two shorter transverse edges 6, 8 are also each a groove 14 and a spring 16 are executed. The profiling of the two transverse edges 6, 8 is based on the FIGS. 2 and 3 explains the cuts along the lines AA and BB in FIG. 1 demonstrate.

According to the in FIG. 2 shown section along the line AA in FIG. 1 is formed at the transverse edge 8, the groove 14, which in the illustrated embodiment, inwardly, ie, to the right in FIG. 2 opens easily. For this purpose, an upper groove surface 17 is slightly adjusted to the horizontal. A lower groove surface is formed with an approximately horizontally extending groove surface 18 and a Nutschrägfläche 20 adjacent to the groove bottom. The two last-mentioned surfaces 18, 20 are provided on an elongated groove under-cheek 22 extending in the horizontal direction (to the left in FIG FIG. 2 ) extends beyond a top beam 24. The upper beam 24 is limited by an end edge 26 frontally.

On the Nutunterwange 22 a concave recess 28 is provided following the horizontal groove surface, which merges to the left, ie, the free end portion of the lower beam 22 in a locking projection 30 which is designed with a comparatively short in this embodiment locking surface 32, the is made oblique to the horizontal. The locking projection 30 then drops along its rear face 34 towards a guide projection 36 that extends vertically beyond the locking projection 30. As can be seen from the dot-dash line in FIG. 2 results, a vertical extension of the guide projection 36 bounding top 38 is closer to the upper groove surface 16 than the horizontal groove surface 18. The top 38 passes over an obliquely downward sloping guide surface 40 in the back 34 of the locking projection 30 via. The locking projection 30 is arranged below the groove plane 18 containing the horizontal plane.

In the FIG. 3 illustrated transverse edge 6 of the floor panel 1 is carried out according to the spring 16, the end portion in the illustration according to FIG. 3 is conical. This conification is effected by an upper spring inclined surface 42 and a slightly convex spring surface 44. In the transition region between the two surfaces 42, 44, the spring 16 is provided with a rounding 46. The spring inclined surface 42 merges into a spring upper side 48, which slopes slightly downwards towards the horizontal, and extends approximately as far as a spring-side end edge 50. In the transition region between the spring-side end edge 50 and the top edge 48 of a bevel chamfer 52 is milled.

The slightly convex executed spring surface 44 merges into a horizontally extending spring underside 54, to which a slightly inclined to the horizontal salaried surface 56 connects to the left, which extends at a horizontal distance to a bottom 58 of the floor panel 1. This surface 56 extends practically from the predetermined by the spring-side end face 50 parting line inwardly up to a locking recess 60. This opens following the surface 56 with an inclined contact surface 62, which extends into an approximately parallel to the bottom 58 recess surface 64 passes. The left end portion of the locking recess 60 is formed by a vertical surface 66, which merges via a transition radius 68 in the recess surface 64.

As FIG. 3 is further removed, the recess surface 64 extends approximately in the horizontal plane, in which also runs through the rounded 46 tip of the spring 16.

When laying the prescribed panels 1, 1 ', it may happen - especially in untrained publishers - that the already laid panels are not carefully aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction. That is, especially for larger areas, the panels 1, 1 'seen in the longitudinal direction may be slightly curved, so that it may come in the transverse edge region when bending an open panel in the direction of the already laid panel to damage, since the transverse edges 6, 8 do not run parallel, but form an acute angle to each other. In the case in which the improperly laid panels 1,1 'form a concave arch towards the publisher, the distance between the transverse edges 6, 8 decreases towards the publisher, so that the transverse edge portions facing it collide on bending and thus the Good edge is damaged.

In order to prevent such a collision due to an angular offset between the transverse edges 6, 8 of the panels 1, 1 'to be laid, in the case of FIG FIG. 4 illustrated embodiment, the spring 16 extends to the transverse edge 6 of the panel 1 to be laid in the region adjacent to the longitudinal edge 2 to a stop region 78, said extension L is only a few 1/10 millimeters, for example, less than 0.5 cm. The width B of this extended contact area 78 in the illustrated embodiment is about 1 cm. By this stop area 78, the forward, towards the publisher directed areas of the transverse edges 6, 8 of the panels to be laid 1, 1 'held before striking at a distance L to each other, so that damage to the laid panel 1' when pivoting down the panel. 1 is avoided in the intermediate position. This ensures that the publisher can not apply the panel 1 to be laid along the entire transverse edge 6 to the already laid panel 1 '. However, this stopper portion 78 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The function of in the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrated tongue and groove connection will be explained with reference to a laying operation. It is assumed that already some floor panels are laid and now another floor panel 1 should be attached to the already laid floor panels. For this purpose, the floor panel 1 to be laid along its longitudinal edge-for example, the longitudinal edge 12 -is connected to the already installed panel 1 ', this being done by planar displacement. For connecting the two adjacent transverse edges is according to FIG. 5a the floor panel 1 to be laid with its transverse edge 6 with respect to the corresponding transverse edge 8 of the already laid floor panel 1 'aligned such that the spring 16 just below the side edge 26 and vertically above the extended lower cheek 22 of the already laid floor panel 1' and only with the end face of the stop portion 78 or, if this is not formed, with the rounding 46 of the spring 16 abuts against the end edge 26 of the Nutoberwange 24.

Following this, the transverse edge 6 of the floor panel 1 to be laid in the direction of arrow in FIG. 5a lowered down to the extended groove cheek 22 of the laid floor panel 1 'until the surface 56 comes to rest on the transverse edge 6 on the locking projection 30 of the lower beam 22. In this investment position then also the rear abutment surface 62 of the locking recess 60 abuts against the guide surface 40 of the guide projection 36. To make this possible, the length L of the Nutunterwange (measured from the predetermined by the end edge 26 parting plane to the beginning of the guide surface 40 (see FIG. 5b )) slightly greater than or equal to the length I of the spring 16, measured from the rounding 46 to the beginning of the contact surface 62, executed so that the spring 16 comes to rest with its underside on the extended lower cheek 22, wherein the relative position in Horizontal direction to the left (view to FIG. 5a ) is given by the plant of the surfaces 62, 40. The provided at a distance from the locking projection 30 guide projection 36 thus ensures an exact pre-adjustment of the two floor panels 1, 1 'along their transverse edges 6, 8, wherein in this self-adjusting intermediate position a gap S (see FIG. 5b ) remains between the adjacent end edges 26, 50. The spring 16 dives with the abutment portion 78 in sections in the groove 14 a.

Following this, the in FIG. 5 not shown transverse edge 8 of the floor panel 1 to be laid a slap block and the floor panel 1 by means of a hammer in the horizontal direction (arrow in FIG. 5b ), so that the spring 16 dips into the groove 14 and the system between the two approximately parallel surfaces 62, 40 is repealed. During this wrapping process, the gap S closes until the two end edges 26, 50 of the two panels 1, 1 'abut each other and the spring 16 is completely immersed in the groove 14, in which case the rounding 46 and the end face of the stop portion 78 still at a distance from the groove bottom 70 extends. In this case, the spring 16 lies along the surfaces 48 and 54 on the groove surfaces 16 and 18 and the inclined locking surface 32 engages behind the abutment surface 62 of the locking recess 60, so that the transverse edges 6, 8 are locked in horizontal and vertical directions. In this locking position of the guide projection 36 is completely received in the locking recess 62, wherein the guide surface 40 is formed in a gap S corresponding distance to the contact surface 62. The upper side 38 of the guide projection 36 extends at a distance from the recess surface 64.

In the FIG. 5c illustrated locking position, the bottom sides 58 and tops 72 of the floor panels 1, 1 'exactly flush with each other, with a sharpening or damage by the pre-adjustment of the two floor panels 1, 1' on the guide projection 36 and over the stop area 78 can be reliably prevented. This laying aid also allows less experienced to carry out faultless floor laying in professional quality.

Based on FIGS. 6 and 7 another embodiment of the invention will be explained, the basic structure of which largely corresponds to the above-described embodiments, so that only the differences will be explained here. Also in this embodiment, a stopper portion 78 is formed on the executed with a spring 16 transverse edge 6, which in turn is formed as a projection on the spring 16. On the spring underside 54 of the spring 16, a groove 74 is formed, which covers the locking projection 30 of the already laid panel 1 'when lowering the panel to be laid 1 in the intermediate position. In FIG. 6 In this case, the panel 1 to be laid is shown in a position shortly before reaching the above-described intermediate position. In a further down pivoting of the panel 1 to the panel 1 'out, then the locking projection 30 immersed in the space created by the groove 74, so that the panel 1 relative to the basis of the FIGS. 1 to 4 described solution can be further pivoted down to the subsoil. Due to the resulting flatter edition is to be laid, longitudinally already inflected panel 1 then much more plump on the subsoil, as it is the case in the solution described above, so that can be dispensed with a longitudinally patched laying aid. In the solutions described above, however, it may be necessary, in the region of the transverse edges a short laying aid longitudinally on the panels 1, 1 'set up so that they are fixed in position relative to each other. Also in this embodiment, damage to the spring 16 or the upper groove cheek 26 is prevented when tilting the panel 1 to the already laid panel 1 'on the stop area 78, since a possible angular offset between the transverse edges 6, 8 is compensated.

Another advantage is that the spring 16 of the panel 1 to be laid in the vertical direction is much better aligned with respect to the groove 14 of the already laid panel 1 ', so that the front-milled spring inclined surface 42 when moving from the intermediate position to the locking position only supports and not - as in the embodiment described above - serves as a guide element.

In the in FIG. 7 illustrated locked state of the two panels 1, 1 ', the groove 74 is then in the area defined by the recess 28, in which case an enlarged chamber 76 is created in which any impurities or the like can accumulate without the pull-out forces are reduced.

Based on the representation according to FIG. 7 a further advantage of the compound according to the invention becomes clear. Due to the formation of the guide projection 36 on the lower groove cheek 22 and the adjoining the guide projection 36, upward (view FIG. 7 ) by the guide surface 40 and the back 34 of the locking projection 30 limited transition region to the apex of the locking projection 30, the shear strength is significantly increased, since this part of the lower lip 22 supports the locking projection 30 practically in the horizontal direction. In conventional solutions, the extended lower cheek 22 ends adjacent to the locking projection 30, so that, for example, during a shrinkage of the panel during the heating period due to then occurring in particular in the longitudinal direction of the panel 1 forces to a shearing of the locking projection 30 and thus to a gap formation could come in the longitudinal edge area. Due to the support of the locking projection 30 on the guide projection 36 and the abutting portions of the extended lower beam 22, the locking projection 30 can accommodate much higher shrinkage forces, so that a gap formation is effectively prevented.

This support is improved in the variant according to the invention in particular by the fact that the lowest point of the transition region, ie the transition region between the guide surface 40 and the back 34 of the locking projection 30 is in a plane G, which in the view FIG. 7 is above a plane H in which the locking surface 32 of the locking projection 30 ends or - in other words - the recess 28 begins on the lower beam 22.

In the embodiments described above, the transverse edges 8 are each designed with a guide projection 36. In principle, such guide projections and the variants otherwise disclosed can also be provided on the longitudinal edges 11. The above-described stop area 78 can in principle be provided for all tongue and groove joints with and without horizontal latches and for all panel materials (laminate, parquet, etc.).

Disclosed is a connection for floor panels having along their longitudinal or transverse edges a tongue and groove connection and a horizontal lock. According to the invention, at least on a transverse or longitudinal edge of a floor panel, a guide projection is formed, along which two floor panels to be joined together can be pre-adjusted in the horizontal direction in an intermediate position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

floor panel

2

longitudinal edge

4

longitudinal edge

6

transverse edge

8th

transverse edge

10

groove

12

feather

14

groove

16

feather

17

upper groove surface

18

horizontal groove surface

20

Nutschrägfläche

22

extended lower cheek

24

upper beam

26

front edge

28

recess

30

locking projection

32

Verrieglungsfläche

34

back

36

guide projection

38

top

40

guide surface

42

Spring oblique surface

44

tongue surface

46

rounding

48

Spring top

50

spring-side end edge

52

sloping bevel

54

Spring-side

56

area

58

bottom

60

locking recess

62

contact surface

64

recess surface

66

vertical space

68

Transition radius

70

groove base

72

top

74

fillet

76

room

78

stop area

Claims (15)

1. A connection for floor panels having longitudinal and transverse edges (2, 4, 6, 8), wherein a tongue-and-groove connection (14, 16) for vertical fixing is formed along at least two edges (2, 4, 6, 8) to be connected together of two panels (1,1'), wherein one groove side (22) of the groove (14) is lengthened beyond the other groove side (24) towards the other panel (1) and a horizontal locking mechanism (32, 62) is formed, which can be brought into locking engagement by pushing the floor panels (1, 1') towards and on top of each other in a planar manner, wherein in the locked state a locking projection (30) on one of the panels (1, 1') engages behind an abutment face (62) of a locking recess (60) on the other panel (1, 1'), characterised in that a guide projection (36) that in the not yet locked state enters a guide recess (60) is formed spaced apart from the horizontal locking mechanism (30), along which guide projection (36) the two panels (1, 1') are pre-adjusted in the horizontal direction in an intermediate position, wherein the tongue (16) does not enter the groove in the intermediate position.
2. A connection according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (16) is of tapered design along one end portion.
3. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking projection (30) is arranged on the lengthened lower side (22) of a panel (1, 1') and the locking recess (60) is arranged on an adjacent tongue underside of the other panel (1, 1').
4. A connection according to claim 3, wherein the locking recess (60) also functions as a guide recess.
5. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment face (62) of the locking recess (60) runs approximately parallel to a guide face (40) of the guide projection (36).
6. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking projection (30) lies below a horizontal plane containing a lower groove surface (18).
7. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a recess (74) is formed on a tongue underside (54) of the tongue (12) and in the intermediate position extends over the locking projection (30).
8. A connection according to claim 7, wherein the recess is a hollow groove (74).
9. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the region (34, 40) of the lengthened groove side (22) arranged between the locking projection (30) and the guide projection (36) has a greater thickness than the region (28) of the groove side (22) arranged on the other side of the locking projection (30).
10. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein sections of the transverse edge (6) provided with a tongue (12) are lengthened in the longitudinal edge direction to form a stop region (78).
11. A connection according to claim 10, wherein the stop region (78) is lengthened with respect to the other part of the transverse edge (6) by less than 0.5 mm and the width (B) of the stop region (78) transversely to the longitudinal edge (2) amounts to more than 0.5 cm, preferably approximately 1 cm.
12. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two floor panels (1, 1') can be brought by approximate planar displacement out of the intermediate position into the locked position.
13. A connection according to claim 12, wherein the displacement path (S) is approximately 1 mm.
14. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection is constructed on the short sides (6, 8) of the floor panels (1, 1').
15. A connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor panels (1, 1') are produced substantially from HDF/MDF.

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