EP2270291B1

EP2270291B1 - Set of building panels with device for locking two of these panels

Info

Publication number: EP2270291B1
Application number: EP09007543A
Authority: EP
Original assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-08
Filing date: 2009-06-08
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-08
Also published as: EP2270291A1; ES2366820T3; PL2270291T3; AT510088T

Description

The invention relates to a set of building panels with a device for locking at least two of these building panels together.
Is known from the DE 10 2006 006 124 A1 a device for locking together interconnected construction panels, in particular floor panels with a core of wood material or wood-plastic composite, in a direction V perpendicular to a visible side, consisting of at least one inserted into the first building panel spring element for automatically snapping into at least one provided in a second building board , Parallel to the visible side extending groove when the at least one spring element and the at least one groove come to cover when connecting the building panels by a vertical lowering, wherein for locking the two building panels in a direction parallel to the visible side H on a side edge I one laterally over this projecting lower lip with an outer, upwardly projecting projection and on the opposite side edge II a directed to a bottom recess is provided, which is designed to correspond to the projection and to a down adjacent projection. Such a locking device is preferably provided on the transverse side of the building panels. The spring element consists of a sinusoidally curved spring steel with a plurality of wave arches and is inserted in a groove arranged in the core of the first floor panel. If the two panels are connected together, the spring element is first pressed into its groove and then snaps back when the provided in the second panel groove with the spring element comes to cover. For the spring element commercially available spring wire can be used, which is cut and bent in the appropriate length of the roll. The transmissible forces are high. The introduction of the spring elements in the grooves must be very precise.
From the WO 2005/054599 A1 a locking device is known, which is provided on the transverse side of floor panels. On the long side, the panels are provided with a self-locking spring / groove profiling. When laying the newly to be applied to the already laid panel composite panel is first connected to the longitudinal side with an already designed panel by bending the spring in the groove and then pushed in the angular position in the direction of the side edge of the previously installed panel in the same row and lowered there , The hook-shaped profiling interlocks and the spring element then snaps into the newly created panel. This spring element is formed of plastic and bevelled on its upper side. Similar to a door catcher is given by the bevel, the spring element of the new panel to be added inwards and pushed in, when it hits with its underside on the bevel and is further lowered.
From the EP 1 650 375 A1 are two interconnected panels are known in which the locking element is designed as a flexible spring element that is integrated at its two ends, for example by frictional engagement in a groove introduced in a side edge of the first panel groove. In the area between these two fastening planks, the spring element protrudes from the groove receiving it and engages in a groove of the adjacent panel provided for this purpose, when the two panels are connected to one another. During the joining of two panels, the middle part of the flexible spring element is pushed into the groove receiving the spring element. This is possible by the specially selected geometric shape of the flexible spring element. Such a flexible spring element can be made for example by injection molding of a plastic.
The flexibility of the locking element necessary for locking is determined by the shape of the locking element. As a result, the structure of such a locking element is complicated. Also, the introduction of the spring element in the groove must be very precise. Furthermore, in many cases the locking takes place over at least two laid rows, so that a voltage is built up. The last row locks the next-to-last row, as it causes a compression of the spring element protruding out of the groove.
From the DE 10 2007 032 885 A1 a device for locking two interconnected panels is known in which between the spring element and the groove base in which the spring element is arranged, acting in the direction of the spring element compression element is arranged, which is reversibly compressible during the locking operation by the locking element, without to expand a direction along the groove.
From the EP 1 420 125 A2 a device for locking two interconnected building boards is known in which two provided with a resilient lip inserts are provided, which are rotated by 180 ° in each case a groove in each of the building board are used and form an upper and a lower lock. The resilient lips can dodge both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction and then engage like a barb in a corresponding recess in the opposite panel, so that the plates are locked. The fact that the resilient lips have two degrees of freedom, tolerances in the manufacture of the locking grooves can be generously dimensioned.
Starting from this problem, the known set of building boards with a device for locking at least two of these building boards to be improved with each other. In particular, a locking profile is to be created, which is much easier and less expensive in terms of the complexity of the lock can be produced. In addition, a locking should be done by the profile itself.
To solve the problem in this set building boards, especially floor panels, provided with a core of wood material or wood material-plastic mixture that for locking two interconnected building panels in a direction perpendicular to a visible side inserted into the first building panel spring element for automatic snap in at least a provided in the second building board, running parallel to the visible side groove is used when connecting the building panels by a vertical lowering the at least one spring element and the at least one groove come to cover, wherein for locking the two building panels in a direction parallel to the visible side a side edge over this laterally projecting lower lip with an outer, upwardly projecting projection and on the opposite side edge of a recess open to the underside is provided, which is designed to correspond to the projection and adjoining a downwardly directed projection, with the further features that the at least one groove is provided in the downwardly directed projection and is open in the direction of the recess directed towards the underside, that the upwardly directed projection has at least one recess opposite the groove in that the at least one spring element is arranged in the recess, and that the at least one spring element is compressible and / or deformable in the direction parallel to the visible side.
The recesses can be formed by horizontal slots. The elasticity The spring elements can be controlled by a variety of parameters, such as their thickness, wall thickness, their geometry, their fillers and / or the choice of materials. This allows a flexible adaptation to different strengths.
The recess is preferably formed continuously in the projection. The at least one spring element can then be positioned in the at least one recess so that it is flush with the projection on the front side and projects into the rear part. In the Abschwenkbewegung the spring element is first compressed / deformed. If, in a further lowering movement, the groove provided in the downwardly projecting projection coincides with the recess in the upwardly protruding projection, the compressed / deformed spring element can penetrate into the groove at a certain angle.
Preferably, the groove is introduced over the full length of the side edge in the downwardly projecting projection.
The spring element may be a ring which may be circular or oval. The spring element may also consist of a plurality of interconnected rings or be formed in the form of a bolt.
After complete bending of the two floor panels, the spring element is no longer under tension due to its penetration into the opposite groove. The release of two interconnected building panels can be achieved by simply moving horizontally the side edges against each other. If the spring element protrudes from the recess after the release of two structural panels on the front side, a renewed connection is possible by simply pressing down / bending the one base plate.
The spring element is preferably inserted into the recess in the factory. In order to prevent it from falling out of the recess, the spring element is in particular preferably clamped in the recess. It may alternatively or cumulatively but also be glued into the recess.
Each row of building panels locks itself and is thus protected against shifting or rising of the profile on the side edge. Subsequent fixations are no longer necessary. The lock can be selected arbitrarily by selecting the position of the recesses over the width of the side edge.
The locking operation is facilitated when the two projections are chamfered on the opposite sides.
With the aid of a drawing, an embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail below.
It shows:

FIG. 1: the side view of two structural panels to be joined at the junction;
FIG. 2: the side view of two interconnected building panels at the junction;
FIGS. 3 to 6: different states in the course of assembly on the hand not inventively ausgestalteter construction panels; such as
FIG. 7: a perspective view of a spring element in a projection.

The building board 1, 2 is preferably a floor panel with a core 4 made of wood material (MDF or HDF) or a wood material-plastic mixture. On the core 4 can be glued as a visible side 3 a decorative layer with, for example, a wood grain or be pressed with the core 4 or the decor can be printed directly on the visible side 3. At the opposite side edges I, II, the panels are provided with a mutually corresponding hook profiling, so that two interconnected building panels 1, 2 are locked in the horizontal direction H. For this purpose, on the underside 11 on the first side edge I, a lower lip 12 projecting laterally beyond the lateral edge I is provided, which has an outer, upwardly projecting projection 7. At the opposite second side edge II a corresponding to the projection 7 recess 13 is arranged, so that at this side edge II a downwardly projecting projection 5 is formed. Over the full length of the side edge II projecting in the plane of the drawing, a groove 6 which is open towards the recess 13 is introduced into the downwardly projecting projection 5. In the upwardly projecting projection 7 On the lower lip 12, at least one open to both sides parallel to the visible side 3 extending recess 14 is introduced in the form of a milled slot or a bore. In this recess 14, a compressible or deformable spring element 8 is inserted, which protrudes with its two ends on both sides of the recess 14. The outer circumference of the at least one spring element 8 is greater than the inner circumference of the recess 14, so that the spring element 8 is clamped in the recess 14. In addition, it may be glued in the recess 14.
If the two building panels 1, 2 connected by a substantially vertical pivoting movement, press the sloping wall 10 on the downwardly projecting projection 5 and in its upper region, the tapered wall 15 of the core 4, the spring element 8 together. In a further lowering movement, the introduced in the projection 5 groove 6 comes to cover the compressed spring element 8 and the recess 14, which then loses its tension and engages in the groove 6. In order to facilitate the engagement, the lower wall 6a of the groove 6 is chamfered downwards, so that the Nuteingang increases relative to the groove bottom.
The spring element 8 is formed of plastic. It can consist of several interconnected rings. The length of the recess 14 over the length of the side edge I or the length of the spring element 6 is dependent on the locking force to be set. It can be provided over the length of the side edge I a plurality of spring elements 8 / recesses 14. As FIG. 2 can be seen lying in interconnected building panels 1, 2, the oblique walls 9, 10 of the projections 5, 7 to each other. The downward projection 5 is also in the bottom of the formed on the lower lip 12 recess 16, resulting in a stable connection.
In the FIGS. 3 to 6 are different stages during the assembly of two non-inventively designed building panels 1, 2 shown. The condition of FIG. 3 is the initial state at which the two building panels 1, 2 aligned with each other and are arranged one above the other so that the upwardly projecting projection 7 is aligned substantially parallel to the downwardly open recess 13. The same applies to the downwardly projecting projection 5 and the upwardly open recess 16. The spring element 8, which is formed as a ring and accordingly has a central clearance 18, lies with the upper outer periphery of the inclined walls 10, 15 of the above Building board 2 on. It has the maximum extent in the horizontal direction H. In the FIG. 3 It can be seen that the spring element 8 is on both sides beyond the upwardly directed projection 7 addition. Unlike in the FIG. 1 or 2 , is in the FIGS. 3 to 6 the groove 6 is not provided in the downwardly projecting projection 5, but in the side facing away from the front side edge 2 of the downwardly open recess 13. The groove 6 is milled into the core 4 and serves to receive the spring element eighth
In the FIG. 4 is the second structural panel 2 in the vertical direction V shifted down, the two front side edges I, II abut each other and the two building panels 1, 2 are aligned parallel to each other. Due to the oblique, up to each other to ongoing design of the oblique walls 10, 15, the spring element 8 is compressed. This can be seen in the reduced clearance 18 in the central region of the spring element 8.
In the FIG. 5 the state is shown in which a further reduction in the vertical direction has taken place down. The right edge of the spring element 8 abuts against the upper end of the inclined wall 15, while the left end continues to slide on the inclined wall 10 along. In the in the FIG. 5 shown state, the right edge is located directly on the underside of the groove 6, so that there is a minimum horizontal extent of the spring element 8. The central clearance 18 is in the horizontal direction H in its smallest dimension.
If now a further lowering of the second structural panel 2, the spring element 8 springs into the groove 6, wherein the left end of the spring element 8 is supported on the front wall 10 of the downwardly open recess 13. The central clearance 18 increases, wherein the degree of springback depends on how deep the groove 6 is formed. If the groove 6 is deep enough, that is, has a sufficient extension in the horizontal direction, the spring element 8 can move completely elastically back to its original position. If the groove 6 is not sufficiently deep in the horizontal direction, the spring element 8 remains under prestress.
In the FIG. 7 is a structural panel 1 with a spring element 8 shown in a perspective view. In the FIG. 7 is the recess 14 in which the spring element 8 is inserted, glued or clamped, easy to recognize. Also visible are the upper side 3, the upwardly open recess 16 and the upwardly projecting projection 7. Here, too, it can be seen that the spring element 8 is on both sides beyond the upwardly projecting projection 7 addition. In addition to an annular configuration of the spring element 8, other geometries can be provided, for example, oval contours, angular contours or solid, solid spring elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1: construction panels
2: construction panels
3: Main page
4: core
5: downward projection
6: groove
6a: lower wall
7: upward projection
8th: spring element
9: wall
10: wall
11: bottom
12: bottom lip
13: recess
14: recess
15: wall
16: recess
I: side edge
II: side edge
H: horizontal direction
V: vertical direction

Claims

Set of building panels (1, 2) with a device for locking two of these building panels (1, 2) to one another, in particular floor panels, with a core (4) made of wood-based material or a wood-based material/plastics material mixture, in a direction V perpendicular to a visible side (3), consisting of at least one tongue element (8) inserted in the first building panel (1) to automatically snap into at least one groove (6) provided in a second building panel (2) and extending parallel to the visible side (3), when, during the connection of the building panels (1, 2), by means of a vertical lowering movement, the at least one tongue element (8) and the at least one groove (6) come to overlap, wherein to lock the two building panels (1, 2) in a direction H parallel to the visible side (3), provided on one side edge (I) is a lower lip (12) projecting laterally over the latter, with an outer, upwardly projecting projection (7) and, provided on the opposing side edge (II) is a recess (13) open to the lower side (11), which recess is configured to correspond to the projection (7) and adjoins a downwardly directed projection (5), wherein the upwardly directed projection (7) has at least one recess (14) opposing the groove (6), the at least one tongue element (8) is arranged in the recess (14), and the at least one tongue element (8) can be compressed and/or deformed in the direction H parallel to the visible side (3), characterised in that the at least one groove (6) is provided in the downwardly directed projection (5) and is open in the direction of the recess (13) open to the lower side (11).
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the recess (14) in the projection (7) is continuous.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the tongue element (8) is a ring.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the tongue element (8) is made of a plurality of rings connected to one another.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the tongue element (8) is a bolt.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tongue element (8) is clamped into the recess (14).
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or according to claim 6, characterised in that the tongue element (8) is glued into the recess (14).
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to any one or more of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the tongue element (8) projects over the projection (7) on both sides.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the walls (9, 10) of the two projections (5, 7) are bevelled on the sides facing one another.
Set of building panels (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower wall (6a) of the groove (6) is bevelled.