EP2318614A2

EP2318614A2 - Plastic panel having a hook-type profile

Info

Publication number: EP2318614A2
Application number: EP09780975A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans-Jürgen HANNIG
Original assignee: Akzenta Paneele and Profile GmbH
Current assignee: Akzenta Paneele and Profile GmbH
Priority date: 2008-08-08
Filing date: 2009-07-23
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-23
Also published as: WO2010015516A2; PT2318614E; DK2318614T3; EP2318614B1; CA2733488A1; KR101174323B1; ES2525246T3; US20110131909A1; CN102165124B; RU2011108294A; RU2483178C2; HK1156993A1; DE202008010555U1; CN102165124A; CA2733488C; KR20110055606A; PL2318614T3; WO2010015516A3; US8544231B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor panel (1) which is designed as a multi-ply laminate and comprises at least one plastic support (30), a décor layer (31) applied to a top face of the plastic support, a transparent covering layer (32) applied to the décor layer, and a backing layer (33) applied to the lower face of the plastic support, the panel having pairs of opposite lateral edges (3, 4; 5, 6) comprising complementary holding profiles. The holding profiles of at least one of the two lateral edge pairs are designed as form-locking complementary hook-type profiles and comprise a receiving hook (9) which faces the top face (2) of the floor panel, and a locking hook (10), arranged on the opposite lateral edge, which faces the lower face (7) of the floor panel. The locking hook (10) comprises a snap-in element (12, 13, 14) on a distal lateral face (11), said snap-in element being associated with a complementary snap-in element (22, 23, 21) on a proximal lateral face (20) of the hook profile having the receiving hook.

Description

Plastic panel with hook profile

The invention relates to a Bodenpanee! according to the preamble of claim 1,

The generic floor panel is formed as a multilayer laminate and is known for example from DE 10 2006 058 655 Al. It may in particular be considered as a substitute for conventional floor panels with retaining profiles in which the core consists of a wood-based material such as MDF or HDF covered with a decorative layer and a wearing or wearing layer, the retaining profiles at the side edges of the panel ensuring that the panel can be laid without glue and are held in the assembled state to each other such that there is a gap-free floor surface. In contrast, the generic floor panel has the advantage that the plastic core or beam already provides a comparatively effective impact sound damping, without having to arrange an additional impact sound damping layer on the underside of the panel in each case.

The panel described in DE 102006058655 A1 comprises retaining profiles arranged on two opposite side edges in the form of an undercut and thus lockable tongue and groove profile. To maintain high security of the

To ensure the interlocking of installed panels, these are generally necessary for the interlocking of such panels a single, horizontal joining movement of the panels to each other in the laying plane can not be performed. A so-called snap-laying, in which the panels are locked by means of a purely horizontal joining movement, is not possible. Instead, such panels are nowadays interlocked with an undercut tongue and groove profile such that a panel to be laid is first attached to the panel lying in an inclined position relative to a lying panel and subsequently swung down into the plane of the panel lying down, whereby the panel is lowered. Spring connection is made and locked at the same time. If both pairs of opposite side edges are provided with such retaining profiles in the form of an undercut groove-and-tongue profile, the panels must be guided very accurately during assembly and locking of the panels, otherwise they will tilt.

The generic floor panel comprises a plastic support, for example made of PVC, polyolefin or polyurethane, which, depending on the specific embodiment, at least compared to the panels with a wood chip core are relatively elastic and flexible. As a result, often results in the laying of the generic floor panel the problem that the panel deformed due to the external forces and tilt the complementary profiles, so that the joining of the panels is at least difficult.

In this respect, the invention has the object to further develop a generic floor panel such that it is easy to install, but at the same time a gap-free floor surface can be maintained.

In a surprisingly simple manner, this object is achieved by a floor panel, which is formed as a multilayer laminate with at least one plastic carrier, a decorative layer attached to the top of the plastic carrier, a transparent covering layer applied to the decorative layer and optionally a counteracting layer attached to the underside of the plastic carrier, wherein the panel comprises pairs of opposite side edges, each with complementary formed holding profiles. If the plastic carrier of the panel according to the invention has at least one layer not only on the upper side, but also on the lower side, for example a counteracting layer for avoiding buckling of the panel due to layers on the upper side of the carrier, the plastic carrier acts as a plastic core, which carries at least one further layer on both main surfaces.

The floor panel according to the invention is characterized in that the holding profiles of at least one of the two side edge pairs are formed as a form-fitting complementary hook profiles, namely with a receiving hook, which faces an upper side of the floor panel, and with a arranged on the opposite side edge locking hook, which Bottom of the floor panel faces, wherein the locking hook on a distal side surface has a latching element which is associated with a complementary locking element on a side surface of the receiving hook having hook profile.

The design of the panels according to the invention ensures that they can be joined and locked at least on the side edge, which is formed with a hook profile, by a joining movement extending substantially vertically to the laying plane with the complementary hook profile, which considerably facilitates the laying. Because the locking hook itself is latched to a proximal side surface of the adjacent panel, a curvature of the locking hook in the installed state can be avoided so that, during installation, a planar panel surface also results at the connecting edges of adjacent panels.

The floor panel according to the invention can be produced by means of a thermal laminating method. In a particular embodiment, however, it is also possible that, starting from the plastic carrier, the individual layers are applied in the manner of a paint spread. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the floor panels according to the invention is 3 - 10 mm, preferably 4 - 8 mm, particularly preferably 5 - 6 mm. The basis weight of the panels Depending on the specific structure is between 1 - 2.5 kg per m ² per mm thickness, preferably between 1.6 and 1.8 kg per m ² per mm thickness.

The floor panel according to the invention can be produced, on the one hand, by applying the various layers to form a laminate panel, which is subsequently sawed to form individual panel main bodies. In a subsequent step, the respective holding profiles are then machined on the side edges of the panel base body. Since the decorative layer and the cover layer have a very small thickness in comparison to the plastic carrier, they are generally together less than one-tenth or even less than one fiftieth of the thickness of the plastic carrier, the locking hook is essentially formed by the material of the plastic core , If the floor panel according to the invention has no further layer on the underside of the plastic carrier, such as a counteracting layer, the receiving hook of the corresponding holding profile is completely formed by the material of the plastic carrier.

Appropriately, the receiving hook on a distal side surface on a locking element which is associated with a complementary locking element on a proximal side surface of the locking hook having hook profile. As a result, the hook profiles are latched both distally and proximally.

The specified locking elements, which are each arranged complementary to the distal side surfaces of the hooks or the proximal side surfaces of the profiles, may be formed, for example, as a latching projection or as a latching projection receiving latching pocket. In addition, however, all other known to those skilled locking elements are possible, which can ensure a snap action for the hook profiles.

Expediently, both the receiving hook and the locking hook each have an undercut surface, which act as a mutual guide surface during the joining movement for producing the positive connection between the hook profiles, wherein both undercut surfaces at an acute angle to Perpendicular to the panel surface run. By this design measure simplifies the joining and locking process, since investment and sliding surfaces are provided.

To make the joining process even easier, it can be provided that the receiving hook on its distal side surface has an oblique to the panel surface guide surface which serves as an investment and sliding surface, during the joining movement for producing the positive connection between the complementary hook profile with a complementary Guide surface cooperates on a proximal side surface of the locking hook profile for guiding the panels. It is particularly advantageous if in the joining movement, the contact surface on the receiving hook only comes into contact with the complementary contact surface before the above-described undercut surfaces of the receiving hook and the locking hook interact, so by the interaction of the Führungsflä- chen on the distal side surface of the receiving hook or At the proximal side surface of the locking hook profile, a pre-adjustment of the panels to be joined is made possible before the above undercut surfaces interact with one another on the receiving hook or on the locking hook.

The floor panel of the invention may conveniently be used on all four side edges, i. each have holding profiles in the form of hook profiles on both side edge pairs, so that the floor panel according to the invention is joined and locked by a substantially planar and vertical to the laying plane extending joining movement of the panel.

In addition, according to the invention it can also be provided that an undercut IMut-spring profile is provided on one of the two side edge pairs, in particular on the long side edge pair, while the retaining profile has complementary hook profiles on the short side edge pair.

The panels according to the invention can be expediently laid so that a new panel on one side edge with an already lying in the laying plane Panel is locked at its side edge with complementary to the new panel formed retaining profile, wherein the new panel on the said side edge with its retaining profile, which has a locking hook on the one receiving hook exhibiting holding profile of the side edge of the already lying panel 5 is placed so a guide surface running obliquely on the receiving hook of the already lying panel on a distal side face to the panel surface comes into contact with a complementary guide face on a proximal side face of the hook profile of the new panel and, moreover, the locking hook rests on the receiving hook, subsequently said the new panel with its o Guide surface is displaced on the proximal side surface along the guide surface on the distal side surface of the receiving hook obliquely to the panel surface, whereby the locking hook is pivoted out of the laying plane, so that a Hinters slotting surface on the locking hook in contact device with an undercut surface on the receiving hook. In this case, the new panel can be moved obliquely relative to the already lying panel by applying a substantially vertical force on the panel surface in the region of the holding profile along its guide surface, whereby the panels are forced towards each other.

To lock adjacent panels together, it can be provided that a force o is applied approximately perpendicular to the panel surface on the locking hook, so that a locking element on a distal side surface of the locking hook of the new panel with a complementary locking element on a proximal side surface of the receiving profile of the already lying Acts latching panels, such that the pivoted out of the laying plane locking hook is pivoted back into the 5 installation level and locked. In this example, by means of a pressure roller, a vertical force is generated on the locking hook.

The invention will be explained in the following by describing preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a floor panel 1 with a view of the upper side. te;

Figures 2 a, b partial sectional views with two complementary hook profiles;

3a, b are each a partial sectional view with two complementary

Hook profiles during the joining process in different joining situations; and

Figure 4 shows the exemplary layer structure of an inventive

floor panel

shows.

The described floor panels according to the invention have a tabular, rectangular basic shape, see FIG. 1, wherein pairwise opposite side edges 3, 4 and 5, 6 are each formed with complementary formed retaining profiles, which are not shown to simplify the illustration in FIG , The side edges are provided for connecting a plurality of similar floor panels 1.

Fig. 2a shows a schematic partial section of a panel, in which substantially the locking hook having hook profile is shown, which faces the bottom 7 of the panel. The locking hook 10 has a web 10a which extends away from the panel body, wherein at the outer end of the web, a hook projection 10b is arranged, which extends downwardly towards the bottom 7 of the panel. The locking hook 10 has a distal side surface 11, ie a surface of the hook profile, which is arranged away from the panel body. Further, a proximal side surface 15 of the hook profile having the locking hook is indicated, ie a side surface of the hook profile, which is arranged close to the panel body. At the perpendicular to the panel surface and parallel to the side edge extending distal side surface 11 are two locking projections 12, 13th arranged between which a latching pocket 14 is seated. The inner undercut surface 10c of the locking hook 10 extends at an acute angle of a few degrees to the vertical of the panel surface.

The proximal side surface 15 of the hook profile has a guide surface 16 that also extends obliquely to the panel surface at an angle.

FIG. 2 b shows the side edge opposite the side edge shown in FIG. 2 a with the complementarily constructed hook profile, which has the receiving hook 9, which faces the upper side 2 of the panel. This also has on its distal side surface a latching projection 18 and a guide surface 19, which extends at an angle obliquely to the panel surface. Also, the receiving hook 9 has a web 9a and a hook projection 9b, which extends in the direction of the top 2 of the panel. In the case of the hook profile with the receiving hook 9 shown in FIG. 2b, the proximal side face 20 of the profile has a latching projection 21 and two latching pockets 22, 23.

The complementary hook profiles shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b serve to produce a positive locking state of two adjacent panels, which will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 3a, b. These represent the hook profiles shown in FIGS. 2a, b, which have the locking hook, during the joining and locking process in respectively two different joining states of the hook profile. In contrast, the respective receiving profile, i. the profile with the receiving hook only shown in a joint position to maintain the clarity of the presentation.

Starting point for the assembly of the panels or profiles is the situation shown in Fig. 3a, in which the right panel, of which the receiving profile is shown, is already in the laying plane. Now, the new panel to be laid, ie the left shown in the partial section with a locking hook panel is placed with the hook profile on the hook profile of the already lying panel. This results in a situation in which the locking hook of the left panel in one position which corresponds to the hook, which is designated and shown in Fig. 2a by the reference numeral 10. As can be seen, the end face 10d of the hook projection 10b rests on the end face 9d of the hook projection 9b. The two superimposed holding profiles are simultaneously arranged and formed so that the guide surface 19 has just come into contact with the guide surface 16 on the proximal side surface of the locking hook holding profile in this joining situation on the distal side surface of the receiving hook. As can be seen from FIG. 3 a, the two panels are arranged parallel to one another but offset with the distance h 1.

In the next step of the laying, the panel to be newly laid, ie the panel shown on the left in FIG. 3a, is moved along the surface 19 of the receiving hook, ie both in the horizontal and in the vertical direction to the panel surface. As a result, the locking hook 10 must escape upwards, which is caused by the elastic properties of the plastic material of the carrier. As a result of the described joining movement, the two panels to be locked are moved toward one another along their adjacent side edges. FIG. 2a shows a joining position 10 'of the locking hook. As already explained above, the second joining position of the already lying, ie the right panel in Fig. 3a for clarity of illustration is not indicated. Instead, reference is made in this case to Fig. 3b, in which again two joining positions 10 ', 10 "of the locking hook during the joining process, but only one joining position for the receiving hook of the already installed panel is shown., However, this corresponds approximately to the joining situation shown in Fig. 3a 3b, the straight undercut surface 9c of the pickup hook and the undercut surface 10c of the locking hook come into contact at this time, as shown in Fig. 3b Measured the mutual contact of the complementary guide surfaces 16/19 compared to the above starting situation increases, with the result that the horizontal distance h2 of the two panels to be joined against hl is reduced. Subsequently, the left panel is further moved vertically and obliquely, ie along the guide surface 19 of the already lying panel, so that a joining situation results for the locking hook, which is indicated by the reference numeral 10 "As can be seen, the joining process is already almost completed here When the joining movement continues, a complete reception of the respective latching projections 12, 13 in the relevant latching pockets 22, 23 or of the latching projection 18 on the receiving hook in the latching pocket 24, which is arranged on the proximal side surface 16 of the hook profile, takes place 2, so that the desired gap-free locking state of the adjacent adjacent side edges with complementary hook profiles panels is achieved.

To ensure that the joining and locking process is completed and accordingly the locking projections 12, 13, 18, 21 are engaged in their associated latching pockets, it may be advantageous if in the joining situation according to Figure 3b (locking hook 10 "and / or 10 ') is applied to the locking hooks 10', 10 "with a roller presser in the manner of a wallpaper pressure roller, so that the latching action is assisted, from the top 2 of the panel.

The design according to the invention of the complementary hook profiles on two associated side edges of the panel allows, as described, a simple joining and locking of the panel by utilizing a present elasticity, which can be provided essentially by the elastic support of the panels. After completion of the joining and locking operation, the panels are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner both vertically on the panel surface and perpendicularly to their adjacent side edges.

Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the holding profiles of a side edge pair may be formed as indicated in FIGS. 2, 3 or both side edge pairs. In the first case, the second side edge pair may be formed, for example, with respect to its holding profiles as an undercut tongue and groove profile. Since in this profile a joining and locking by obliquely applying a new Floor panel is done with its side edge to a side edge of a horizontal floor panel and subsequent pivoting down of the new floor panel in the plane of the already lying floor panel, at the other two, opposite side edges, at which the in Figures 2a, b and 3a, b specified Hook profiles are arranged to be automatically mitverriegelt, since they essentially require a vertical joining movement. As a result, the hook profiles are then locked in the manner of a zipper, ie the locking is not done simultaneously over the entire side edge, but the joining and locking takes place at one end of the edge and then takes place gradually over the entire edge length to the other end.

However, if both side edge pairs are provided with the hook profiles shown in FIGS. 2a, b and 3a, b, the laying is different from that described above. In this case, the new panel can be parallel, but horizontally spaced aligned to the laying plane, then the locking hook profile as shown in Fig. 3a (locking hook 10) is placed on the receiving profile over the entire respective side edge and then as already described, performed the joining and locking movement in which, in particular, the surfaces 19 on the receiving hook profile and the surface 16 on the locking hook profile are moved toward one another. The actual locking can also be carried out here in the manner of a zipper method.

If both side edge pairs are provided with the hook profiles shown in FIGS. 2a, b and 3a, b, the new panel can initially also be aligned non-parallel to the laying plane, and thus placed obliquely with its locking hook profile on the receiving profile of the lying panel and then the described joining profile. and locking movement are performed, in which in particular the surface 19 on the receiving hook profile and the surface 16 are moved to the locking hook profile to each other. Also in this method, the joining and locking does not take place simultaneously over the entire respective side edge, but is carried out in the manner of a zipper method. The supporting element is a plastic carrier 30, which carries a decorative layer 31, for example in the form of a printed film, on it is a cover layer 32, for example in the form of another film or a Paint arranged. On the underside of the plastic carrier 30 a Gegenzugsschicht 33 is provided to ensure a flatness of the floor panel according to the invention. Depending on the décor, the decorative layer can be a picture of a stone decor, a wood decor or an abstract pattern. In order to ensure a longevity of the floor panel, the cover layer usually has a high abrasion resistance by the admixture of abrasive substances. In the described embodiment, the thickness of the plastic core is 2.8 mm, that of the decorative layer and the cover layer together about 0.2 mm, and that of the Gegenzugschicht also 1 mm.

In one embodiment, not shown, it may also be provided that a damping layer, in particular a footfall sound damping layer, is arranged on the underside of the plastic carrier 30 in addition to the counteracting layer. Under certain circumstances, a single layer can also take on both functions.

Bezuαszeϊchenliste

1, panel

2, top of the panel

3, 4 Short side edge pair

5, 6 Long side edge pair

7 underside of the panel

9 pick-up hooks

9a footbridge

9b hook projection

9c Hinterschneidungsfiäche of the receiving hook

9d end face of the hook projection

10, 10 ', 10 "locking hooks

10a footbridge

10b hook projection

10c Hinterschneidungsfiäche the locking hook

10d end surface of the hook projection

11 distal side surface of the locking hook

12, 13 locking projection of the locking hook

14 latching pocket of the locking hook proximal side surface of the locking hook profile

Guide surface distal side surface of the receiving hook

catch projection

Guide surface proximal side surface of the receiving hook profile

Locking projection, 23 catch pocket

Rest case

Plastic carrier / plastic core

decorative layer

topcoat

counteracting

Claims

0

1. Floor panel (1), which is designed as a multilayer laminate with at least one plastic support (30), a mounted on the top of the plastic support decorative layer (31), applied to the decorative layer, transparent cover layer (32) and optionally one The back panel (33) attached to the underside of the plastic carrier, wherein the panel o comprises side edges (3,4; 5,6) which are paired with respective complementary holding profiles, characterized in that the holding profiles of at least one of the two side edge pairs are formed as a form-fitting complementary hook profiles, namely with a receiving hook (9), which faces the top (2) of Fußbo-5 denpaneels, and with a arranged on the opposite side edge locking hook (10) which the bottom (7) the floor panel faces, wherein the locking hook (10) on a distal Seitenfläc He (11) has a latching element (12, 13, 14) that is associated with a complementary latching element (22, 23, 21) on a proximal side surface (20) of the receiving hook having hook profile.

2. Floor panel according to claim 1, dad u rch geken nzeich net, in that the receiving hook (9) has a detent element (18) on a distal side surface (17) which is associated with a complementary detent element (24) on a proximal side face (15) of the hook profile having the detent hook.

3. Floor panel according to claim 1, 2, dad u rch geken nzei chnet that the complementary locking elements on the side surfaces of the hook profiles as a latching projection (12, 13, 18, 21) or as the latching projection receiving latching pocket (22, 23, 24, 14 ) are formed.

4. The floor panel according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that both the receiving hook (9) and the

Locking hooks (10) each have an undercut surface (9c, 10c) which act as mutual abutment and guide surface during the production of the positive connection between the hook profiles, wherein both undercut surfaces extend at an acute angle to the vertical of the panel surface.

5. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 4, dad u rch geken nzeich net, that the receiving hook on a distal side surface (17) has an oblique to the panel surface bearing and guide surface (19), which see when making the positive connection between the complementary hook profiles for guiding the panel with a complementary abutment and guide surface on a proximal side surface (11) of the locking hook having hook profile cooperates.

6. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 5, d ad u rch geken net nzeich that on the distal side surface (17) of the receiving hook a latching projection (18) is formed, which at the proximal side surface (15) of the locking hook having a hooking profile (24) is assigned for receiving the locking projection.

7. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized Porsche Style nzeich that both pairs of complementary formed Holding profiles are designed as positively acting complementary hook profiles.

8. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, d a d u r c h gekennzeich net, that one of the two pairs of holding profiles is designed as a positive-locking complementary, undercut tongue and groove profile.

9. Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative layer (31) comprises a printed decorative film.

10. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 8, dad u rch gekennzeich n et that the decorative layer (31) directly on the plastic carrier (30) is printed.

11. The floor panel according to claim 10, characterized in that the plastic carrier (30) is provided with an intermediate layer in the form of a lacquer or a primer prior to printing.

12. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the transparent cover layer (32) comprises two partial layers in the form of a layer of high abrasion resistance and a paint layer forming the front surface of the panel.

13. Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cover layer (32) comprises a single, substantially homogeneous layer of high abrasion resistance.

14. Floor panel according to claim 1, wherein the counteracting layer (33) comprises a lacquer layer and / or a plastic film.

15. A method for laying and locking floor panels according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a new panel at a side edge with a nem already in the laying plane panel is locked at its side edge with complementary to the new panel formed retaining profile, wherein the new panel on the said side edge with the retaining profile, which has a locking hook (10), on a receiving hook (9) having retaining profile of Side edge of the already lying panel is placed so that on the receiving hook of the already lying panel on a distal side surface (17) to the panel surface (2) obliquely extending guide surface (19) with a complementary guide surface (16) on a proximal side surface (15) of the hook profile the new panel comes into contact and, moreover, the locking hook (10) rests on the receiving hook (9), subsequently the new panel with its guide surface (16) on the proximal side surface along the guide surface (19) on the distal side surface of the Pick-up hook is moved obliquely to the panel surface, where is pivoted out of the laying plane by the locking hook (10) so that an undercut surface (10c) on the locking hook (10 ') comes into contact with an undercut surface (9c) on the receiving hook (9).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the new panel is slid obliquely in the region of the retaining profile by applying a substantially vertical force to its panel surface along its guide surface relative to the already lying panel.

17. The method of claim 15, 16, dadu rc hge ke nn ze zen et that a force approximately perpendicular to the panel surface on the locking hook (10 ', 10 ") is applied, so that a latching element (12, 13, 14) on a distal side surface of the locking hook of the new panel with a complementary locking element (22, 23, 22) on a proximal side surface (20) of the receiving profile of the already lying panel detent interacts, such that the pivoted out of the laying plane locking hooks swung back into the laying plane and is locked.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of applying a vertical force to the locking hook is produced by means of a pressure roller.