EP2739803B1 - Covering of mechanically interconnectable panels and method for producing such panels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a covering of mechanically interconnectable panels according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2 and a method for producing a panel of such a covering according to the features of claim 15.
It counts through the WO 2008/017301 A2 a floor covering consisting of a plurality of composite laid in the element panels of the prior art, wherein the element panels have at their top sides and on their longitudinal sides locking strips which engage in the mounting position with adjacent in a covering element plates with each other. In the head sides grooves are provided, wherein the grooves of two abutting head sides are aligned and form a locking channel for receiving a head spring. The head spring is pre-assembled in one of the grooves. The head spring projects beyond an end of the groove facing the longitudinal side of the element plate and can be partially displaced from one groove into the corresponding groove of the adjacent element plate by displacing the protruding end of the head spring into the groove. These so-called side-push systems have proven themselves extremely well in practice. The head feather fulfills the function, the Align element panels in height to each other. The tensile forces acting in the laying plane are transmitted via the locking strips. The locking strip of a panel is so far in front of the front edge of the decal that they can be engaged behind by the locking bar of the other panel. As a result, the proportion of waste in the end-side profiling of the element plates is relatively high.

From the WO 2009/116926 A1 In a first embodiment, a covering of mechanically interconnectable panels is known, which are mechanically interlockable with each other at their end faces via locking elements. On an end face of a first panel there is an undercut retaining groove for receiving a locking element extending in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove. The locking member protrudes with a plurality of mutually spaced tongues from the end face to engage in pockets of an undercut locking groove in the opposite end face of an adjacent panel. The pockets are open to a bottom and the front of the adjacent panel. The locking element is provided for by displacing one end of the locking element into the retaining groove, at least partially displaced out of the pockets in the direction of the locking groove, in order to secure the panels against a pulling force acting in the direction of the laying plane of the panels.

In a second embodiment, the WO 2009/116926 A1 a covering of mechanically interconnectable panels, which are mechanically interlockable with each other at their ends via locking elements. On a front side of a first panel is a locking element having a plurality of mutually spaced tongues facing in the direction of the adjacent second panel. The locking element protrudes with respect to the end face in order to engage in a locking groove in the opposite end face of the adjacent panel. The locking element is designed as a separate component that is arranged in a retaining groove of the first panel.

The invention has for its object to provide a way to minimize the proportion of waste in the frontal profiling in the field of side-push locking while maintaining the side-squeeze system.

This object is achieved in a covering with the features of claim 1 and, alternatively, in a covering with the features of claim 2. A method for producing such a covering is the subject of patent claim 15.

1. a) An einer Stirnseite eines ersten Paneels befindet sich eine hinterschnittene Haltenut, zur Aufnahme eines sich in Längsrichtung der Haltenut erstreckenden Verriegelungselements;
2. b) Das Verriegelungselement ragt mit mehreren zueinander beabstandeten Zungen aus der Stirnseite heraus, um in Taschen einer hinterschnittenen Verriegelungsnut in der gegenüberliegenden Stirnseite eines benachbarten Paneels zu greifen;
3. c) Die Taschen sind zu einer Unterseite und zur Stirnseite des benachbarten Paneels offen;
4. d) Das Verriegelungselement ist dafür vorgesehen, durch Verschieben eines Endes des Verriegelungselements in die Haltenut hinein, zumindest teilweise aus den Taschen heraus in Richtung der Verriegelungsnut verlagert zu werden, um die Paneele gegen eine in Richtung der Verlegeebene der Paneele wirkende Zugkraft zu sichern;
5. e) Die Verriegelungsnut besitzt auf ihrer zur Unterseite des Paneels (2e-g) weisenden Seite eine Nutflanke, welche von einem an dem Paneel (2e-g) gehaltenen Sperrkörper gebildet ist, in welchem den Taschen entsprechende Ausnehmungen ausgebildet sind.

The covering according to the invention consists of panels which can be connected to one another mechanically and which can be mechanically interlocked with one another on their end faces (longitudinal sides or head sides) via locking elements. The flooring has the following characteristics:

1. a) At an end face of a first panel is an undercut retaining groove, for receiving a locking element extending in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove;
2. b) the locking member protrudes with a plurality of mutually spaced tongues from the end face to engage in pockets of an undercut locking groove in the opposite end face of an adjacent panel;
3. c) the pockets are open to a bottom and to the face of the adjacent panel;
4. d) The locking element is intended to be displaced, by displacing one end of the locking element into the retaining groove, at least partially out of the pockets in the direction of the locking groove, in order to secure the panels against a tensile force acting in the direction of the laying plane of the panel;
5. e) The locking groove has on its side facing the underside of the panel (2e-g) side a groove flank, which is formed by a on the panel (2e-g) held locking body, in which the pockets corresponding recesses are formed.

The covering according to the invention therefore provides a locking element which, in accordance with the side-pusher system, by locking an end protruding from the retaining groove into the retaining groove when engaged with the adjacent panel, leads to locking of the two panels. According to the invention, this side-push system is combined with a bayonet system. This has the advantage that not only a mutual alignment of the panels is achieved in terms of their altitude by the locking elements, but also that on the locking elements, a tensile force can be transmitted. This, in turn, allows for the so-called locking strips, as used in the WO 2008/017301 A2 are described, to renounce. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of waste significantly. In contrast to the prior art now is the locking element and not the locking bar in the laying plane farthest on the upper side decor edge projecting element of a panel. However, since the locking element is used as a separate component in the retaining groove, the projecting beyond the decorative edge area on the front side is minimal. Therefore, the blend is significantly reduced.

An end face in the sense of the invention designates the edge sides of a panel, which lie between the top and bottom of the panel. The front side refers in the context of the invention representative head and long sides in rectangular panels. However, the invention is not limited to any particular panel shape. In principle, the panels may also have, for example, a square shape. Also in terms of their dimension of the coating according to the invention is not set to specific dimensions of the individual panels. It can be connected to each other with the locking system according to the invention therefore also large-scale plates, each covering an area of at least one square meter, for example, have an edge length of 1,000 x 1,000 mm.

1. a) An einer Stirnseite (Längsseite oder Kopfseite) eines ersten Paneels befindet sich ein Verriegelungselement, das mehrere zueinander beabstandete Zungen aufweist, die in Richtung des benachbarten, zweiten Paneels weisen;
2. b) Das Verriegelungselement ragt gegenüber der Stirnseite vor, um in eine Verriegelungsnut in der gegenüberliegenden Stirnseite des benachbarten Paneels zu greifen;
3. c) Das Verriegelungselement ist als separates Bauteil ausgebildet, das in einer hinterschnittenen Haltenut des ersten Paneels angeordnet ist,
4. d) Die Verriegelungsnut wird teilweise von einem separaten Sperrkörper begrenzt, welcher an dem zweiten Paneel gehalten ist und der zu einer Unterseite und zur Stirnseite des benachbarten Paneels offene Ausnehmungen aufweist, wobei
5. e) der Bereich zwischen den Ausnehmungen als Riegelabschnitt dient, welcher dafür vorgesehen ist, durch Verschieben des Sperrkörpers in Richtung der Verriegelungsnut die Zungen zu hintergreifen, um die Paneele gegen eine in Richtung der Verlegeebene der Paneele wirkende Zugkraft zu sichern.

In an alternative embodiment according to claim 2, the covering has the following features:

1. a) On one end face (longitudinal side or head side) of a first panel is a locking element having a plurality of mutually spaced tongues facing in the direction of the adjacent second panel;
2. b) the locking element protrudes from the front side to engage in a locking groove in the opposite end face of the adjacent panel;
3. c) The locking element is designed as a separate component which is arranged in an undercut retaining groove of the first panel,
4. d) The locking groove is partially bounded by a separate locking body, which is held on the second panel and having open to a bottom and the front side of the adjacent panel recesses, wherein
5. e) the area between the recesses serves as a locking portion, which is intended to engage behind by moving the locking body in the direction of the locking groove, the tongues to secure the panels against acting in the direction of the laying plane of the panel tensile force.

In this variant, it is provided that the locking element also serves to lock, but is not even moved in the direction of the retaining. It is stationary or mounted. The lock is achieved by a separate locking body, which is held on the second panel. This blocking body is configured comb-like and thus has open to the bottom and the front side of the second panel open recesses. During assembly, the second panel with the separate locking bodies is placed or folded from above immediately adjacent to the front side of the first panel, so that the one another spaced tongues of the locking element can engage in the recesses. The tongues now engage in the locking groove above the recesses of the locking body. Then, the locking body is displaced in the direction of the locking groove, so that the tongues are engaged behind by the locking body. In this way, the tongues are held so that they can not be pulled out in the direction of the laying plane of the panels. It is transmitted in the direction of the laying plane of the panels acting tensile force. The tongues fulfill a dual function: on the one hand the transmission of a tensile force and on the other hand the horizontal alignment in the laying plane.

In the case of the covering according to the invention, it is also possible not only to deposit the panel to be laid from above directly next to the first panel or to fold it down. Rather, it is also possible to bring the second panel in connection with the first panel in that the second panel is already in the laying plane and then only horizontally, that is moved in the laying plane in the direction of the front side of the already laid panel , If these are head sides of two panels, while the longitudinal sides of the respective panels are already engaged with a laid row of panels, so that the second panel can not be raised vertically due to the engagement with the first panel row, the projecting tongues slightly downwards Press before the tongues engage in the locking groove. The tongues preferably have a sufficient elasticity for this purpose. In addition, a crimp can be formed on one of the underside of the panels facing the underside of the tongues. This makes it possible that the tongues without being subject to breakage or excessive loads, feathers slightly downwards and thus can escape the undercut locking groove downwards.

It may be necessary, in such head-side connections, to strike the second panel to be laid with light hammer strokes into the first panel until the tongue is in the correct position in the locking groove. Subsequently, the locking takes place according to the bayonet principle by displacement of the locking element.

Another advantage of the coating according to the invention is that by eliminating the in the WO 2008/017301 A2 known as locking strips projections frontal area of the panels are available, which can be used either for additional connection functions or transfer functions. An additional connection function can be, for example, an adhesive connection, by means of which additional tensile forces can be absorbed in the laying plane. A transfer function can be seen for example in the transmission of electrical energy. The panels can be coupled together via electrical contacts. These contacts may in a sense be grounding bridges, which are arranged in the end faces of adjacent panels and there contact each other.

Also in the displacement of the locking body is the combination of a side-puff system with a bayonet system, but with the difference to the first embodiment that the element to be displaced, that is, the locking body does not engage in the adjacent panel.

In the embodiment in which the locking body is displaced, the locking element preferably consists of a separate component, which is not integrally formed integrally with the first panel, but is inserted into an undercut retaining groove of the first panel.

It is possible with appropriate strength of the core material of a panel to form the locking element of the same material integral with the panel. Although this leads to the fact that the proportion of waste does not decrease so much because the locking element is the furthest projecting part of the panel, but thereby eliminates the in the WO 2008/017301 A2 referred to as locking bar projections. In addition, no separate locking groove for the locking spring must be formed. Manufacturing technology therefore only the locking element with its spaced tongues must be formed.

In the embodiment with a displaceable locking body is provided that a guide groove is arranged parallel to the locking groove, in which the Locking body is arranged displaceably in the mounting position only in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove. A shift transversely to the guide should not be possible, since the locking body has the task to secure the tongue of the locking element against withdrawal. Therefore, the locking body itself must be secured against pulling out. In a practical embodiment, this means that the guide itself has an undercut. The undercut may be a muzzle side of the guide groove arranged locking bar. This locking bar makes it possible to insert the locking body from the front side into the guide groove, so that it does not have to be threaded from the longitudinal side of the panel forth in the guide groove. This facilitates the pre-assembly of the panel. In the assembly position, that is, in the position in which the panels are engageable with each other, of course, the locking body can no longer pull out in the direction of the end face of the guide groove.

With regard to the design of the locking body, it is possible to form this so that it extends to the bottom of the panel. It forms a kind of support that transmits forces that are introduced by the locking element in the locking body, directly into the ground. This embodiment is preferred if the material of the panels does not have sufficient strength which makes it possible to first support the blocking body on the panel, while the panel in turn is supported on the ground. This alternative solution, in which the barrier body is located at a distance from the underside of the panel, is therefore used in higher-strength materials, such as HDF panels.

Another important aspect is that the locking body should have a certain elasticity. The blocking body is preferably made of a plastic. The elasticity can be achieved not only by the selection of suitable materials, but also by constructive changes to the geometry of the locking body.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the blocking body has at least one cavity, which is intended to improve the elastic deformability of the blocking body. The elastic cavity is located in particular the area in which the locking body engages with the tongues of the locking element.

In all embodiments in which the locking element is used as a separate component in the locking groove, an undercut of the locking groove is necessary to accommodate acting in the laying plane tensile forces can. There are various possibilities for designing such an undercut:

In the context of the invention, an undercut in the locking groove and / or the retaining groove is formed, for example, by the fact that the cross section of the retaining groove and / or the locking groove is widened at a distance from its Nutmündung. This cross-sectional widening can be provided on one or both groove flanks. It may be dovetail extensions, but also circular, elliptical or polygonal extensions are possible. It is crucial that a portion of the recorded in the corresponding grooves locking element engages in the cross-sectional widening and is thereby held positively in the corresponding groove.

In the context of the invention under an undercut but also to understand that the retaining groove and / or locking groove are arranged in the mounting position in each case by 90 ° deviating angles to a front side plane. The front side plane is the plane that runs through the front side and is perpendicular to the laying plane.

This means that an undercut does not necessarily have to be provided with a cross-sectional widening. It is also sufficient if the grooves are at an angle not equal to 90 ° to the front side, so that the elements received in the grooves can not be pulled out by only parallel to the laying plane extending movement of the corresponding groove. This condition is met when the angle is less than 90 ° and greater than 0 ° measured from the laying plane. In a practical embodiment, angles between 5 ° and 85 °, preferably between 10 ° and 60 °, in particular between 20 ° and 45 ° offer.

In the context of the invention, it is of course possible that the retaining groove and the locking groove have different cross sections and angular positions.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the first panel has an upper side which is delimited on the front side by a decorative edge, wherein a support strip projecting beyond the decorative edge is arranged on the front side. It is intended to serve as a support in operative engagement with a support shoulder on the adjacent panel.

The support bar can be located between the locking groove and the underside of the panel. Preferably, however, it is located between the top and the locking groove.

The support bar has the function to absorb compressive forces acting on the panels within the frontal plane from above, for example by treading. It does not have the function of transmitting tensile forces. Therefore, the support bar and the support shoulder can be parallel to the top of the panels.

However, the invention does not exclude that the support strip and the support shoulder are slightly inclined to the laying plane, so that they each form undercuts. This has the effect that the two panels pull together on the front side upon contact of the support strip with the support shoulder. It ensures a tight fit of the panels in the joint area, even before the locking is done by the locking elements or blocking body. The support strip is shorter than the front side protruding locking elements.

Preferably, the adjacent panels are supported by direct mutual contact exclusively on the support strip and the support shoulder in the vertical direction against each other. Indirectly there is a support on the locking element, since this is in engagement with both panels. However, the invention makes the classic locking strips, as in the WO 2008/017301 A2 are redundant.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element exerts a locking force on the adjacent panel in the locking position. The locking force is divided into a horizontal force component acting in the laying plane and a vertical force component acting perpendicular to the laying plane. Preferably, the vertical force component is oriented so that it pulls the support shoulder against the support strip. The division into a horizontal and a vertical force component results in particular when the retaining grooves or locking grooves are arranged in an angle deviating from 90 ° to the front side plane. The angular position of the grooves determines the size of the vertical force components. The greater the angle with respect to the laying plane, the greater the vertical component of force. If the locking groove is oriented, for example, so that its Nuttiefstes the bottom of the panel is closer than the groove mouth, that is, the mouth side directed upward, it follows that the locking element pulls the adjacent panel down and thus against its own support strip.

Conversely, if the groove mouth facing down, because the Nuttiefste is located closer to the top of the panel than the groove mouth, reinforced vertical pressure forces can be absorbed, which act on the adjacent panel. In this case, the locking element does not pull the support shoulder of the adjacent panel against the support strip, but higher compressive forces can be transmitted because the tongues due to the pulling direction on the upper groove wall of the retaining and thus directly absorb forces that this upper groove wall in the locking element to be initiated.

The locking element may be inserted from the front side into the retaining groove, wherein the locking element has a locking means which, upon reaching a locking position of the locking element in the retaining groove in a cross-sectional widening of the retaining groove summarizes to secure the locking means against withdrawal. Just as the locking body is preferably inserted from the front side into the guide groove for rapid assembly, the locking element can also be inserted from the front side into the associated locking groove. This simplifies and speeds up pre-assembly. For this purpose can the locking element, similar to a hinged armature, have locking means which, as in the case of a dowel, automatically spread outwards in order to set up upon reaching the locking position and to dig into the retaining groove.

The cross-sectional widenings preferably extend over the entire retaining groove, so that thereby a displacement of the locking element in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove is possible.

In a further embodiment, a head section of the tongue of the locking element located in the second panel may have at least one cavity which is provided to improve the elastic deformability of the head section. In this way, the frontal locking can be done with a certain bias, the bias is made possible by the elastic deformability of the head portion.

The bayonet principle used in the invention in combination with the side-push principle provides for a mutual toothing of the panels or the locking elements provided on the respective panels. In the manufacture of the locking elements, as far as they are separate components, it is possible to use injection molded components on which the corresponding tongues and recesses are formed prior to the assembly of the locking elements in the panels.

In an alternative embodiment, it is also conceivable that the locking elements are produced as a continuous, not yet toothed profiles. This is possible in particular in the extrusion process. After inserting the locking elements into the retaining groove, the desired profiling can then be produced in a processing step that is performed on the panel, in which case the tongues are also formed or the areas between the tongues are removed. The same applies vice versa for the locking body, which is provided only after mounting the locking body in the mounting position with corresponding recesses. Of course, the blocking body can also be provided in advance as an injection-molded component with corresponding recesses. Basically, the locking body can also off consist of other materials, such as run as previously profiled part or profile part. Of course, unless the locking body extends to the bottom of the panel, it is necessary to form pockets in the panel. The formation of pockets in the panel may occur simultaneously with the formation of recesses in the locking body, that is, in the assembled state of the locking body within the panel.

If the blocking body extends from the locking groove to the bottom, all the recesses are formed exclusively in the blocking body. This can also be done in the mounted state of the locking body.

The prefixing of the locking body and also of the locking element can take place via clamping pins, via which the blocking body or the locking element are clamped in the associated groove. The clamping pins serve as additional transport safety and have a very small cross-section. They are only intended to give the locking element or the locking body a firm hold before moving or locking. In order to reduce the friction, the locking element and / or the locking body may be corrugated or grooved in contact areas with the corresponding panels in order to reduce the friction.

The covering according to the invention can in principle be locked manually on the head side. That is, after laying a row of panels by hand and with the aid of hand tools, such as a puller, it is possible to press on the end of the locking body or of the locking element in order to completely countersunk it in the groove and around the butt joint according to the Sidepush system in combination with the bayonet system.

Figur 1

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch den kopfseitigen Stoßbereich zweier benachbarter Paneele gemäß der Linie I - I der Figur 2;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt eines Belags, der aus mehreren Paneelen zusammengesetzt ist;

Figur 2a

eine Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt eines Belags mit eingesetztem Verriegelungselement;

Figuren 3 bis 9

weitere Vertikalschnitte durch den kopfseitigen Stoßbereich zwischen zwei benachbarten Paneelen analog der Darstellung der Figur 1.

Preferably, however, the locking does not follow by manually inserting each individual locking element or locking body, but by applying a further series of panels which bridge the rearward impact area of the previously laid row of panel panels. In the method according to the invention, it is provided that the top sides of the panels are only then locked with the locking elements described above, when a further element plate engages with the longitudinal sides of the preceding row of panels and pushes with its longitudinal side projecting from the respective groove end of the locking element or the locking body in the associated groove, so that this after the bayonet system with the head side of the opposite Panel is locked.
The material for the locking elements or locking body may be both a wood material, that is, it may be wood or material contained in a wood fibers. Metals and metal alloys are just as suitable as composites. The use of bimetallic or mixed plastics is just as possible as the use of materials based on thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The head spring may in particular consist of a fiber-reinforced plastic with a fiber content of 20% to 60%.
The idea of the invention is applicable to all floor systems in which an upper covering is arranged on a support, such as real wood coverings, laminate, support with painted surfaces as top coat, linoleum, cork on support plates, PVC sheets, etc. The cover layer can in particular from a decorative paper with Overlay exist, which determines the appearance of the element plate. A floor covering may thus be a parquet floor, a finished parquet floor, a real wood floor or a laminate floor. Even large plates without special color surface treatment can be connected.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the schematic drawings, wherein FIG. 7 an embodiment according to claim 1 shows, and wherein FIG. 9 an embodiment according to claim 2 shows. The remaining figures show embodiments for which no protection is sought. They serve to illustrate the inventive idea. Show it:

FIG. 1

a vertical section through the head-side joint area of two adjacent panels according to the line I - I of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 2

a plan view of a portion of a covering, which is composed of several panels;

FIG. 2a

a plan view of a section of a covering with inserted locking element;

FIGS. 3 to 9

Further vertical sections through the head-side joint area between two adjacent panels analogous to the representation of FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 2 shows in plan view a floor covering consisting of a plurality of laid in the composite, rectangular panels 1a, 2a. The panels 1a, 2a are locked together by a combination of a side-push system with a bayonet system. For this purpose, there is an undercut retaining groove 3a in the panel 1a and a locking groove 4a in the adjacent second panel 2a. The locking groove 4a has in this embodiment has a substantially circular cross-section, as in FIG. 1 is shown. The cross section may also be elliptical or polygonal. It is essential that it has an undercut facing away from the end face of the panel 2a, for example in the form of a cross-sectional widening.

FIG. 3 shows that in the retaining groove 3a, a locking element 5a is inserted. The locking element 5a extends out of the retaining groove 3a and protrudes with mutually spaced tongues 7a on the front side 6 of the left panel 1 in the image plane. There is no part of the panel 1a which projects beyond the end face 6 as the locking element 5a ( FIG. 2a ). For locking, a protruding end 28 is displaced into the retaining groove 3a (arrow P).

The locking element 5a engages in the retaining groove 4a. The locking element 5a has for this purpose so-called tongues 7a. Several of these tongues 7a are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the locking element 5a. According to the mutual spacing of the tongues 7a, pockets 8 are formed in the right-hand panel 2a in the image plane FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are indicated by broken lines. The pockets are open to the front side 9 of the right in the image plane panel 2a. The pockets 8 are also to the bottom 11 open, so that the right in the image plane panel 2a can be stored from above next to the first panel 1a or angled. The second panel 2a can also be moved horizontally within the laying plane and inserted or driven under deflection of the tongues 7a. The tongues 7a engage from below into the panel 2a. In this position, the tongue 7a engages in the above the pocket 8 arranged locking groove 4a. The locking groove 4a has on its facing the top 10 groove flank a rounded undercut, behind which the tongue 7a engages. As a result, there is already a certain pull-out protection in the direction of the laying plane V. The laying plane V runs parallel to the upper side 10 or underside 11 of the panels 1a, 2a. The laying plane V is thus perpendicular to a front side plane S, which extends through the end faces 6, 9 of the panels 1a, 2a.

The locking takes place in that the locking element 5a in FIG. 3 is shifted into the picture plane. FIG. 2 indicates by the arrow P the direction of the locking movement. In this case, the locking element 5a is displaced out of the pockets 8 with its tongues 7a, so that the tongues 7a lie above webs 12 which form the lower groove flank of the locking groove 4a. Since the tongue 7a has a thickened head 13, which is connected via a leaner shaft 14 on the other hand with that part of the locking element 5a, which is arranged in the retaining groove 3a, the tongue 7a no longer in the direction of the laying plane V from the adjacent panel 2a be pulled out. The panels 1a, 2a are secured against each other in the direction of the laying plane V. If the panels 1a, 2a are to be brought into contact with each other in the horizontal direction, ie within the laying plane by horizontal displacement, that is, without the right in the image plane panel 2a is vertically stored from above or angled, it is necessary that the head 13 of the tongue 7a deflects slightly downwards. For this purpose, the head 13 has a sufficient elasticity. In addition, a crimp joint 27 adjacent to the head 13 may be arranged on the underside 11 of the panels 1a, 2a facing side of the locking element 5a. This allows for easier deflection of the head 13 down. When the head 13 is in the locking groove 4a, it automatically snaps back up and even supports the tendency to pull the right panel 2a in the image plane on the front side against the left panel 1a.
At the same time, the panels 1a, 2a are aligned with each other in height. The FIGS. 1 and 3 For this purpose, a support strip 15a on the first panel 1a or a support shoulder 16a on the adjacent panel 2a. The support strip 15a and the support shoulder 16a are located between the top 10 of the panels 1a, 2a and the locking groove 4a and the retaining groove 3a.
Alternatively, a support strip 15b and a support shoulder 16b may be provided which are arranged between the lower side 11 and the locking groove 4b or retaining groove 3b ( FIG. 4 ). In this case, the locking element 5b is located above the support strip 15b or the support shoulder 16b.
The positioning of the support strips and support shoulders is also possible in the following embodiments above and below the groove arrangement.
In the embodiment of the FIG. 4 the retaining groove 3b is oriented at an angle W deviating from 90 ° to the front side plane S, whereby the retaining groove 3b acts as an undercut groove. This means that the locking element 5b can not be pulled out of the retaining groove 3b in the direction of the laying plane V, but only obliquely upward. This results in that the locking force K also does not extend exclusively parallel to the laying plane V, but is oriented according to the angle W relative to the front side plane S. The vector of the locking force K can be divided into a horizontal force component KH and a vertical force component KV according to the orientation of the laying plane V and the front side plane S. The vertical force component KV pulls down the right in the image plane panel 2b down. As a result, the support shoulder 16b is pressed against the support strip 15b of the left-hand panel 1b in the image plane. The panels 1b, 2b are firmly against each other.
The locking force K can be increased by the fact that with increasing displacement of the head 13 of the tongues 7 a pulled deeper into the locking groove 4 b becomes. For this purpose can be provided on the mouth side of the webs 12 ramp surfaces, which are configured in particular wedge-shaped. Essential here is the function to bias the individual heads 13, so that the panels 5a-b, 2a-b abut against each other at their end faces 6, 9.

In order to increase the elasticity of the head 13, a cavity 17 may additionally be formed in the head 13. FIG. 3 shows such a cavity 17. The head 13 of the tongue 7a is longitudinally channeled.

The embodiment of the FIG. 5 is different from the one of FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the retaining groove 3c is provided with diametrically opposite cross-sectional widenings 18. The cross-sectional widenings 18 are configured wedge-shaped, wherein the locking element 5c correspondingly has wedge-shaped blocking means 19, which engage in the cross-sectional widening 18 and prevent the locking element 5c from being pulled parallel to the laying plane V.

The embodiment of the FIG. 6 differs from the previous one in that the cross-sectional widenings 18 are arranged at different distances from a groove mouth of the retaining groove 3d.

While in the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 6 It is assumed that the locking element 5a-d is displaced, hence the side-push principle is applied to the left-hand panel in the image plane, while the bayonet principle acts on the right-hand panel in the image plane FIGS. 7 to 9 provided that both the side-puff system and the bayonet system are performed exclusively on the right-hand panel in the image plane. In detail:

FIG. 7 shows two panels 1e, 2e with a locking element 5e, which engages with a locking body 20a. In contrast to the embodiment of the FIG. 3 the blocking body 20a forms the underside of the locking groove 4e. There are therefore no pockets in the panel 2e, but only the blocking body 20a, which has recesses 21 corresponding to the pockets. The recesses 21 are indicated by the dashed line.

The lock body 20a is held in a guide groove 22a which is adjacent to the lock groove 4e. To lock the panels 1e, 2e, the locking element 5e is displaced as well as in the embodiment of FIG FIGS. 1 to 6 ,

Conversely, it is also possible with identical configuration to fix the locking element 5e, for example by being glued into the retaining groove 3a and therefore not displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove 3a. However, instead of the locking element 5e, the locking body 20a can be displaced within the guide groove 22a in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 22a and thus parallel to the locking groove 4e.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the variant described above, in which the locking element 5f is formed integrally with the material of the panel 1f. Again, the locking element 5f, as in all other embodiments, the farthest on the top side decorative edge 23 of the panel 1f before. So also on the support bar 15c of the panel 1f. Since the locking element 5f is fixed, the in FIG. 7 explained locking body 20a in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 22a be displaced, so that the head 13 of the locking element 5f is also held nutunterseitig. Just as with the panels 2a-d, which have webs 12a between the individual pockets 8, the blocking body 20a also has corresponding webs between the recesses 21.

The embodiment of the FIG. 9 looks unlike the embodiment of the FIG. 8 before, that the local blocking body 20b does not extend to the bottom of the panel 2g, but rests on a web 12a. The web 12a is in turn interrupted by pockets 8, which are indicated by the dashed line. The locking element 5g is fixed, so it can not be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove 3a. The locking takes place via the locking body 20b, which is mounted longitudinally displaceably in its guide groove 22b. The blocking body 20b is configured in an L-shaped configuration and has, at its end facing the front side 9, an upwardly directed locking bar 24 with a cavity 25 which increases the elasticity of the locking bar 24 in this area. The locking bar 24 engages in an undercut 26 on the head 13 of the locking element 5g, so that the head 13 can not be pulled out in the direction of the laying plane V from the panel 2g.

The embodiment of the FIG. 9 In principle, however, it is also possible for the blocking body 20b to be arranged in a stationary manner, while the locking element 5g is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the grooves. The blocking body 20b is always located above the webs 12a for this purpose. This can be advantageous for manufacturing reasons. The locking body 20b provides the necessary elasticity for the connection. However, it is not actively relocated for locking. This is done exclusively by the locking element 5g. Thus, this embodiment allows both the locking of the locking body 20b as well as the locking elements 5g, wherein for locking each one of the two components is fixed, while the other component is moved.

Reference numerals:

• 1a - panel
• 1b - panel
• 1c panel
• 1d panel
• 1e - panel
• 1f - panel
• 1g - panel
• 2a - panel
• 2b - panel
• 2c - panel
• 2d panel
• 2e - panel
• 2f panel
• 2g - panel
• 3a - holding groove
• 3b - holding groove
• 3c - holding groove
• 3d - holding good
• 4a - locking groove
• 4b - locking groove
• 4c - locking groove
• 4d - locking groove
• 4e - locking groove
• 4f - locking groove
• 4g - locking groove
• 5a - locking element
• 5b - locking element
• 5c - locking element
• 5d - locking element
• 5e - locking element
• 5f - locking element
• 5g - locking element
• 6 - front side
• 7a tongue
• 8 - bag
• 9 - front side
• 10 - top
• 11 - Bottom
• 12 - footbridge
• 12a - footbridge
• 13 - head
• 14 - shank
• 15a - support strip
• 15b - support strip
• 15c - support rail
• 16a - support shoulder
• 16b - support shoulder
• 17 - cavity
• 18 - cross-sectional enlargement
• 19 - blocking means
• 20a - blocking body
• 20b - blocking body
• 21 - recess
• 22a - guide groove
• 22b - guide groove
• 23 - decorative edge
• 24 - locking bar
• 25 - cavity
• 26 - Undercut
• 27 - crimping
• 28 - protruding end
• K - locking force
• KH - force component
• KV - force component
• P - arrow
• S - frontal plane
• V - laying level
• W - angle

Claims (16)

1. Covering consisting of mechanically interconnectable panels (1a-d, 2a-d) which can be locked together mechanically at their end faces (6, 9) by locking elements (3a-d), with the following features:

   a) located in an end face (6) of a first panel (1a-d) is an undercut retaining groove (3a-d) for receiving a locking element (5a-d) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove (3a-d);

   b) the locking element (5a-d) protrudes with a plurality of mutually spaced apart tongues (7a) from the end face (6) in order to engage in pockets (8) of an undercut locking groove (4a-d) in the opposite end face (9) of an adjacent panel (2a-d);

   c) the pockets (8) are open towards an underside (11) and towards the end face (9) of the adjacent panel (2a-d);

   d) the locking element (5a-d) is provided to be moved at least to some extent out of the pockets (8) towards the locking groove (4a-d) by moving one end of the locking element (5a-d) into the retaining groove (3a-d), to secure the panels (1a-d, 2a-d) against a tensile force which acts in the direction of the laying plane (V) of the panels (1a-d, 2a-d),
   characterised in that

   e) on its side facing the underside (11) of the panel (2e-g), the locking groove (4eg) has a groove flank which is formed by a blocking body (20a) which is held on the panel (2e-g) and in which recesses (21) corresponding to the pockets are formed.
2. Covering consisting of mechanically interconnectable panels which can be locked together mechanically at their end faces (6, 9) by locking elements (5e-g), with the following features:

   a) located in an end face (6) of a first panel (1e-g) is a locking element (5e-g) which has a plurality of mutually spaced apart tongues (7) directed towards the adjacent second panel (2e-g);

   b) the locking element (5e-g) protrudes with respect to the end face (6) in order to engage in a locking groove (4e-g) in the opposite end face (9) of the adjacent panel (2eg);

   c) the locking element (5e, g) is formed as a separate element which is arranged in an undercut retaining groove (3e, g) of the first panel (1e, g),
   characterised in that

   d) the locking groove (4e-g) is partly delimited by a separate blocking body (20a-b) which is held on the second panel (2e-g) and which has recesses (21) which are open towards an underside (11) and towards the end face (9) of the adjacent panel (2e-g), wherein

   e) the region between the recesses (21) serves as a bolt portion which is provided to engage behind the tongues (7) by moving the blocking body (20a, b) towards the locking groove (4e, g) in order to secure the panels (1e-g, 2e-g) against a tensile force acting in the direction of the laying plane (V) of the panels (1e-g, 2e-g).
3. Covering according to claim 2, characterised in that arranged parallel to the locking groove (4e-g) is a guide groove (22a, b) in which the blocking body (20a, b) is arranged such that it can only be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove (22a, b) in the assembly position.
4. Covering according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the blocking body (20a) extends as far as the underside (11) of the panel (2e, f).
5. Covering according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the blocking body (20b) is arranged at a distance from the underside (11) of the panel (2g).
6. Covering according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the blocking body (20b) has a cavity (25) which is provided for improving the elastic deformability of the blocking body (20b).
7. Covering according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the undercut in the retaining groove (3c, d) and/or in the locking groove (4a-g) is formed in that the cross section of the retaining groove (3c, d) and/or of the locking groove (4a-g) widens at a distance from its respective groove opening.
8. Covering according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the undercut of the retaining groove (3a-d) and/or of the locking groove (4a-g) is formed in that in the assembly position, the retaining groove (3a-d) and/or the locking groove (4a-g) are respectively arranged at angles (W), different from 90°, to an end face plane (S), wherein the end face plane (S) passes through the end face (6, 9) and stands vertically to the laying plane (V).
9. Covering according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the first panel (1a-g) has an upper side (10) which is bordered on the end face by a decorative edge (23), wherein located on the end face (6) is a supporting strip (15a, b) which projects on the end face over the decorative edge (23) and which is provided to serve as a support in active engagement with a supporting shoulder (16a, b) on the adjacent panel (2a-g).
10. Covering according to claim 9, characterised in that the adjacent panels (1a-g, 2a-g) are supported against one another in the vertical direction only by the supporting strip (15a, b) and by the supporting shoulder (16a, b) through direct mutual contact.
11. Covering according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that in the locking position, the locking element (5a-e) exerts a locking force (K) on the adjacent panel (2a-g), which locking force is divided into a horizontal force component (KH) which is effective in the laying plane (V), and into a vertical force component (KV) which is directed vertically to the laying plane (V), the vertical force component (KV) drawing the supporting shoulder (16a, b) towards the supporting strip (15a, b).
12. Covering according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the locking element (5c, d) can be inserted into the retaining groove (3c, d) from the end face (9), the locking element (5c, d) having blocking means (19) which, when the locking element (5c, d) reaches a locking position in the retaining groove (3c, d), engage in a cross-sectional widening (18) of the retaining groove (3c, d), to prevent the locking element (5c, d) from being pulled out.
13. Covering according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that a top portion (13), located in the second panel (2a), of the tongues (7) of the locking element (3a) has at least one cavity (17) which is provided to improve the elastic deformability of the top portion (13).
14. Covering according to any one of claims 4 to 6 and, if they relate to claim 2, according to claims 7 to 13, characterised in that on its side facing the underside (11) of the panel (2e-g), the locking groove (4e-g) has a groove flank which is formed by a blocking body (22a, b) which is held on the panel (2e-g) and in which recesses (21) corresponding to the pockets are formed.
15. Method for producing a panel of a covering according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the recesses (21) in the blocking body (20a, b) are only formed after the blocking body (20a, b) has been mounted on the panel (2e-g) in the assembly position.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that congruent pockets (8) are produced together with the recesses (21) in one working operation, the blocking bodies (20a, b) being located on the panel (2e-g) in the assembly position.

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