EP3392428B1 - Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system - Google Patents

Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3392428B1
EP3392428B1 EP18171009.6A EP18171009A EP3392428B1 EP 3392428 B1 EP3392428 B1 EP 3392428B1 EP 18171009 A EP18171009 A EP 18171009A EP 3392428 B1 EP3392428 B1 EP 3392428B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outer element
groove
tongue
floorboards
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18171009.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3392428A1 (en
Inventor
Per Nygren
Marcus Bergelin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valinge Innovation AB
Original Assignee
Valinge Innovation AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valinge Innovation AB filed Critical Valinge Innovation AB
Priority to PL18171009T priority Critical patent/PL3392428T3/en
Publication of EP3392428A1 publication Critical patent/EP3392428A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3392428B1 publication Critical patent/EP3392428B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00Flooring
    • E04F15/02Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/02038Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00Flooring
    • E04F15/02Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/10Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard, or with a top layer of other materials
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • E04F2201/0146Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane with snap action of the edge connectors
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/05Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips
    • E04F2201/0523Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape
    • E04F2201/0541Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape adapted to be moved along the joint edge
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/05Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins, keys or strips
    • E04F2201/0523Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape
    • E04F2201/0547Separate tongues; Interlocking keys, e.g. joining mouldings of circular, square or rectangular shape adapted to be moved perpendicular to the joint edge

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a building panel such as a floor panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel, a furniture component or the like, which is provided with a mechanical locking system comprising a displaceable tongue.
  • a mechanical locking system comprising a displaceable tongue cooperating with a tongue groove for vertical locking is known and disclosed in, e.g., FR 2 975 716 .
  • the mechanical locking system in FR 2 975 716 has a displaceable tongue comprising an outer element which is pushed by a wedge part of a removable inner part of the tongue into a tongue groove, for vertical locking of adjacent edges of two floorboards.
  • a drawback with this known system is that the locking strength is rather low.
  • a further object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide building panels, such as floorboards, wall panels or panels for furniture, provided with a locking system that comprises a tongue that improves the vertical locking of the floorboards.
  • Another object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a more efficient production method, which requires less complicated production equipment.
  • the building panels such as floorboards, are provided with a locking system that comprises a displacement groove at a first edge of a first floorboard and a tongue groove at a second edge of a second floorboard.
  • a tongue is arranged in the displacement groove and is configured to cooperate, in a second position, with the tongue groove for vertical locking of the first edge and the second edge.
  • the tongue comprises, in a first position, an inner element and an outer element.
  • the inner element is removable along the displacement groove, and is configured to cooperate with the outer element to obtain a displacement of the outer element towards the tongue groove and thereby obtain the second position.
  • the inner element and the outer element are preferably configured to vertically overlap each other in the first position to obtain an increased contact surface between a surface of the displacement groove and the outer element of the tongue in the second position.
  • the inner element and the outer element are arranged such that the increased contact surface takes up a moment of force that arises on the tongue when a load is applied on the first or the second floorboard.
  • the inner element in the first position may be arranged above or below the outer element.
  • the inner element in the first position may also be arranged partly above and partly behind the outer element, or may be arranged partly below the outer element and partly behind the outer element.
  • the entire outer element is in the first position preferably arranged within the displacement groove.
  • the first position may be an initial position before a removal of inner element is initiated.
  • Said inner element and said outer element preferably vertically overlap each other when the inner element is displaced in order to remove the inner element from the displacement groove.
  • the inner element is preferably a bar element.
  • An advantage with a bar element may be that the inner element may be displaced forth and back in the case the inner element gut stuck during the removal of the inner element.
  • An innermost surface of the inner element, in the first position, may be arranged within the guiding groove along an inner surface of the outer element.
  • the outer element may be provided with a guiding groove at either an inner and upper edge of the outer element or at an inner and lower edge of the outer element, wherein at least a part of the inner element in the first position is arranged in said guiding groove.
  • the outer element may be provided with a guiding groove at an inner surface of the outer element, between an upper surface and lower surface of the outer element, wherein at least a part of the inner element is arranged in said guiding groove in the first position.
  • the guiding groove facilitates the removal of the inner element by guiding the inner element in a controlled manner and provides a groove without obstructions and with an eligible friction.
  • the guiding groove preferably extends essentially along the whole longitudinal length of the outer element. This embodiment of the outer element provides for a simple production of the outer element for example by plastic profile extrusion and cutting of the profile in the desired length.
  • the inner element preferably comprises a first protruding part configured to cooperate with the guiding groove, to obtain said displacement of the outer element.
  • the first protruding part in the first position is preferably arranged outside of the outer element and/or in a recess of the outer element.
  • the first protruding part may be wedge shaped or of an essentially spherical shape. Such shapes facilitate the displacement of the inner element.
  • the outer element may also be provided with guiding surfaces at the location of the first protruding part in the first position.
  • the first protruding part is preferably elastic, to make it easier to displace the first protruding part over irregularities in the displacement groove.
  • the first protruding part may comprise an elastic material and may be provided with a recess to increase the elasticity.
  • the inner element is preferably provided with a second protruding part, preferably configured such that the second protruding part is easy to grasp by an installer of the floorboards.
  • the second protruding part may also be configured such that the inner element is secured in the correct position.
  • the cross section of the inner element may be L-shaped or rectangular or of an essentially circular shape.
  • the inner element may comprise plastic and may be produced by injection moulding or extrusion.
  • An extruded inner element of plastic may be provided with the first and or the second protruding part by heating and compressing a part of the extruded profile in a press tool.
  • the inner and outer element may be produced in one piece by injection moulding of plastic and connected together by a connection configured to break when the inner element is displaced or when the tongue is inserted into the displacement groove.
  • the building panels may comprise a wood-based core, preferably made of at least one of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), and particleboard, or of plastic, such as vinyl or PVC.
  • a wood-based core preferably made of at least one of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), and particleboard, or of plastic, such as vinyl or PVC.
  • Figs. 1-3 show floorboards provided with a known locking system which comprises a tongue 20 having an inner element 21 and an outer element 22.
  • the tongue 20 is arranged in a displacement groove 24 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard.
  • Fig. 1 shows a position during assembling of the first floorboard.
  • the first floorboard is arranged in a second row and is connected at a third edge to a fourth edge of a third floorboard in first row.
  • a second floorboard is arranged in an angled position with a third edge adjacent the fourth edge of the third floorboard and a second edge 1c of the second floorboard is arranged adjacent the first edge 1b of the first floorboard.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c after the second floorboard is angled down and connected to the third floorboard in the first row.
  • the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c are in Fig. 2 locked together in the horizontal direction, and the inner element 21 and the outer element 22 of the tongue 20 are arranged in a first position.
  • the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c are in the first position vertically unlocked.
  • the inner element 21 is displaced and removed along the first edge 1b.
  • the inner element 21 is provided with a protruding part.
  • the protruding part pushes the outer element 22 of the tongue 20 into a tongue groove 23 at the second edge 1c of the second floorboard when the inner element 21 is displaced and removed.
  • Fig 3 shows a cross-section of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c in a second position.
  • the inner element 21 of the tongue 20 is in the second position displaced and removed.
  • the outer element 22 of the tongue 20 cooperates with the tongue groove 23 at the second edge 1c of the second floorboard for vertical locking of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c.
  • FIG. 4 and Fig. 5 An embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 , with an inner and outer element 31, 30 of the tongue 10 arranged in a displacement groove 32 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the first position and the second position, respectively, of the inner and outer elements 31, 30.
  • the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 extends below the inner element 31 of the tongue 10, such that the inner element 31 vertically overlaps the outer element 30.
  • the inner element 31 is in this embodiment arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner and upper edge of the outer element 30.
  • the width x of a first contact surface between a lower surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32 is increased, as compared to the known locking system shown in Fig. 3 , in order to improve the strength of the locking system and minimize the offset in height between the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c when a load is applied, in the second position, on the first floorboard.
  • the second position in which the outer element 30 is pushed into the tongue groove 33 at the second edge 1c is shown in Fig. 5 .
  • the outer element 30 is pushed into tongue groove 33 by a first protruding part 36 (see Figs. 8 and 9 ) arranged on the inner element 31, when the inner element 31 is removed and displaced along the first edge 1b.
  • a load applied on the first edge 1b will be taken up by a second contact surface, between an upper surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32, and a third contact surface between a lower surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue and the tongue groove 33. Since the second contact surface and the third contact surface are displaced, the load applied will result in a moment of force, which is taken up by the first contact surface.
  • the width x of the first contact surface is preferably larger than the width y of the third contact surface, and preferably the width x is about twice ore more the width y.
  • the horizontal distance between the second and the third contact surfaces should be as small as possible, preferably less than about 1 mm and more preferably less than about 0,5 mm. This applies also to the embodiments described below.
  • the locking system additionally comprises in this embodiment a locking strip 6, which protrudes horizontally from the first edge 1b.
  • the locking strip 6 is provided with a locking element 8 which cooperates with a locking groove 14 provided at the second edge 1c for horizontal locking of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c.
  • a load applied on the second edge 1c is preferably taken up by a strip contact surface between an upper surface of the locking strip 6 and a lower surface of the second edge 1c.
  • a lower surface of the tongue groove 33 at the third contact surface is preferably arranged with an angle ⁇ 1 in relation to the horizontal plane of the floorboards.
  • the angle ⁇ 1 may be in the range of about 5 ° to about 20 °, and preferably about 15°.
  • the tongue 10 is arranged in a displacement groove 32 at the second edge 1c.
  • the inner element 31 of the tongue 10 is for this embodiment preferably arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner and lower edge of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 to obtain an increased first contact surface between an upper surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32.
  • the first contact surface takes up a momentum force resulting from a load applied at the first edge 1b, in a similar way as described for the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 .
  • an upper surface of the tongue groove is preferably arranged with an angle ⁇ 2 in relation to the horizontal plane of the floorboards.
  • the angle ⁇ 2 may be in the range of about 5 ° to about 20 °, and preferably about 15°.
  • Figs. 8 and 9 show top view embodiments of a tongue 10 of an elongated shape, to be arranged in a displacement groove 32 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard.
  • the tongue comprises an inner element 31 and an outer element 30.
  • the inner element 31 is arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner edge of the outer element 30.
  • the inner element 31 is preferably a bar element of an elongated shape and is provided at a first short edge with a first protruding part in the form of a wedge shaped element 36.
  • the wedge shaped element 36 is configured to push the outer element 30 into a tongue groove 33 of an adjacent second edge 1c of a second floorboard when the inner element 31 is removed and displaced along the first edge 1b.
  • the wedge shaped element is in a prefered embodiment guided by the guiding groove during the displacement of the inner element.
  • the wedge shaped element 36 is, before the displacement, preferably arranged adjacent and at least partly outside a first short edge of the outer element 30 as shown in Fig. 8 .
  • a second edge of the inner element 31 is preferably provided with a gripping part 37 that facilitates the displacement of the inner element 31.
  • Fig. 9 shows that the first short edge of the outer element 30 may be provided with first chamfer 38 that guides the wedge shaped element 36 into the guiding groove 60.
  • the gripping part 37 is, before displacement of the inner element 31, preferably arranged adjacent a second short edge of the outer element 30 and preferably outside the second edge. As shown in Fig.
  • the inner element 31 may be provided with a second protruding part 40, for a correct positioning of the inner element 31, that before displacement of the inner element is preferably arranged in a notch or in a second chamfer 39 provided at the second short edge of the outer element 30.
  • the outer element 30 may have a uniform cross-section from the first short edge to the second short edge. A uniform cross-section makes it possible to produce the outer element 30 at low cost, by e.g., extrusion of plastic.
  • the inner element 31 may have uniform cross-section with the exception of the protruding part (wedge shaped element) 36 at the first edge.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the first chamfer 38 and the second chamfer 39, which cooperate with the first protruding part 36 and the second protruding part 40, respectively.
  • Figs. 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the tongue 10 comprising an L-shaped inner element 31 arranged in a corresponding guiding groove at an inner edge of the outer element 30.
  • Figs. 12-15 show an embodiment of the tongue 10 comprising inner element 31 arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner surface of the outer element 30.
  • Fig. 13 shows that outer edges 42, 43 of the outer element 30 may be chamfered in order to guide the outer element 30 into the tongue groove 33.
  • Fig. 14 shows a cross section of the tongue 10 and that the guiding groove 60 may be provided with chamfered edges 41.
  • Fig. 15 shows a cross section of the tongue 10 in a plane indicated by AA in Fig. 14 .
  • the inner element 31 in this embodiment is provided with friction elements 44 that avert that the inner element 31 from falling out before the floorboards are installed.
  • the first protruding part 36 is provided with a recess 45 that makes its most protruding part 46 more resilient.
  • the most protruding part 46 may be, during the displacement of the inner element 31, compressed during, e.g., entrance of the inner element 21 into the guiding groove 60, or at any irregularities in the displacement groove 32.
  • the other embodiments of the tongue 10 may be provided with a friction element 44 on the inner element 31 and/or on the outer element 30, and/or a recess 45 in the first protruding part 36.
  • a method for producing the first protruding part 36 and/or the second protruding part 40 of the inner element 31 is illustrated in Figs. 17-19 .
  • a plastic blank 50 of an elongated shape is displaced into a press tool comprising a first part 55 and a second part 56.
  • the first part 55 and the second part 56 are displaced against each other and a protruding part 35 at a first short edge of the plastic blank 50 is formed under heat and pressure.
  • the process may be repeated for a second short edge of the plastic blank 50.
  • the method may also comprise the step of forming the second protruding part 35 simultaneously and essentially in the same manner as the first protruding part 35.
  • the produced first and/or second protruding part 35 may be of, for example, an essentially spherical shape or wedge shaped.
  • Fig. 20 shows an inner element 31 that may be produced according to the method illustrated in Figs. 17-19 .
  • the inner element 31 preferably has an essentially circular cross-section and preferably comprises protruding parts 35 of an essentially spherical shape.
  • Figs. 21 and 22 not forming part of the present invention, show that an inner element 31 with a circular cross section may be combined with a displacement groove 32 having an inner surface 62, which is smaller than the opening of the displacement groove 32.
  • the inner surface 62 may be provided with a round shaped bottom that facilitates the displacement of the inner element 31.
  • An upper or lower surface of the displacement groove 32 may be provided with a recess 34 having an angled surface at an angle ⁇ 3 to the horizontal plane.
  • the angle ⁇ 3 may be in the range of about 3° to about 10°.
  • An embodiment of the recess 34 is shown in Figs. 23-25 .
  • the recess 34 and the angled surface has the effect that the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 tilts and the outer element 30 is restrained from being displaced back into the displacement groove 32 after the outer element 30 is pushed into the tongue groove 33 by the inner element 31.
  • Such a recess 34 may be provided in locking systems comprising any type of the disclosed displaceable tongue.
  • a prefered embodiment of the tongue 10 is shown in Fig 26 .
  • the inner element 31 and the outer element 30 are produced in one piece by injection moulding of plastic.
  • the inner element 31 and the outer element 30 are connected together by a connection 47 configured to break when the inner element is displaced or when the tongue is inserted into the displacement groove.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)
  • Finishing Walls (AREA)

Description

    Technical Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to a building panel such as a floor panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel, a furniture component or the like, which is provided with a mechanical locking system comprising a displaceable tongue.
  • Technical Background
  • Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system comprising a displaceable tongue cooperating with a tongue groove for vertical locking is known and disclosed in, e.g., FR 2 975 716 . The mechanical locking system in FR 2 975 716 has a displaceable tongue comprising an outer element which is pushed by a wedge part of a removable inner part of the tongue into a tongue groove, for vertical locking of adjacent edges of two floorboards. A drawback with this known system is that the locking strength is rather low.
  • The above description of various known aspects and drawback is the Applicant's characterization of such, and is not an admission that any of the above description is considered as prior art.
  • Although the description in the present disclosure relates to a floor panel, the description of techniques and problems thereof is applicable to other applications as well. For example, the description is also applicable to panels for other purposes, such as wall panels, ceiling panels, furniture panels and components, etc.
  • Summary
  • It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described conventional techniques.
  • A further object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide building panels, such as floorboards, wall panels or panels for furniture, provided with a locking system that comprises a tongue that improves the vertical locking of the floorboards.
  • Another object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a more efficient production method, which requires less complicated production equipment.
  • At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the present disclosure have been achieved by certain embodiments of the building panels described herein.
  • The invention is defined by the appended claims.
  • The building panels, such as floorboards, are provided with a locking system that comprises a displacement groove at a first edge of a first floorboard and a tongue groove at a second edge of a second floorboard. A tongue is arranged in the displacement groove and is configured to cooperate, in a second position, with the tongue groove for vertical locking of the first edge and the second edge. The tongue comprises, in a first position, an inner element and an outer element. The inner element is removable along the displacement groove, and is configured to cooperate with the outer element to obtain a displacement of the outer element towards the tongue groove and thereby obtain the second position. The inner element and the outer element are preferably configured to vertically overlap each other in the first position to obtain an increased contact surface between a surface of the displacement groove and the outer element of the tongue in the second position. The inner element and the outer element are arranged such that the increased contact surface takes up a moment of force that arises on the tongue when a load is applied on the first or the second floorboard. The inner element in the first position may be arranged above or below the outer element. The inner element in the first position may also be arranged partly above and partly behind the outer element, or may be arranged partly below the outer element and partly behind the outer element.
  • The entire outer element is in the first position preferably arranged within the displacement groove.
  • The first position may be an initial position before a removal of inner element is initiated.
  • Said inner element and said outer element preferably vertically overlap each other when the inner element is displaced in order to remove the inner element from the displacement groove.
  • The inner element is preferably a bar element. An advantage with a bar element may be that the inner element may be displaced forth and back in the case the inner element gut stuck during the removal of the inner element.
  • An innermost surface of the inner element, in the first position, may be arranged within the guiding groove along an inner surface of the outer element.
  • The outer element may be provided with a guiding groove at either an inner and upper edge of the outer element or at an inner and lower edge of the outer element, wherein at least a part of the inner element in the first position is arranged in said guiding groove. The outer element may be provided with a guiding groove at an inner surface of the outer element, between an upper surface and lower surface of the outer element, wherein at least a part of the inner element is arranged in said guiding groove in the first position. The guiding groove facilitates the removal of the inner element by guiding the inner element in a controlled manner and provides a groove without obstructions and with an eligible friction. The guiding groove preferably extends essentially along the whole longitudinal length of the outer element. This embodiment of the outer element provides for a simple production of the outer element for example by plastic profile extrusion and cutting of the profile in the desired length.
  • The inner element preferably comprises a first protruding part configured to cooperate with the guiding groove, to obtain said displacement of the outer element.
  • The first protruding part in the first position is preferably arranged outside of the outer element and/or in a recess of the outer element. When the inner element is removed by a displacement along the displacement groove and preferably in the guiding groove, the outer element is gradually pushed into the tongue groove to obtain the second position.
  • The first protruding part may be wedge shaped or of an essentially spherical shape. Such shapes facilitate the displacement of the inner element. The outer element may also be provided with guiding surfaces at the location of the first protruding part in the first position. The first protruding part is preferably elastic, to make it easier to displace the first protruding part over irregularities in the displacement groove. The first protruding part may comprise an elastic material and may be provided with a recess to increase the elasticity.
  • The inner element is preferably provided with a second protruding part, preferably configured such that the second protruding part is easy to grasp by an installer of the floorboards. The second protruding part may also be configured such that the inner element is secured in the correct position.
  • The cross section of the inner element may be L-shaped or rectangular or of an essentially circular shape.
  • The inner element may comprise plastic and may be produced by injection moulding or extrusion. An extruded inner element of plastic may be provided with the first and or the second protruding part by heating and compressing a part of the extruded profile in a press tool.
  • The inner and outer element may be produced in one piece by injection moulding of plastic and connected together by a connection configured to break when the inner element is displaced or when the tongue is inserted into the displacement groove.
  • The building panels may comprise a wood-based core, preferably made of at least one of MDF, HDF, OSB, WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), and particleboard, or of plastic, such as vinyl or PVC.
  • Brief Description of the Drawings
  • The present invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which illustrate several embodiments.
    • Figs. 1-3 show a known locking system with a tongue comprising an inner and an outer element.
    • Figs. 4-7 show a tongue comprising a guiding groove at an inner edge, according to embodiments of the invention.
    • Figs. 8 and 9 each shows a tongue from a top view, according to embodiments of the invention.
    • Figs. 10 and 11 show cross-sections of a tongue comprising an L-shaped inner element, according to embodiments of the invention.
    • Figs. 12-15 show tongues comprising a guiding groove at an inner surface, according to embodiments of the invention.
    • Figs. 17-19 show a method for producing an inner element of a tongue, according to embodiments of the invention.
    • Fig. 20 shows an embodiment of an inner element of a tongue, according to an embodiment of the invention.
    • Figs. 21 and 22 show a tongue with an inner element having a circular cross-section.
    • Figs. 23-25 show a displacement groove provided with recess, according to an embodiment of the invention.
    • Figs. 26 shows a tongue from a top view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
    Detailed Description
  • Figs. 1-3 show floorboards provided with a known locking system which comprises a tongue 20 having an inner element 21 and an outer element 22. The tongue 20 is arranged in a displacement groove 24 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard. Fig. 1 shows a position during assembling of the first floorboard. The first floorboard is arranged in a second row and is connected at a third edge to a fourth edge of a third floorboard in first row. A second floorboard is arranged in an angled position with a third edge adjacent the fourth edge of the third floorboard and a second edge 1c of the second floorboard is arranged adjacent the first edge 1b of the first floorboard.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c after the second floorboard is angled down and connected to the third floorboard in the first row. The first edge 1b and the second edge 1c are in Fig. 2 locked together in the horizontal direction, and the inner element 21 and the outer element 22 of the tongue 20 are arranged in a first position. The first edge 1b and the second edge 1c are in the first position vertically unlocked. To lock the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c in the vertical direction, the inner element 21 is displaced and removed along the first edge 1b. The inner element 21 is provided with a protruding part. The protruding part pushes the outer element 22 of the tongue 20 into a tongue groove 23 at the second edge 1c of the second floorboard when the inner element 21 is displaced and removed.
  • Fig 3 shows a cross-section of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c in a second position. The inner element 21 of the tongue 20 is in the second position displaced and removed. The outer element 22 of the tongue 20 cooperates with the tongue groove 23 at the second edge 1c of the second floorboard for vertical locking of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c.
  • An embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, with an inner and outer element 31, 30 of the tongue 10 arranged in a displacement groove 32 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the first position and the second position, respectively, of the inner and outer elements 31, 30. The outer element 30 of the tongue 10 extends below the inner element 31 of the tongue 10, such that the inner element 31 vertically overlaps the outer element 30. The inner element 31 is in this embodiment arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner and upper edge of the outer element 30. The width x of a first contact surface between a lower surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32 is increased, as compared to the known locking system shown in Fig. 3, in order to improve the strength of the locking system and minimize the offset in height between the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c when a load is applied, in the second position, on the first floorboard.
  • The second position in which the outer element 30 is pushed into the tongue groove 33 at the second edge 1c is shown in Fig. 5. The outer element 30 is pushed into tongue groove 33 by a first protruding part 36 (see Figs. 8 and 9) arranged on the inner element 31, when the inner element 31 is removed and displaced along the first edge 1b. A load applied on the first edge 1b will be taken up by a second contact surface, between an upper surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32, and a third contact surface between a lower surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue and the tongue groove 33. Since the second contact surface and the third contact surface are displaced, the load applied will result in a moment of force, which is taken up by the first contact surface. In order to increase the strength of the locking system, the width x of the first contact surface is preferably larger than the width y of the third contact surface, and preferably the width x is about twice ore more the width y. For the purpose of reducing the momentum that arises when a load is applied on the first edge 1b, the horizontal distance between the second and the third contact surfaces should be as small as possible, preferably less than about 1 mm and more preferably less than about 0,5 mm. This applies also to the embodiments described below.
  • The locking system additionally comprises in this embodiment a locking strip 6, which protrudes horizontally from the first edge 1b. The locking strip 6 is provided with a locking element 8 which cooperates with a locking groove 14 provided at the second edge 1c for horizontal locking of the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c. A load applied on the second edge 1c is preferably taken up by a strip contact surface between an upper surface of the locking strip 6 and a lower surface of the second edge 1c.
  • In order to push the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c vertically against each other, a lower surface of the tongue groove 33 at the third contact surface is preferably arranged with an angle β1 in relation to the horizontal plane of the floorboards. The angle β1 may be in the range of about 5 ° to about 20 °, and preferably about 15°.
  • In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the tongue 10 is arranged in a displacement groove 32 at the second edge 1c. The inner element 31 of the tongue 10 is for this embodiment preferably arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner and lower edge of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 to obtain an increased first contact surface between an upper surface of the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 and the displacement groove 32. Also, in this embodiment the first contact surface takes up a momentum force resulting from a load applied at the first edge 1b, in a similar way as described for the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In order to push the first edge 1b and the second edge 1c vertically against each other, an upper surface of the tongue groove is preferably arranged with an angle β2 in relation to the horizontal plane of the floorboards. The angle β2 may be in the range of about 5 ° to about 20 °, and preferably about 15°.
  • Figs. 8 and 9 show top view embodiments of a tongue 10 of an elongated shape, to be arranged in a displacement groove 32 at a first edge 1b of a first floorboard. The tongue comprises an inner element 31 and an outer element 30. The inner element 31 is arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner edge of the outer element 30. The inner element 31 is preferably a bar element of an elongated shape and is provided at a first short edge with a first protruding part in the form of a wedge shaped element 36. The wedge shaped element 36 is configured to push the outer element 30 into a tongue groove 33 of an adjacent second edge 1c of a second floorboard when the inner element 31 is removed and displaced along the first edge 1b. The wedge shaped element is in a prefered embodiment guided by the guiding groove during the displacement of the inner element. The wedge shaped element 36 is, before the displacement, preferably arranged adjacent and at least partly outside a first short edge of the outer element 30 as shown in Fig. 8. A second edge of the inner element 31 is preferably provided with a gripping part 37 that facilitates the displacement of the inner element 31. Fig. 9 shows that the first short edge of the outer element 30 may be provided with first chamfer 38 that guides the wedge shaped element 36 into the guiding groove 60. The gripping part 37 is, before displacement of the inner element 31, preferably arranged adjacent a second short edge of the outer element 30 and preferably outside the second edge. As shown in Fig. 9 the inner element 31 may be provided with a second protruding part 40, for a correct positioning of the inner element 31, that before displacement of the inner element is preferably arranged in a notch or in a second chamfer 39 provided at the second short edge of the outer element 30. The outer element 30 may have a uniform cross-section from the first short edge to the second short edge. A uniform cross-section makes it possible to produce the outer element 30 at low cost, by e.g., extrusion of plastic. Also the inner element 31 may have uniform cross-section with the exception of the protruding part (wedge shaped element) 36 at the first edge. For the purpose of obtaining a correct position of the inner element 31, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the first chamfer 38 and the second chamfer 39, which cooperate with the first protruding part 36 and the second protruding part 40, respectively.
  • Figs. 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the tongue 10 comprising an L-shaped inner element 31 arranged in a corresponding guiding groove at an inner edge of the outer element 30.
  • Figs. 12-15 show an embodiment of the tongue 10 comprising inner element 31 arranged in a guiding groove 60 at an inner surface of the outer element 30. Fig. 13 shows that outer edges 42, 43 of the outer element 30 may be chamfered in order to guide the outer element 30 into the tongue groove 33. Fig. 14 shows a cross section of the tongue 10 and that the guiding groove 60 may be provided with chamfered edges 41. Fig. 15 shows a cross section of the tongue 10 in a plane indicated by AA in Fig. 14. The inner element 31 in this embodiment is provided with friction elements 44 that avert that the inner element 31 from falling out before the floorboards are installed. The first protruding part 36 is provided with a recess 45 that makes its most protruding part 46 more resilient. The most protruding part 46 may be, during the displacement of the inner element 31, compressed during, e.g., entrance of the inner element 21 into the guiding groove 60, or at any irregularities in the displacement groove 32. Also the other embodiments of the tongue 10 may be provided with a friction element 44 on the inner element 31 and/or on the outer element 30, and/or a recess 45 in the first protruding part 36.
  • A method for producing the first protruding part 36 and/or the second protruding part 40 of the inner element 31 is illustrated in Figs. 17-19. A plastic blank 50 of an elongated shape is displaced into a press tool comprising a first part 55 and a second part 56. The first part 55 and the second part 56 are displaced against each other and a protruding part 35 at a first short edge of the plastic blank 50 is formed under heat and pressure. The process may be repeated for a second short edge of the plastic blank 50. The method may also comprise the step of forming the second protruding part 35 simultaneously and essentially in the same manner as the first protruding part 35. The produced first and/or second protruding part 35 may be of, for example, an essentially spherical shape or wedge shaped. Fig. 20 shows an inner element 31 that may be produced according to the method illustrated in Figs. 17-19. The inner element 31 preferably has an essentially circular cross-section and preferably comprises protruding parts 35 of an essentially spherical shape.
  • Figs. 21 and 22 not forming part of the present invention, show that an inner element 31 with a circular cross section may be combined with a displacement groove 32 having an inner surface 62, which is smaller than the opening of the displacement groove 32. The inner surface 62 may be provided with a round shaped bottom that facilitates the displacement of the inner element 31.
  • An upper or lower surface of the displacement groove 32 may be provided with a recess 34 having an angled surface at an angle β3 to the horizontal plane. The angle β3 may be in the range of about 3° to about 10°. An embodiment of the recess 34 is shown in Figs. 23-25. The recess 34 and the angled surface has the effect that the outer element 30 of the tongue 10 tilts and the outer element 30 is restrained from being displaced back into the displacement groove 32 after the outer element 30 is pushed into the tongue groove 33 by the inner element 31. Such a recess 34 may be provided in locking systems comprising any type of the disclosed displaceable tongue.
  • A prefered embodiment of the tongue 10 is shown in Fig 26. The inner element 31 and the outer element 30 are produced in one piece by injection moulding of plastic. The inner element 31 and the outer element 30 are connected together by a connection 47 configured to break when the inner element is displaced or when the tongue is inserted into the displacement groove.

Claims (15)

  1. Floorboards including at least a first floorboard and a second floorboard provided with a mechanical locking system comprising:
    a displacement groove (32) at a first edge (1b) of the first floorboard and a tongue groove (33) at a second edge of the second floorboard (1c), a tongue (10) arranged in the displacement groove (32) and configured to cooperate, in a second position, with the tongue groove (33) for vertical locking of the first edge (1b) and the second edge (1c),
    wherein the tongue (10) comprises, in a first position, an inner element (31) and an outer element (30), the inner element being removable along the displacement groove (32) and configured to cooperate with the outer element to obtain a displacement of the outer element (30) towards the tongue groove (33) and thereby obtain the second position,
    wherein the displacement groove (32) comprises in use an upper surface, a lower surface, an opening and an inner surface (62) between the upper surface and the lower surface,
    wherein the displacement groove (32) comprises a recess (34) starting from the opening of the displacement groove,
    characterized in that the recess (34) has an angled surface at an angle (β3) to the horizontal plane such that the outer element (30) of the tongue (10) tilts and the outer element (30) is restrained from being displaced back into the displacement groove (32) after the outer element (30) is pushed into the tongue groove (33) by the inner element (31).
  2. Floorboards as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle (β3) is in the range of about 3° to about 10°.
  3. Floorboards as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said inner element (31) and said outer element (30) vertically overlap each other in the first position.
  4. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said inner element (31) and said outer element (30) vertically overlap each other when the inner element is displaced, in order to be removed from the displacement groove.
  5. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner element (31) is a bar element.
  6. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner element (31) in the first position is arranged above or below the outer element (30).
  7. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the inner element (31) in the first position is arranged partly above and partly behind the outer element (3), or is arranged partly below the outer element and partly behind the outer element.
  8. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer element (30) is provided with a guiding groove (60) at either an inner and upper edge of the outer element or at an inner and lower edge of the outer element (30), and at least a part of the inner element in the first position is arranged in said guiding groove (60).
  9. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein the outer element is provided with a guiding groove (60) at an inner surface of the outer element (30), between an upper surface and a lower surface of the outer element, and at least a part of the inner element is arranged in said groove in the first position.
  10. Floorboards as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the guiding groove (60) extends essentially along the whole longitudinal length of the outer element.
  11. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the claims 8-10, wherein in the first position an innermost surface of the inner element (31) is within the guiding groove (60) along an inner surface of the outer element (30).
  12. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the claims 8-11, wherein the inner element (31) comprises a first protruding part (36) configured to cooperate with the guiding groove (60), to obtain said displacement of the outer element.
  13. Floorboards as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first protruding part (36) in the first position is arranged outside of the outer element and/or in a recess of the outer element.
  14. Floorboards as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the first protruding part is one of wedge shaped and essentially spherical shaped.
  15. Floorboards as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire outer element is arranged within the displacement groove in the first position.
EP18171009.6A 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system Active EP3392428B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL18171009T PL3392428T3 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361774749P 2013-03-08 2013-03-08
SE1350279 2013-03-08
EP14760606.5A EP2964851B1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system
PCT/SE2014/050285 WO2014137282A1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14760606.5A Division EP2964851B1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system

Publications (2)

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EP3392428A1 EP3392428A1 (en) 2018-10-24
EP3392428B1 true EP3392428B1 (en) 2020-04-29

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EP14760606.5A Active EP2964851B1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system
EP18171009.6A Active EP3392428B1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system

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EP14760606.5A Active EP2964851B1 (en) 2013-03-08 2014-03-07 Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system

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EP (2) EP2964851B1 (en)
CN (1) CN105026661B (en)
PL (1) PL3392428T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2014137282A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108005346A (en) * 2017-11-08 2018-05-08 安徽邦尼特轨道装备有限公司 A kind of PVC floor

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE531111C2 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-12-23 Vaelinge Innovation Ab Mechanical locking of floor panels
DE102007032885B4 (en) * 2007-07-14 2016-01-14 Flooring Technologies Ltd. Panel, in particular floor panel and means for locking interconnected panels
JP5675369B2 (en) * 2008-01-31 2015-02-25 ベーリンゲ、イノベイション、アクチボラグVaelinge Innovation Ab Mechanical locking of floor panels, methods of installing and removing panels, methods and equipment for manufacturing locking systems, methods of connecting displaceable tongues to panels, and tongue blanks
CA2749464C (en) * 2009-01-30 2017-02-21 Valinge Innovation Belgium Bvba Mechanical lockings of floor panels and a tongue blank
FR2975717A1 (en) * 2011-09-22 2012-11-30 Epi Flooring Dissociable insert for use in blocking system to block junction between successive strips of e.g. mantle, has locking element moved laterally along direction of groove by lateral pushing of extracting element until being engaged in groove
FR2975716A1 (en) * 2011-05-25 2012-11-30 Espace Production Internationale Blocking system for junction of two opposite edges of successive composite strips of parquet floor, has locking insert including beveled end that converts linear movement of wire element into movement of lateral translation
FR2975718B1 (en) * 2011-05-25 2015-01-02 Inovame BLADE OF STRUCTURE PLANE OF FACING OR PARQUET
EP2744953B1 (en) * 2011-08-15 2017-12-13 Ceraloc Innovation AB Mechanical locking system for floor panels

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2964851A4 (en) 2016-10-26
CN105026661A (en) 2015-11-04
WO2014137282A1 (en) 2014-09-12
CN105026661B (en) 2018-07-27
EP2964851A1 (en) 2016-01-13
EP3392428A1 (en) 2018-10-24
PL3392428T3 (en) 2020-08-10
EP2964851B1 (en) 2018-05-16

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