EP3992391A1 - Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci - Google Patents

Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3992391A1
EP3992391A1 EP21210836.9A EP21210836A EP3992391A1 EP 3992391 A1 EP3992391 A1 EP 3992391A1 EP 21210836 A EP21210836 A EP 21210836A EP 3992391 A1 EP3992391 A1 EP 3992391A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
edge
panels
edges
joining
joining members
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP21210836.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3992391B1 (fr
Inventor
Jan Eddy De Rick
Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen
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.)
Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
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Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
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 Flooring Industries Ltd SARL filed Critical Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
Priority to EP23155363.7A priority Critical patent/EP4202150A3/fr
Priority to HRP20230354TT priority patent/HRP20230354T1/hr
Publication of EP3992391A1 publication Critical patent/EP3992391A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3992391B1 publication Critical patent/EP3992391B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/10—Flooring 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
    • E04F15/105—Flooring 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 of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0138—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0153—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by rotating the sheets, plates or panels around an axis which is parallel to the abutting edges, possibly combined with a sliding movement

Definitions

  • the invention relates to floor panel assembly comprising sheet-shaped floor panels preferably made of relatively resilient material such as LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) type material, which floor panels are provided with a plurality of edges, wherein a first edge of a first panel and a second edge of a second panel are equipped with joining members which allow a joining of the first and second edges of the two panels by bringing these into engagement with each other, preferably in a relatively inclined position of the panels and then rotating said panels with respect to each other, so as to bring the upper sides of both panels substantially in alignment with each other and have them meet at a vertical plane VP.
  • LVT Luxury Vinyl Tile
  • the joining member of the first edge may be provided with a tongue and the joining member of the second edge with a groove adapted to receive the tongue therein so as to lock the panels at the adjacent edges at least in a direction perpendicular to the upper side and in a direction parallel to the upper side but perpendicular to the adjacent first and second edges in their joined position.
  • the tongue and groove are so adapted to each other that an upper surface of the tongue is urged against an upper wall of the groove.
  • the tongue in the joined position of the panels, the upper surface of the tongue is in contact with the upper wall of the groove in a contact area, the contact area having a small inclination with respect to a corresponding area of the upper wall of the groove in the non-joined condition, and being substantially parallel thereto in the joined condition.
  • This inclination which may vary for example between 1° and 6°, is preferably downwardly in the direction towards the vertical plane VP. Downward bending of the tongue will then result in rotation of the upper surface of the tongue towards horizontal and thereby lowering the height of the tongue to adapt to the size of the groove.
  • the contact area between the upper surface of the tongue and the upper wall of the groove is at a distance from the vertical plane VP.
  • the upper surface of the tongue adjacent the vertical plane VP is lowered with respect to the upper surface at a distance from the vertical plane, for example by providing the upper surface of the tongue, adjacent to the vertical plane VP, with a notch parallel to the adjacent edge.
  • This notch in the upper surface of the tongue not only creates the contact area spaced from the vertical plane VP, but also reduces the bending resistance of the tongue.
  • This bending resistance can be regulated by dimensioning this notch in dependence of the tongue dimensions and the rigidity of the material of the tongue.
  • the tongue should bend but should also have sufficient bending resistance so as to exert and maintain pressure on the groove under all conditions of use.
  • the tongue and groove are so adapted to each other that in the joined position there is a pressure line between a lower surface of the tongue and a lower wall of the groove at a distance from the vertical plane VP, substantially below the start of the contact area at the upper surface of the tongue, and wherein the lower wall of the groove may have a stepped surface.
  • This pressure line or area may provide an alternative or additional way of creating pressure between the upper surface of the tongue and the upper wall of the groove.
  • the lower wall of the groove is provided with a ridge extending parallel to the adjacent edge of the panel
  • the lower surface of the tongue may be provided with an indentation extending parallel to the adjacent edge of the panel and being adapted to receive the ridge of the groove at least partly.
  • the floor panels are substantially rectangular and has opposite third and fourth edges adjacent to the opposite first and second edges, each floor panel being provided on at least the third edge with a third joining member and, on the opposite fourth edge, with a fourth joining member, the third and fourth joining members of two panels being vertical joining members and being joined to each other by a mainly vertical movement of the respective panel edges towards each other, the third and fourth joining members locking the panels at the adjacent edges at least in a direction perpendicular to the upper side and in a direction parallel to the upper side but perpendicular to the adjacent third and fourth edges in their joined position, the third and fourth joining members being provided with at least one locking element locking the third and fourth joining members to each other in the joined position, at least in said direction perpendicular to the upper side.
  • the joining members of the first and second edges of each panel may allow a joining of the first and second edges of two panels by bringing the first and second edges into engagement with each other in a relatively inclined position of the panels and then rotating said panels with respect to each other so as to bring the upper sides of both panels substantially in alignment with each other, thereby also bringing the vertical joining members of the third and fourth edges of the tilted panel and an adjacent panel into engagement.
  • the locking element may be a horizontal protrusion on the third or fourth edge protruding towards the fourth or third edge and engaging in a recess on the other of the third or fourth edge.
  • the vertical joining members include a male and a female joining member, at least one of which is deformable, such as bendable for cooperation with the other of the male and female vertical joining members to create tension between them in the joined position.
  • the female joining member may have a shape to force the lip(s) into a locking position.
  • the female joining member may have an upward ridge or the like adapted to engage into the notch but being wider than the notch to force the lips away from each other into engagement with walls of the female member. This can also be obtained in case of a single lip, or if in the final joined position, the deformable male or female vertical joining member is deformed away from its resting position thereby creating pressure between the joining members.
  • the contact area providing water tightness of the joint is as close as possible to the position where the upper surfaces of the panels meet and thus where water can enter the joint. If the contact area has a horizontal component, i.e. is between substantially horizontal surfaces, or surfaces having a horizontal component, this horizontal component contact area should be the first one of this type that any water entering the joint meets. This applies both to the horizontal and vertical joints.
  • the invention also includes a floor panel for use in the floor panel assembly as described above, and joining members for use on this floor panel.
  • FIG. 1 shows a first panel 1, a second panel 2, a third panel 3 and a fourth panel 4. These panels are substantially rectangular and may both be square or elongated.
  • the four panels 1 - 4 shown are elongated having a first edge 7 and an opposite second edge 8 that form the long edges and a third edge 5 and an opposite fourth edge 6 that are the short edges.
  • the panel assembly is intended to form a floor covering, but the panels may also be used as wall panels, ceiling panels or panels for covering other surfaces. These surfaces may be indoor or outdoor surfaces.
  • the panels may be constructed as flexible/bendable/resilient LVT-like panels for forming a laminate flooring which is known in the art. These panels are normally used to imitate planks or tiles of natural material, such as wood, stone or any other material. Generally these panels comprise a core of relatively resilient and/or bendable material, in particular material including a soft plastics material.
  • the plastics material may be polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polythene, polypropylene or any other suitable polymer, copolymer or mixture thereof.
  • the material would normally incorporate one or more additives such as are conventionally used in the formulation of PVC floor coverings including: plasticizers, extending oils, stabilizers (e.g. metal salts), pigments, and fillers (e.g. ground limestone, or other finely divided inorganic materials such as mica, slate, china clay.
  • plasticizers e.g. plasticizers, extending oils, stabilizers (e.g. metal salts), pigments, and fillers (e.g. ground limestone, or other finely divided inorganic materials such as mica, slate, china clay.
  • the plastics could be engineered with other materials, such as natural or synthetic fibers or flour to obtain composite material such as WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) or plastic material mixed with carpet waste.
  • WPC Wood Plastic Composite
  • the core of these panels may be covered by a decorative layer formed for example from transfer foil.
  • the decor may also be formed in a different way, for example by printing directly and/or digitally on the core, and/or by finishing the core by embossing, chafing or the like.
  • An upper surface 9 is formed thereby.
  • a lower surface 10 of the panels may be formed by another layer, for example a water-proof coating or sheet.
  • the invention is also applicable for panels made of plastic or other material with or without separate upper and/or lower layers.
  • the thickness of the panels may for example vary between 3 mm and 6 mm, the panel shown in the drawings is 4 mm.
  • each panel 1 - 4 are provided with joining members to join the panels to each other to obtain a floor covering in which the panels are coupled to each other substantially without the formation of a gap.
  • the third edge 5 of each panel is provided with a third or male vertical joining member 11, the fourth edge 6 with a fourth or female vertical joining member 12 (see Fig. 5 and 6 ), whereas the first edge 7 is provided with a first or male horizontal joining member 13 and the second edge 8 with a second or female horizontal joining member 14.
  • the first and second edges 7, 8 with first and second joining members 13, 14 are shown schematically in Fig. 2 .
  • These joining members 13, 14 are such that they allow a joining of the first and second edges 7, 8 of two panels 2, 3 by bringing male joining member 13 in contact with female joining member 14 of a panel or of two panels which are already installed on the surface.
  • panel 1 is brought into engagement with panels 3 en 4.
  • the first male joining member 13 is brought in engagement with the second female joining member 14 while the panel 1 is held in a relatively inclined position, whereafter panel 1 with the male joining member 13 is rotated with respect to the other panels 3 and 4 so as to bring the upper surfaces 9 of the panels substantially in alignment with each other.
  • This method is also known as the "angling in” joining method. In principle, it would also be possible to angle in a female joining member onto a male joining member of a panel already installed. Other methods of bringing the joining members into engagement with each other, such as horizontal shifting, are conceivable as well.
  • the joining members 13, 14 comprise locking means which prevent the panels 2, 3 from drifting apart in a direction parallel to their surfaces 9, 10 and perpendicularly to their edges 7, 8.
  • These locking means are configured such that they exert a force urging the panels towards each other (i.e. perpendicular to their edges) while the panels are in their joined condition. This force counteracts the formation of gaps between the panels, in particular at the position near the upper surface 9 where the panels meet each other. This position may be exactly at the upper surface in the situation of Fig. 4 , but in case the upper edges of the panels are machined for example to form a V-groove (see Figs.
  • Fig. 2 also shows that the first male joining member 13 includes a tongue 17, while the second female joining member 14 includes a groove 18 which is able to receive at least a portion of tongue 17 therein so as to lock the panels with respect to each other in a direction perpendicularly to surfaces 9, 10, i.e. in vertical direction.
  • the shape of the tongue and groove 17, 18 may have all kinds of configurations and orientations as long as they include surfaces that restrict movements in a direction perpendicularly to surfaces 9, 10.
  • Fig. 3 and 4 show the first and second joining members 13, 14 in more detail. It is shown that the lower surface of tongue 17, especially in an area before vertical plane VP is rounded, and has a heel 22 ending into the front wall of downwardly open groove 21. This heel 22 cooperates with an upward wall 23 of upper protrusion 20 to accomplish the horizontal lock at these edges 7, 8 and also might urge panels 2, 3 toward each other so as to be pressed against each other at the position of substantially vertical surfaces 15 and 16 forming a seam which is closed, also when forces are exerted on panels 2, 3 trying to separate the panels at their first and second edges 7, 8. Above protrusion 20 and beyond lip 19 there is a gap or clearance towards the other panel so that contact between the panel edges is limited to designated areas.
  • One of the designated surfaces is an upper surface 24 of tongue 17 engaging in the joined position with an upper wall 25 of groove 18. As is shown in Fig. 4 contact between these surfaces is only in a limited contact area 26 at a distance from vertical plane VP. In this embodiment, this is accomplished by lowering upper surface 24 of the tongue adjacent the vertical surface 15 or vertical plane VP, in this case by providing a notch 27 in the upper surface 26 extending parallel to the adjacent edge. This notch 27 may be one tenth to a few tenths of a millimetre deep and the width may be approximately between a quarter and half of the length of tongue 17, thus leaving a contact area 24 of approximately half of the upper surface of the tongue remote from vertical plane VP.
  • a pressure is exerted by tongue 17 on upper wall 25 of groove 18 by urging tongue 17 upwardly due to the engagement of heel 22 of the tongue with upward wall 23 of protrusion 20 and also with a recess 29 in the upper surface of lip 19.
  • the upper surface 24 of tongue 17 at the position of contact area 26 is slightly inclined downwardly in a direction towards vertical plane VP in the non-joined position, see Fig. 3 at angle ⁇ .
  • This inclination ⁇ may for example be 1° - 6°, preferably 1° - 4°, most preferably approximately 2° with respect to the upper wall 25 of the groove 18 or in this case with respect to the horizontal.
  • tongue 17 should be deformed slightly, for example by compression or bending, in order to allow the joining members 13, 14 to engage.
  • the tongue is bent and as a result the contact area 26 of tongue 17 is rotated to an orientation in which it extends substantially parallel to upper wall 25 of groove 18, in this case substantially horizontal. Due to this rotation of a part of the tongue, the height of the tongue is reduced (the highest part of the tongue 17 is remote from vertical plane VP beyond which the deformation starts) whereby the joining members 13, 14 are allowed to fully engage.
  • upper wall 25 of groove 18 such that there is only pressing contact between upper surface 26 of tongue 17 and upper wall 25 of groove 18, for example by creating a notch in upper wall 25 at the open end of groove 18, or by incline upper wall 25, such that wall 25 is higher at its open end than at its closed end.
  • upper surface 26 of tongue 17 can be configured at an inclination of e.g. 5° - 10°, such that when the tongue is slightly deformed and/or rotated, the free end of tongue 17 is still higher than its base, so that there is contact only at a distance from vertical plane VP.
  • the substantially vertical surfaces 15, 16 could be made such that the contact is concentrated in the upper part thereof, ensuring that the seam is closed also in critical tolerance situations.
  • Fig. 4 it is shown that in the recess 29 in lip 19, i.e. in the lower wall of groove 18 there is formed a ridge 30, which has no function here as it does not have contact with the lower surface 28 of tongue 17.
  • a ridge 30 which has no function here as it does not have contact with the lower surface 28 of tongue 17.
  • the pressure between the upper surface 24 of tongue 17 and the upper wall 25 of groove 18 can additionally or alternatively be accomplished by creating a pressure line or area between the lower surface of tongue 17 and the lower wall of groove 18 extending parallel to the respective edge, for example by the ridge 30 or otherwise raised area on lower wall 29 of groove 18 urging tongue 17 upwards when it is inserted into groove 18. Due to the elasticity of the material of ridge 30, it can be deformed downwardly to enable entry of the tongue (see dotted line and arrow in Fig. 7 ). However, additionally or alternatively, tongue 17 can be bent downwardly by upper wall 25 of groove 18 at a position slightly beyond the pressure line enabled by the gap or clearance 31 between lower surface 28 of tongue 17 and lower wall 29 of groove 18. Ridge 30 is positioned substantially below the start of contact area 26 between upper surface 24 of tongue 17 and upper wall 25 of groove 18.
  • Ridge 30 may have a substantially triangular cross-section so as to create the pressure line between tongue 17 and groove 18. Other cross-sections are conceivable, for example having a rounded or flat top. The ridge 30 may be more or less pronounced. The ridge 30 could also be created on lower surface 28 of tongue 17. The same is true for contact area 26 between upper surface 24 of tongue 17 and upper wall 25 of groove 18. This may be defined by a notch or the like in the upper wall of the groove adjacent to the vertical plane VP, such that contact is only created where this notch or inclined area ends. In Fig. 7 the contact area 26 of the tongue extends substantially the whole length thereof.
  • lower surface 28 of tongue 17 could be provided with a recess or indentation 34 extending parallel to respective panel edge 7, 8 and being adapted to at least partly receive ridge 30 when joining members 13, 14 are in their joined condition.
  • Upper surface 24 of tongue 17 is here uninterrupted so that contact with upper wall 25 of groove 18 is substantially over the entire area of the upper surface of the tongue, but also here notch 27 may be provided to concentrate the contact at the bottom of groove 18.
  • a close contact between the tongue and the groove can also be accomplished by dimensioning the vertical size of the tongue and groove, such that the vertical size of the tongue in a vertical cross section is larger than the vertical size of the groove in the corresponding cross section, i.e. in the joined position.
  • at least one of the tongue and groove must deform to adapt the vertical sizes to correspond, so that the tongue fits into the groove. If the tongue deforms, this can be accomplished by compression or bending. Bending can be promoted by shaping the tongue, for example by providing the tongue with a horizontal notch. Compression can be accomplished by proper material selection.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show third and fourth vertical joining members 11, 12 at short edges 5, 6 of panels 1, 2.
  • the panels meet each other near their upper surface 9 in a vertical plane VP.
  • the fourth or female joining member 12 comprises a recess 35 extending at a distance below the upper surface 9 of panel 2 and parallel to respective panel edge 6 to limit a contact area between vertical wall surfaces 42, 43.
  • a lower panel portion is extended beyond vertical plane VP into a protruding lip 36 including in its upper surface a depression 37 adjacent to the vertical plane VP.
  • depression 37 has a flat bottom parallel to edge 6.
  • On its free end lip 36 is provided with an upward projection 38 having an upright wall 39 bordering depression 37 and an upper surface 40.
  • On the free end of lip 36 remains a free space 41 to first edge 5 of the other panel in order to ensure that the seam between vertical wall surfaces 42, 43 near upper surface 9 of panels 1, 2 can be closed.
  • the third or male vertical joining member 11 comprises a downward protrusion 44 having in this case a substantially flat lower surface extending parallel to first edge 5.
  • the shape and dimension of this downward protrusion 44 is such that it will fit into depression 37 of female joining member 12 when first and second joining members 11 and 12 are in their joined condition.
  • the lower surface of protrusion 44 forms the lowest point of first joining member 11 where the distance from upper surface 9 of the panel is at a maximum.
  • the lower surface of the protrusion 44 might or might not contact the bottom of depression 37 in its joined position, at least it is not necessary to have contact.
  • Inclined wall 39 together with the engagement of vertical wall surfaces 42 and 43 provide vertical support to panel 1.
  • On the lower side of first edge 5 is a downwardly open recess 45 which is sufficiently large to take up upward projection 38 on lip 36 of female joining member 12 with either a clearance (as shown) or with contact between surface 40 and the upper wall of recess 45.
  • female joining member 12 is provided with a vertical locking element 46 in the form of a protrusion extending horizontally parallel to the adjacent panel edge and protruding towards the other panel 1, in this case towards a wall 47 defining one side of protrusion 44.
  • a vertical wall 47 In this vertical wall 47, there is created an undercut 48 to take up locking element 46.
  • the inclined lower surface 49 of protrusion 46 and inclined lower wall 50 of undercut 48 engage with each other and lock panel edges 5, 6 with respect to each other in vertical direction, in cooperation with the engagement of the downward protrusion 44 and upward surface 39 of protrusion 38 bordering the depression 37.
  • the downward protrusion 44 and the depression 37 are formed such that protrusion 44 can enter depression 37 by a downward displacement in combination with a slightly sideways displacement and/or by deformation of the locking element 46, downward protrusion 44 and/or lip 36.
  • protrusion 44 and the depression 37 are formed such that protrusion 44 can enter depression 37 by a downward displacement in combination with a slightly sideways displacement and/or by deformation of the locking element 46, downward protrusion 44 and/or lip 36.
  • Locking element 46 and undercut 48 could also be positioned in other places where upright or substantially vertical surfaces of third and fourth joining members 11, 12 are adjacent to each other, such as on one of the upright walls of the upward protrusion 38 on lip 36.
  • the depression 44 with wall 50 forms a locking element engaging in a recess or undercut formed below locking element 46 by wall 49.
  • Locking element 46 as shown is integrated in the joining member, i.e. made in one piece with the panel from the same material. It may however also be made separately and be attached or connected to the panel. It may extend along the whole length of first edge 5, but especially if it is made separately, it is possible to provide a plurality of short locking elements distributed along the length of edge 5, or even only one short locking element substantially in the middle of second edge 6. The length and placement of the locking element depends on various factors, in particular the length of edges 5, 6, the material of the panels and the particular use of the panel assembly. The use of one or more narrow locking elements 46 facilitate a connection between two panel edges when the edges are moved towards each other in a non-parallel orientation, for example, if one panel is folded down as is disclosed here.
  • the locking effect is better when there is a high local load because if one locking element is disengaged due to the high local load, the other locking elements will remain locked and keep the edges together.
  • locking element is interrupted along the length, it cannot provide water tightness to the joint. In that case, water tightness should be effected between other surfaces.
  • Figs. 8 and 9A - 9E show a variation of the vertical joining members 11, 12.
  • the downward protrusion 44 of joining member 11 is split at the bottom by a substantially vertical notch 51 extending parallel to the adjacent edge and creating two resilient lips 52, 53 which can slightly bend towards and away from each other.
  • the lip(s) is or are allowed to bend at least partly back to form a vertical lock together with the walls 39, 49 of the depression 44.
  • These lips 52, 53 of the protrusion 44 and walls 39, 49 of the depression 44 can be shaped to form a strong or weaker vertical lock, and also additional water tightness of the connection.
  • ridge 54 which is forced to enter notch 51 when the protrusion 44 is almost in its lowest position (from Fig. 9B on), thereby forcing at least lip 52 adjacent wall 49 away from the other lip (from Fig. 9C on) as ridge 54 becomes wider than notch 51. In this way, it is not necessary to first bend the lips 52, 53 towards each other to create the lock and/or water tightness when in the final position.
  • Fig. 10 shows a variation of Fig. 9 , in which there is no ridge 54 provided in depression 37, but lip 52 adjacent wall 49 of locking element 46 (the lip furthest away from the centre of panel 1) is pre-shaped such that in the final joined position lip 52 is bent away (see arrow) from its resting position (shown in dashed lines) so that it is positioned against wall 49 with tension to strengthen the vertical lock and (water) tightness of the joint.
  • the width of protrusion 44 is larger than that of depression 37, at least at one corresponding level, so that the width of the protrusion 44 must be reduced elastically by bending a part (i.e. lip 52) to enter its joined position in the depression 37.
  • lip 52 is more slender than lip 53 which is more massive, especially at its upper end, thereby increasing the resistance to bending.
  • Surface 50 of lip 52 preferably does not extend beyond surface 42 in horizontal direction, i.e. remains behind this surface 42, so that during a downward movement of this panel the lip will not engage with upper surface 9 of the other panel already laid. If there is a small horizontal distance between surface 42 and extreme part of surface 50, it will not engage upper surface 9 even if the adjacent sides of panel 1 rae not exactly square.
  • Fig. 11 shows another variation in which the downward protrusion 44 of the male joining member 11 as a whole is formed as a bendable lip 52 which is tensioned in its final joined position against wall 49 of locking element.
  • This is the result of the fact that the distance between the front face of lip 52 and vertical plane VP is smaller than the distance between wall 49 and VP at the corresponding level, so that lip 52 must be deformed to equal the distance.
  • Depression 37 is large enough to take of the bending deformation of lip 52, but horizontally supports the upper side of lip 52 to urge the panels in engagement with each other near their upper sides at vertical plane VP.
  • the walls 39 and/or 49 of the female joining member 12 are deformable, i.e. bendable to provide the same kind of tension between the male and female joining members 11, 12.
  • the vertical joining members can be used independently of the other joining members.
  • the principle of the invention with a deformed part of a male or female joining member in the joined position to obtain (water) tightness of the joint is applicable to all kinds of joining members between panels.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawing and described above, which may be varied in different ways within the scope of the invention.
  • each of the third and fourth vertical joining members has its own locking element co-operating with the other one.
  • Both locking elements could be deformable or only one. It is also conceivable that the single locking element only locks the panels in cooperation with other locking means, such as ridges, tongues and grooves, hooks and undercuts and the like.
  • the panels may have a different configuration than substantially rectangular, in particular triangular or hexagonal.
  • the panel edges should be configured such that adjacent panel edges have matching joining members.
  • the invention also relates the following list of numbered items:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
EP21210836.9A 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci Active EP3992391B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23155363.7A EP4202150A3 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
HRP20230354TT HRP20230354T1 (hr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Sklop podne ploče, podna ploča i elementi za spajanje koji se koriste

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13151053.9A EP2754772A1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2013-01-11 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP14700977.3A EP2971401B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
PCT/EP2014/050488 WO2014108537A1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble de panneaux de plancher, panneau de plancher et ses éléments de jointure

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14700977.3A Division EP2971401B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP14700977.3A Division-Into EP2971401B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23155363.7A Division-Into EP4202150A3 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP23155363.7A Division EP4202150A3 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3992391A1 true EP3992391A1 (fr) 2022-05-04
EP3992391B1 EP3992391B1 (fr) 2023-03-15

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EP13151053.9A Withdrawn EP2754772A1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2013-01-11 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP21210836.9A Active EP3992391B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP14700977.3A Active EP2971401B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP23155363.7A Pending EP4202150A3 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci

Family Applications Before (1)

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EP13151053.9A Withdrawn EP2754772A1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2013-01-11 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14700977.3A Active EP2971401B1 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de sol, panneau de sol et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci
EP23155363.7A Pending EP4202150A3 (fr) 2013-01-11 2014-01-13 Ensemble panneau de plancher, panneau de plancher et éléments d'assemblage pour utilisation dans celui-ci

Country Status (6)

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EP (4) EP2754772A1 (fr)
ES (2) ES2913138T3 (fr)
HR (1) HRP20230354T1 (fr)
PL (2) PL2971401T3 (fr)
PT (2) PT3992391T (fr)
WO (1) WO2014108537A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

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KR102544021B1 (ko) 2019-01-30 2023-06-16 아이4에프 라이센싱 엔뷔 바닥재 시공용 패널
CN110409654A (zh) * 2019-07-17 2019-11-05 阜阳市风雅颂生产力促进中心有限责任公司 一种装配式建筑二次防水墙板连接结构
AU2021314820A1 (en) * 2020-07-31 2023-03-02 I4F Licensing Nv Panel and covering

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US20090320402A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2009-12-31 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor element, locking system for floor elements, floor covering and method for composing such floor elements to a floor covering
EP2407289A1 (fr) * 2004-01-13 2012-01-18 Välinge Innovation AB Recouvrement de sol

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BE1012141A6 (nl) * 1998-07-24 2000-05-02 Unilin Beheer Bv Vloerbekleding, vloerpaneel daarvoor en werkwijze voor het realiseren van dergelijk vloerpaneel.
HUP0400740A2 (en) * 2001-01-12 2004-07-28 Valinge Aluminium Ab Floorboard and locking system
DE20112474U1 (de) * 2001-07-28 2002-12-19 M. Kaindl, Wals Paneel, beispielsweise für Fußboden-, Wand- und/oder Deckenverkleidungen
DE102004028757B4 (de) * 2004-04-02 2007-11-15 hülsta-werke Hüls GmbH & Co. KG. Paneelelement zur Boden-, Wand- und/oder Deckenverlegung sowie Verfahren zum Verlegen eines Belages, insbesondere eines Boden-, Wand- und/oder Deckenbelages
EP2063044A1 (fr) * 2007-11-22 2009-05-27 Spanolux N.V. Div. Balterio Ensemble de panneaux, panneau de revêtement et procédé de fabrication d'un panneau
US8037656B2 (en) * 2008-08-08 2011-10-18 Liu David C Flooring boards with press down locking mechanism
CN102803625B (zh) * 2010-01-11 2014-12-31 韦林奇创新公司 具有互锁设计的地板覆盖物
DE102010063976B4 (de) * 2010-12-22 2013-01-17 Akzenta Paneele + Profile Gmbh Paneel
DE202011110452U1 (de) * 2011-01-28 2014-02-11 Akzenta Paneele + Profile Gmbh Paneel

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2407289A1 (fr) * 2004-01-13 2012-01-18 Välinge Innovation AB Recouvrement de sol
US20090320402A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2009-12-31 Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl Floor element, locking system for floor elements, floor covering and method for composing such floor elements to a floor covering

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2942921T3 (es) 2023-06-07
EP3992391B1 (fr) 2023-03-15
PL3992391T3 (pl) 2023-07-17
ES2913138T3 (es) 2022-05-31
EP4202150A3 (fr) 2024-02-14
WO2014108537A1 (fr) 2014-07-17
HRP20230354T1 (hr) 2023-06-09
EP2754772A1 (fr) 2014-07-16
PT3992391T (pt) 2023-06-07
EP2971401A1 (fr) 2016-01-20
EP2971401B1 (fr) 2022-03-09
PL2971401T3 (pl) 2022-06-20
PT2971401T (pt) 2022-05-20
EP4202150A2 (fr) 2023-06-28

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