ES2769548T3 - A flooring material of sheet-shaped flooring elements joined by joint pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

Flooring material composed of sheet-shaped flooring elements (1) with a mostly square or rectangular shape, said flooring elements (1) are provided with edges (2), a bottom side (5) and an upper decorative layer ( 3), wherein the floor elements (1) are intended to be joined by means of connecting pieces (10), characterized in that - the floor elements (1) are provided with male connecting pieces (10I) on a first edge ( 2I), while a second edge (2II) of the floor elements (1) is provided with a female connection piece (10II), wherein the male connection piece (10I) is provided with a tab (11) and a groove (12) on the lower side (5) while the female connecting piece (10II) is provided with a groove (13) and an upright (14), the upright (14) is provided with a lip (15) , wherein the floor elements (1) are designed to be joined mainly by tilting the floor element (1) to be joined to an already installed floor element (1) or to a row of already installed floor elements (1), with the male joint piece (10I) of the floor element (1) angled downwards, and because it allows the The first edge (2I) will be mainly parallel to the second edge (2II) of the element (1) or elements for floors (1) already installed, where the tongue (11) of the inclined floor element (1) is inserted into the slot ( 13) of the female connecting piece (10II) of the element (1) or elements for floors (1) already installed, where the inclined element for floors (1) is turned downwards, its lower edge acting as a pivot axis, of such that the lip (15) finally hooks or falls into the groove (12) on the lower side (5) where the decorative upper layer (3) of the floor elements (1) is mainly parallel; - the elements for floors (1), on a third edge (2III), are provided with a male vertical assembly joint piece (10III), while a fourth edge (2IV) is provided with a female joint joint piece vertical (10IV), the fourth edge (2IV) being arranged on a side opposite to the third edge (2III), where the vertical assembly male joint pieces (10III) are provided with mainly vertical lower faces (21), arranged in Parallel to the nearest edge (2), said lower faces (21) are intended to interact with mainly vertical upper faces (22) arranged in the vertical assembly female joint pieces, in such a way that two elements for adjacent floors joined ( 1) are locked against each other in a horizontal direction, characterized in that said vertical assembly male and female joint pieces (10III and 10IV, respectively) are provided with one or more snap-lock hooks (23) with n coincident notches (24) which, having mainly horizontal locking surfaces, limit vertical movement between two joined adjacent floor elements (1), and a bottom side recess (5) is formed in said fourth edge (2IV) of so that the lower side of said vertical assembly female joint piece (10IV) is recessed with respect to said lower side (5); and - two adjacent edges (2) of a floor element (1) can, at the same time and in the same turning movement, join with a floor element (1) adjacent to the first edge (2I) and a floor element adjacent to the third or fourth edge (2III and 2IV, respectively).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A flooring material of sheet-shaped flooring elements joined by joint pieces

The present invention relates to a flooring material composed of sheet-shaped flooring elements which are joined by connecting pieces.

Precast flooring boards consisting of grooves and edge tabs are quite common today. They can be installed by any skillful person, as they are very easy to install. Such floors can be formed, for example, by solid wood, fiber panels or particles. In most cases, they are provided with a coating such as lacquer or some type of laminate. Boards are often installed by gluing grooves and tabs. However, the most common types of tabs and grooves have the disadvantage of forming gaps of different widths between floorboards in cases where the person installing them has not been careful enough. Dirt easily accumulates in those spaces. Moisture will also penetrate these spaces, causing the core to expand in cases where it is made of wood, fiberboard, or particles, as usual. The expansion will cause the surface layer to rise closer to the edges of the joint, dramatically reducing the life of the floor, as the surface layer will be exposed to exceptional wear. During installation, different types of tensioning devices can be used to reinforce the joint of the floorboards and avoid such spaces. However, this operation is somewhat inconvenient. Therefore, it is desirable to achieve a joint that is self-guiding and therefore automatically finds the correct position. This joint can also be used on floors where glue is not used.

Said joint is known from document WO 94/26999, which refers to a system for joining two floor boards. Floor boards consist of a locking device on the back sides. In one embodiment, the floorboards are provided with profiles at the bottom on a first long side and a short side. These profiles, which extend to outside of the floorboard itself, are provided with an upwardly directed lip that penetrates and fits into grooves at the bottom of a corresponding floorboard. These grooves are arranged on the second short side and long side of this floor board. Floorboards are also equipped with traditional tongue and groove edges. The purpose is for the profiles to fold down and then quickly return to insert into the groove when assembled. The profiles are integrated with the floorboards by folding or, alternatively by gluing.

According to WO 94/26999, the floorboards can be joined by turning or forcing them into place using the long side edge as the pivot point. It is then necessary to slide the floor board lengthways so that it snaps into the previously installed floor board in the same row. To achieve this, slack is essential. This clearance appears to be marked with the symbol A in the figures. A tolerance of 0.2 mm is mentioned in the application. Such clearance will naturally lead to unwanted gaps between the floorboards. Dirt and moisture can penetrate these spaces.

WO 01/02669, published on January 11, 2001, refers to a panel and a panel fixing system, especially for panels for rectangular floors. Positive fit profiles on the long edges of two panels form a common joint when arranged allowing articulated movement of the two panels. A short edge of a panel has a first hook element and the opposite short edge of the panel has a hook element that complements the first hook element, the hook elements being provided with supporting surfaces which, when assembled, support the panels together so that the panel surfaces rest on the short edges. In order to install such panels, the positive fit profiles on the long edges of the panels are connected first. To this end, a panel is arranged at an angle and the projection of a long edge is inserted into the recess on the long edge of an arranged panel. The panel is then held in the tilted position and slides in the longitudinal direction until it contacts the short edge of an adjacent panel. If the inclined panel is tilted down at this time, the overlapping hook elements are attached. Instantaneous closure elements in the form of packages cooperate with recesses to keep the edges short in an installed configuration.

It is also known from WO 97/47834 to manufacture a joint in which the floorboards are joined together with a movement to rotate or force them into place using the long side edge as the pivot point. In accordance with this invention, a traditional tongue has been provided with a heel at the bottom. The heel has a snap in a recess in the groove on the opposite side of the floorboard. The bottom post of the groove folds out during assembly and then flips back when the floorboard is in the correct position. The pieces that snap together, that is, the tongue and the groove, are in opposition to the invention according to WO 94/26999, where they are made up of separate pieces, appearing to be manufactured monolithically from the core of the floor board. WO 97/47834 also shows how the tongue and groove with heels and recesses according to the invention are machine manufactured by cutting machining. This invention also has the disadvantage that the best way to join floorboards comprises a longitudinal slide to join the short sides of the floorboards, which in this case will also require a gap that will create unwanted spaces between the floorboards. . Dirt and moisture can penetrate these spaces.

Through the present invention it is possible to solve the aforementioned problems by means of a floor element that can be assembled without having to slide it along already assembled floor elements. Therefore, it is possible to obtain more tight joints.

The invention is defined in the appended claims.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a flooring material comprising sheet-shaped flooring elements with a mostly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a bottom side and a top decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by connecting pieces. The floor elements are provided with male connecting pieces on a first edge, while a second opposite edge of the floor elements is provided with a female connecting piece. The male connecting piece is provided with a tongue and a groove on the underside. The female connecting piece is provided with a groove and an upright, the upright is provided with a lip. The floor elements are intended to be joined primarily by tilting the floor element to be joined to an already installed floor element or to a row of already installed floor elements, with the male connecting part of the floor element forming an angle down, and because it allows the first edge to be mainly parallel to the second edge of the element or elements for floors already installed. The tongue of the inclined floor element is thus inserted into the groove of the female connecting part of the already installed floor element or elements. The inclined flooring element is thus rotated downward, its lower edge acting as a pivot axis, so that the lip finally engages within the groove on the lower side where the decorative top layer of the flooring elements is primarily parallel. . The vertically assembled male and female joint pieces are provided with one or more snap-lock hooks with matching notches which, having primarily horizontally locked surfaces, limit vertical movement between two adjacent adjacent floor members. A bottom side recess is formed in the fourth edge so that the bottom side of the vertical assembly female joint is recessed relative to the bottom side. Two adjacent edges of a flooring element can, at the same time and in the same twisting motion, join with a flooring element adjacent to the first edge and a flooring element adjacent to the third or fourth edge.

The force necessary to overcome static friction along the joint between two fully assembled male and female joint pieces is preferably greater than 10N per meter of joint length, suitably larger than 100N per meter length of Union.

The junction between two joined floor elements also suitably comprises cavities.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the snap hook is made up of a separate spring piece that is located in a cavity. Alternatively, the notch is formed by a separate spring piece that is located in a cavity. The spring piece is suitably constituted by an extruded thermoplastic profile, a thermosetting resin profile or an extruded metal profile.

The flooring material, including the aforementioned flooring boards and joint profiles, is best suited when flooring is installed and glue is not desired. However, it is possible to use glue or double-sided tape to make the installation permanent irreversibly. The glue or tape is thus applied over, or in connection with, possible cavities or faces below the upper mating surfaces.

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing different embodiments of a flooring material, wherein

Figure 1 shows, in cross section, a first and a second edge 2I and 2 "respectively, during joining. Figure 2 shows, in cross section, a second embodiment of a first and second edge 2I and 2" respectively, during the union.

Figure 3 shows, in cross section, a third embodiment of a first and a second edge 2I and 2 "respectively, during bonding.

Figure 4 shows, in cross section, a fourth embodiment of first and second edges 2I and 2 "respectively, during bonding.

Figure 5 shows, in cross section, a third and a fourth edge 2m and 2IV respectively, of an embodiment according to the invention, during joining.

Figure 6 shows, in cross-section, a second embodiment of a third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV respectively, during joining.

Figure 7 shows, in cross section, a further embodiment of a third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV respectively, according to the invention during joining; and

Figure 8 shows, in cross section, a fourth embodiment of a third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV respectively and a vertical assembly joint profile 30, during joining.

Accordingly, Figure 1 shows, in cross section, a first and a second edge 21 and 21 respectively, during assembly. The figure shows parts of a flooring material composed of mainly square or rectangular shaped sheet-like flooring elements 1. The floor elements 1 are provided with edges 2, a bottom side 5 and an upper decorative layer 3. The floor elements 1 are designed to be joined by connecting pieces 10. The floor elements 1 are provided with male connecting pieces 10I on a first edge 2I, while a second edge 2 "of the floor elements 1 is provided with a female connection piece 10". The second edge 2 "is located on the side opposite the first edge 2I. The male connection piece 10I is provided with a tongue 11 and a slot 12 on the lower side 5. The female connection piece 10" is provided with a slot 13 and a post 14, the post 14 is provided with a lip 15. The floor elements 1 are designed to be joined mainly by tilting the floor element 1 to be joined to a floor element 1 already installed or to a row of elements for floors 1 already installed, with the male connection piece 10I of the element for floors 1 forming a downward angle and allowing the first edge 2I to be mainly parallel to the second edge 2 "of element 1 or elements for floors 1 already installed. The tongue 11 of the inclined floor element 1 is then inserted into the slot 13 of the female connection piece 10 "of the already installed element 1 or floor elements 1, where the inclined floor element 1 is rotated downwards, its b acting lower order as a pivot axis, so that the lip 15 finally falls into the groove 12 on the lower side 5 where the upper decorative layer 3 of the floor elements 1 is mainly parallel.

The embodiment shown in figure 2 corresponds largely to that shown in figure 1. However, the lip 15 and the slot 12 on the bottom side 5 are provided with a cam 16 and a cam slot 17 which offer a instant closure.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 corresponds largely to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 mentioned above. However, the lip 15 and the slot 12 on the underside 5 are provided with a cam 16 and a cam slot 17 that offer instant closure.

The embodiment shown in figure 4 largely corresponds to that shown in figure 1 mentioned above. However, the lip 15 and the upright 14 have a thin and elastic section that offers an Instant closure.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV, respectively, of a floor element 1 according to any of Figures 1 to 4. The floor elements 1 are provided with a vertical connecting male connection piece 10m on a third edge 2m, while a fourth edge 2IV is provided with a 10 "vertical assembly female joint piece. The fourth edge 2IV is located on a side opposite the third edge 2m.

The vertical assembly male connecting pieces 10m are provided with mainly vertical bottom faces 21, arranged parallel to the nearest edge 2. The lower faces 21 are intended to interact with mainly vertical upper faces 22 arranged in the vertical assembly female connecting pieces 10IV, such that two adjacent adjacent floor elements 1 are locked against each other in the horizontal direction. In addition, the 10m vertical assembly male connecting pieces are provided with two snap-lock hooks 23, while the 10IV vertical assembling female connecting pieces are provided with 24 matching notches, which, having mainly horizontally locked surfaces, limit the vertical movement between two elements for adjacent adjacent floors 1.

The junction between a third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV, respectively, of two floor elements 1 also comprises contact surfaces consisting of the horizontally locked surfaces of the notches 24 and the hooks 23, the mainly vertical upper faces 22, the lower faces, in addition to the upper mating surfaces 25.

The joint between two joined floor elements 1 also includes cavities 6.

The embodiment shown in figure 6, which is not according to the present invention, corresponds mostly to the one shown in figure 5. However, the 10m vertical assembly male connecting pieces are provided with only one snap hook. 23, while the vertical assembly female connecting pieces 10IV are provided with a matching notch 24, which, having primarily horizontally locked surfaces, limit vertical movement between two adjacent joined floor boards 1.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 corresponds largely to that shown in Fig. 6. However, the snap hook 23 on the male vertical joining piece 10m is somewhat displaced inwardly on the element for floors 1, where a guide angle is formed on the notch 24 of the vertical female connection piece 10IV.

The embodiment shown in figure 8, which is not according to the present invention, corresponds mostly to that shown in figure 7. However, both the third and fourth edges 2m and 2IV respectively are provided with male connection pieces vertical assembly 10m. A vertical assembly joint profile 30, provided with a vertical assembly female joint profile 10IV on both sides of a vertical line of symmetry is used to join the two floor elements 1.

The vertical assembly female connection pieces 10IV of the vertical assembly connection profile 30 are similarly equipped to the vertical assembly female connection parts 10IV in Figure 7 described above. Two adjacent edges 2 of a floor element 1 can, at the same time and in the same twisting motion, be joined with a floor element 1 adjacent to the first edge 2I and a floor element 1 adjacent to the third or fourth edge 2m and 2IV respectively, when floor elements 1 are assembled according to the previously described embodiments.

The floor elements 1 according to the present invention generally comprise a core. The core generally consists of particles or wood fiber bonded with resin or glue. It is advantageous to coat the surface closest to the joint in cases where the floor has to be exposed to high levels of humidity, since the cellulosic material is sensitive to humidity. This coating can suitably incorporate resin, wax or some type of lacquer. It is not necessary to coat the joint when it is to be glued, since the glue itself prevents the penetration of moisture. The top decorative layer 3 is composed of a decorative paper impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. One or more of the so-called a-cellulose overlay can be placed on the decorative layer, impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. Abrasion resistance can be improved by spraying one or more of the layers with hard particles, for example, alpha aluminum oxide, silicon carbide or silicon oxide. The underside 5 can be suitably coated with lacquer or a layer of paper and resin.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, as these can be varied within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. Floor material composed of sheet-shaped floor elements (1) with a mostly square or rectangular shape, said floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2), a bottom side (5) and a decorative layer upper (3), where the floor elements (1) are intended to be joined by connecting pieces (10), characterized in that - the floor elements (1) are provided with male connection pieces (10I) in a first edge (2I), while a second edge (2 ") of the floor elements (1) is provided with a connection piece female (10 "), where the male connecting piece (10I) is provided with a tongue (11) and a slot (12) on the underside (5) while the female connecting piece (10") is provided with a slot (13) and a post (14), the post (14) is provided with a lip (15), where the floor elements (1) are designed to be joined mainly by tilting the floor element (1) ) to be attached to an already installed floor element (1) or to a row of already installed floor elements (1), with the male connecting piece (10I) of the floor element (1) forming a downward angle, and because it allows the first edge (2I) to be mainly parallel to the second edge (2 ") of the element (1) or elements for floors (1) already installed, where the tongue (11) of the inclined floor element (1) is inserted into the slot (13) of the female connecting piece (10 ") of the element (1) or elements for floors (1) already installed, where the inclined floor element (1 ) is rotated downwards, its lower edge acting as a pivot axis, so that the lip (15) finally catches or falls into the slot (12) on the lower side (5) where the decorative top layer (3) of the floor elements (1) it is mainly parallel; - the floor elements (1), on a third edge (2m), are provided with a vertical assembly male connection piece (10m), while a fourth edge (2IV) is provided with a female assembly connection piece vertical (10IV), the fourth edge (2IV) being arranged on a side opposite to the third edge (2m), where the male pieces of vertical assembly (10m) are provided with mainly vertical lower faces (21), arranged in Parallel to the nearest edge (2), said lower faces (21) are intended to interact with mainly vertical upper faces (22) arranged in the vertical assembly female joint pieces, such that two adjacent floor elements joined together ( 1) are locked against each other in a horizontal direction, characterized in that said vertically assembled male and female connecting pieces (10m and 10IV, respectively) are provided with one or more snap hooks (23) with coincident notches (24) that, having surfaces with mainly horizontal locks, limit vertical movement between two adjacent joined floor members (1), and a bottom-side recess (5) is formed in said fourth edge (2IV) such that the bottom side of said vertically assembled female joint piece (10IV) it is lowered with respect to said lower side (5); and - two adjacent edges (2) of a floor element (1) can, at the same time and in the same rotational movement, join with a floor element (1) adjacent to the first edge (2I) and an adjacent floor element to the third or fourth edge (2m and 2IV, respectively). 2. Floor material according to claim 1, characterized in that said floor elements comprise a core material and in that said hooks (23) and notches (24) are formed in the core material. 3. Floor material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said hook (23) or notch (24) is made up of a separate spring piece that is located in a cavity (6) available between floor elements (1) United. Floor material according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said recess extends below said upper faces (22) and lower faces (21). Floor material according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force necessary to overcome the static friction along the joint between two fully assembled male and female joint pieces (10I and 10 ", respectively) is greater than 10 N per meter of bond length, preferably larger than 100 N per meter of bond length. 6. Floor material according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor elements (1) have a core consisting of particles or wood fiber bonded with resin or glue.