JP2004520502A - Floorboards and locking systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking system for mechanically joining floorboards, and a floorboard having such a locking system.
A floorboard and an openable locking system for the floorboard include an undercut groove provided on one long side of the floorboard and a protruding tongue provided on the opposite long side of the floorboard. Having. The undercut groove has a corresponding upwardly directed inner locking surface at a predetermined distance from its tip. The tongue and undercut grooves are formed to be connected by snap-fitting adjacent boards together.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
[Floor board and locking system]
The present invention relates to a locking system for mechanically joining floorboards and a floorboard having such a locking system.
[Background Art]
[0002]
The invention is particularly suitable for mechanically bonded floorboards based on wood, usually with a wooden core. Accordingly, the prior art, and the following description of objects and features of the present invention, relates to this field of application, and in particular, to a rectangular parquet floor with joined long and short sides. The invention is particularly suitable for floating floors, i.e. floors that can move with respect to the base. However, the present invention relates to homogeneous wooden floors, wooden floors with a platy or plywood core, floors with a surface made of veneer and a core made of wood fiber, thin bonded floors, floors with a plastic core, etc. It must be emphasized that it can be used for all existing types of hard floors. The invention can of course also be used with other types of floorboards, such as plywood that can be machined with a cutting tool or subfloor made of particleboard. Although not preferred, the floorboard can be fixed to the base after its installation.
[0003]
(Technical background of the present invention)
Mechanical joints have largely occupied the market in a short time, mainly due to their excellent layability, joint strength and joint quality. Floors according to WO 9426999 and floors sold under the trademark Aloc (Alloc is a registered trademark), which are described in more detail below, have significant advantages compared to conventional glued floors, but further improvements Is desirable.
[0004]
The mechanical joining system is very convenient not only for joining bonded floors but also for joining wooden floors and composite floors. Such floorboards include a number of different materials on the surface, core, and backside. As discussed below, these materials are also included in various components of the joining system, such as strips, locking elements, and tongues. However, a solution comprising an integrated strip providing a horizontal joint and further comprising a tongue providing a vertical joint, for example formed in accordance with WO9426999 or WO9747834, involves a mechanical joint of machined board material. Costly in the form of material waste associated with formation.
[0005]
For optimal functioning, for example, a parquet floor of 15 mm thickness should include a strip approximately the width of the floor, ie about 15 mm. For a tongue of about 3 mm, the amount of waste is 18 mm. The width of the floorboard is usually about 200 mm. Thus, material waste is about 9%. In general, the cost of wasted materials, when the floorboards are made of expensive materials, if thicker or format is small, if the order is laid number of meters junction of 1 m ² per floor increases Become larger.
[0006]
Specifically, the use of separately manufactured strips in the form of aluminum strips, which are pre-fixed to the floorboard at the factory, can reduce material waste. Furthermore, aluminum strips provide a better and less expensive joining system than strips machined from a core in many applications. However, aluminum strips are quite expensive to invest and require a thorough factory reconfiguration to change existing legacy production lines to produce floorboards with such mechanical joining systems. Is disadvantageous. However, an advantage of the prior art aluminum strip is that the starting format of the floorboard does not need to be changed.
[0007]
The reverse is true when manufacturing strips by machining floorboard material. Thus, the format of the floorboard must be adjusted so that there is enough material to form the strips and tongues. For bonded floors, it is often necessary to change the width of the decorative paper used. In addition, all of these adjustments and changes require costly changes in manufacturing equipment and significant product compatibility.
[0008]
In addition to the above-mentioned problems with undesired material waste and production costs and product compatibility, strips have the disadvantage that they are highly susceptible to damage during transport and installation.
[0009]
In summary, there is a great need to provide mechanical joints at low manufacturing costs, while at the same time the goal is to maintain the current excellent properties regarding laying, removal, joint quality and strength. Prior art solutions cannot reduce price without reducing strength and / or laying function standards.
[0010]
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution aimed at lowering price while retaining strength and function.
[0011]
The present invention starts with a floorboard having a core, a front side, a rear side, and both joining edges. One of these joint edges is formed as a tongue groove having a bottom end defined by upper and lower lips, and the other is formed as a tongue having an upwardly directed portion at a free outer end. I have. The tongue groove has the shape of an undercut groove having an opening, an inner portion, and an inner locking surface. At least a portion of the lower lip is integrally formed with the floorboard core and the tongue cooperates with the inner locking surface of the adjacent floorboard tongue groove when mechanically joining two such floorboards. Having a locking surface designed to work, so that the front side of these floorboards is located in the same surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) oriented perpendicular thereto Join at This technique is disclosed, inter alia, in DE-A-3041781. This is discussed in more detail below.
[0012]
However, before that, the general techniques relating to floorboards and locking systems for mechanically locking these floorboards together are described as background of the present invention.
[0013]
[Description of Prior Art]
In order to facilitate and explain the invention and the problems to be solved by the invention, both the basic structure and function of a floorboard according to WO 9426999 and WO 9966151 are described below with reference to FIGS. Where applicable, the following description of the prior art also applies to embodiments of the invention described below.
[0014]
3a and 3b show the floorboard 1 according to WO 9426999 from above and from below, respectively. The board 1 is rectangular and has an upper side 2, a lower side 3, two opposite long sides with joint edges 4a and 4b, and two opposite short sides with joint edges 5a and 5b. .
[0015]
The joining edges 4a, 4b on the long side and the joining edges 5a, 5b on the short side meet at the joining plane VP (see FIG. 2c), and in the laid state their upper side is the common surface plane HP. As shown in FIG. 2C, mechanical joining can be performed without using an adhesive in the direction D2 of FIG. 1C.
[0016]
In the illustrated embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3), which is an example of a floorboard according to WO 9426999, the board 1 has a flat strip 6 which is fitted at the factory. This strip extends along the entire long side 4a and is made of a flexible elastic aluminum sheet. The strip 6 extends outward beyond the joining plane VP at the joining edge portion 4a. The strip 6 can be attached mechanically or with an adhesive or in some other way according to the embodiment shown. As described in said document, any other strip material, such as some other metallic sheet or aluminum or plastic profile, can be used as the material for the strip that is factory mounted on the floorboard. . As described in WO 9426999 and as described and illustrated in WO 9966151, the strip 6 can be integrally formed with the board 1, for example by suitably machining the core of the board 1.
[0017]
The present invention can be used for floorboards in which the strip, or a portion thereof, is integrally formed with the core, and solves the special problems associated with joining, removing, and manufacturing such floorboards. The core of the floorboard may not be formed of a uniform material, but is preferably formed of a uniform material. However, the strip is always integrated with the board 1. That is, the strip 6 must be formed on a board or installed at the factory.
[0018]
In the well-known embodiment according to WO 9426999 and WO 9966151 mentioned above, the width of the strip 6 may be about 30 mm and the thickness may be about 0.5 mm.
[0019]
A similar but shorter strip 6 ′ is arranged along one short side 5 a of the board 1. At the part of the strip protruding beyond the joining plane VP, a locking element 8 is formed which extends along the entire strip 6. This locking element 8 has on its lower part a working locking surface 10 facing the joining plane VP. The height of the action locking surface 10 is, for example, 0.5 mm. The locking surface 10 cooperates with the locking groove 14 formed in the lower side 3 of the facing long side joining edge portion 4b of the adjacent board 1 'when laying. A corresponding locking element 8 'is provided in the strip 6' provided along the short side, and a corresponding locking groove 14 'is provided in the opposite short side joining edge 5b. The edges of the locking grooves 14, 14 'facing away from the joining plane VP form a working locking surface 10' for cooperating with the working locking surface 10 of the locking element.
[0020]
Since the long side and the short side are also mechanically joined in the vertical direction (direction D1 in FIG. 1c), the board 1 has one long side (joining edge portion 4a) and one short side thereof. Along the section (joining edge portion 5a), the upper side is defined by the upper lip of the joining edge portion 4a, 5a and the lower side is an opposed laterally open recess defined by the respective strip 6, 6 '. That is, the tongue groove 16 is further formed. The edge portions 4b, 5b are provided with upper recesses 18 which define locking tongues 20 which cooperate with recesses or tongue grooves 16 (see FIG. 2a).
[0021]
FIGS. 1a to 1c show two such long sides 4a, 4b of two boards 1, 1 'on a base U, while keeping the boards essentially in contact with each other. Figure 7 shows a method of joining together by pivoting and tilting down about a center C near the intersection between the HP and the joining plane VP.
[0022]
2a to 2c show how the short sides 5a, 5b of the boards 1, 1 'are joined together by a snap action. While the long sides 4a, 4b can be joined by both methods, the joining of the short sides 5a, 5b, which is performed first after laying the first floorboard row, usually involves joining the long sides 4a, 4b. It is performed only by the snap action after the initial joining.
[0023]
If the new board 1 'and the previously laid board 1 are to be joined along their long edges 4a, 4b according to FIGS. 1a to 1c, the long edges 4b of the new board 1' are It is pressed according to FIG. 1 a against the long edge 4 a of the previously laid board 1, so that the locking tongue 20 is inserted into the recess or tongue groove 16. The board 1 'is then tilted downward towards the subfloor U according to FIG. The locking element 8 of the strip 6 snaps into the locking groove 14 as soon as the locking tongue 20 has completely entered the recess or tongue groove 16. When tilted in this manner, the upper part 9 of the locking element 8 can act to guide the new board 1 ′ towards the previously laid board 1.
[0024]
In the joint position according to FIG. 1 c, the boards 1, 1 ′ are locked to some extent along their long edges 4 a, 4 b in the directions D 1 and D 2, while the boards 1, 1 ′ It can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal joining direction along the long sides (ie direction D3).
[0025]
2a to 2c show that the short sides 5a and 5b of the boards 1, 1 'are displaced in the direction D1 by displacing the new board 1' essentially horizontally towards the previously laid board 1. Also, a method of mechanically joining in the direction D2 is shown. This can be done, in particular, after the long side of the board 1 'has been joined in a row adjacent to the previously laid board 1 by tilting inward according to FIGS. 1a to 1c. . In the first step of FIG. 2a, the chamfer of the recess 16 and the locking tongue 20 cooperate so that the strip 6 'is depressed as a direct result of the short edges 5a, 5b being brought together. When finally aligned, the strip 6 'snaps into place when the locking element 8' enters the locking groove 14 ', so that the active locking surfaces 10, 10' of the locking element 8 ' And the locking groove 14 'engage with each other.
[0026]
By repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 1 a to 1 c and FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, the entire floor can be laid along all joint edges without adhesive. Thus, prior art floorboards of the type described hereinabove generally have a new board 1 'in front by first tilting the long side down and after locking the long side. By displacing in the horizontal direction (direction D3) along the long side of the laid board 1, the short sides can be mechanically joined by snap-fitting each other. These boards 1, 1 'can be removed in the reverse order of the laying without damaging the joints and can then be laid more than once. These parts of the laying principle can be applied in connection with the present invention.
[0027]
In order to function optimally and to facilitate laying and removal, the boards of the prior art, after joining, along their long sides, act on the locking surfaces 10 and the locking grooves 14 of the locking elements. It must be possible to assume a position with a slight play between the locking surface 10 '. However, in an actual butt joint, no play is needed between the boards at the joint plane VP near the upper side of the board (ie, the surface HP). To take such a position, one board must be pressed against another board. A more detailed description of this play is given in WO 9426999. Such play may be of the order of 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm between the active locking surfaces 10, 10 'when the long sides of adjacent boards are pressed together. This play makes it easier to put the locking element 8 in the locking groove 14, 14 'and leave it there. However, as described above, when the surface HP and the joint plane VP intersect on the upper side of the floorboard, no play is required at the joint between the boards.
[0028]
The joining system allows for displacement along the joining edges in the post-joining locked position of the optional side. Thus, the laying can be done in many different ways, which are variants of the three basic methods.
* Tilt the long side and snap fit the short side.
* Snap fit on long side and snap on short side.
* Tilt the short side, tilt the two boards up, displace the new board along the short edge of the previous board, and finally tilt the two boards down.
[0029]
The most common and safest laying method is to first tilt the long side down and lock it to another floorboard. Thereafter, the third floorboard is displaced toward the short side of the third floor board at the locking position, so that the short side can be snap-fitted. Laying can also be performed by snap-fitting one side, the long side or the short side, together to another board. Then, in the locked position, the displacement is performed until the other side snaps together with the third board. These two methods require a snap fit on at least one side. However, the laying can also be performed without snap action. In a third variant, the short side of the first board is first inclined inward toward the short side of the second board whose long side has already been joined to the third board. After this alignment, the first and second boards are tilted slightly upward. The first board is displaced in an upwardly inclined position along its short side until the upper joining edges of the first and third boards touch each other, after which the two boards are kept joined while Tilt to.
[0030]
The above described floorboard and its locking system have been very successful in the market in connection with a bonded floor of about 7 mm thickness with an aluminum strip 6 of about 0.6 mm thickness. Similarly, the commercial variant of the floorboard according to WO9966611 shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b was also successful. However, this technique is not particularly suitable for wood-fiber based materials for forming parquet floors, particularly floorboards made of heavy wood or glued wood. know. One of the reasons that this known technique is not suitable for this type of product is that a large amount of material is wasted to machine the edges to form a tongue groove with the required depth. .
[0031]
One more well-known design of a mechanical locking system for a board is shown in GB-A-1430429 and FIGS. 5a and b. This system is basically a tongue-and-groove joint with an additional retaining hook on the extension lip on one side of the tongue groove and a corresponding retaining ridge on the upper side of the tongue. This system requires that the lip on which the hook is provided has considerable elasticity and cannot be removed without breaking the joint edges of the board. Manufacture is difficult due to interference fit, and large amounts of material are wasted due to the geometry of the joints.
[0032]
WO 9747834 discloses floorboards having various types of mechanical locking systems. These locking systems adapted to lock the long sides of the boards together (see FIGS. 2 to 4 and 22 to 25 of the above document) can be mounted and dismounted by connecting-tilting movement. Most that are designed to be performed, but are adapted to lock the short sides of the board together (see FIGS. 5-10), are directed toward each other for connection by a snap lock. Although they are designed to be connected to each other by pushing in translation, these locking systems provided on the short side of the board cannot be removed without breaking or in any case without damage.
[0033]
Some of these boards (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 of WO9747834, and of the accompanying drawings) are disclosed in WO9747834 and are designed such that the coupling and uncoupling are performed by either a tilting movement or a snap fit. 14a-c) have a groove on one edge, the strip protruding below the groove and extending beyond the joining plane where the upper sides of the two joined boards meet. ing. The strips are designed to cooperate with essentially complementary formed portions on opposite edges of the boards so that two similar boards can be joined. A common feature of these floorboards is that the upper tongue of the board and the corresponding upper interface of the grooves are flat and parallel to the upper or top surface of the floorboard. The board is laid exclusively on the one hand by the locking surface provided on the underside of the tongue, and on the other hand by the locking surface provided on the upper side of the lower lip or strip provided below the groove, in the transverse direction of the joining plane. Are connected so as not to be separated. Furthermore, these locking systems have the disadvantage that they require a strip section that extends beyond the joining plane. This results in waste of material in the joint edge where the groove is formed.
[0034]
Various types of boards, especially floor boards, are mechanically joined, so that the amount of wasted material is small, the production can be performed efficiently, and wood-fiber board materials and wood-based board materials There are many teachings when using. Thus, WO9627271 (see FIGS. 5a and 5b in the accompanying drawings) and Japanese Patent No. JP31669967 (see FIGS. 7a and 7b in the accompanying drawings) show two types of materials that cause little waste. Although snap joints are disclosed, they have the disadvantage that the floorboard cannot be easily removed by tilting it up. Furthermore, these systems do not allow the use of high locking angles to reduce the risk of detachment. In addition, this joint shape is disadvantageous with respect to snap-fits, which require the material to be deformed to a considerable extent, and with regard to manufacturing tolerances when large surface parts have to be adjusted precisely to one another. These large surface portions in contact with each other further make it difficult to displace the floorboards relative to each other in the locked position.
[0035]
Another known system is disclosed in DE-A-121 275 and is shown in FIGS. 8a and b of the accompanying drawings. This known system is suitable for sports floors made of plastic material, but cannot be produced by using large disc-shaped cutting tools to form sharp undercut grooves. In addition, this known system cannot be removed without sufficient elasticity so that the upper and lower lips surrounding the undercut groove can be significantly deformed when pulled apart. Therefore, this type of joint is not suitable for floorboards based on wood-fiber based materials where a high quality joint is desired.
[0036]
French patent FR-A-2 675 174 discloses a mechanical joining system for ceramic tiles whose edges are formed complementarily. In such a case, separate spring clips mounted at a predetermined distance from each other are used. These clips are formed to grip the bead at the edge of an adjacent tile. This joint system is not designed for pivotal removal. This is evident from FIG. 10a of the accompanying drawings and in particular from FIG. 10b.
[0037]
Another system is disclosed in German Patent DE 200 00 225 U1 in which the lower lip yields. However, this prior art structure is very fragile and has major disadvantages because the lower lip is weakened by the locking groove.
[0038]
Furthermore, German Patent DE 199 25 248 discloses a system with an upwardly directed locking element.
[0039]
As is apparent from the foregoing, prior art systems have both disadvantages and advantages. However, it has an optimal locking system in terms of manufacturing technology, material waste, laying and removing functions, and is very suitable for reasonable production of floorboards that are high quality, strong and functional in the laid state There is no locking system.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0040]
It is an object of the present invention to fulfill this need and to provide an optimal locking system for floorboards and such an optimal floorboard. It is another object of the present invention to provide a snap joint that can be manufactured in a rational manner. Still other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the above description and the following description.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0041]
Thus, the floorboard and the releasable locking system have an undercut groove on one long side of the floorboard and a protruding tongue on the opposite long side of the floorboard. The undercut groove has a corresponding upwardly directed inner locking surface at a predetermined distance from its tip. The tongue and the undercut groove are formed so as to be brought together by a snap action. The preferred embodiment can also be removed by a tilting movement centered near the intersection between the surface plane of two adjacent floorboards and the common joining plane. The undercut of the tongue groove in such a locking system is such that the rotating shaft is formed such that after first forming the inner portion of the groove undercut portion, it forms a locking surface positioned near the groove opening. It can be formed by disk-shaped cutting tools inclined with respect to each other.
[0042]
However, the features of the locking system, the floorboard and the laying method according to the invention are described in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe particularly preferred embodiments according to the invention. Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
[0043]
Before describing certain preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, the basic concept of the invention and the requirements for strength and function will be described.
[0044]
The invention is applicable to rectangular floorboards having a first pair of parallel sides and a second pair of parallel sides. For simplicity, the first pair will be referred to as the long side and the second pair will be referred to as the short side in the text below. However, it must be pointed out that the invention is also applicable to square boards.
[0045]
[High joining quality]
The term high bond quality means that the floorboards fit snugly both vertically and horizontally in the locked position. The floorboards must be joined under no load as well as under normal load without very large visible gaps or height differences between the joining edges. For high quality floors, the difference in joint gap and height should not be more than 0.2 mm and 0.1 mm, respectively.
[0046]
[Upward tilting around the joining edge]
Generally, it must be possible to tilt the long side of the floorboard up so that the floorboard can be removed. The boards in the starting position are joined by a tight joining edge, so that this upward tilt cannot be done by bringing the upper joining edges into contact with each other and rotating around the joining edges. No. It is very important to be able to tilt up in this way not only when changing floorboards, but also when moving the floor. Many floorboards are trial laid during installation, adjacent to doors, in corners, etc., and laid in the wrong way. This is a significant disadvantage if the floorboard cannot be easily removed without damaging the joining system. A board that can be tilted inward cannot always be tilted up again. In connection with tilting downward, the locking element curves backward and downward and opens, as the strip usually curves slightly downward. If the proper angles and radii are not formed in the joining system, the board is locked after installation so that it cannot be removed. After the short side is opened by tilting the long side joint up, it is usually pulled out along the joint edge, but advantageously the short side can also be opened by tilting up. This is particularly advantageous when the board is long, for example 2.4 m, and it is difficult to withdraw the short side. Tilting up must be able to be done very safely without the boards getting stuck or pinched. If the boards get stuck or get stuck together, there is a risk of damaging the locking system.
[0047]
(Snap fit)
The short side of the floorboard must be able to be locked by a horizontal snap fit. This requires that the parts of the joining system must be flexible and capable of bending. Even if it is much easier and faster to tilt the long side inward than a snap fit, it is advantageous that the long side can also be snap fit. This is because certain laying operations, such as circular doors, require joining the boards in a horizontal direction. In the case of a joint that can be snap-fitted, there is a risk that the edge will rise at the joint if the joint is improperly shaped.
[0048]
[Material cost on long side and short side]
If the floorboard is, for example, 1.2 × 0.2 m, each square meter of the floor surface is about six times larger at the long side joint than at the short side joint. Thus, large amounts of material waste and expensive joint material are less important on the short side than on the long side.
[0049]
[Horizontal strength]
In order to obtain high strength, the locking element generally has to have a large locking angle, so that the locking element does not snap off. The locking element must be high and wide so that the floor does not break when subjected to high tensile loads due to contraction in winter due to low relative humidity. This also applies to the material closest to the locking groove of the other board. The short side joint must be stronger than the long side joint. This is because the tensile load during winter contraction is distributed along the length of the short side joint along the short side rather than along the long side.
[0050]
(Vertical strength)
The board must be able to hold flat when subjected to vertical loads. In addition, the joints must be kept stationary as the surfaces that move under pressure, the flat upper joint edges, squeak.
[0051]
[Possibility of displacement]
In order to be able to lock all four sides, the newly laid board must be able to displace along the previously laid board in the locked position. This uses horizontal blocks and a hammer to strike each other using a suitable amount of force, without damaging the joining edges, and providing a visible play in the joining system both horizontally and vertically. Must be done without forming in. Displaceability is more important on the long side than on the short side. This is because the longer side has a longer joint and therefore inherently greater friction.
[0052]
[Manufacturing]
The joining system must be able to be reasonably manufactured using large rotary cutting tools with very good accuracy and performance.
[0053]
〔measurement〕
Good performance, manufacturing tolerances, and quality require that the profile of the joint can be measured and inspected continuously. Critical components of the mechanical joining system must be designed to be easy to manufacture and measure. It must be able to be manufactured with tolerances of a few hundredths of a millimeter and therefore be able to measure with great precision, for example with so-called contour projectors. If the joining system is manufactured by linear cutting, the joining system has the same profile over the entire edge, except for certain manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the bonding system can measure with great accuracy by cutting out some samples by sawing from the floorboard and measuring these samples with a contour projector or measuring microscope. However, rational manufacturing requires that the bonding system can be measured quickly and easily in a non-destructive manner, for example using a gauge. This is easily done when the key components of the locking system are as few as possible.
[0054]
[Optimization of long side and short side]
In order to produce floorboards optimally with minimal cost, the long and short sides must be optimized with respect to the various features described above. For example, the long side should be optimal for tilting down, tilting up, placement and removal, while the short side should be optimal for snap fit and high strength. Thus, an optimally designed floorboard must have various joining systems on the long and short sides.
[0055]
[Possibility to move the joining edge in the horizontal direction]
Wood-based floorboards and floorboards that entirely contain wood fibers swell and shrink as the relative humidity changes. The swelling and shrinking usually starts from above, so that the surface layer can move more than the core forming part of the joining system. To prevent the upper joint edge from lifting and crushing when the degree of swelling is large, and to prevent the gaps in the joint from rising during drying, the joint system should be moved to compensate for swelling and shrinkage. It is formed as possible.
[0056]
(The present invention)
The present invention uses modern manufacturing methods with reasonably high precision by using appropriate manufacturing methods, essentially by machining and using tools whose tool diameter is much larger than the thickness of the board. Based on a first understanding that it can be made of wood, wood-based boards, and plastic materials. This type of machining can be performed at a predetermined distance from the joining plane in the tongue groove. Thus, the geometry of the joining system must be adapted to reasonable production, which must be able to be performed with very small tolerances. However, such an adaptation cannot be made without sacrificing floor board and other important features of the locking system.
[0057]
The invention is further based on a second understanding based on knowledge of the requirements that must be fulfilled by the mechanical joining system for optimal functioning. With this understanding, these requirements can be determined in ways previously unknown: a) the design of the joining system, for example with respect to specific angles, radii, play, free surfaces and ratios between the various parts of the system, and b) can be met by a combination of the use of core material properties such as compression, stretching, bending, tensile strength, and compressive strength.
[0058]
The present invention can further provide a joining system at a low cost while retaining function and strength, or in some cases, providing function and strength with manufacturing technology, joint design, material selection, and long side and short side. Based on a third understanding that it can be improved by side optimization.
[0059]
The present invention develops bonding systems, manufacturing techniques, and metrology techniques, which must be adjusted to minimize the number of critical components that require small tolerances, and in continuous manufacturing. Based on a fourth understanding that it must be designed to be able to perform measurements and inspections.
[0060]
According to a first feature of the invention, thus, all four sides of the floorboard are in a first vertical direction D1, a second horizontal direction D2, and a third direction D3 perpendicular to the second horizontal direction. A locking system for mechanically joining the corresponding side of another floorboard with a unique locking system and a floorboard having such a locking system are provided.
[0061]
The floorboard may have a removable mechanical joining system on two sides. This mechanical joining system is a known type of system, which can be displaced laterally in the locked position, locked by tilting inward about the joining edge or by a horizontal snap fit. The floorboard is provided with a locking system according to the invention on the other two sides. The floorboard may furthermore be provided with a locking system according to the invention on all four sides.
[0062]
Thus, at least two opposite sides of the floorboard are provided with a joining system designed according to the invention. The joining system has a tongue and a tongue groove defined by upper and lower lips. The tongue has a portion directed upward at an outer upper portion thereof, and an undercut is provided at an inner upper portion of the tongue groove. The upwardly directed portion of the tongue and the undercut of the tongue groove provided in the upper lip have a locking surface which cooperates so as not to separate horizontally in a direction D2 transverse to the joining plane. The tongue and the tongue groove further have a co-operating support surface which prevents vertical separation in a direction D1 parallel to the joining plane. Such a support surface is provided at least in the lower part of the tongue and in the upper part provided on the lower lip of the tongue groove, while the cooperating locking surface serves as an upper support surface, but the upper lip of the tongue groove and The tongue may advantageously further comprise another upper support surface. The tongue, tongue groove, locking element, and undercut are designed to be manufactured by machining using a tool whose diameter is greater than the thickness of the floorboard. The tongue can be inserted with its upwardly directed part into the tongue groove and its undercut, essentially by a horizontal snap fit. The lower lip bends to allow the upwardly directed portion of the tongue to be inserted into the undercut. The lower lip is shorter than the upper lip, which facilitates the formation of an undercut with a locking surface that is relatively inclined to the surface of the board. Thus, the horizontal locking area is higher and can be combined with a flexible lower lip.
[0063]
According to a second aspect of the invention, the floorboard has two edge portions with the joining system according to the invention. In the joining system according to the invention, both the tongue and the part directed upwards can be inserted into the tongue groove and its undercut by a snap function, and both boards can be moved upward with their upper joining edges in contact with each other. Can be removed from the tongue groove by tilting
[0064]
In another aspect, or in addition, the tongue can be flexible to facilitate such a snap fit on the short side after joining the long side of the floorboard. Thus, the invention further relates to a snap joint which can be released by tilting up with the upper joint edges in contact with each other.
[0065]
According to a third aspect of the invention, a floorboard has two edge portions with a joining system formed according to the invention. In this case, the tongue can be snap-fitted into the tongue groove with the board held in the up-tilted position and then tilted down by pivoting about the upper joining edge.
[0066]
The lower lip is shorter than the upper lip so as to allow greater freedom in designing the undercut of the upper lip and, in particular, its locking surface.
[0067]
The features of the present invention are also applicable to known systems that do not have these features in combination with the preferred locking systems described herein.
[0068]
The present invention further describes the basic principles to be fulfilled for a tongue-and-groove joint that snap-fits with minimal bending of the joint components and essentially the same level of surface of the floorboard.
[0069]
The present invention further describes how the material properties can be used to obtain greater strength and to lower the costs associated with a snap fit.
[0070]
Next, various features of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing various embodiments of the present invention. Parts of the board of the present invention that are equivalent to parts of the prior art board of FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same reference numerals throughout the figures.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0071]
A first preferred embodiment of a floorboard 1, 1 'equipped with a mechanical locking system according to the invention is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 21a and 21b. To facilitate understanding, the joining system is shown schematically. It should be emphasized that good performance can be obtained with the other preferred embodiments described below.
[0072]
11a and 11b schematically show a cross-section through the joint between the long edge 4a of the board 1 and the long edge 4b of another board 1 'facing it.
[0073]
The upper side of the board is essentially positioned in a common surface plane HP, and the upper parts of the joining edges 4a, 4b engage one another in a vertical joining plane VP. The mechanical locking system locks the boards against each other both in a vertical direction D1 and in a horizontal direction D2 extending perpendicular to the joining plane VP. However, when laying the floors in a juxtaposed board row, one board (1 ′) can be displaced along the other board (1) in the direction D3 (see FIG. 19) along the joining plane VP. Such a displacement can be used, for example, to lock floorboards positioned in the same row together.
[0074]
In order to join the two joining edges that are perpendicular to the vertical plane VP and parallel to the horizontal plane HP, the edge of the floorboard is connected in a manner known per se to one edge of the floorboard inside the joining plane VP. The part 4a has a tongue groove 36, and a tongue 38 projecting beyond the joint plane VP is formed in the other joint edge part 4b.
[0075]
In this embodiment, the board 1 has a core or wooden core 30. The core has a wooden surface layer 32 on its front side and a balance layer 34 on its rear side. The board 1 is rectangular and further has a second mechanical locking system on two parallel short sides. In some embodiments, this second locking system may have the same design as the long side locking system, but the locking system provided on the short side may have a different design according to the present invention. Or a conventionally known mechanical locking system.
[0076]
As an illustrative non-limiting example, the floorboard may be parquet, 15 mm thick, 2.4 m long, and 0.2 m wide. However, the invention can be used with square parquet boards of different sizes.
[0077]
The core 30 may be a plate-like type made of a narrow-width wooden block made of inexpensive wood. The thickness of the surface layer 32 may be between 3 mm and 4 mm, is made of a decorative type of hardwood, and is varnished. The rear balance layer 34 is preferably made of a 2 mm veneer layer. In some cases, it is advantageous to use different types of wood for different parts of the floorboard in order to optimize the properties within the individual parts of the floorboard.
[0078]
As mentioned above, the mechanical locking system according to the invention has a tongue groove 36 in one of the joint edges 4a of the floorboard and a tongue 38 in the opposite joint edge 4b of the floorboard. .
[0079]
The tongue groove 36 is defined by upper and lower lips 39 and 40 and has the form of an undercut groove having an opening between the two lips 39 and 40.
[0080]
The various parts of the tongue groove 36 are best seen in FIG. A tongue groove is formed in the core or core 30 and extends from the edge of the floorboard. An upper edge portion extending upward to the surface plane HP, that is, a bonding edge surface 41 is provided above the tongue groove. In this embodiment, an upper engagement surface or upper support surface 43 parallel to the surface plane HP is provided in the opening of the tongue groove. This engagement surface or upper support surface follows an inclined locking surface 45 which forms a locking angle A with the horizontal plane HP. A surface portion 46 that forms an upper boundary surface of the undercut portion 35 of the tongue groove is provided inside the locking surface. The tongue groove has a bottom end 48 that extends down to the lower lip 40. An engagement or support surface 50 is provided above the lower lip. The outer edge of the lower lip is provided with a joining edge surface 52 positioned at a predetermined distance from the joining plane VP.
[0081]
The shape of the tongue is also best seen in FIG. The tongue is made of the material of the core or core 30, and extends beyond the joining plane VP when mechanically joining this joining edge 4b to the joining edge 4a of the adjacent floorboard. The joint edge portion 4b further has an upper edge or upper joint edge surface 61 extending downward along the joint plane VP to the root of the tongue 38. Above the root of the tongue there is provided an upper engagement surface or support surface 64, which in this case extends to an inclined locking surface 65 of the upwardly directed portion 8 near the tip of the tongue. . The locking surface 65 passes through the guide surface portion 66 and terminates at the upper surface 67 of the portion 8 directed above the tongue. After the surface 67, a chamfer is provided which serves as a guide surface 68. It extends to the tip 69 of the tongue. At the lower end of the tip 69, another guide surface 70 is provided which extends obliquely downward to the lower edge of the tongue, that is, to the engagement surface or support surface 71. The support surface 71 is such that when mechanically joining two such floorboards, the upper sides of these floorboards are located in the same surface plane HP and meet at a joining plane VP perpendicular to this surface plane, The upper mating edge surfaces 41 and 61 cooperate with the lower lip support surface 50 so that they engage each other. The tongue has a lower joining edge surface 72 that extends to the lower side.
[0082]
In this embodiment, separate engagement surfaces or immediate support surfaces 43, 64 are provided in the tongue groove and on the tongue, respectively, which are engaged with each other in the locked state, and are provided on the lower lip and the tongue, respectively. In cooperation with the lower supporting surfaces 50 and 71, the locking is performed in a direction D1 perpendicular to the surface plane HP. In other embodiments described below, both locking surfaces 45 and 65 serve as locking surfaces for locking each other in a direction D2 parallel to the surface plane HP and in a direction perpendicular to the surface plane. Used as a support surface against movement in D1. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the locking surfaces 45, 65 and the engaging surfaces 43, 64 cooperate as upper support surfaces of the system.
[0083]
As will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, the tongue 38 extends beyond the joining plane VP and has an upwardly directed portion 8 at its free outer end or tip 69. The tongue is such that when mechanically joining two such floorboards, the front sides of these floorboards are located in the same surface plane HP and meet at a joining plane VP oriented perpendicular to the surface plane. Additionally, there is a locking surface 65 formed to cooperate with the inner locking surface 45 of the tongue groove 36 of the adjacent floorboard.
[0084]
As is evident from FIG. 11 b, the tongue 38 has a surface part 52 between the locking surface 51 and the joining plane VP. When joining the two floorboards, the surface portion 52 engages the surface portion 45 of the upper lip 8. To facilitate insertion of the tongue into the undercut groove by inward tilting or snap fitting, the tongue is chamfered between the locking surface 65 and the surface portion 67 as shown in FIGS. It has a part 66. Furthermore, a chamfer 68 may be arranged between the surface portion 67 of the tongue and the tip 69. The chamfered portion 66 serves as a guide portion whose inclination angle to the surface plane is smaller than the inclination angle A of the locking surfaces 43 and 51.
[0085]
The support surface 71 of the tongue is in this embodiment essentially parallel to the surface plane HP. The tongue has a chamfer 70 between the support surface and the tongue tip 69.
[0086]
According to the invention, the support surface 50 of the lower lip 40 cooperates with a corresponding support surface 71 of the tongue 36. In this embodiment, the support surface is positioned at a predetermined distance from the bottom end 48 of the undercut groove. When the two floorboards are joined together, engagement occurs both between the support surfaces 50, 71 and between the engagement surface or support surface 43 of the upper lip 39 and the corresponding engagement surface or support surface 64 of the tongue. . Thus, the board is locked in the direction D1 perpendicular to the surface plane HP.
[0087]
Preferably, at least a majority of the bottom end 48 of the undercut groove, which looks parallel to the surface plane HP, is more than the outer end or tip 69 of the tongue 36 from the joining plane VP. This design greatly simplifies manufacturing and facilitates displacement of one floorboard along the joint plane with respect to the other floorboard.
[0088]
Another important feature of the mechanical locking system according to the invention is that all parts of the part of the lower lip 40 connected to the core 30 when viewed from the point C where the surface plane HP and the joining plane VP intersect. , Outside the plane LP2. This plane is located farther from the point C than the locking plane LP1, which is parallel to the plane LP2 and tangent to the cooperating locking surfaces 45, 65 of the undercut groove 36 and the tongue 38. ing. The locking surfaces 45 and 65 are most inclined with respect to the surface plane HP. With this design, the undercut groove can be formed using a large disc-shaped cutting tool for machining the edge of the floorboard, as described in more detail below.
[0089]
Another important feature is that the lower lip 40 is resilient and that it is shorter than the upper lip 39. Accordingly, the undercut can be manufactured using a large-sized rotary cutting tool that can be set at a relatively high angle with respect to the horizontal plane so that the locking surface 65 having the high locking angle A can be formed. This high locking angle greatly reduces the downward component associated with tensile loads. This means that although the lower lip is elastic and thus has a limited ability to resist downward components, the strength of the joining system is high. This optimizes in obtaining a high locking force and low resistance to snap fit. The high resistance to the snap fit makes the snap fit difficult and increases the risk of damaging the joint edges of the floorboard. The inventor has found that many materials used in floorboards are sufficiently resilient by forming lips of appropriate thickness and length that can work with the preferred joining system and provide sufficient locking force. I discovered that I can do it.
[0090]
FIGS. 12 a-c show a snap fit of two floorboards by bending the lower lip 40. As is evident from FIG. 12b, the snap fit is performed with minimal bending of the lower lip and with the surface plane of the floorboard being essentially the same surface height. This reduces the risk of creaking.
[0091]
FIGS. 13 a-c show that the locking system according to FIGS. 12 a-c can be used for tilting up or down in connection with removal and laying. The upper and lower lips 39, 40 and the tongue 38 connect the two mechanically joined floorboards to one floor centering on a pivot center close to the intersection C between the surface plane HP and the joint plane VP. The board is formed such that it can be removed by pivoting the tongue of one floorboard upward relative to the other floorboard so that the tongue of one floorboard exits the undercut groove of the other floorboard.
[0092]
The snap joint according to the invention can be used on both the long side and the short side of the floorboard.
[0093]
However, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a variation of the present invention, which is, inter alia, along the short side of a floorboard made of a relatively hard material, such as hardwood or hard fiberboard. Suitable for snap fit.
[0094]
In this embodiment, the tongue groove is substantially deeper than required to receive the tongue. As a result, the lower lip 40 can be bent further. Furthermore, the locking system has a long tongue with a thick locking element 8. The locking surfaces 45, 65 are also greatly inclined. Dashed lines indicate snap fit movement.
[0095]
In the designs according to FIGS. 14 and 15, one board can be removed by tilting it upward and bending the lower lip 40 of the other board slightly downward. However, in another more preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to bend the lower lip downward when removing the floorboard.
[0096]
In the locked position, the floorboard can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the joint. Therefore, for example, by removing the long side portion by tilting it upward and then pulling out the joint portion in the length direction, for example, the short side portion can be removed.
[0097]
Has a tight upper joint edge to facilitate manufacturing, inward tilt, upward tilt, and snap fit, to facilitate displacement in the locked position and to prevent squeaking All surfaces that do not function in forming the joint and in forming the vertical and horizontal joints will not contact each other in the locked position, and preferably during locking and unlocking. ing. This allows these joints to be manufactured without requiring large tolerances and reduces friction in lateral displacement along the joint edges. Examples of surfaces or portions of the joining system that must not be in contact with each other in the locked position are 46-67, 48-69, 50-70, and 52-72.
[0098]
A bonding system according to a preferred embodiment includes several combinations of materials. The upper lip 39 can be formed of a rigid and hard top layer 32 and a soft lower portion that is part of the core 30. The lower lip 40 may be made of the same soft upper portion 30 and a soft lower portion 34, which may be another type of wood. The directions of the fibers of the three types of wood may be different. This can be used to provide a bonding system that uses these material properties. Thus, according to the invention, the locking element is positioned near a rigid, rigid upper part. This part is thus of a limited degree of flexibility and compressibility, whereas the snap function is provided by a soft lower flexible part. It must be pointed out that joining systems can also be formed into homogeneous floorboards.
[0099]
16a to 16c show an example of a floorboard according to the present invention. This example specifically shows that the design of the joining system provided on the long side and the short side is different. On the short side, the locking system is optimized for a snap fit with a high locking angle, a deep tongue groove, and an upper lip shorter than the lower lip, while the locking surface is required for downward bending The height is low to reduce the performance. On the long side, the joining system is adapted for joining / detaching by tilting movement.
[0100]
Further, it is made of various materials and combinations of materials 30a, 30b, and 30c. Further, various materials can be selected for the long side and the short side. For example, the short side groove portion 36 may be made of, for example, harder and more flexible wood than the tongue portion 38, which is rigid and rigid and has different properties than the long side core. In the short side having the tongue groove 36, for example, a wood 30b of a more flexible type can be selected than the wood 30c of the other short side in which the tongue is formed. This is particularly convenient on parquet floors, where the upper and lower sides are made of different types of wood and have a layered core made of laminated blocks.
[0101]
This structure can vary the composition of the material significantly to optimize function, strength, and manufacturing costs.
[0102]
Further, the material can be varied along the length of the side. Thus, for example, blocks positioned between the two short sides may be made of different types of wood or material, so that some of them may have their proper properties for improving laying, strength, etc. You can choose for the contribution. With different fiber orientations, different properties can be obtained on the long side and the short side, and furthermore, plastic materials can be used on the short side and, for example, on different parts of the long side. If the floorboard or its core part is made of, for example, plywood with several layers, these layers will have all the upper lip, tongue and lower lip on both the long and short sides. And portions made of different material compositions, fiber orientations, etc., which can be selected to provide different properties with respect to strength, flexibility, processability, and the like.
[0103]
FIGS. 17a, b and c show tangs to facilitate a horizontal snap-fit according to the invention in a joining system with an undercut or locking groove 8 in the rigid upper lip 39 and the flexible lower lip 40. The basic principle in designing the lower part with respect to the lower lip 40 is shown. In this embodiment, the upper lip 39 is quite rigid. This is due in particular to being relatively thick or made of rigid and more rigid materials. The lower lip 40 may be thin and soft, so that a large bending occurs at the lower lip 40 in connection with the snap fit. In particular, by limiting the maximum bending of the lower lip 40 as much as possible, a snap fit can be greatly facilitated. FIG. 17a shows that the bending of the lower lip 40 increases to a maximum bending level B1, which is characterized by a tongue 38 that is largely inserted into the tongue groove 36, indicating that the rounded guide portions touch each other. . When the tongue 38 is inserted deeper, the lower lip 49 bends back until the snap fit is finished and the locking element 8 is fully inserted into its undercut 35 in its final position. The lower front portion 49 of the tongue 38 must be designed so as not to bend the lower lip 40 downwards, which must instead be pressed downward by the lower support surface 50. This portion 49 of the tongue must have a shape that is less than or equal to the maximum bending level of the lower lip 40 when bending the lower lip 40 about an outer portion of the lower engagement surface 50 of the tongue 38. No. If the tongue 38 has the shape shown by the dashed line 49b that overlaps the lower lip 40 at this position, the bend B2 shown in FIG. 17b will be quite large. This creates significant friction associated with the snap fit, increasing the risk of joint damage. FIG. 17c shows that the maximum bend can be limited by the tongue groove 36 and the tongue 38, which are designed so that there is a space S4 between the lower outer part 49 of the tongue and the lower lip 40. Due to the more rigid upper lip and the more flexible lower lip, the floor shrinks or swells in accordance with the relative humidity of the indoor air, so there is a danger that the edge will rise above the laid floor. Decrease. By making the upper lip more rigid in combination with the configuration of the locking surface, the joint can absorb a large lateral pull-off force of the joint. In addition, bending away of the lower lip helps to minimize the risk of edge lifting.
[0104]
Typically, a horizontal snap fit can be used in conjunction with the short side snap fit after the long side lock. When snapping the long sides, the joint system according to the invention can be snap-fitted with one board in a slightly upwardly inclined position. The snap position tilted upward is shown in FIG. Only a small degree of bending B3 of the lower lip 40 is required to bring the guide part 66 of the locking element into contact with the guide part 44 of the locking groove and can be inserted into the undercut 35 by tilting the locking element downward. .
[0105]
19 and 20 further illustrate the problems arising in connection with the snap-fit of the two short sides of the two boards 2a and 2b, whose long sides have already been joined to another first board 1. FIG. When the floorboard 2a is joined to the floorboard 2b by snap action, the inner corners 91 and 92 closest to the long side of the first board 1 are arranged in the same plane. This is because the longer sides of the two boards 2a and 2b are joined to the same floor board 1. According to FIG. 20b showing the cross section C3-C4, the tongue 38 cannot be inserted into the tongue groove 39 because the downward bending of the lower lip 40 starts. In the outer corners 93 and 94 on the other long side, the tongue 38 can be inserted into the tongue groove 36 in the cross section C1-C2 shown in FIG. The lower lip 40 starts to bend downward by pushing it upward and tilting it upward.
[0106]
The inventor has thus determined that the upwardly directed portion is formed at the tip of the tongue, and when this is inserted into the tongue groove with an undercut, the inner corner is formed by lateral displacement in the same plane. Have found problems with snap-fitting. These problems show great resistance to snap fits and there is a danger of the joint system breaking. This problem can be solved by appropriate joint design and material selection that allows for deformation bending of the material at multiple joints.
[0107]
When snapping in such a specially designed joining system, the following occurs: In lateral displacement, the outer guide portions 42, 68 of the tongue and the upper lip cooperate to press the upwardly directed portion of the tongue or locking element 8 below the outer portion of the upper lip 39. The tongue bends downward and the upper lip bends upward. This is indicated by an arrow in FIG. The corner 92 in FIG. 19 is pressed upward by the lower lip 40 of the long side of the board 2b to be bent, and the corner 91 is lowered by the upper lip provided on the long side of the board 2a to be bent upward. Pressed. The joining system must be configured so that the sum of these four deformations is so large that the locking element can slide along the upper lip and snap into the undercut 35. It has been found that the tongue groove 36 must be able to widen in connection with the snap fit. However, it has proven to be advantageous if the tongue, which must normally be rigid, is designed to be able to bend in connection with a snap fit.
[0108]
Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. The groove or the like 63 is formed inside the vertical plane VP in the upper inner portion of the tongue. The total length PB of the tongue from the inner part to the outer part can be extended, which may for example be more than half of the floor thickness T.
[0109]
FIGS. 22 and 23 relate to the snap fit at the inner corners 91, 92 (see FIG. 19) and the outer corners 93, 94 (see FIG. 19) of the two floorboards 2a and 2b, Figure 3 shows how parts of the joining system bend. All that is required is to bend the thin lip and tongue to facilitate manufacturing. In practice, of course, all parts subject to pressure are compressed and bend to varying degrees depending on the thickness, bendability, composition, etc. of the material.
[0110]
FIG. 22A shows the outer corners 93 and 94, and FIG. 23A shows the inner corners 91 and 92. These two figures show where the edges of the board are in contact with each other. The joining system is designed such that the outermost tip of the tongue 38 is also located inside the outer part of the lower lip 40 in this position. Pressing the boards further toward each other causes the tongues 38 to push the board 2b upwards at the inner corners 91, 92 according to FIGS. 22b and 23b. The tongue bends downward and the board 2b is tilted upward at the outer corners 93,94. FIG. 23c shows that the tongue 38 is tilted downward at the inner corners 91,92. According to FIG. 22c, at the outer corners 93, 94, the tongue 38 is tilted upward and the lower lip 40 is tilted downward. According to FIGS. 22d and 23d, as the boards are pushed further towards each other, they continue to bend, and then the lower lip 40 bends at the inner corners 91, 92 as shown in FIG. 23d. FIGS. 22E and 23E show the snap-fit positions. Thus, when the tongue 38 is flexible, and when the board is placed in the same plane in connection with the snap fit made after the floorboard has already been locked along its two other sides. When the outer portion of the tongue 38 is positioned inside the outer portion of the lower lip 40 when the tongue and groove contact each other, a snap fit can be made much easier.
[0111]
There are several variations within the scope of the present invention. The inventor has noted that various parts of the joining system were manufactured in various widths, lengths, thicknesses, angles, and radii, in many different board materials, and in homogeneous plastic and wood panels. A number of variants were manufactured and evaluated. Testing of all joining systems was performed in an inverted position, with respect to the snap fit and tilt of the groove board and tongue board with respect to each other, and for the systems described herein and the prior art systems for the long and short sides. Made for various combinations. A locking system in which the upper engagement surface is a locking surface, a locking system in which the tongue and groove have a plurality of locking elements and locking grooves, and horizontal locking means in the form of locking elements and locking grooves. Locking systems formed on the lower portion of the lower lip and tongue have been manufactured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0112]
FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show, in three steps, how to tilt the long side of a floorboard down mechanically according to WO 9426999.
FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show a snap-fit method according to WO 9426999 for mechanically joining short sides of a floorboard in three steps.
FIGS. 3a and 3b are respectively views of the upper and lower sides of a floorboard according to WO 9426999.
4a and 4b show two different embodiments of a floorboard according to WO9966611.
Figures 5a and 5b show a floorboard according to GB 1430423.
6a and b show a mechanical locking system for the long side or the short side of the floorboard according to WO9627721.
7a and b show a mechanical locking system according to Japanese Patent JP 3169967. FIG.
8a and b show a board according to DE-A-121 275. FIG.
FIGS. 9a and b show a snap joint according to WO9747834.
FIGS. 10a and b show a snap joint according to FR-A-2 675 174. FIG.
11a and 11b schematically show two parallel joining edges of a first preferred embodiment of a floorboard according to the invention.
FIGS. 12A to 12C are views showing a snap fit according to a modified example of the present invention.
Figures 13a-c illustrate a method of tilting down and up using the present invention.
FIG. 14 shows a snap fit of a variant of the invention adapted to manufacture.
FIG. 15 is a view of a variant of the invention showing removal by tilting upwards using bending and compression of the joint material.
FIGS. 16A to 16C are diagrams showing examples of floorboards according to the present invention.
17a and 17c illustrate a method of designing a joining system to facilitate a snap fit.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a snap fit in an inclined position.
FIG. 19 is a view showing locking of a short side portion by snap fitting.
FIGS. 20a and b show snap fits at the outer and inner corners of the short side.
FIG. 21 shows a joining system according to the invention with a flexible tongue.
Figures 22a-e show in detail a short side outer corner snap fit using one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 23a and e schematically show a snap fit of the inner corner of the short side by using one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
[0113]
1, 1 'Floor board 4a, 4b Long side edge portion HP Surface plane VP Joining plane 36 Tongue groove 38 Tongue 30 Core 32 Surface layer

Claims (123)

A locking system for mechanically joining a floorboard at a joining plane (VP), said floorboard comprising a core (30), a front side (2), a rear side (34), and opposed joining edges. (4a, 4b), one of these joining edges being defined by an upper lip (39) and a lower lip (40) and having a bottom end (48). A groove (36), the other joining edge of which is formed as a tongue (38) with an upwardly directed part (8) at the free outer end (69),
The tongue groove (36) has the shape of an undercut groove (36) having an opening, an inner portion (35), and an inner locking surface (45) when viewed from the bonding plane (VP);
At least some portions of the lower lip (40) are integrally formed with the core (30) of the floorboard;
Said tongue (38) is used to connect two such floorboards to a joining plane (VP) whose front side (2) is positioned in the same surface plane (HP) and oriented perpendicular to this plane. ) Having a locking surface (65) formed to cooperate with said inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove (36) of the adjacent floorboard when mechanically joined to meet at In the locking system,
The inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove cooperates with a corresponding locking surface (65) of the tongue so that the upper lip (39) in the undercut portion (35) of the tongue groove. And the locking surface (65) is provided with a tongue for preventing separation of two mechanically bonded boards in a direction (D2) perpendicular to the bonding plane (VP). Formed in the upwardly directed portion (8),
The lower lip (40) has a support surface (50) for cooperating with a corresponding support surface (71) of the tongue, the support surface being the surface of two mechanically joined boards Cooperate to oppose relative displacement in a direction (D1) perpendicular to the plane (HP),
All parts of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) as viewed from the intersection (C) of the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) are arranged outside the plane (LP2). The plane (LP2) is parallel to this plane, and the locking surface is inclined with respect to the surface plane (HP). The tongue groove and the cooperating locking surface (45) of the tongue. , 65), and is located farther from the point than the locking surface (LP1) contacting the point.
All portions of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) are shorter than the upper lip (39) and terminate at a predetermined distance from the joining plane (VP);
Said lower lip (40) is flexible;
The upper and lower lips of the joining edge portions (4a, 4b) provide a portion of the locking system during bending of the laid floorboard to a new floorboard during the downward bending of the lower lip (40) of the tongue groove. A locking system, characterized in that it is formed so that it can be joined by means of a pushing movement essentially parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the laid floorboard for snapping together. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the upper lip (39) is more rigid than the lower lip (40). The locking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tongue (38) is flexible. 4. The locking system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the joining edge portions (4 a, 4 b) are arranged such that the surface plane of the floorboard during bending of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40). The locking system is formed such that the laid floorboard can be joined to a new floorboard by a movement that pushes each other in a state of being essentially aligned with each other. 5. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joining edge portions (4 a, 4 b) connect the tongue (38) of the one floorboard to the other. One floorboard is pivoted about a pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to disengage it from the tongue groove (36) of the floorboard. A locking system, wherein the locking system is designed to allow two mechanically joined floorboards to be released by pivoting upward relative to the board. 6. The locking system according to claim 5, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joining edge portion (4a, 4b) move the tongue (38) of the one floorboard into the other during downward bending of the lower lip. One of the floorboards about a pivot center (C) close to the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) in order to disengage from the tongue groove (36) of the floorboard. A locking system, characterized in that it is designed to be able to release two mechanically joined floorboards by pivoting upward relative to the floorboards. 7. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a majority of the bottom end (48) of the tongue groove is viewed parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the tongue. A locking system, characterized in that the locking system is positioned further from the joining plane (VP) than the outer end (69). A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support surface (50) of the lower lip is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove. A locking system, characterized in that: 9. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40) are designed to cooperate. 10. Is set at an angle with respect to the surface plane (HP) smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38). Locking system. 10. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is arranged on the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). 11. ) At the closest point to the locking surfaces (45, 65) engaging with each other and centered at the point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect. A locking system characterized by being set at essentially the same angle as the tangent. 11. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is arranged at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). 12. ), The tangent to an arc tangent to the locking surfaces (45, 65) engaging with each other at the point closest to the arc and centered at the intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). A locking system set at an angle greater than 12. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38) define contact surfaces (43, 64) which cooperate with each other in a locked state. And these contact surfaces are positioned in an area between the joining plane (VP) and the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip, wherein the locking surfaces are engaged. A locking system, wherein the locking system cooperates with each other in a stopped state. 13. The locking system according to claim 12, wherein the contact surfaces (43, 64) are in the joining plane (VP) when viewed from the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip. A locking system characterized by being inclined upward and outward relative to the locking system. The locking system according to claim 12, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially planar with respect to the surface plane (HP). 15. The locking system according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially planar. 16. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are such that the outer end (69) of the tongue is connected to the upper lip (69). 39) and the engaging surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue (38) from each other to the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the lower lip (40) and the tongue (38). A locking system adapted to be disposed at a predetermined distance from the undercut groove (36) along the entire length thereof. 17. The locking system according to claim 16, wherein the size of any surface portion in contact between the outer end (69) of the tongue and the undercut groove (36) is such that two such boards are machined. A locking system characterized by being smaller than the locking surface (45, 65) in a vertical plane when joined together. 18. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edges (4a, 4b) having respective tongues (38) and tongue grooves (36) join the two floorboards. When measured from the upper side (2) to the lower side (34) of the floorboard between these edges (4a, 4b), a maximum of 30% of the edge surface of the edge supporting the tongue (38) is measured. A locking system, wherein the surface is designed to contact along the%. 19. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (30) and the lower lip (40) are arranged on the surface plane (HP). ) Is set at an angle of at least 10 ° to the locking system. 20. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein the co-supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 30 with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system, characterized in that: 21. The locking system according to claim 20, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 20 with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system, characterized in that: 22. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower lip and at least a part of the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue are above the joining plane (VP). A locking system, wherein the locking system is located at a greater distance than the inclined locking surface (45, 65) of the lip and the tongue. 23. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are arranged between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). By pivoting one board relative to the other board while maintaining contact between the boards at a point on the joining edge of the board near the intersection between the two, the farthest from the surface plane (HP) A locking system, characterized in that it is designed to allow connection and disconnection of the board without essentially contact between the side of the tongue (38) facing and the lower lip. 24. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are arranged between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). The direction away from the surface plane (HP) by pivoting one board relative to the other while maintaining contact between the boards at a point on the joining edge of the board near the intersection between Locking system designed to allow connection and disconnection of the board without essentially contact between the side of the tongue (38) facing the lower lip and the lower lip. . 25. The locking system according to claim 24, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) join a board near an intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). At a point on the edge portion (4a, 4b), one of the boards is removed without substantial contact between the lower lip (40) and the tongue side facing away from the surface plane (HP). A locking system, wherein the locking system is designed to be able to remove a board by pivoting with respect to the other board. 26. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core is connected to the core outside a distance between the locking plane (LP2) and the plane (LP1) parallel thereto. Wherein the distance is at least 10% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. 27. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue is more than 90 with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system characterized by forming a small but at least 20 ° angle. 28. The locking system according to claim 27, wherein the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue form an angle of at least 30 with the surface plane (HP). Locking system. 29. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are arranged at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove. At the point closest to, tangent to the supporting surfaces engaging each other and centered at the point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) intersect when viewed in cross section through the board A locking system directed at said joint plane at an angle equal to or less than a tangent to an arc having a. 30. The locking system according to claim 29, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove relative to the surface plane (HP). Than the tangent to an arc which is in contact with the supporting surfaces (50, 71) engaging with each other at a point closest to A locking system, which is set at a large angle. 31. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating designed support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are arranged on the surface plane (50, 71). A locking system, characterized in that the angle is smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue with respect to HP). 32. The locking system according to claim 31, wherein the cooperating designed support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are arranged with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system characterized by being inclined in the same direction as the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue, but at a smaller angle. 33. The locking system according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the support surface (50, 71) is higher than the locking surface (45, 65) with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system, wherein the locking system forms an angle that is at least 20 ° greater. 34. The locking system according to claim 33, wherein the support surface (50, 71) forms an angle with the surface plane (HP) that is at least 20 degrees greater than the locking surface (45, 65). A locking system, characterized in that: 35. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue are at least two such boards joined together. A locking system, wherein the locking system is essentially planar in a surface portion that is adapted to cooperate when the locking member is engaged. 36. The locking system according to claim 35, wherein the tongue (38) has a guide surface (68) located outside the locking surface (65) of the tongue when viewed from the joining plane (VP). A locking system, characterized in that the angle of the guide surface with respect to the surface plane (HP) is smaller than the locking surface (65). 37. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) is closer to the opening of the tongue groove than to the locking surface (45) of the upper lip. A guide surface (42) arranged at an angle of less than said locking surface of said upper lip with respect to said surface plane (HP). 38. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower lip and at least a part of the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue are above the joining plane (VP). A locking system, wherein the locking system is located at a greater distance than the inclined locking surface (45, 65) of the lip and the tongue. 39. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking surface (65) of the tongue extends from the tip (69) of the tongue to the thickness of the floorboard (69). A locking system, which is arranged at a distance of at least 0.1 times T). 40. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical length of the locking surfaces (45, 65) cooperating with each other is from the joining plane (VP) to the surface plane. Locking system, characterized in that it is less than half the vertical length of said undercut (35) when viewed parallel to (HP). 41. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is, when viewed in a vertical cross-section through the floorboard, the thickness of the floorboard (45, 65). T) having a dimension of up to 10% of T). 42. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the tongue (38) is such that the length of the tongue (38), when viewed in a direction vertically away from the joining plane (VP), of the board. A locking system, wherein the thickness is at least 0.3 times the thickness (T). 43. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining edge part (4b) supporting the tongue and / or the joining edge part (4a) supporting the tongue groove is: A locking system, characterized by having a recess (63) positioned above said tongue and terminating at a predetermined distance from said surface plane (HP). 44. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut groove (36) has a funnel-shaped inwardly tapered outer opening in cross section. A locking system, characterized in that: The locking system according to claim 44, wherein the upper lip (39) has a chamfer (42) positioned at an outer edge thereof away from the surface plane (HP). system. 46. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue has a tapered tip in cross section. 47. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue has a split tip having an upper tongue portion and a lower tongue portion in cross section. system. 48. The locking system of claim 47, wherein the upper tongue portion and the lower tongue portion of the tongue are formed of different materials having different material properties. 49. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38) are integrally formed with the floorboard. system. 50. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) is thicker than the lower lip (40). A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a minimum thickness of the upper lip (39) adjacent to the undercut (35) is adjacent to the support surface (50). A locking system, wherein the thickness is greater than a maximum thickness of the lower lip (40). 52. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension of the support surface is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. Locking system. 53. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) and the upper lip (39) measured parallel to the joining plane (VP) at an outer end of the support surface (50). A locking system, characterized in that the dimension of the tongue groove with the lower lip (40) is at least 30% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. 54. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth of the tongue groove (36) measured from the joining plane (VP) is the corresponding dimension of the tongue (38). At least 2% greater than the locking system. 55. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper lip (39) or the lower lip (40). And locking system. 56. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) are formed of materials having different material properties. Locking system. 57. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 56, wherein the locking system further comprises a second mechanical lock, the second mechanical lock comprising:
A locking groove formed below the joint edge portion (4b) supporting the tongue (38) and extending parallel to the joint plane (VP); and the tongue in the joint edge portion (4a) of the board. A locking strip (6) mounted integrally below the groove (36) and extending along essentially the entire length of said joining edge portion, when mechanically joining two such boards A locking strip, wherein a locking component (8) received in a locking groove (14) of an adjacent board (2) protrudes from said strip. 58. The locking system according to claim 57, wherein the locking strip (6) protrudes beyond the joining plane. 59. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking system is formed on a board having a core made of wood fiber based material. 60. The locking system of claim 59, wherein the locking system is formed on a board having a wooden core. A floorboard having a core (30), a front side (2), a back side (34), and two opposite parallel joining edges (4a, 4b), wherein said joining edges have one upper lip. (39), formed as a tongue groove (36) defined by a lower lip (40), and a bottom end (48), and the other upwardly directed portion (8) of the free outer end (69). ) Formed as part of a mechanical locking system formed as a tongue (38),
The tongue groove (36) has the shape of an undercut groove (36) including an opening, an inner portion (35), and an inner locking surface (4), as viewed from a joining plane (VP).
At least a portion of the lower lip (40) is integrally formed with the core (30) of the floorboard;
Said tongue (38) meets two such floorboards at a joining plane (VP) whose front side is arranged in the same surface plane (HP) and oriented perpendicular to this surface plane. Floorboard having a locking surface (65) designed to cooperate with an inner locking surface (45) of a tongue groove (36) of an adjacent floorboard when mechanically joined as described above.
The inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove cooperates with the corresponding locking surface (65) of the tongue so that the upper lip (39) in the undercut portion (35) of the tongue groove. ), And the locking surface is configured to prevent separation of the two mechanically bonded boards in a direction (D2) perpendicular to the bonding plane (VP). Formed in the part (8) directed upward,
The lower lip has a support surface (50) which cooperates with a corresponding support surface (71) of the tongue, said support surface being the surface of two mechanically joined boards. Cooperate to oppose relative displacement in a direction (D1) perpendicular to the plane (HP),
All parts of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) are in the plane (LP2) when viewed from the point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect. Disposed outside, the plane being positioned further from the point than a locking plane (LP1) parallel to the plane, wherein the locking plane is such that the locking surface is the surface plane (LP1). HP) is in contact with said tongue groove (36) which is most inclined with respect to HP and the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of said tongue;
All parts of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) are shorter than the upper lip (39) and terminate at a predetermined distance from the joining plane (VP);
Said lower lip (40) is flexible;
The upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) of the joining edge portion are used to hold the new floorboard on the laid floorboard while bending the lower lip (40) of the tongue groove downward. Floorboard characterized in that it is designed to be able to be connected by means of a pushing movement essentially parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the laid floorboard in order to snap parts of the system together. 62. The floorboard of claim 61, wherein the upper lip (39) is more rigid than the lower lip (40). 63. The floorboard according to claim 61 or 62, wherein the tongue (38) is flexible. 64. The floorboard according to claim 61, 62 or 63, wherein the joining edge portions (4a, 4b) are configured such that during the bending of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40), the surface plane of the floorboard (4a, 4b). Floorboards formed so that the laid floorboards can be joined to new floorboards by moving the HPs together while keeping the HPs essentially aligned with each other. 65. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 64, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joining edge portions (4a, 4b) connect the tongue (38) of the one floorboard to the other floor. One floorboard is pivoted about a pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to disengage the tongue groove (36) of the board. Floorboard designed to be able to remove two mechanically joined floorboards by pivoting upwardly with respect to the floorboard. 66. The floorboard according to claim 65, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joining edge portion (4a, 4b) connect the tongue (38) of the one floorboard to the other during downward bending of the lower lip. One floorboard is pivoted about a pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to disengage it from the tongue groove (36) of the floorboard. A floorboard, wherein the floorboard is designed to be able to remove two mechanically joined floorboards by pivoting upward relative to the board. 67. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 66, wherein a majority of the bottom end (48) of the tongue groove is viewed parallel to the surface plane (HP) and the tongue of the tongue. A floorboard positioned farther from the joining plane (VP) than the outer end (69). 67. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 67, wherein the support surface (50) of the lower lip is positioned a predetermined distance from the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove. A floor board, characterized by: 69. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 68, wherein the cooperating designed support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are arranged on the surface plane (HP). ), Wherein the angle is set smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue. 70. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 69, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). A tangent to an arc tangent to an arc tangent to the locking surfaces (45, 65) engaging with each other at a point closest to and centered at the intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) The floorboard is set at the same angle to the floorboard. 70. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 69, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). Than the tangent to an arc that touches the supporting surfaces (45, 65) that engage with each other at the point closest to and that is centered at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect A floorboard set at a large angle. 72. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 71, wherein the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38) have contact surfaces (43, 64) that cooperate with each other in a locked state. However, these contact surfaces are positioned in the area between the joining plane (VP) and the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip, and these are mutually locked in a locked state. A floorboard that cooperates. 73. The floorboard according to claim 72, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is viewed from the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip with respect to the joining plane (VP). A floorboard that is inclined upward and outward. 73. The floorboard according to claim 72, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially planar with respect to the surface plane (HP). 75. The floorboard according to claim 72, 73 or 74, wherein said contact surfaces (43, 64) are essentially planar. 76. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 75, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are such that the outer end (69) of the tongue is the upper lip and the tongue. The undercut groove (36) extends along essentially the entire length of the engaging surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue to the cooperating supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the lower lip and the tongue. ) Is arranged at a predetermined distance from the floorboard. 77. The floorboard of claim 76, wherein the size of any surface portion of the tongue contacting between the outer end (69) and the undercut groove (36) is such that two such boards are mechanically movable. A floor board that is smaller than the locking surfaces (45, 65) in a vertical plane when joined to the floor board. 80. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 79, wherein the edges (4a, 4b) including the tongues (38) and the tongue grooves (36) when the two floorboards are joined. Between the edges of the floorboard, measured from the upper side to the lower side of the floorboard, and designed so that the surface contacts along a maximum of 30% of the edge surface of the edge (4b) supporting the tongue. And a floor board. 79. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 78, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are at least 10 degrees with respect to the surface plane (HP). The floorboard is set at an angle. 80. The floorboard according to claim 79, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 30 with respect to the surface plane (HP). A floor board characterized by the following. 81. The floorboard according to claim 80, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 20 with respect to the surface plane (HP). A floor board characterized by the following. 82. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 81, wherein the lower lip and at least a portion of the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue are offset from the bonding plane (VP) by the upper lip. And a floor board disposed at a distance greater than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue. 83. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 82, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are configured such that the floorboard mechanically joined to a similar floorboard is A floorboard designed to be displaceable in a direction (D3) along a joining plane (VP). 84. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 83, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). While maintaining contact between the boards at point (C) on the joining edges of the boards (4a, 4b) near the intersection of the two boards, one board is pivoted relative to the other board so that A floor board, which is designed to be detachable. 85. The floorboard of claim 84, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are at a joint edge of the board near an intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). At a point on the part (4a, 4b), one board is connected to the other without essentially contact between the tongue side facing away from the surface plane (HP) and the lower lip (40). The floorboard is designed to be able to remove the board by pivoting on the board. 86. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 85, wherein the core (30) is outside the distance between the locking plane (LP2) and the plane (LPl) parallel thereto. Floorboard, wherein all of the lower lip portions connected to the floorboard are disposed, and the distance is at least 10% of a thickness (T) of the floorboard. 87. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 86, wherein the upper lip and the tongue locking surface (45, 65) are smaller than 90 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). Form an angle of at least 20 °. 87. The floorboard according to claim 87, wherein the upper lip and the tongue locking surface (45, 65) form an angle of at least 30 with the surface plane (HP). Floor board. 89. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 88, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are closest to the bottom end of the undercut groove. At a point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) intersect with each other at a tangent to the supporting surfaces (50, 71) engaged with each other and viewed in a cross section passing through the board. A floorboard characterized in that it is oriented with respect to said joining plane at an angle equal to or less than a tangent to a centered arc. 90. The floorboard according to claim 89, wherein the co-operating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are closest to the bottom end of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). Set at an angle greater than the tangent to an arc centered at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) are in contact with the support surfaces (50, 71) engaging with each other The floor board characterized by being done. 90. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 90, wherein the cooperating designed support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are arranged on the surface plane (HP). ), Wherein the angle is set smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue. 92. The floorboard according to claim 91, wherein the cooperatingly designed supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are, with respect to the surface plane (HP), the upper lip and the lower lip. Floorboard characterized in that it is inclined in the same direction as said cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue, but at a smaller angle. 93. The floorboard according to any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein the support surface (50, 71) is at least relative to the surface plane (HP) than the locking surface (45, 65). A floorboard forming an angle that is 20 ° greater. 84. The floorboard according to claim 83, wherein the support surface (50, 71) forms an angle with the surface plane (HP) that is at least 20 degrees greater than the locking surface (45, 65). A floor board characterized by the following. 95. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 94, wherein the upper lip and the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue are at least two such boards joined together. A floorboard, wherein the floorboard is essentially planar within a surface portion adapted to cooperate when applied. 97. The floorboard according to claim 95, wherein the tongue (38) has a guide surface (68) located outside the locking surface (65) of the tongue, as viewed from the joining plane (VP). The angle of the guide surface with respect to the surface plane (HP) is smaller than the locking surface (65). 97. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 96, wherein the upper lip (39) is closer to the opening of the tongue groove than the locking surface (45) of the upper lip. Floor board having a guide surface (42) arranged, the angle of the guide surface being smaller than the locking surface of the upper lip with respect to the surface plane (HP). 97. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 97, wherein at least a portion of the lower lip and the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue are offset from the joining plane (VP) by the upper lip. And a floor board disposed at a distance greater than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue. 98. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 98, wherein the locking surface (65) of the tongue extends from the tip (69) of the tongue to the thickness (T) of the floorboard. A) at least 0.1 times the distance of the floorboard. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 99, wherein the vertical length of the locking surfaces (45, 65) cooperating with each other is from the joining plane (VP) to the surface plane (VP). (F) when viewed parallel to (HP), less than half the vertical length of the undercut. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 100, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is, when viewed in a vertical section through the floorboard, of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. ) Having a dimension of at most 10% of the floorboard. 102. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 101, wherein the length of the tongue is such that, when viewed in a direction away from the joining plane (VP) in a vertical direction, the thickness of the board ( T) at least 0.3 times T). 103. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 102, wherein the joining edge portion (4b) supporting the tongue (38) and / or the joining edge portion (4a) supporting the tongue groove. Has a recess (63) positioned above said tongue and terminating at a predetermined distance from said surface plane (HP). 114. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 103, wherein the undercut groove (36) has a funnel-shaped, outwardly tapered inward opening in cross section. A floor board characterized by the following. 105. Floorboard according to claim 104, characterized in that the upper lip (39) has a chamfer (42) positioned at its outer edge away from the surface plane (HP). 106. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 105, wherein the tongue (38) has a tapered tip (69) when viewed in cross section. 107. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 106, wherein the tongue (38) has a split tip having an upper tongue portion and a lower tongue portion in cross section. Floor board. 108. The floorboard of claim 107, wherein the upper and lower tongue portions of the tongue are formed of different materials having various material properties. 109. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 108, wherein the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38) are integrally formed with the floorboard. A floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 109, wherein the upper lip (39) is thicker than the lower lip (40). The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 110, wherein the minimum thickness of the upper lip (39) adjacent to the undercut (35) is less than the minimum thickness of the upper lip (39) adjacent to the support surface (50). Floorboard characterized by being greater than the maximum thickness of the lower lip (40). The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 111, wherein the dimension of the support surface (50, 71) is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. A floor board characterized by that: The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 112, wherein the upper lip (39) and the lower lip measured at an outer edge of the support surface (50) parallel to the joining plane (VP). Floorboard characterized in that the vertical dimension of the tongue groove between it and the lip (40) is at least 30% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 113, wherein the depth of the tongue groove (36) measured from the joint plane (VP) is greater than the corresponding dimension of the tongue (38). A floorboard that is at least 2% larger. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 114, wherein the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper lip (39) or the lower lip (40). Floorboard to do. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 115, wherein the upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) are formed of materials having different material properties. Floor board. 117. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 116, wherein the locking system further comprises a second mechanical lock, wherein the second mechanical lock comprises:
A locking groove formed below the joining edge portion for supporting the tongue (38) and extending parallel to the joining plane (VP); and integrally formed on the joining edge portion of the board below the tongue groove. A locking strip which is attached and extends along essentially the entire length of said joining edge portion, wherein when two such boards are mechanically joined, the locking groove () of an adjacent board (2) Floorboard characterized in that the locking component (8) received in 14) comprises a locking strip projecting from said strip. 118. The floorboard according to claim 117, wherein said locking strip (6) protrudes beyond said joining plane. 118. The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 118, wherein the floorboard is formed as a board having a core made of wood fiber based material. 120. The floorboard of claim 119, wherein the floorboard is formed on a board having a wooden core (30). The floorboard according to any one of claims 61 to 120, characterized in that it is a quadrilateral with pairs of parallel sides (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b). . 122. The floorboard of claim 121, wherein a mechanical locking system is provided on all four side edge portions thereof. 133. The floorboard according to any one of claims 121 or 122, wherein the joint edge portion (4b) with the tang of a pair of parallel joint edge portions and / or the joint with the tongue groove. The edge portion (4a) is made of a different material than the other pair of parallel junction edge portions with the tongue with the tongue (4b) and / or the junction edge portion with the tongue groove (4a). A floor board characterized by being formed with characteristics.

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