JP2011503388A - Mechanical locking of floor panels by vertical stacking - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor panel (1, 1 ', 1'') is provided.
These floor panels are provided with mechanical locking systems at the long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b). These mechanical locking systems allow installation in a vertical stack. The locking system of the long edges (5a, 5b) prevents the short edges (4a, 4b) from separating during the overlapping action.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the field of floor panels with a mechanical locking system having a flexible, displaceable tongue that facilitates installation. The present invention provides a new and improved locking system and installation method.

  In particular, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a mechanical locking system for a rectangular floor panel having a long edge and a short edge. It should be emphasized that the terms long edge and short edge are used merely for ease of explanation. The panel may be square. However, the present invention is also generally applicable to building panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanical locking system of the type that can lock all four edges of a panel to other panels with a single tilting action. The mechanical locking system preferably includes a flexible or partially flexible tongue and / or a displaceable tongue and / or a flexible tongue strip to facilitate installation of the building panel. Including.

  This type of floor panel is described in WO 2006/043893. This document includes a locking system that includes a locking element that cooperates with a locking groove for locking in the horizontal direction and a flexible tongue that cooperates with a tongue groove for locking in the vertical direction. A provided floor panel is disclosed. The flexible tongue can bend in a horizontal plane during connection of the floor panels, and the panels can be installed by vertical stacking or by only vertical movement. The term “vertical stacking” means that the first and second panels are connected and a single tilting action of the new panel, called the “stacked panel”, causes the two vertical edges of the new panel to move. It means the connection of three panels connected simultaneously to the first and second panels. Such a connection is performed, for example, when the first panel in the first row is already connected to the long edge of the second panel in the second row. Then, a new overlapping panel is connected to the long edge of the first panel in the first row by tilting movement. This particular type of tilting action further connects the short edge of the new stacked panel and the second panel, and is referred to as “vertical stacking”. These short edges gradually overlap each other when the panel is tilted down to the underfloor and locks to close the stagnation from one edge part to the other edge part. Two panels can also be joined by lowering the entire panel relative to another panel exclusively by vertical movement. This particular type of locking is called “vertical locking”. The first row of flooring systems designed to be locked by vertical overlap is often connected by vertical locking. In this case, one short edge is pushed down vertically towards another short edge. The other columns are connected by vertical overlap. The entire floor can also be installed by connecting the rows with vertical locking. The completed row is then connected to the previously installed row by tilt.

  Furthermore, a similar floor panel is described in WO 2006/016654. This document discloses a locking system including a tongue with a flexible tab. The tongue extends essentially vertically and bends and locks in the vertical direction so that the tip of the tab cooperates with the tongue groove.

This type of vertical locking and vertical stacking creates a separation pressure at the short edge when the flexible tongue or flexible portion of the tongue is displaced horizontally during the tilting of the long edge. The inventor analyzed several types of floor panels and found that there was a great risk that the short edges would be pushed away from each other during installation and a gap would be formed between the edge portions of the short edges. discovered. Such a gap interferes with further installation, and the floor panels cannot be connected. Furthermore, serious damage to the short edge locking system may occur. By pressing the floorboard to the side toward the short edge during installation, the gap can be eliminated. However, such an installation method is complicated and difficult to use. This is because, as will be explained below, the three actions must be combined and used in conjunction with the downward tilt of the long edge. That is,
a) The edge of the new floor panel must be brought into contact with the first floor panel installed on the floor, and the long edge of the new panel must be pushed forward toward the first panel at an inclined position. Without
b) A new panel is displaced laterally at the position where it is pressed and tilted upward, to the side of the short edge of the second floor panel installed on the floor to counteract the pressure exerted in the reverse direction from the tongue. Must be pressed against
c) The new panel must eventually be tilted down towards the floor, and the forward and side pressure must be maintained during the tilting action.

  The inventor has found that the panel thickness is small and the long edge is provided with a small and compact locking system, or the panel core is formed of a smooth surface such as a high density fiber board (HDF). Found that separation and installation problems occur. These problems can occur when the panels are short or in connection with the installation of the first or last panel in each row. This is because the floor is adapted to the position of the wall, so that installation is generally performed using panels cut to a relatively small length. Of course, the separation problem is extremely difficult to handle in any type of panel using a locking system with a strong flexible tongue that generates a large horizontal separation pressure during vertical stacking. Such strong tongues are very important in many applications that require high quality vertical connections, and panels with such flexible tongues are very likely to be installed using known installation methods. Have difficulty.

WO2006 / 043893 WO2006 / 016654

  It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem of separation of flooring that is adapted to be installed by vertical stacking or vertical locking.

  In the following description of this specification, the surface of the installed floor panel that is visible is referred to as the “front surface”, while the opposite side of the floor panel that faces the underfloor is referred to as the “rear surface”. An edge between the front surface and the rear surface is called a “joining edge”. The term “horizontal plane” means a plane extending parallel to the outer portion of the surface layer. The closely-facing juxtaposed upper portions of two adjacent joining edges of the two joined floor panels form a “vertical plane” perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

  “Joint” or “locking system” means cooperating connecting means for connecting floor panels in the vertical and / or horizontal direction. “Mechanical locking system” means a bond that can be made without the use of an adhesive. “Integrated with” means that the panel and the panel are formed as one part or connected to the panel at the factory.

  “Flexible tongue” means a separate tongue having a length along the joining edge, which forms part of the vertical locking system and is at least partially horizontal during locking Can be displaced in the direction. For example, the entire tongue may be able to be bent, or it may be bent to a locked position, or it may be bent and be provided with a flexible and elastic part that can spring back to its initial position. May be.

  “Tilt movement” means a connection made by a turning movement. During tilt movement, a change in angle occurs between the two parts that are connected or disconnected. If the tilting movement is associated with the connection of two floor panels, the angular movement occurs during the at least part of this movement at the upper part of the joint edge at least partly in contact with each other.

  A “tilt locking system” is a locking strip provided with locking elements on one edge of a panel called a “strip panel”, with tangs and grooves that vertically lock two adjacent edges Including a locking strip that cooperates with a locking groove on the other edge of the panel called a "groove panel" and locks these edges in the horizontal direction, both vertically and horizontally by tilting. Means a mechanical locking system that can be connected by The locking element and the locking groove have a rounded guide surface that guides the locking element into the locking groove, and a locking surface that locks between edges and prevents horizontal separation. .

  “Installation angle” refers to the initial stage of tilt installation where one panel is tilted upward and its upper edge is pressed against the upper edge of another panel placed flat on the underfloor. It means the angle commonly used between two panels. The installation angle is generally about 25 °, and in this position there are only two contact points between the strip panel and the groove panel. In very special cases, there are two or more contact points between the connectors, and the installation angle is greater than 25 °.

  “Three point contact angle” means the angle between two floor panels during tilting when there are at least three contact points between the parts of the locking system.

  “Contact angle” means the angle of the stacked panel when the short edge of one panel is first brought into contact with the portion of the flexible tongue that has become displaced in the horizontal direction. The flexible tongue works with vertical locking of the short edge.

  "Guide angle" means that during tilting, the locking strip and / or the guide surface of the locking element of the locking groove contact each other, or the upper part of the locking element or the lower part of the locking groove, respectively Means the angle between the two floor panels. The guide surface is often a rounded or chamfered part that, during tilting, pushes the top edges of the panel towards each other, making it easy to insert the locking element into the locking groove To. The guide angle of many commercially available locking systems is about 5 °.

  “Locking angle” means the angle between the two panels at the final stage of the tilting action when the working locking surfaces of the locking element and the locking groove first come into close contact with each other. The locking angle of many locking systems is about 3 ° or less.

  “Friction angle” means that during tilting from the installation angle, two or more contact points act on the tilt locking system, preventing displacement along the long edge, thus greatly increasing friction along the long edge It means the angle when you do.

  “Tang pressure” means the pressure expressed in N units when the tongue is at a predetermined position. “Maximum tongue pressure” means the pressure of the tongue when the tongue is in the inner position during vertical stacking, and “Tang pretension” is the locking position when the tongue is pressed against a part of the tongue groove Means the tongue pressure at

  The present invention provides a set of floor panels or floating floorings with a mechanical locking system that improves the installation of floor panels installed in a vertical stack, resists or prevents the separation of short edges during installation. About.

  The present invention is based on a first basic understanding that the separation problem is primarily associated with the long edge locking system. All known locking systems used to lock the panels at an angle are very easy to displace along the joint when the floor panels are in an initial angular position relative to each other. Friction increases significantly at low angles when the floor panel is approximately in the locked position. This means that if the angle is large and the part of the flexible tongue has to be pressed horizontally in order to allow vertical stacking, the friction between the long edges is the initial stage of vertical stacking. It means that it is not enough to prevent the displacement of the inside short edge. The friction between the long edges increases at low angles in many locking systems. However, this is disadvantageous because the short edges are already separated and the short edge locking system cannot overcome the low angle friction and cannot pull the short edges together. . The separation makes installation more difficult. This is because the panel must be tilted and pressed to the side during installation, and there is a great risk that the short edge locking system will be damaged.

  The main object of the present invention is to solve the problem of separation between short edges. This is done contrary to current technology by increasing the friction between the long edges before the long edges are in the tilted position and reach the final locking position. The increased friction between the long edges counteracts displacement along the long edge joints when the flexible tongues push the floor panels away from each other during vertical stacking, and in some cases this It eliminates the displacement and counters such short edge separation during installation, and in some cases eliminates this separation.

  The present invention is based on a second understanding that the combined function of a long edge locking system and a short edge locking system is important in a floor designed to be installed in a vertical stack. The long edge locking system and the short edge locking system must be adapted to each other in order to install easily, easily and reliably.

  The present invention provides new embodiments of long edge and short edge locking systems in accordance with various features that provide respective advantages. Useful areas for the present invention are floor panels made of any shape and material, such as laminates, especially panels with surface materials including thermosetting resin, wood, HDF, veneer, or stone.

  In accordance with the first principle, the present invention provides a floor panel provided with a locking system at the long edge. This locking system prevents displacement along the joint at a predetermined angle greater than that used in currently known techniques when connecting panels in a vertical stack.

  The present invention, according to one embodiment of the first principle, provides essentially the same set of floor panels each having a long edge and a short edge. The floor panel is integrally provided with first and second connectors. The connector is formed to connect adjacent edges. The first connector has an upwardly directed locking element provided at the edge of one floor panel to connect adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges. It includes a locking strip and a downwardly opening locking groove provided at an adjacent edge of another floor panel. In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue provided on one edge of the floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge, and another floor panel. And a horizontally open tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge portion of the groove. The long edge connector is formed to be locked by tilting movement, and the short edge connector is formed to be locked by vertical overlapping. The long edge portions of the new panels in the second row are formed to be connected to the long edge portions of the first panels in the first row by tilting. The short edge of the new panel and the short edge of the second panel in the second row are formed so as to be connected with the same angular movement. The long edge connector has at least three upper edges between adjacent portions of the connector when the upper edge of the new panel is pressed against the upper edge of the first panel at a predetermined angle of at least about 10 ° relative to the major plane. Has separate contact points or contact surfaces.

  Since the long edge of the floor panel according to the first principle of the present invention has three contact points at a tilt angle of 10 °, a large amount of friction is generated between the long edges, and this friction is generated during vertical stacking. Resists or prevents short edge displacement due to tongue pressure. This makes it possible to form a flexible tongue, which is positioned on the short edge at an initial contact point located close to the long edge, for example at a distance of about 15 mm from the long edge. The advantage that it can be obtained. This allows locking in the vertical direction over a considerable length of the short edge.

  In some embodiments, an improved installation function can be obtained if the three-point contact angle is greater than 10 °, preferably 15 ° or greater. Other embodiments require 18 ° or more, or in some cases 20 ° or more, to facilitate installation.

  In accordance with the second principle of the present invention, the position and shape of the preferably flexible tongue provided on the short edge and the locking system provided on the long edge is such that the panel can be moved from the installation angle to the contact angle. When tilted downward, the first flexible edge of the flexible tongue is displaced in the horizontal direction when the flexible tongue comes into initial contact contact with the adjacent short edge by the vertical overlapping action, and further tilted. When the horizontal separation pressure is generated at the short edge, the friction along the long edge increases.

  The present invention, according to one embodiment of this second principle, provides essentially the same set of floor panels each having a long edge and a short edge. The floor panel is integrally provided with first and second connectors. The connector is formed to connect adjacent edges. The first connector has an upwardly directed locking element provided at the edge of one floor panel to connect adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges. It includes a locking strip and a downwardly opening locking groove provided at an adjacent edge of another floor panel. In order to connect the adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue provided on the edge of one floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge, and another floor panel. And a horizontally open tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge portion of the groove. The long edge connector is formed to be locked by tilting movement, and the short edge connector is formed to be locked by vertical overlapping. The long edge portion of the new panel in the second row is formed to be connected to the long edge portion of the first panel in the first row by tilting movement. The short edge part of a new panel and the short edge part of the 2nd panel of the 2nd row are formed so that it may be connected by the said inclination movement. The short edge tongue is formed of another material, is connected to the connection groove, and has a flexible portion in the edge section located proximate to the long edge of the first panel. The edge sections are horizontally displaced during the stacking and are formed to cooperate with the adjacent short edge tongue grooves to lock the floor panels vertically. When the first and second connectors of the long edge are pressed against each other with the same pressure with the upper joint edge in contact, the frictional force along the long edge is greater at the installation angle than at the contact angle. It is formed to be small. The installation angle is 25 ° and the contact angle is smaller, corresponding to the initial contact between the edge section and the adjacent short edge.

  The friction between the long edges at the contact angle can occur in many different ways, for example by increasing the pressure between the contact points and / or the contact surface at the contact point between the first and second coupling parts. Can be increased by increasing the size of and / or by increasing the number of contact points from 2 to 3 or from 3 to 4.

  According to the third principle of the invention, a locking system is provided on the long edge by friction means. This is done by the fact that if there are only two contact points between the long edge connectors, the friction is high along the long edge in the tilted position.

  The present invention, according to one embodiment of this third principle, provides essentially the same set of floor panels each having a long edge and a short edge. The floor panel is integrally provided with first and second connectors. The connector is formed to connect adjacent edges. The first connector has an upwardly directed locking element provided at the edge of one floor panel to connect adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges. It includes a locking strip and a downwardly opening locking groove provided at an adjacent edge of another floor panel. In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue provided on one edge of the floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge, and another floor panel. And a horizontally open tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge portion of the groove. The long edge connector is formed to be locked by tilting movement, and the short edge connector is formed to be locked by vertical overlapping. The long edge portions of the new panels in the second row are formed to be connected to the long edge portions of the first panels in the first row by tilting. The short edge part of a new panel and the short edge part of the 2nd panel of the 2nd row are formed so that it may be connected by the said inclination movement. The short edge tongue is made of another material, connected to the connecting groove, and is displaced horizontally in the stacking to lock the floor panels together in the vertical direction, adjacent short edges And a flexible portion formed to cooperate with the tongue groove. The first and second connectors on the long edge will increase friction along the long edge if the panel is at a predetermined angle and there are only two contact points between the first and second connectors. Including friction means.

  The friction means can or cannot operate at a relatively low angle if there are three or more contact points in the locking system.

  The third principle offers the advantage that the friction along the long edge can be increased even at relatively high angles, for example installation angles. This can be used in conjunction with the installation method shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c where the edge of the flexible tongue is compressed by displacement of the long edge during the initial stage of the vertical stacking. The friction means prevents or resists displacement along the long edge and separation of the short edge during vertical stacking.

  Such friction means include devices that are mechanically formed, for example by rotating tools or pressure wheels, in the part of the locking system, for example in the tongue and / or as a small protrusion on the locking strip. These devices may include chemicals or small particles applied to the locking system to increase friction along the long edge.

  According to a fourth principle of the present invention, a flooring system is provided in which a locking system is provided at the long and short edges. In this case, the floor panel can be locked in a vertical stack, preferably combining the position, shape and material properties of the flexible tongue provided at the short edge with the long edge locking system including the connector. Thus, a floor panel cut to a length of 20 cm can be connected to other panels in the same row in a vertical stack, and separation of the short edges is prevented by friction between the long edges.

  One embodiment of this fourth principle provides essentially the same set of floor panels each having a long edge and a short edge. The floor panel is integrally provided with first and second connectors. The connector is formed to connect adjacent edges. The first connector has an upwardly directed locking element provided at the edge of one floor panel to connect adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges. It includes a locking strip and a downwardly opening locking groove provided at an adjacent edge of another floor panel. In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue provided on one edge of the floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge, and another floor panel. And a horizontally open tongue groove provided at an adjacent edge portion of the groove. The connector provided at the long edge is formed so as to be locked by tilting, and the connector provided at the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlapping. The long edge portion of the new panel in the second row is formed to be connected to the long edge portion of the first panel in the first row by tilting movement. The short edge part of a new panel and the short edge part of the 2nd panel of the 2nd row are formed so that it may be connected by the said inclination movement. The short edge tongue is made of another material and connected to the connecting groove, and the tongue is horizontally displaced during the stacking to lock the floor panels together in the vertical direction, and adjacent short It has a flexible portion formed to cooperate with the tongue groove on the edge. The long edge connector and the short edge connector have a second panel and a new panel cut to a predetermined length of about 20 cm, and one of these panels is in a contact position at a predetermined installation angle. It is formed so as not to be displaced in the direction away from the other panel when and vertically.

  The fourth principle is the advantage that floor panels with such a locking system can be installed with high precision, and the short edges even when the panels are cut into small pieces and installed as the first or last panel in a row This provides the advantage that no part separation occurs. A separation of a few times 0.01 mm is sufficient to form a problem, ie an undesired gap. This can be visually confirmed on the surface of the floor, causing moisture to enter the joint.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an installation method for connecting floor panels by vertical overlapping. These panels have a tilt locking system on the long edge and a vertical stacking system on the short edge to lock the panels in the vertical and horizontal directions. Thus, the first panel and the second panel are installed flat on the underfloor with the long edges connected to each other. This method
a) contacting the long edge of a new panel in an inclined position with the upper portion of the long edge of the first panel;
b) bringing the short edge of the new panel into contact with the short edge of the second panel and maintaining the new panel in this position by a locking system provided at the long and / or short edge; ,
c) pushing the short edge section of the new panel down toward the subfloor, thereby connecting the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel together in a vertical stack. It is characterized by.

  With this installation method, for example, the floor panel is maintained in an inclined position by the upper portion of the locking element and the lower portion of the locking groove. This facilitates installation. This is because the installer can change the position of the hand from a position where the panel is at the installation angle to an appropriate position to push the short edge section of the panel down toward the subfloor. The combined action including the action of pressing the upper edges together at a predetermined angle, the action of pressing the panel to the side so as not to separate the short edges, and the action of pushing the panel down to the floor can be eliminated. The advantage of performing separate and independent actions is obtained.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide a novel locking system or combination of locking systems that can be used at the long and / or short edges, especially designed to reduce separation problems. is there. These locking systems may of course be used separately to connect any kind of floorboard or building panel at the short edge and / or long edge.

  According to the first feature of this third object, there are two flexible parts: a flexible inner part arranged in the inner part of the displacement groove and a flexibility arranged in the outer part of the displacement groove A flexible tongue including an external portion is provided. This flexible outer portion locks into a tongue groove on the adjacent edge of another panel. The inner part is preferably more flexible than the outer part and is preferably more displaceable than the relatively rigid outer part that locks the panel in the vertical direction. The present invention can combine strength and low displacement resistance.

  According to the second feature of this third object, a short edge locking system, preferably with a flexible tongue, is combined with a compact tongue locking system that can be locked by tilting movement. Such locking systems are cost effective, have the desired shape, and can be used to design locking systems that generate significant friction along the long edge during tilting movement. Such tongue locking systems use protruding strips of all the principles and methods described above instead of the long edge locking system. This embodiment of the present invention is provided with an upwardly directed locking element on the upper part of the tongue of the edge of one floor panel in order to connect adjacent edges in the horizontal and vertical directions. A first connector and a second connector in which a locking groove extending downward is disposed in an undercut tongue groove at an adjacent edge of another floor panel. In this embodiment, the connector provided at the long edge is formed so as to be locked at an inclination, and the connector provided at the short edge is formed so as to be locked in a vertical overlap. Yes. As an example, according to the first principle, the connector provided on the long edge portion presses the upper edge of the new panel against the main plane at a predetermined angle of at least 10 ° with respect to the main plane. Sometimes it can be said that there are at least three separate contact points or contact surfaces between adjacent pairs of connectors.

  According to a third feature of this third object, there is provided a short edge locking system, preferably with a flexible tongue, that resists or prevents displacement of the long edge during vertical stacking. . The locking system includes a strip with locking elements, a separate flexible tongue of the strip panel, and a tongue and lock groove of the overlap panel, as described above. The locking surface of the locking groove is essentially vertical, parallel to the vertical plane VP, and preferably has a height of at least 0.1 times the thickness of the floor. The locking system is preferably configured such that when there is no contact between the overlap panel and the flexible tongue, the locking surface of the upper portion of the locking element is at the locking surface of the locking groove at a predetermined locking angle. Designed to contact the lower part. Due to the essentially vertical locking surface, there is no separation when the tongue is tilted further and comes into contact with the stacked panel. In the preferred embodiment, a portion of the locking surface is disposed on the protrusion and in the cavity.

  Two or more of the principles described above, or in some cases, all principles may be combined, and all embodiments of the locking system described herein may include long edges and / or short edges. In order to connect the parts, they can be used in combination or independently. The accompanying drawings are merely used to illustrate various embodiments. These embodiments can be used in various combinations with the long and short edges of the same or different types of panels that are now connected to each other. All locking systems provided at the long and / or short edge of the panel may be formed in part with the core or may be formed of another material, for example installation It may be a separate tongue and / or strip that can be integrated or connected with the floor panel. The locking groove and / or the tongue groove may also be formed of another material. This means that the present invention further includes a one-part locking system provided at the short edge. In this case, the parts of the locking system, such as tongues and / or strips and / or locking elements, for example, are flexible and are preferably made of a wood fiber based material, such as HDF, as such If the locking system generates a separating force during locking, it can be locked by vertical overlap. The separate wood fiber based material may also be connected to the panel edge, for example by gluing, which is locked by machining in a manner similar to the one-part system described above. Can be formed into a system.

  The present invention is useful in all types of flooring. However, short panels with low friction along the long edge, for example 40 cm to 120 cm, wide panels with a long flexible tongue and a large tongue pressure generating width greater than 20 cm, and / or HDF, compact laminate, etc. Particularly suitable for panels with a core formed of body or plastic material, etc., and for panels with low friction due to the very smooth and low friction surface of the locking system. The present invention relates to thin panels having a thickness of, for example, 6 mm to 9 mm, more preferably 8 mm or thinner, in particular, a compact locking system, for example a panel provided with a locking strip shorter than 6 mm on the long edge. But useful. This is because such floor panels and / or such locking systems have low friction and small contact surfaces.

  Several advantages can be obtained with a flooring system formed according to one principle or several principles described above. The first advantage is that the installation can be done in a simple manner and / or without having to apply pressure laterally during installation to prevent the short edges of the floorboard from separating. That's what it means. A second advantage is that the risk of edge separation, which can crack the locking system during lap, is greatly reduced. A third advantage is that the locking system can be formed with a relatively rigid and strong tongue that can lock the panel in the vertical direction with a relatively high strength and / or with a large tongue pretension. Such a tongue with a high maximum tongue pressure and / or pre-tension pressure in the locked position generates a large separating force during vertical stacking. A fourth advantage is that a flexible tongue can be positioned near the long edge and a reliable locking function is obtained even though such a tongue generates a separation pressure at a relatively high contact angle. Is that you can.

  Measurement of initial contact friction and / or installation friction must be performed according to the following principle. During the initial stage of the vertical stacking action, when the first edge section of the flexible tongue acting in the vertical lock first contacts the short edge, a new floorboard and / or first floorboard contact The angle must be measured. When the panels are pressed together with a normal installation pressure of 10 N, the contact friction along the long edge of the 200 mm sample at this contact angle must be measured. Installation friction must be measured in the same way at an installation angle of 25 °. The installation friction must be at least 50% higher than the installation pressure.

  Friction means provided with mechanical devices such as protrusions, brush-like fibers, scraped edges, etc. in the locking system are easy to detect. Chemicals are relatively difficult.

  Increased by friction means when it is not clear which of the mechanical devices, chemicals, impregnations, coatings, other materials, etc. are used to increase the friction between the floorboards at the installation angle Another method must be used to measure friction. A new locking system with essentially the same design as the original sample must be manufactured from the same original floor panel and core material. Friction must be measured at the same installation angle and pressure, and the friction between the two samples, i.e. the friction between the original sample and the new sample, must be compared. This test method is, of course, performed assuming that the entire core does not contain friction enhancing material.

  Many commercial floor panels based on HDF have been tested, so that the long edge is pressed against the other long edge at an angle of 25 ° with a pressure of 10 N and the friction of the sample is about 10 N or less. The result was obtained. This is too small to prevent the short edge from being displaced during vertical stacking. The friction means can greatly increase the friction.

  The installation angle is defined as the angle of the new panel when the edge makes initial contact with the flexible tongue portion. This tongue is displaced and acts with vertical locking. For example, a protrusion that does not generate a large horizontal pressure during vertical stacking may be provided at the edge of the tongue.

  All references to elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc., only refer to at least one example of such elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise.

Figures 1a to 1d show a prior art locking system. Figures 2a and 2b show a prior art flexible tongue during locking action. 3 and 3b show a floor panel with a prior art mechanical locking system provided at the short edge. 4a to 4d are diagrams showing a method for locking the short edges of two floor panels by vertical overlap according to the prior art. Figures 5a to 5e illustrate an embodiment of a short edge locking system that can be used in connection with the present invention. Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show a displaceable tongue of an embodiment according to the invention. Figures 7a to 7d are perspective views showing separation between panels during vertical stacking. Figures 8a to 8d show the separation pressure that the tongue exerts on the short edge during installation. Figures 9a to 9o show the locking systems used in large quantities on the market and the contact points between the surfaces of such systems at various angles during installation by tilting. Figures 10a, 10b and 10c show an embodiment of the long edge locking system according to the invention with a friction angle of 10 °. FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c show an embodiment of the long edge locking system according to the invention with a friction angle of 10 °. Figures 12a, 12b, and 12c show the location of the long and short edge locking systems and the flexible tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13a to 13d are diagrams showing examples of panel positions at contact angles. Figures 14a to 14d show the position of the flexible tongue with respect to the long edge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 15a, 15b and 15c show an embodiment with friction means according to the invention. 16a to 16d are diagrams illustrating a method for measuring frictional force at various angles according to an embodiment of the present invention. 17a, 17b, and 17c are diagrams showing a modification of the present invention having three contact points. Figures 18a, 18b and 18c show another variation of the invention having three contact points. 19a, 19b, and 19c are diagrams showing still another modification of the present invention in which there are two and three contact points that generate friction. 20a, 20b, and 20c are diagrams showing a modification of the present invention in which there are four contact points at an angle of 20 °. Figures 21a to 21d show a flexible tongue with two flexible parts. Figures 22a, 22b and 22c show the installation of a panel with a flexible tongue according to the invention. Figures 23a and 23b show a tongue locking system. Figures 24a to 24e show locking systems that can be used with the present invention. 25a, 25b, and 25c are diagrams illustrating a method for measuring a contact point. Figures 26a to 26d show an embodiment of the present invention having a vertical locking surface. Figures 27a, 27b and 27c show the locking system according to the invention provided at the long and short edges.

  FIGS. 1-6 and the following description in conjunction therewith describe the disclosed embodiments, which are used to explain the main principles of the invention and which can be used in the invention. Used to indicate The illustrated embodiment is merely an example. All types of flexible tongues and one-part tongues that can be used in a locking system that allows vertical stacking and / or vertical locking can be used, and the applicable part of this description forms part of the present invention It must be stressed that.

  A prior art floor panel 1, 1 'with a mechanical locking system and a displaceable tongue will be described with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1d.

  FIG. 1a schematically shows a cross section of the joint between the short edge joint edge 4a of the panel 1 and the short edge joint edge 4b of the second panel 1 'facing it.

  The front surfaces of these panels are essentially positioned in a common horizontal plane HP, and the upper portions 21 and 41 of the joining edges 4a and 4b are in contact with each other in the vertical plane VP. A mechanical locking system locks these panels against each other in the vertical direction D1 as well as in the horizontal direction D2.

  In order to join the two joining edges in the D1 and D2 directions, the edge of the floor panel is provided with a locking element 8 at one joining edge in a manner known per se, in the following "strip panel" It has a locking strip 6 called. This strip panel cooperates with a locking groove 14 at the other joint edge, which will be referred to below as the “stack panel”.

  The prior art mechanical locking system includes a separate flexible tongue 30 secured to a displacement groove 40 formed in one joint edge. The flexible tongue 30 includes a groove portion P1 disposed in the displacement groove 40 and a protruding portion P2 protruding outside the displacement groove 40. The protruding portion P2 of the flexible tongue 30 on one joint edge cooperates with the tongue groove 20 formed on the other joint edge.

  The protruding portion P2 of the flexible tongue 30 has a rounded outer portion 31 and a sliding surface 32. In this embodiment, the sliding surface is formed in a chamfered shape. The flexible tongue 30 includes upper and lower tongue displacement surfaces 33 and 35 and an inner portion 34.

  The displacement groove 40 has an upper opening 42 and a lower opening 46, which are rounded in this embodiment. The displacement groove 40 further has a bottom surface 44 and upper and lower groove displacement surfaces 43 and 45. These displacement surfaces are preferably essentially parallel to the horizontal plane HP.

  The tongue groove 20 has a tongue locking surface 22 that cooperates with the flexible tongue 30 to lock the joining edge in the vertical direction D1. The overlapping panel 1 ′ has a vertical locking surface 24. This vertical locking surface is closer to the rear surface 62 than the tongue groove 20. The vertical locking surface 24 cooperates with the strip 6 to lock the joining edge in another vertical direction. The overlap panel has a sliding surface 23 which in this embodiment cooperates with the sliding surface 32 of the flexible tongue 30 during locking.

  The flexible tongue may be wedge-shaped and may be locked in the tongue groove with pretension. The overlap panel 1 'is pressed against the strip panel by this pretension. Such an embodiment forms a very strong and high quality joint.

  FIG. 3a shows a cross section AA of the panel according to FIG. 3b as viewed from above. The flexible tongue 30 has a length L along the joining edge, a width W parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the length L, and a thickness T in the vertical direction D1. The sum of the maximum groove part P1 and the maximum protrusion part P2 is the total width TW. The flexible tongue further comprises in this embodiment an intermediate section MS and two edge sections ES adjacent to this intermediate section. The size of the projecting part P2 and the groove part P1 varies along the length L in this embodiment, and the tongue is spaced from the two corner sections 9a, 9b. The flexible tongue 30 has a friction coupling 36 on one edge section, which may be formed, for example, as a small local vertical protrusion. When the flexible tongue is integrated with the floor panel in the factory, the friction coupling holds the flexible tongue in the displacement groove 40 during installation, manufacturing, packaging, and transportation.

  2a and 2b show the position of the flexible tongue 30 after the first displacement towards the bottom 44 of the displacement groove 40. FIG. This displacement is essentially caused by bending the flexible tongue 30 in its longitudinal direction L parallel to the width W. This feature is important for this prior art. The maximum tongue pressure of the commercially available embodiment is about 20N.

  The overlapping panel can be disconnected with a needle-like tool. The needle-like tool is inserted into the tongue groove 20 from the corner section 9a, and the flexible tongue is pressed back to the displacement groove 40. This overlapping panel is then angled upward if the strip panel still remains on the subfloor. Of course, these panels can also be disconnected in a conventional manner.

  FIG. 4a shows an example of a vertical stack. The first panel 1 '' in the first row R1 is connected to the second panel 1 in the second row R2. The long edge 5a of the new panel 1 ′ is moved at a normal installation angle of about 25 ° to about 30 ° toward the long edge 5b of the first panel 1 ″, pressed against the adjacent edge, and its length The edge part 5a is connected to the long edge part 5b of the first panel by tilting and moving. This tilting action further connects the short edge 4b of the new panel 1 'to the short edge 4a of the second panel 1. The overlapping panel 1 'is locked to the strip panel 1 by a combination of vertical movement and rotational movement along the vertical plane VP. The protrusion P2 has a rounded or angled overlapping portion P2 '. This overlap portion cooperates with the sliding surface 23 of the overlap panel 1 'during the overlap. The combined effect of the overlapping portion P <b> 2 ′ and the tongue sliding surface 32 during the stacking promotes the first displacement of the flexible tongue 30 in cooperation with the sliding surface 23 of the overlapping panel 1 ′. An important feature of this embodiment is the position of the protruding portion P2 spaced from the corner sections 9a and 9b. The interval is at least 10% of the length of the joining edge. The joining edge is in this case a short edge 4a which is shown to be visible.

  Figures 4b and 4c show an embodiment of a set of floor panels with displaceable tongues and a modified installation method. In this embodiment, the tongue length is 90% or more of the front width WS of the panel, and in other preferred embodiments, the tongue length is preferably from 75% of the front width WS to the front surface. It is in the range up to almost the same length as the width of. Preferably, the tongue length is approximately the full width of the panel minus the width of the locking system at the adjacent edge of the panel. A small chamfer may be provided at the end of the outer edge, but the length of the straight portion of the outer edge of the tongue is preferably approximately equal to the length of the tongue or desirably 90% or more. It is. The new panel 1 ′ is in an inclined position, and the upper part of the joint edge is in contact with the first panel 1 ″ in the first row. The short edges 4a and 4b are spaced from each other. Next, the new panel 1 ′ is displaced laterally toward the second panel 1. This is done until the short edges 4a and 4b are essentially in contact and a portion of the flexible tongue 30 is pushed into the displacement groove 40, as can be seen in FIG. Next, a new panel 1 ′ is overlapped downward toward the second panel 1. Due to the new displacement of the panel 1 ′, only the edge section of the flexible tongue 30 is pushed into the displacement groove 40, so that the vertical overlap can be performed with a small resistance. The installation can be performed by a displaceable tongue with a straight outer edge. When installing a panel with a known arcuate tongue 30 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), the entire tongue must be pushed into the displacement groove. Comparing the known arcuate tongue with the tongue according to the invention, the force required for the tongue is small if the spring constant per unit length of the tongue is the same. Accordingly, a tongue with a relatively high spring constant per unit length and a relatively large resilience can be used, so that the tongue is more reliably finally positioned. In this installation method, the sliding surface on which the chamfer of the overlap panel is formed may be unnecessary or may be relatively small. This is advantageous for thin panels. The disadvantage of this method is that a new panel must be tilted and pushed to the side during vertical stacking. FIG. 4c shows that the stacking panel can be provided with all embodiments of tongues. Of course, some adjustment is required.

  In general, it is advantageous to provide a tongue on the strip panel. This is because the rounded or chamfered portion provided on the overlap panel can be used to facilitate displacement of the flexible portion of the tongue. One embodiment where the tongues are provided on the stacked panels has the disadvantage that the tongues must be slid against the sharp edges of the panel surface, as shown in FIG. 4d.

  The tongue may be formed of a plastic material, for example, may be manufactured by injection molding. In this manufacturing method, various complicated three-dimensional shapes can be manufactured at low cost, and these flexible tongues can be connected to each other to easily form a tongue blank. The tongue may be formed of plastic or metal profiles formed by extrusion or machining, and these profiles are further shaped, for example by punching, to form a flexible tongue. The disadvantages associated with extrusion are that it is difficult to reinforce the tongue with, for example, fibers, etc., in addition to the additional manufacturing steps.

  Any type of polymer material, such as PA (nylon), POM, PC, PP, PET, or PE, or similar materials having the characteristics described above in various embodiments may be used. These plastic materials may be reinforced with, for example, glass fiber, Kevlar fiber, carbon fiber, or talc or chalk when using injection molding. The preferred material is glass fiber, preferably very long reinforced PP or POM.

  Figures 5a to 5e show an embodiment of a flexible tongue 30 according to the invention that can be used to lock a short edge. FIG. 5a shows a separate tongue 30 provided on the overlap panel. A flexible snap tab extends upward from the tongue. FIG. 5b shows a separate tongue 30 provided on the strip panel. A flexible snap tab extends downward from the tongue. FIG. 5 c shows a separate tongue 30 with a flexible snap tab located inside the displacement groove 40. The snap tab may extend upward or downward. The tongue 30 may be provided on the strip panel or the overlap panel on the same principle as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. FIG. 5d shows a flexible tongue with protrusions as shown in FIG. 6a. These protrusions may be disposed in the displacement groove 40 or may extend into the tongue groove 20 from a vertical plane. FIG. 5 e shows that the tongue 30 may be formed in one piece with the panel, and that the locking may be effected by compression of a portion of the fiber or panel material and / or bending of the strip 6.

  6a-6c show an embodiment of a tongue 30 that can be used in accordance with the present invention. All of these embodiments are configured to be inserted into a groove in the floor panel. FIG. 6 a shows a flexible tongue 30 with a flexible protrusion 16. FIG. 6 b shows an arcuate shaped tongue 30 and FIG. 6 c shows a tongue 30 with a flexible snap tab 17.

  A flexible tongue similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 5d, 6a and 6b may be made, for example, from a wood fiber based material. Such materials include, for example, HDF, solid wood, or plywood with several layers. Extremely strong and flexible tongues can be formed with HDF, especially when flexibility is designed to be obtained essentially parallel to the fiber orientation of the HDF fiber.

  Figures 7a to 7d show the installation by vertical stacking in four steps and show the problems associated with such installation. For simplicity of explanation, an embodiment is shown in which a flexible tongue 30 is provided on the strip panel. As described above, the tongue may be provided on the overlap panel. The long edge portion 5a of the new panel 1 'is moved toward the long edge portion of the first panel 1 "at the installation angle until the upper edge portion contacts. The new panel is then moved to the side. This is done until the short edge 4b contacts the short edge of the adjacent second panel in the same row as shown in FIG. 7a. Then, when the edge portion 30 'of the flexible tongue 30 first contacts the short edge of the new panel as shown in FIG. 7b, the new panel 1' is tilted downward to the contact angle. For optimal function, further tilting with the short edges in contact, gradually pushes a relatively large portion of the flexible tongue in the horizontal direction, and due to the flexibility of the tongue, the short edges 4a and 4b The pressure that pushes them away from each other increases. Undesirable gaps G are formed as shown in FIG. 7c. The locking element 8 often cannot pull back the short edge of the panel. This is because when the panel is at a small angle, the friction between the long edges is large, and the gap G is maintained at the coupling stage, as shown in FIG. 7d. This can cause damage such as cracks in the locking system. Even if the remaining gap is as small as 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, a big problem may occur. This is because moisture easily enters the joint.

  FIGS. 8 a-8 d show in detail the separation problem caused by the flexible tongue 30. The panels 1, 1 ′ are at a predetermined contact angle, according to FIG. 8b and 8c show that the separation pressure SP is generated by the flexibility of the tongue. This force separates the panels 1, 1 ′ from each other and forms a gap G when the panels are not pressed against each other by the installer. FIG. 8d shows the panel in the locked position where a permanent gap G is formed. In this case, the locking strip 6 is curved and the locking element 8 only partially enters the locking groove 14. In the worst case, the locking element 8 is cracked and the short edge of the panel is not locked horizontally.

  Figures 9a to 9o show three types of tilt locking systems. These locking systems, which are used in large quantities in conventional flooring locked by tilting, show a floor panel with an installation angle A of 25 °. In this position, there are only two contact points CP3 and CP2, or CP3 and CP4 between the first and second connectors. The upper contact point CP3 or the contact surface is always at the upper joint edge, and the second lower contact point or contact surface CP4, CP2 is formed at the lower part of the tongue or between the inner and lower parts of the tongue 10 and the locking groove 14. Somewhere in between. Displacement friction along the joint edge is very low at this position, especially with HDF-based flooring with a smooth surface. 9d to 9f show a further tilt to an angle of 15 °, and FIGS. 9g to 9i show an angle of 10 °. There are only two contact points at these positions and the friction remains low. 9j to 9l show the position at an angle of 5 °. These relationships are the friction angles in these examples. Figures 9j and 9k show that the locking system is at the locking angle and that the locking surfaces 51, 52 are in partial contact. FIG. 9l shows the locking system at the guide angle where the guide surfaces 11, 12 contact. FIG. 9j shows that this locking system has four contact points. Of these contact points, the upper two contact points are at the upper joint edge CP3 and the upper portion CP1 of the tongue, and the lower two contact points are the contact points CP4 between the lower portion CP2 of the tongue and the locking surface. It is in. FIG. 9k shows two upper contact points CP1, CP3 and one lower contact point CP4. FIG. 9 l is similar to FIG. 9 j, but one lower contact point is formed between the guide surfaces 11, 12. Displacement friction along the joint edge increases significantly at these positions, especially if there is a tight fit between contact points or contact surfaces and / or if the contact surface size is quite large. The pretension further increases the friction and acts to prevent displacement along the long edges associated with the horizontal stack, and in many cases even a small floor panel piece is completely eliminated. However, such a locking system is longer in the vertical stacking system when the contact angle is greater than 5 ° to 8 °, especially if it is manufactured to fit vertically between the connectors. Not suitable for use in parts. This is because they do not interfere with displacement along the long edge and separation of the short edge.

  FIG. 10a shows an embodiment according to the first object of the invention. Such a locking system may preferably be used in a long edge vertical stacking system with a contact angle A of about 10 ° or less. Such a system can also be used with locking systems with a larger contact angle. This is because in such systems many lap locking systems prevent displacement at a 10 ° angle that produces the highest displacement pressure. FIG. 10a shows the position of the panel 1 'at an angle of 15 ° which is in contact only at two points CP3, CP2. The panel 1'a is at a friction angle position of 12 ° and has three contact points CP3, CP2, CP4 '. This position is characterized in that the tongue has only one contact point CP2 and the guide surfaces 11 and 12 are in contact. This is advantageous because the guide surface pushes the tongue into the groove when tilting further. This is shown in FIG. Friction is further increased. This friction results in vertical contact and cooperation between the tongue 10 and the tongue groove 9 (CP1, CP2), a horizontal contact CP3 between the upper edges, and a guide surface 11 forming a second lower contact point CP4, Caused by 12. The ideal position is preferably an embodiment where the contact angle is less than or equal to the friction angle and the guide angle. The friction angle and guide angle of such an embodiment is, for example, about 10 °, and the contact angle is about 8 ° to 9 °. Locking can be done in a very simple way and only applies downward pressure to the new panel when the panel is positioned at the guide angle. FIG. 10c shows a locking system formed with a large angle between the locking surfaces, the fiber being locked at the top edge to allow locking during the final stage of tilt as indicated by position 1′a. It indicates that it must be compressed at CP4 and at the locking surface CP4. This configuration provides several advantages. Friction increases and is at a high level when the separating force is at the highest level. The floor panel is separated from or in combination with the contact between the short edge of the overlap panel and the edge section of the flexible tongue, as shown in FIG. It is maintained in a position tilted upward. Friction prevents the short edge from sliding away from the flexible tongue. This facilitates installation. This is because the installer changes the position of the hand from the position where the panel is set to the installation angle to the position where the action of pushing the short edge portion in the vertical direction is applied. The present invention thus provides a vertical locking system that includes a long edge tilt system that keeps one panel in a tilted position relative to another panel with the upper joint edge in contact. Further, when a part of the locking groove 14 comes into contact with the locking element 8 in the final tilting step, the pressure between the upper joint edge and the locking element and / or between the tongue and the groove is reduced. An increasing locking system is provided.

  FIGS. 11a to 11c show that the friction angle A is even larger and the same principle can be used to form, for example, a 15 ° locking system as shown in FIG. 11a. The locking element 8 is formed relatively high and in this preferred embodiment extends LH vertically from the lowest point of the strip 6. This is about 0.2 times the floor thickness T. The lower part 54 of the tongue is essentially parallel to the horizontal plane HP and extends from the vertical plane VP by a distance TD, preferably about 0.1 times the floor thickness T.

  Next, the importance of the contact angle and combination function of the long and short edges during vertical stacking and vertical locking will be described with reference to FIGS. 12a to 13d.

  FIG. 12a shows the long edge locking system 1 ″, 1 ′ and the short edge locking system 1, 1 of the flooring system in the installed state, which is now locked with vertical overlap or vertical locking. 'Indicates. The long edge has a locking system that can be locked by tilting. The short edge has a locking system that can be locked by vertical locking or vertical stacking.

  FIG. 12 b shows the position of the sliding surface 23 of the new panel 1 ′, for example, when moving the new panel 1 ′ vertically downward as viewed from the second panel 1 toward the new panel 1 ′. . This locking can be used, for example, to connect the first row. The sliding surface 23 is in a plane arranged in the lower part of the panel 1 '.

  FIG. 12 c shows the positions of the sliding surface 32, the tip 31, and the sliding surface 23 of the flexible tongue when the first panel 1 ″ and the second panel 1 are laid flat on the floor.

  Figures 12b and 12c show that the position of the flexible tongue in the length direction of the short edge is not important in the vertical lock that moves the entire panel down vertically.

  FIG. 13a shows an embodiment similar to the locking system shown in FIG. 12 during vertical stacking. In this embodiment, the edge of the flexible tongue 30 is positioned at a distance FD from the long edge of the first panel 1 ″. FIG. 13b shows the position of the new panel 1 'when it is close to the vertical overlap and contact angle of the corner sections CS. Since the sliding surfaces 23 and 32 are chamfered, there is no contact between the overlapping panel 1 ′ and the flexible tongue 30. FIG. 13c shows the contact angle. This contact angle is 10 ° in this embodiment. The sliding surfaces 32 and 23 overlap each other at the initial contact point CP5. When further tilting is started, the separation pressure between the short edges of the panels 1, 1 'gradually increases. This is because the relatively large portion TPC of the flexible tongue is pushed into the displacement groove inward in the horizontal direction by the sliding surface 23 of the overlapping panel 1 'as shown in FIG. 13d.

  14a and 14b show the location of the flexible tongue 30 of two embodiments of the present invention. The flexible tongue 30 can be bent horizontally in the longitudinal direction in these embodiments. The edge of the flexible tongue is arranged in FIG. 14a at a position FD1 close to the long edge 5b, for example about 15 mm from the long edge. The contact angle of such a locking system is about 10 ° for a normal thickness laminate floor. When the edge of the tongue is positioned at a distance FD2 farther from the long edge 5b as shown in FIG. 14b, the contact angle can be reduced. In this case, a locking system with a relatively low contact angle can be used. In such an embodiment, a thick and stable floor panel or a narrow floor panel is sufficient. In relatively thin floorboards, for example 6-8mm laminated flooring and veneered flooring, a flexible tongue locks the short edge close to the long edge over a large distance of this short edge The advantage that it can be obtained. 14c and 14d show the flexible tongue at an important contact position when the first portion of the flexible tongue 30 is bent horizontally and pushed into the displacement groove in the horizontal direction. It is clear that the separation pressure increases when a relatively large part of the tongue is bent and pressed laterally during the overlapping action. These embodiments and those described above are compatible with each other to ensure that the long edge and short edge locking systems are independent of each other and that simple and reliable locking functions are ensured. Indicates that it must be done.

  Figures 15a to 15c show the friction means 53, 53 '. These friction means are in this embodiment formed as small local protrusions provided on the upper part of the locking strip 6 of the strip panel 1 and the lower part of the tongue or on the groove panel 1 '. Such protrusions may be formed on other surfaces of the locking system, these protrusions prevent high angle displacements, for example only at two contact points as shown in FIG. 15a. Prevent displacement when not in contact. The friction means may further be formed of any kind of material or chemical, such as small hard particles, rubber, binders, and similar materials applied to the locking system. Preferred materials are soft waxes, such as microcrystalline wax or wax based on paraffin, on one or several surfaces of the locking system, for example on the tongue and / or on the tongue groove, on the strip, It can be applied to one or both of the guide surfaces on the locking element and / or in the locking groove, in particular to increase the initial friction between the HDF surfaces. For plywood cores, the tongue 10 and strip 6 can be formed using various layers and fiber cores so that high friction is achieved during tilting. You may combine the above-mentioned friction means. For example, local small protrusions, rough surfaces, oriented fiber structures, etc. may be combined with wax or chemicals.

  Figures 16a to 16d show a method for measuring the friction between the long edges of the floor panel. One sample of the groove panel 1 'having a width W2 of about 200 mm is pressed against the strip panel 1 "at an angle A with a pressure F1 of 10N. This strip panel is fixed, and its width W1 is 200 mm or more. Pressure F1 is applied to the grooved panel 1 'with a wheel that rotates with low friction. Displacement friction is defined as the maximum force F2 required to displace the groove panel 1 'along the joint. Curve Fa in FIG. 16b shows the measurements made on an 8 mm laminated panel sample having a surface made of printed paper impregnated with a thermosetting resin and having an HDF core. Friction is measured from the installation angle and gradually decreases. The displacement friction of this sample is about 10 N at the installation angle IA and is almost the same at the contact angle CA of 10 °. The friction angle FA is about 5 ° in this example. The displacement friction of many commercially available locking systems based on HDF is less than 10 N at the installation angle. This friction may be as low as about 5N. In such a locking system, the long edge contributes very little to preventing the short edge from being displaced during the initial stage of vertical stacking. This is because the friction angle is smaller than the installation angle. Curve Fb shows a special locking system where the friction at the installation angle is higher than at lower angles due to the shape of the locking system. The present invention is based on the principle that the friction at the contact angle is greater than the friction at the installation angle or at any other angle between the installation angle and the contact angle. At the contact angle, the friction force is at the lowest level. A preferred embodiment is one in which the friction at the contact angle is greater than 15N, more preferably greater than 20N. A preferred embodiment is also a vertical locking system with a flexible tongue that generates a tongue pressure greater than 20N, and in some cases greater than 30N.

  Locking systems are commercially available that have relatively high friction at high angles. Such a locking system cannot reduce the angle from the installation angle to the contact angle or the guide angle with a pressure F1 of 10 N in the usual way. A 10N pressure F1 corresponds to a 60N pressure applied to the 120 cm floor panel during installation. Such a locking system is a type of locking system in which tilting must be combined with very high pressure or snapping action at tilted positions. Such a locking system is not used in a vertical stacking system. Although these systems are not excluded according to the present invention, they are not desirable in a vertical stacking system. This is because these systems in some special applications tilt the short and long edges, snap the short and long edges, or tilt the long edges and This is because the installation is only slightly improved compared to the conventionally used installation with a snap fit.

  FIG. 16c shows a more preferred locking system according to the present invention. Here, the friction angle FA is about 15 °, and the contact angle CA is 10 °. The friction angle FA is larger than the contact angle CA, and the friction between the long edges at the contact angle CA is significantly increased compared to the installation angle IA. FIG. 16d shows a method of placing two samples 1, 1 'having a width W3 of 200 mm according to the fourth principle of the present invention. Such an installation, when the panel is equipped with a locking system according to the invention, does not cause separation of the short edges when pressing the overlapping panels exclusively against the underfloor, but creates lateral pressure towards the short edges. Absent. The test was performed on one full-size panel 1 and one panel 1 'cut to a length of about 20 cm. With this locking system with long edge friction to prevent the displacement of small floor pieces, not only regular floor panels but also installation of all floor panels cut to a certain size near the wall Can be easily performed.

  FIGS. 17a to 17c show how the locking system of FIG. 11 is initially adjusted to generate friction at three contact points CP3, CP1 and CP4. The friction is mainly obtained by the pressure between the locking element 8 / locking groove 14 and between the tongue 10 / tang groove 9. The tongue has a lower portion 54 which in this embodiment is essentially parallel to the horizontal plane HP. This lower portion 54 extends from the vertical plane, preferably along a shorter distance TD than in FIG. 11, which is less than 0.1 times the floor thickness T.

  FIGS. 18a to 18c show how the locking system of FIG. 11 is initially adjusted to generate friction at three other contact points CP3, CP1, and CP3. Friction is mainly obtained by the pressure between the upper and lower portions of the tongue 10 / tang groove 9. The tongue has a lower portion 54 which in this embodiment is essentially parallel to the horizontal plane HP. This lower part 54 extends from the vertical plane, preferably along the same distance TD as in FIG. However, the height LH of the locking element is low. The friction means 53 is shown in the form of wax in the lower part of the tongue 10. The wax should preferably be relatively soft and preferably be able to deform during tilting. This soft wax prevents initial displacement along the joint. Such a wax may be applied to the entire locking system, in particular to prevent displacement relative to the HDF surface.

  17 and 18 illustrate many combinations of friction angle and friction point when the dimensions of the tongue 10, groove 9, strip 6, locking element 8, and locking groove 14 are adjusted within the principles of the present invention. Show that you can get.

  FIG. 19a shows an example in which the friction angle is 20 °. In this embodiment, friction is obtained only at the two contact points CP1 and CP2 between the upper and lower portions of the tongue 10 / tang groove 9. The tongue also has a lower part 54 which is essentially parallel to the horizontal plane HP in this embodiment. The lower portion 54 extends from the vertical plane along a predetermined distance TD that is greater than 0.2 times the floor thickness T. In this embodiment, the tongue has a space 55 between the lower portion of the tongue and the tongue groove. This facilitates locking, and the guide surfaces 11 and 12 can be overlapped at a high angle of 15 °, for example, as shown in FIG. 19b.

  20a to 20c show that a locking system with three contact points CP3, CP1 and CP2 can be designed with the 25 ° installation angle shown in FIG. 20a. The locking element is formed relatively higher (LH) than in the above-described embodiment, and the groove panel 1 ′ has a protrusion 56 between the tongue 10 and the tongue groove 14. The upper part of the tongue has a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane, thereby facilitating the machining of the tongue groove 9 with a relatively large rotary tool.

  A simple vertical locking system on the short edge allows the long edge and short edge to be connected with a simple tilting action, with good guidance and locking, and a well-functioning long edge locking When not combined with a system, it does not provide a significant improvement over current technology. For example, as can be seen from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10b, 11a, 17a, 13c, 18b, 19b, and 20b, a locking system with a predetermined combination of friction angle and guide angle, and overlapping panel Can be formed with a locking element 8 and a locking groove 14 that hold the device in an upwardly angled position. The only action required to lock the panel in this case is to push the overlapping panels vertically near the short edge.

The present invention provides a method for installing three panels based on this principle. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 7a, the first panel 1 '' and the second panel 1 are installed flat on the underfloor with the long edges connected. This method includes the following steps. That is,
a) contacting the long edge 5a of the new panel 1 'in the tilted position with the upper part of the long edge 5b of the first panel 1'';
b) The short edge 4b of the new panel 1 ′ is brought into contact with the short edge 4a of the second panel 1 and the new panel 1 ′ is brought into contact by a locking system provided on the long edge and / or the short edge. Maintaining in this position, the new panel 1 ′ can be maintained in this position by the guide surface of the locking element and the locking groove or by the edge of the flexible tongue, as shown in FIG. 10 a , Process and
c) Pushing the short edge section of the new panel downwards towards the floor, thereby causing the first panel, the second panel and the third panel to be vertically stacked, preferably between the short edges. Connecting to each other without creating a large visible gap.

  With this installation method, as shown in FIG. 10, the floor panel is maintained in an upwardly angled position, for example, by guide surfaces 11 and 12. This facilitates installation. This is because the installer changes the position of the hand from the first position which makes the panel an installation angle of 25 ° and presses it towards the edge of the already installed first panel 1 ″, preferably friction This is because it can be slightly tilted down to the angle and the guide angle. The installer can then move his hand, preferably to a second position suitable for pushing both short edge sections of the panel down towards the subfloor. The guide surface guides the locking element into the locking groove and guides the tongue into the tongue groove. Friction between the long edges prevents displacement. The combination of the action of pressing the upper edges against each other at a predetermined angle and the action of pressing the panel to the side provides the advantage of preventing the separation of the short edge, It can be eliminated by three separate simple independent actions and can be replaced by these actions.

FIGS. 21 a-21 c show a flexible tongue 30 that includes a flexible inner portion 62 and a flexible outer portion 61. The flexible tongue shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c has the following disadvantages.
1. These tongues are generally formed from extruded plastic profiles. While this is excellent in price, manufacturing tolerances are insufficient to obtain a high quality lock.
2. Since only one flexible snap tab is used, the flexibility is insufficient. This flexible snap tab only bends over a very limited vertical distance on thin floorboards. This small flexibility creates a large separation force at the edges.
3. In particular, the flexible tongue shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b is difficult to have both flexibility and locking strength. Embodiments according to the present invention reduce or eliminate the above-mentioned problems. The flexible inner portion 62 is not part of the vertical lock and can therefore be made very flexible. This is because its main function is to displace the flexible tongue 30 within the displacement groove. The upper portion 67 of the flexible inner portion is pressed against the inner portion of the displacement groove and bends or compresses as soon as the edge of the floor panel is pressed against the flexible outer portion 61. The outer portion 61 is preferably more rigid and stronger than the inner portion 62. The combined flexibility of the inner and outer portions can be designed to provide a relatively strong lock with a smaller separation force than known tangs. The flexible tongue 30 may of course comprise one or several, for example W-shaped, inner and / or outer parts extending vertically up and down. This can be used to generate even greater flexibility and displacement. Such a tongue may further be formed with a rigid outer portion that cannot be bent. The tongue may be connected to the overlap panel. In such an embodiment, the flexible outer portion 61 extends vertically upward and is locked against the upper portion of the tongue groove.

  FIG. 21b shows that, for example, plastic or metal extruded tangs can be equalized, for example by machining or grinding. This significantly improves manufacturing tolerances to a level similar to or better than injection molding. The displacement, locking function, and locking strength can be greatly improved. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower contact surface 64 and / or the locking surface 65 are equalized before being inserted into the displacement groove 40. If the tongue is connected to the edge or if the tongue is connected to the edge, a portion of the flexible tongue, preferably the flexible outer portion 61, may be equalized. This may be done in a separate manufacturing process or on the line when the locking system is formed. The flexible tongue may be designed to bend horizontally in the length direction during the vertical stacking. As shown in FIG. 21d, removing the tongue section 68 at the edge facilitates such bending and reduces the separation force. This means that the width W of the tongue 30 varies along the length L. Such a tongue section can also be removed from the elastic inner portion 67, and the tongue bends with a small resistance in the length direction, facilitating horizontal overlap. Such formation by cutting off a portion of the edge section can be done with all types of extruded tongues, especially with limited flexibility tongues, for example FIGS. 5a, 5b and This can be done in an embodiment with only one elastic or flexible outer part as shown in 6c. The flexible tongue can also be designed to not bend horizontally during locking according to the hinge principle with a rigid protrusion and a flexible knee joint. Such an embodiment can provide a strong lock. However, a large separation force may occur. This can be mitigated, for example, in embodiments that include several individual flexible inner and outer portions 61a, 61b separated by a cut 69 formed by stamping, machining or the like. These individual flexible parts can be snap-fitted individually, so that the tongues are designed specifically to lock at a certain predetermined level with respect to each other, varying in length by as much as 0.1 mm. The manufacturing tolerance can be reduced when the flexible portion is formed. This ensures that several individual flexible parts are always in the fully locked position. Individual separate parts may be combined with flexible tongues fixedly connected to the panel edges and placed in horizontally extending grooves.

  The present invention further provides an upper contact surface 63 and / or a lower contact surface in a separate flexible tongue formed by extrusion, designed to be used for vertically locking the floorboard. 64 and / or a flexible tongue characterized in that the locking surface 65 is equalized. The tongue described above with the tongue and edge section removed may further have a shape similar to that shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c. Only snap tabs or flexible outer snap tabs are provided.

  Machining, grinding, and the like and similar manufacturing processes form a surface that is different from the surface as obtained by extrusion. This can often be detected by a microscope. Such machining can also be used to increase or decrease the friction between the tongue and the displacement groove.

  Figures 22a to 22c show vertical overlap or vertical locking. One panel 1 'is preferably moved towards another panel 1 along a vertical plane VP. When the stacked panel 1 ′ contacts the outer portion of the flexible tongue 30, preferably the flexible outer portion 61, the flexible inner portion 62 is bent vertically and the flexible tongue is displaced inwardly into the displacement groove 40. Displace in. In this case, it is preferably connected by frictional connection. This flexible outer portion 61 begins to bend gradually as shown in FIG. 22b. Eventually, both the inner portion 62 and the outer portion 61 pop back toward their initial positions, and the flexible tongue engages the flexible tongue 30 which is displaced toward the tongue groove 20 within the displacement groove 40. The stop surface 65 hits a part of the tongue groove 20 and is locked. The tongue may be connected to the displacement groove with a slight gap allowing the tongue to be easily displaced and tilted to some extent during locking. The flexible outer portion 61 is preferably displaced mainly horizontally during locking and pivots slightly about the upper knee 70. The lower contact surface 65 may form a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane, preferably smaller than 10 °, thereby improving the locking strength.

  FIG. 23a shows a tongue locking system that can be locked by tilting movement. The new panel 1 'has a first connector including a tongue 10 with a locking element 8a provided in the upper part. The first panel 1 '' has an undercut tongue groove 9 having an upper lip 6b and a lower lip 6a, and a locking groove 14a formed in the upper lip 6b and extending downward toward the lower lip 6a. First and second connectors lock the panels in the vertical and horizontal directions. The lower lip 6 a preferably extends beyond the vertical plane VP and preferably has a horizontal contact surface that contacts the lower portion of the tongue 10. The locking system may be designed to have three contact points CP1, CP2, and CP3 at an angle greater than 15 °, for example, as shown in FIG. 23a. As a variant, a tongue lock may be used in the strip locking system of all the embodiments described above. The tongue lock provided on the long edge can be combined with the hook system provided on the short edge. This preferably only locks in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 24d.

  FIG. 24a shows a locking system comprising two tongues 10, 10 'and two corresponding tongue grooves 9, 9'. This locking system can be used to lock the long edge with an angle, with a snap fit, or with a vertical lock if the tongue and strip are adjusted to allow vertical snap action. . Such a system may have more than four contact points and the friction along the joint is quite high.

  FIG. 24b shows a locking system using a separate strip. This separate strip can also be used to lock the long edge in the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 24a. Such a strip may comprise a material or surface having a better friction characteristic than the core material.

  FIG. 24c shows a locking system that includes a separate tongue 10 'that may be flexible or rigid. This tongue 10 'can be connected to the strip panel 1 "or the overlap panel 1' with a long edge and / or a short edge in order to improve the friction properties or save material.

  FIG. 24d shows a hook system that only locks in the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 24e shows one embodiment of a locking system in which the flexible tongue 30 is formed as one piece with the core. By forming the undercut groove 71 on the rear side of the flexible tongue 30, the flexibility of the tongue can be enhanced. Such grooves can preferably be formed by a scraping tool when the short edge is machined. Using such scraping or broaching technology, advanced shapes similar to extruded plastic profiles can be formed with fiber based materials such as HDF, but this can also be done with hardwood and plastic materials. it can. The flexible tongue 30 may be a large rotary tool and may be formed on the stacked panel 1 ′ whose outer portion extends upward. The locking system may further comprise two flexible tongues, one at each edge. The flexible tongue wood fiber may be impregnated and / or coated with, for example, a binder 70 to improve strength and flexibility. The impregnation may be performed before or after the tongue or edge is formed. The entire edge or part of the locking system, such as the tongue groove 20, such as the locking element 8, or the locking groove 14, may also be impregnated and / or coated. The undercut groove may be filled with a flexible material to improve strength and flexibility. If the strip 6 and / or the locking element 8 can be deflected during the vertical stacking, the vertical stacking can be easily performed. The locking system wax facilitates locking. The essentially vertical groove 73 above the strip of the overlapping panel 1 ′ or the cavity 72 of the strip 6 adjacent to the locking element 8 of the strip panel 1 improves the flexibility of another locking system, Can be made more flexible. The lower portion 78 of the strip and / or balancing layer may be removed, thereby increasing the flexibility of the strip and making it easier to bend towards the subfloor. The overlap panel may include a protrusion 74, and preferably may further include a locking surface of the type described in FIG. 27c. The flexible tongue may be formed from another material, in which case the flexible tongue is fixedly connected to the panel by gluing, friction, or snap fit. Such another material may be, for example, a relatively local edge portion 77 that can be connected to the edge prior to final machining. The undercut groove 71 may also be preformed prior to connecting another material 77 to the edge of the panel. Such a connection may be formed at an individual panel edge or may be formed on a panel board, which is then cut into individual floor panels. Another material 75, 76 may be connected to the edge of the strip panel 1 and / or the stack panel 1 'so as to form the main part of the locking system. Such another material may be adhered to the upper surface layer and the lower balancing layer on the wood floor. The separate material is made of hard wood such as hard and flexible rubber wood or birch, or wood, plastic material, wood fiber material and phenol impregnated with binder such as acrylic binder It may also be formed of a high-density laminate, which further comprises glass fiber, HDF or HDF reinforced with binder, HDF with essentially vertical fiber orientation, wood fiber and / or plastic material and / or glass fiber Materials with several layers including are included. Such materials may be used separately or in combination. The locking system may, of course, be formed without the undercut groove 71 in accordance with the principles described above, for example because the required flexibility can be obtained using suitable materials and joint features. If present, it may be formed according to the embodiment described in FIG.

  Many chemicals such as melamine, urea, phenol, thermoplastic materials such as PP and PUR can be used to impregnate or coat part or all of the locking system. Such chemicals can be cured under pressure or without pressure, for example, by heat, high frequency, UV, etc.

  The flexible tongue 70 can be deflected by a few tenths of a millimeter with standard HDF materials. This is sufficient to provide vertical locking, especially on a laminated floor. Impregnation and / or coating can greatly improve this flexibility.

  In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment is provided that includes a short edge locking system that can be locked with vertical overlap or vertical locking. This embodiment is provided with a strip 6, a locking element 8 and a flexible tongue 30 extending downwards at the edge of the locking system. The flexible tongue is formed as one part with the panel core or is formed of another material, and when formed of another material, is fixedly connected to the core. The flexible tongue 30 includes an undercut groove 71 on the rear side.

  Figures 25a to 25c show how to correctly determine the highest three point contact angle with a locking system formed primarily of wood fiber based core material. Only hundreds of different locking systems on the market are used to connect the laminate flooring. In many of these, it is relatively easy to measure the maximum three-point contact angle. This is shown in FIG. 25a. A sample having a width of W2 and a length of about 100 mm is tilted downward from the installation angle until resistance is generated by contact between the locking groove and the locking element with the upper edge in contact. The sample reaches the maximum three-point contact angle at this position, can maintain the position tilted above, and does not fall down to the subfloor due to the weight of the sample. Such a locking system is characterized in that the three points include an upper edge contact point CP3, a tongue upper portion and groove contact point CP1, and a locking element / locking groove contact point CP4. To do. The locking system, however, may comprise the design shown in FIGS. 25b and 25c. In this case, the three contact points are the contact points of the upper and lower parts of the tongue and the contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3) of the upper edge. However, some such locking systems do not maintain an upwardly tilted position. In such a system, the cross section of the joint must be analyzed with a microscope. If it is difficult to determine the three-point contact angle with a loose fiber, the friction must be measured as described in FIG. An increase in friction indicates that an additional contact point of the locking system has been reached.

  Figures 26a-26d illustrate one embodiment of a short edge locking system that counteracts or prevents long edge displacement during vertical stacking. FIG. 26a shows a BB cross-section of the short side locking system near the edge portion where it begins to overlap as shown in FIG. 4a. This locking system can be a separate strip 6 and strip panel 1 with a locking element 8 as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 8, for example. The flexible tongue 30 includes the tongue groove 20 and the locking groove 14 of the stacked panel 1 ′. The locking surface is essentially vertical and parallel to the vertical plane VP. Preferably, this locking system is such that when there is no contact between the overlapping panel 1 'and the flexible tongue 30, the upper part of the locking surface 8a of the locking element 8 is locked as shown in FIG. It may be designed to contact the lower part of the locking surface 14 a of the groove 14. This can be done because there is no tongue portion proximate to the long edge or because the tongue is arcuate and there is no protruding portion that contacts the overlap panel 1 '. FIG. 26b shows a cross-section at CC in FIG. 4a. The locking surfaces 8a, 14a prevent separation when the tongue 30 contacts the overlap panel. Separation means that the tongues and stacked panels are essentially and preferably completely vertical, and these locking surfaces extend vertically along a considerable distance, so that these locking surfaces are preferably 10 ° or more. In the case of preventing the displacement at a higher angle, even in the embodiment in which the flexible tongue 30 is positioned close to the long edge, it is blocked by the locking surfaces 8a, 14a. The height H of the locking surface is preferably at least 0.1 times the floor thickness T, more preferably 0.15 times. The vertical locking surface may be formed to have a height H of about 0.2 × T or higher.

  Several variations are possible within the main principles of the invention. FIG. 26d shows that the function can be equalized as long as the locking surface 14a of the locking groove 14 meets the above requirements. The function is that when the locking groove 14b has an arcuate shape toward the outer edge, for example, there are at least two parts arranged vertically along the vertical plane, and the distance is about 0.1 × T Can be the same.

  FIG. 27a shows an embodiment in which a short edge locking element 8 and locking groove 14 are used to prevent separation. The edge 8a of the locking element 8 is advantageously arranged close to the long edge 5b of the first panel 1 ''. This is because the edge enters the locking groove of the new panel at a relatively high angle. The flexible tongue can be positioned to lock near the long edge. The flexible tongue 30 is, in this embodiment, an extruded profile and facilitates horizontal displacement during stacking by cutting away the edge section 68. The high vertical locking surface on the short edge is particularly suitable for locking systems with flexible tongues made of extruded plastic profiles, especially when such profiles are flexible outer snap tabs If only one is provided, a large separation pressure is generated because flexibility is limited.

  FIG. 27 shows that the flexible tongue 30 can be moved farther towards the long edge 5b, such that when a compact tongue locking system is used at the long edge, such a locking system is beyond the vertical plane VP. It shows that it does not include a large protruding strip 6 so that it does not displace along the long edge at a relatively high angle.

  FIG. 27c shows an engagement with an essentially vertical locking surface between the locking element 8 of the flexible tongue 30 and strip 6, preferably formed by extrusion, and the locking groove 14 of the overlap panel 1 ′. Indicates a stop system. The overlapping panel 1 ′ includes a protrusion 74 adjacent to the locking surface of the locking groove 14. This protrusion is received in an adjacent cavity 72 provided in the strip 6. Preferably, the essentially horizontal lower contact surface 24 is locked in a vertical direction relative to the adjacent strip contact surface 6 '. This feature is very suitable for flooring with an HDF core because the cavity is formed in the lower part of the dense core. The cavity reduces the strength of the locking system to a limited extent. The height H of the vertical locking surface is preferably at least 0.1 × T. In order to prevent cracking when the floor contracts and to facilitate securing the separate tongue 30 to the displacement groove 40, the design of the locking system is preferably such that the locking element 8 is displaced. The locking groove 14 is arranged below the horizontal plane H1 including the inner part of the tongue groove 20 and the lowermost part.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Floor panel 4a, 4b Short edge joining edge 6 Locking strip 8 Locking element 14 Locking groove 20 Tung groove 21 Upper part 22 Tongue locking surface 23 Sliding surface 24 Vertical locking surface 30 Flexibility Tang 31 Rounded outer portion 32 Sliding surface 33 Upper tongue displacement surface 34 Inner portion 35 Lower tongue displacement surface 40 Displacement groove 41 Upper portion 42 Upper opening 43 Upper groove displacement surface 44 Bottom surface 45 Lower groove displacement surface 46 Lower opening 62 Rear surface HP Horizontal plane VP Vertical plane D1 Vertical direction D2 Horizontal direction P1 Groove part P2 Protruding part

Claims (62)

Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integral with the floor panel and is formed to connect adjacent edges;
Since the first connector connects adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges, the first connector is provided on the edge of one floor panel and is directed upward. A locking strip (6) having 8) and a downwardly opening locking groove (14) provided on an adjacent edge of another floor panel,
In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue (10, 10) provided on the edge of the one floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge. 30) and a horizontally open tongue groove (9, 20) provided on an adjacent edge of the other floor panel,
The connector provided at the long edge is formed to be locked by tilting,
The connector provided on the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
Accordingly, the long edge portion of the new panel (1 ′) in the second row R2 is connected to the long edge portion (5b) of the first panel (1 ″) in the first row R1 by tilt movement. Formed,
The floor (4b) of the new panel (1 ') and the short edge (4a) of the second panel (1) in the second row R2 are formed so as to be connected by the above-mentioned tilt movement. In the panel set,
The connector (9, 10, 6, 8, 14) at the long edge portion has an upper edge of the new panel (1 ′) as a main plane (upper edge of the first panel (1 ″)). HP) with at least three separate contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4) or contact surfaces between adjacent portions of the connector when pressed at a predetermined angle of at least about 10 °. A set of floor panels. In the set of floor panels according to claim 1,
The set of floor panels, wherein the long edge has at least four contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4). In the set of floor panels according to claim 2,
The long edge portion is formed when the upper edge of the new panel is pressed against the upper edge of the first panel at a predetermined angle of about 0 ° to about 10 ° with respect to the main plane. The vertical upper contact point (CP1) and the vertical lower contact point (CP2), the horizontal inner contact point (CP3) and the horizontal outer contact point (CP4) between adjacent surfaces of the long edge of the first panel A set of floor panels characterized by comprising: In the set of floor panels according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
The tongue of the short edge is formed of another material and is displaced in the horizontal direction during the stacking in order to lock the floor panels together in the vertical direction (D1) parallel to the vertical plane (VP). A set of floor panels, comprising a flexible portion formed to cooperate with the tongue groove of an adjacent short edge. In the set of floor panels according to claim 4,
The set of floor panels, wherein the tongue has an arcuate portion and is flexible in the length direction. In the set of floor panels according to claim 4 or 5,
A set of floor panels, wherein the tongue is provided with a flexible protrusion. In the set of floor panels according to claim 4, 5 or 6,
A set of floor panels, wherein a part of the tongue is displaceably disposed in the connecting groove (40). In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
A set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab. In the set of floor panels according to claim 8,
The set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab provided on a strip panel, and the snap tab extends downward. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The set of floor panels, wherein the angle of pressing the upper edge of the new panel against the upper edge of the first panel is at least about 15 °. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integral with the floor panel and is formed to connect adjacent edges;
Since the first connector connects adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges, the first connector is provided on the edge of one floor panel and is directed upward. A locking strip (6) having 8) and a downwardly opening locking groove (14) provided on an adjacent edge of another floor panel,
In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue (10, 10) provided on the edge of the one floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge. 30) and a horizontally open tongue groove (9, 20) provided on an adjacent edge of the other floor panel,
The connector provided at the long edge is formed to be locked by tilting,
The connector provided on the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
Accordingly, the long edge portion of the new panel (1 ′) in the second row R2 is connected to the long edge portion (5b) of the first panel (1 ″) in the first row R1 by tilt movement. Formed,
The floor (4b) of the new panel (1 ') and the short edge (4a) of the second panel (1) in the second row R2 are formed so as to be connected by the above-mentioned tilt movement. In the panel set,
The tongue (30) of the short edge is formed of another material and is arranged in the connecting groove (40);
The tongue is provided with a flexible portion in which an edge section is arranged in close proximity to the long edge of the first panel, the edge section engaging the floor panels with each other in the vertical direction. In order to stop, it is formed to displace in the horizontal direction during stacking and to cooperate with the tongue groove (20) of the adjacent short edge,
When the first and second connectors of the long edge portion press the panel against each other with the same pressure (F1) while the upper joint edge is in contact, the frictional force along the long edge portion is contacted. It is formed to be smaller at the installation angle (IA) than at the angle (CA),
Thereby, the installation angle is about 25 ° and the contact angle is a relatively low angle corresponding to the initial contact between the edge section and the adjacent short edge. Pairs. The set of floor panels according to claim 11,
The set of floor panels, wherein the long edge portion has at least three contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4) at the contact angle. The set of floor panels according to claim 12,
The new panel and the long edge of the first panel are located between adjacent surfaces of the first and second long edges when the upper edge of the new panel is pressed against the upper edge of the first panel. A set of floor panels comprising a vertical upper contact point (CP1) and a vertical lower contact point (CP2), a horizontal inner contact point (CP3) and a horizontal outer contact point (CP4). In the set of floor panels according to claim 11, 12, or 13,
A set of floor panels, wherein the tongue is provided with an arcuate portion and is flexible in the length direction. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
A set of floor panels, wherein the tongue is provided with a flexible protrusion. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
A set of floor panels, wherein at least a part of the tongue is displaceably disposed in the connecting groove (40). In the set of floor panels according to claim 11, 12, or 13,
A set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab. A set of floor panels according to claim 17,
The set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab provided on the strip panel, and the snap tab extends downward. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 18,
The set of floor panels, wherein the contact angle is at least about 10 °. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 20,
A set of floor panels, wherein the core of the panel is formed of HDF. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 20,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panel has a thickness of about 6 mm to 9 mm. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 21,
A set of floor panels, wherein the length of the panels does not exceed about 120 cm. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 11 to 22,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panels have a width of about 20 cm or more. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integral with the floor panel and is formed to connect adjacent edges;
Since the first connector connects adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges, the first connector is provided on the edge of one floor panel and is directed upward. A locking strip (6) having 8) and a downwardly opening locking groove (14) provided on an adjacent edge of another floor panel,
In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue (10, 10) provided on the edge of the one floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge. 30) and a horizontally open tongue groove (9, 20) provided on an adjacent edge of the other floor panel,
The connector provided at the long edge is formed to be locked by tilting movement,
The connector provided on the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
Accordingly, the long edge portion of the new panel (1 ′) in the second row R2 is connected to the long edge portion (5b) of the first panel (1 ″) in the first row R1 by tilt movement. Formed,
The floor (4b) of the new panel (1 ') and the short edge (4a) of the second panel (1) in the second row R2 are formed so as to be connected by the above-mentioned tilt movement. In the panel set,
The tongue (30) of the short edge is formed of another material and is arranged in the connecting groove (40);
The tongue is configured to be displaced in the horizontal direction during stacking in order to lock the floor panels together in the vertical direction and to cooperate with the tongue groove (20) at the adjacent short edge. The first and second connectors at the long edge of the new panel and the first panel when the upper portions of the edge are pressed against each other at a predetermined angle. A set of floor panels, comprising friction means (53, 53 ') for increasing the friction along the long edge with only two contact points in contact between the first and second connectors. A set of floor panels according to claim 24,
The set of floor panels, characterized in that the friction means comprise small local protrusions. In the set of floor panels according to claim 24 or 25,
The set of floor panels, wherein the friction means is formed of another material applied to the locking system. In the set of floor panels according to claim 24, 25 or 26,
A set of floor panels, wherein the another material is wax. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 27,
The set of floor panels, wherein the long edge portion has at least three contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4) at the contact angle. A set of floor panels according to claim 28,
The new panel and the long edge of the first panel are located between adjacent surfaces of the first and second long edges when the upper edge of the new panel is pressed against the upper edge of the first panel. A set of floor panels comprising a vertical upper contact point (CP1) and a vertical lower contact point (CP2), a horizontal inner contact point (CP3) and a horizontal outer contact point (CP4). A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 29,
A set of floor panels, wherein at least a part of the tongue is displaceably disposed in the connecting groove (40). A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 30,
A set of floor panels, wherein the tongue includes an arcuate portion and is flexible in length. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 31,
The set of floor panels, wherein the tongue has a flexible protrusion. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 32,
A set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 33,
The set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab provided on the strip panel, and the snap tab extends downward. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 34,
A set of floor panels, wherein the core of the panel is formed of HDF. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 35,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panel has a thickness of about 6 mm to 9 mm. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 36,
A set of floor panels, wherein the length of the panels does not exceed about 120 cm. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 24 to 37,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panels have a width of about 20 cm or more. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integral with the floor panel and is formed to connect adjacent edges;
Since the first connector connects adjacent edges in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the adjacent edges, the first connector is provided on the edge of one floor panel and is directed upward. A locking strip (6) having 8) and a downwardly opening locking groove (14) provided on an adjacent edge of another floor panel,
In order to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction, the second connector has a tongue (10, 10) provided on the edge of the one floor panel so as to extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge. 30) and a horizontally open tongue groove (9, 20) provided on an adjacent edge of the other floor panel,
The connector provided at the long edge is formed to be locked by tilting movement,
The connector provided on the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
Accordingly, the long edge portion of the new panel (1 ′) in the second row R2 is connected to the long edge portion (5b) of the first panel (1 ″) in the first row R1 by tilt movement. Formed,
The floor (4b) of the new panel (1 ') and the short edge (4a) of the second panel (1) in the second row R2 are formed so as to be connected by the above-mentioned tilt movement. In the panel set,
The tongue (30) of the short edge is formed of another material and connected to the connecting groove (40);
The tongue is configured to be displaced in the horizontal direction during stacking in order to lock the floor panels together in the vertical direction and to cooperate with the tongue groove (20) at the adjacent short edge. Has a part,
The connector at the long edge portion and the short edge portion has one of the second panel and the new panel cut to a predetermined length (W3) of about 20 cm. A floor panel set, wherein the floor panel is formed so as not to be displaced in a direction away from the other panel when in the contact position at an installation angle (IA) and during vertical stacking. A set of floor panels according to claim 39,
The set of floor panels, wherein the long edge has at least three contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4) at a contact angle. In the set of floor panels according to claim 40,
The long edge has a vertical upper contact point (CP1) between adjacent surfaces of the first and second long edges when the upper edge of the new panel is pressed against the upper edge of the first panel. And a vertical lower contact point (CP2), a horizontal inner contact point (CP3) and a horizontal outer contact point (CP4). In the set of floor panels according to claim 39, 40 or 41,
A set of floor panels, wherein the friction means is provided in the long edge locking system. A set of floor panels according to claim 42,
A set of floor panels, characterized in that the friction means are small local protrusions. A set of floor panels according to claim 42 or 43,
The set of floor panels, wherein the friction means is formed of another material applied to the locking system. A set of floor panels according to claim 44,
The set of floor panels, wherein the another material comprises wax. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 45,
A set of floor panels, wherein the tongue is provided with an arcuate portion and is flexible in the length direction. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 46,
The set of floor panels, wherein the tongue includes a flexible protrusion. In the set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 45,
A set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab. A set of floor panels according to claim 47,
The set of floor panels, wherein the flexible portion is a snap tab provided on the strip panel, and the snap tab extends downward. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 49,
A set of floor panels, wherein the core of the panel is formed of HDF. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 50,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panel has a thickness of about 6 mm to 9 mm. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 51,
A set of floor panels, wherein the length of the panels does not exceed about 120 cm. A set of floor panels according to any one of claims 39 to 52,
The set of floor panels, wherein the panels have a width of about 20 cm or more. An installation method for connecting floor panels (1, 1 ′, 1 ″) by vertical overlapping,
The panels are tilted locking systems provided on the long edges (9, 10, 6, 8, 14) and vertical directions provided on the short edges to lock the panels in the vertical and horizontal directions. Have a stacking system (20, 30, 6, 8, 14),
In the method, the first panel (1 '') and the second panel (1) are installed flat on the subfloor with the long edges joined together,
a) contacting the long edge (5a) of a new panel (1 ′) in an inclined position with the upper part of the long edge (5b) of the first panel (1 ″);
b) The short edge (4b) of the new panel (1 ') is brought into contact with the short edge (4a) of the second panel, and the new panel is connected to the long edge and / or the short edge. Maintaining in this position by a stop system;
c) pushing the short edge section (4b) of the new panel downwards towards the subfloor;
d) connecting the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel to each other by vertical stacking. 55. The method of claim 54, wherein
When the upper edge of the first panel is pressed against the upper edge of the new panel at an angle of about 10 ° with respect to the main plane, adjacent to the first and second long edges Between the surfaces, the long edge has a vertical upper contact point (CP1) and a vertical lower contact point (CP2), a horizontal inner contact point (CP3), and a horizontal outer contact point (CP3). Placing the panel. A method comprising: 55. The method of claim 54, wherein
When the upper edge of the first panel is pressed against the upper edge of the new panel at a contact angle, the long edge is vertical between adjacent surfaces of the first and second long edges. Placing the panel at a position having a directional upper contact point (CP1) and a vertical lower contact point (CP2), and a horizontal inner contact point (CP3) and a horizontal outer contact point (CP3). And how to. In the flexible tongue for locking the floorboard in the vertical direction,
The flexible tongue is composed of two flexible parts, and the flexible parts are arranged in an inner part of a groove formed in a panel edge, and A flexible tongue comprising a flexible outer portion configured to be disposed on an outer portion of the groove. In extrusion flexible tongue,
The tongue is an extruded flexible tongue characterized in that a surface portion is equalized. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integrated with the floor panel, and is formed to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The long edge portion is formed to be locked by tilting movement,
In the set of floor panels, the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
The connector (9, 10, 6, 8, 14) of the long edge portion has a main plane (1) on the upper edge portion of one panel (1 ′) and an upper edge portion of another panel (1 ″). HP) with at least three separate contact points (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4) or contact surfaces between adjacent parts of the connector when pressed at an angle of at least 10 ° A set of floor panels. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integrated with the floor panel, and is formed to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The long edge portion is formed to be locked by tilting movement,
In the set of floor panels, the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
When the panel is pressed against each other with the same pressure (F1) with the upper joint edge in contact with the first and second connectors of the long edge portion, the frictional force along the long edge portion is installed. At an angle (IA), it is formed to be smaller than at the contact angle (CA), so that the installation angle is about 25 °, the contact angle being the edge section and the adjacent short edge A set of floor panels, characterized by a low angle corresponding to the initial contact between the two. Essentially the same, each having a long edge (5a, 5b) and a short edge (4a, 4b) provided with first and second connectors (9, 10, 6, 8, 14, 20, 30) A set of floor panels (1, 1 ', 1'')
The connector is integrated with the floor panel, and is formed to connect adjacent edges in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The long edge portion is formed to be locked by tilting movement,
In the set of floor panels, the short edge is formed to be locked by vertical overlap,
The connector (9, 10, 6, 8, 14) of the short edge portion has a locking surface designed to lock the short edge portion in a horizontal direction with a locking groove (14) and a locking element. (8), whereby the locking surface is essentially vertical and extends over a height of at least about 0.1 times the thickness T of the floor panel, A set of floor panels characterized by that. In a short edge locking system where adjacent edges of two similar floor panels can be locked vertically and horizontally, with vertical overlap or vertical locking.
The locking system is formed of a strip (6), a locking element (8), one piece of the core of the panel and another material connected to the panel. With tongue (30) at the edge,
A short edge locking system, characterized in that the tongue extends downward and an undercut groove (71) is formed on the rear side of the flexible tongue (30).

Images